Bridging Continents: Unveiling The Mystique Of Russia And Alaska’s Proximity!

BY  Sibashree Oct 15, 2024

Lassen Volcanic National Park was in the news recently as the fourth-largest wildfire in California exploded out of proportion. The park's officials evacuated staff from the Mineral community near the park headquarters.  120 people were there in the community, and the evacuation started as the fire started moving east to the park on the evening of 26th July 2024.  However, the park fire reached near containment in August, and on 17th August 2024, the park was partially reopened. You may wonder what to see in Lassen Volcanic National Park after the fire breakout and if there is any significant destruction in the places of interest in the park.  Let me assure you. The park officials stated that the fire had never entered the park. However, there are still risks in the southern part of the park and Mill Creek and Mineral communities.  Nevertheless, the reopened parts of the park are out of danger despite some lingering smoke. So, Subway Cave, located around 15 miles north of Lassen Volcanic National Park, is one of the safest sites to explore after the fire incident. Make a rush, as it remains open from late April to November.  What To See In Lassen Volcanic National Park After The Fire Breakout (Exploring The Underground World Of A Lava Tube) Yes, you got me right! I am talking about the Subway Cave. The self-guided trail inside the cave is ⅓ miles long and 30 feet wide, and complete darkness is inside. So, many call it the journey into darkness. The USDA Forest Service maintains the cave, which remains open from dawn to dusk.  Before I get into more stories and facts about the cave, I want to present the basics you need to know briefly.  Important Facts About Subway Cave, Lassen National Volcanic Park Location in the ParkA 2-minute walk from the parking lot near the junction of “Highway 89” and “Highway 44” in Old StationAmenitiesPicnic TablesDrinking WaterParkingToiletsInterpretive SiteFeesFree (You can make donations)Pet-FriendlyNoParking FacilitiesMany Parking Facilities, Buses and RVsOutdoor ActivitiesInterpretative Sessions, Caving, PicnicTemperature Inside the Cave46 Degree Farrenheit Nearby AttractionShasta County (Mountainous landscape and multiple picnic locations)Nearby Trails*Cinder Crone TrailSpattercone Nature TrailButte Lake to Widow Lake, etc.  *Many hiking trails in the park, such as the Lassen Peak, Bumpass Hell, and Mill Creek Falls, are closed as the park has partially reopened after the recent wildfire explosion. So, check with the park authorities before you plan a hike on the park trails.  This Is How The Subway Cave Was Formed  If you are a keen learner of geology and want to know what to see in Lassen Volcanic National Park, you cannot avoid the lure of Subway Cave. I have already shared an account on the geothermal wonders of the park. This cave is an example of how lava flowed around 20000 years ago and created some magic.  A major lava explosion happened all across the Hat Creek area around 20000 years ago. The top layer of the lava flow became cold and hard in contact with air. Thus, a hard cap was formed. However, there was a continuous flow of molten lava below this cap.  The molten lava drained out Over time, but a hollow tube structure remained there. As you hike this trail, you will find traces of the more recent lava flows.  Route To The Subway Cave Is Bumpass Hell on your list of what to see in Lassen Volcanic National Park? Are you planning a trip to the park soon? Then, you will be disappointed as the Bumpass Hell trek route is closed after the park has reopened following the recent fire breakout.  Further, as Bumpass Hell is closed, you must take the Warner Valley Area route to  Devils Kitchen, which is the cave's opening. Devils Kitchen is a 4.4-mile hike from the Warner Valley Area (camping here is closed for 2024).   Accessing The Subway Cave  You have to climb down metal stairs as you access the Subway Cave. You will get down into a wide opening in the ground. The ground surface has a leveled floor. However, you must be careful as you get off the stair flight.  Further, you must wear sturdy footwear to avoid injuries and difficulties where the floor gets rough.  Fortunately, the ceiling and walls are quite smooth, minimizing the hiking difficulty level while hiking. Also, there is complete darkness inside the cave. So, you will need a flashlight to make it to the end.  The weather inside is a little cold, even in summer. So you will need a light jacket. Moreover, don’t forget to read and follow the interpretative signs through the trail to better understand the place.  The best thing about this park is that it’s 30 feet wide. So, even with complete darkness inside, you never feel suffocated.  What To See In Lassen Volcanic National Park Subway Cave It is not a long walk inside the Subway Cave. However, this short walk is enough to make it feature on the list of what to see in Lassen Volcanic Park.  Lucifer’s Cul-de-sac (An Attraction Very Few Knows About) Have you listened to Satan’s Cul-de-sac from Gangland Buries Its Own? The first thing that may amaze you inside the cave is Lucifer’s Cul-de-sac. There is a split as you enter the cave, and you are to turn to the right if you want to continue the trail. However, you will notice a big room if you are adventurous enough to turn left, when I tell you about Lucifer’s Cul-de-sac, The ceiling height starts from 6 feet and gets higher up to 15 feet. The most amazing thing about this room inside the cave is the rock formation on the ceiling and walls. It’s gothic and justified its name.  https://open.spotify.com/track/6cq37W4OXjEdQRLh2IVQOF As The Hike Advances  The ceiling height will vary as you continue the trek, and there are small boulder-like rock formations in many places. So, be careful with your steps and do not stumble upon them. Also, because of these rock formations, you must not wear an open-toe shoe while walking through the cave.  Nevertheless, the ceiling formation is fascinating, and in one section, it looks like stoned rainfall or water ripples. The section is called the Lavacicle Lane. Molten lava dripped off through the cracks in the ceiling cave, and there were formations of “drip pendants” or “lavacicles.”  Further, as you plan to take the exit, you notice all the colors in the lava rock formation, including green, blue, white, and brown lines.  Getting Out Of The Subway Cave As you approach the end of the cave, you will find a metal stair flight similar to the one at the entrance. From the top of the exit staircase, you can hike through an on-ground trail to the west or north to find the parking lot.  However, I prefer to take another walk through the cave and get back to the entrance. It will be so much fun to explore this unique geological formation again.  Things To Remember Before Getting Into The Darkness Of The Subway Cave  Subway Cave is a hidden gem if you consider what to see in Lassen Volcanic National Park. However, once you take the hike and read the interpretative signs, you will learn why it is geologically unique.  Nevertheless, you must be careful about certain things to ensure complete safety throughout the hike.  You will find rattlesnakes in the trail, and you have to be respectful to these reptiles. You must not make any move to catch or hurt them. Moreover, you cannot go off trails or litter inside the cave.  No food, water, or firelighting is allowed inside the cave. There are picnic areas nearby for you to catch refreshments. Wish you a safe, easy, and fun-filled experience inside the Subway Cave!  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 Aug 26, 2021

In these uncertain times when the question of whether to travel or not to travel is on everyone’s minds, the Holiday Royal Vacation Club offers many ways to help you stay safe while you travel. Their safe guest program offers a variety of safety measures such as social distancing practices and sanitation stations spaced throughout the resort for your convenience. You may be wondering, is it really safe to travel with Holiday Royal Vacation Club? The short answer is yes. If you take personal safety measures and abide by the rules set forth by the Holiday Royal Vacation Club, you should be able to safely enjoy your vacation while on resort grounds. There are many safety measures taken to ensure you can be happy and healthy during your stay. To help you get a better idea of what the Holiday Royal Vacation Club can do for you, here are some frequently asked questions: What does the Holiday Royal Vacation Club do to Help Keep My Family Safe? From sanitation stations to bell boys who disinfect your luggage, and social distancing (even on the beach) to urns for returning keys at checkout to cut down on face-to-face contact with the staff, there are a variety of ways that the Holiday Royal Vacation Club works hard every day so you can rest and relax during your vacation. Other safety-focused amenities include cleaning and disinfecting tables and menus at all dining facilities, temperature checks on-site, especially in places of entertainment like pools and beaches, the enforcement and practice of implementing the Cristal International Standards for room check certifications, and sanitation of all facilities on a frequent basis using Ecolab disinfecting and cleaning products that are both better for the environment and for your health and safety. How are Health and Safety Protocols Managed in Public Places like Pools? Holiday Royal Vacation welcomes you to use the private pools at their hotels and resorts where sanitation and disinfection are closely monitored. All surfaces such as tables and chairs are disinfected after each use. This means when one person leaves their poolside chair, a team member will quickly go and disinfect it before another guest is able to use it. In places like pools, the temperatures of guests are also checked and monitored. If a fever is detected, procedures are followed to get that guest to a safe place, away from other guests to ensure everyone’s safety. Finally, the social distancing of a minimum of 5 feet is enforced in all public places at all of the Holiday Royal hotels and resorts, this includes restaurants and swimming pools. Where can You Travel with the Holiday Royal Vacation Club? The Holiday Royal Vacation Club is most commonly known for having timeshares in Mexico, but there are also locations in New York, Puerto Rico, Morocco, France, Turkey, and dozens of other countries and cities around the world. Even though travel may be limited, you are sure to be able to find a Holiday Royal Vacation Club location near one of your destination options. What if you want to get rid of Your Holiday Royal Club Timeshare? Though we believe you will be greatly satisfied with your experience with the Holiday Royal Vacation Club, sometimes, it isn’t for everyone. We also believe that choosing to replace your club membership with another package is not a great idea as they take your safety concerns to heart, and worry that others will not care the way they do at Holiday Royal Vacation club resorts and hotels. If you have decided that you no longer want to be a club member, there are a few options available to get rid of your timeshare. If you have purchased it in the last 5 days, by law, you should be able to get a full refund. If it has been longer than 5 days, you have two options. The first option is to find a timeshare resale company. This is a company that kind of acts as a real estate agent to find buyers for your timeshare. These companies usually charge a fee for their services, but they can save you a lot of hassle in doing the work to find a buyer for you. The second option is to hire a timeshare exit company to help you with the legal paperwork to get rid of your timeshare. Just like the resale companies, exit companies usually charge a fee, but they do not usually require you to pay anything until your timeshare ownership has been legally terminated. If none of these options sound great to you, you can always choose to use up your remaining time with your timeshare, and choose not to renew your contract when the time comes. Conclusion Now that your questions have been answered, here is a question for you: Are your bags packed yet? We know that traveling during a global pandemic and the aftermath of one can be scary, but there are ways to do it safely. If you get your vaccinations, follow all mandated safety protocols, and stay at a place like one of the many hotels or resorts that offer the Holiday Royal Vacation Club Safe Guest Program, you can put your mind at ease in knowing that your room and your dining and entertainment facilities are regularly disinfected to ensure your safety. The Holiday Royal Vacation Club truly does have your safety in mind and welcomes you with hand sanitizer, disinfecting spray for your luggage, and freshly sanitized rooms. If you're interested, we encourage you to contact their customer service today for more information about available packages. Read Also: How To Prepare Yourself For The Perfect Vacation: Top 7 Tips 6 Things To Consider While Booking A Vacation Rental 5 Things To Do On Vacation In Belize

BY  Abdul Aziz May 22, 2023

The Blue Train symbolizes luxury travel and timeless elegance that has been traversing South Africa since 1946. This train journey promises to take you on a once-in-a-lifetime excursion through some of the most breathtaking views of the country. It will let you indulge in the ultimate level of extravagance and supreme comfort while you get in the views. From the moment you step aboard, the Blue Train will transport you back to the golden era of rail travel. It offers opulent suites, gourmet cuisine, and impeccable service that is second to none. Let us take a look at the Blue Train and discover why it's one of Africa's most sought-after travel experiences. The Blue Train Experience: South Africa's Premier Luxury Train The Blue Train is undoubtedly the epitome of luxury travel in South Africa. With its immaculate blue exterior and elegant interiors, this train journey offers a journey like no other. The train's 1,600 km voyage meanders through some of the most captivating landscapes imaginable, from the Cape Winelands's verdant vineyards to the Great Karoo's rugged terrain. Indeed, the Blue Train promises to be a journey of wonder, a feast for the eyes and the soul. In addition to the stunning scenery, the Blue Train boasts many pristine facilities. Each cabin has a private en suite bathroom, a writing desk, and a television with a bouquet of channels. A fully-stocked bar offers a range of alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages, and the expansive lounge car offers a place to unwind after a day of scenic splendor. First, guests are treated to a 24-hour butler service that caters to their every whim. In short, the Blue Train represents a gateway to luxury as you indulge in the ultimate comfort and pampering while savoring one of the most beautiful landscapes in the world. Immersing In South Africa's Scenic Beauty Aboard The Blue Train The Blue Train is not only a mode of transportation but also a luxurious experience that immerses you in the scenic beauty of South Africa. The train takes you through some of the country's most stunning landscapes, from the Cape Winelands rolling hills to the Highveld's vast savannahs. Along the way, you'll witness spectacular wildlife and enjoy panoramic views of South Africa's diverse terrain. The train's large windows offer unobstructed countryside views, while the open-air observation car allows you to fully appreciate and capture the sights and sounds of your surroundings. The Blue Train's emphasis on luxury and comfort makes this journey even more unforgettable. Each cabin is beautifully decorated and equipped with all the modern amenities, including en-suite bathrooms, air conditioning, and entertainment systems. The dining car boasts world-class cuisine and an extensive wine list, while the lounge car provides a space to relax, socialize, and take in the scenery. In short, the Blue Train provides an unforgettable experience that is to be noticed by anyone looking to explore South Africa's landscapes in style. The Blue Train: A Blend Of Luxury Comfort And Spectacular Views The Blue Train is a journey that blends luxury, comfort, and spectacular views in a way few train journeys can. The train has operated since 1946. Its commitment to creating an unforgettable experience for its passengers has always remained strong. The train takes passengers through the most breathtaking landscapes in South Africa, including vast savannahs, towering mountains, and picturesque vineyards. The journey offers a unique perspective on the country's natural beauty. This makes it an ideal way to explore South Africa for those seeking elegance and tranquillity. The Blue Train has acquired a reputation as one of the most luxurious train journeys in the world. Passengers are treated to opulent suites, gourmet cuisine, and impeccable service that is second to none. Each suite is air-conditioned and fitted with the latest amenities, including a flat-screen TV, DVD player, and Wi-Fi. The decor perfectly blends modernity and classic elegance with lush fabrics, comfortable bedding, and luxurious furnishings. Whether you are traveling alone or with companions, the Blue Train offers an unforgettable experience you will treasure for years. Read Also: Planning A Hunting Trip To Africa – Here’s What You Should Know Top 12 Amazing Sahara Desert Animals You Need To See