Top 4 Ways of Preparing an Enjoyable Retreat

BY  Sibashree Aug 20, 2024

Lassen Volcanic National Park gets its name from the Lassen Peak, an active volcano in the southernmost Cascade Range. Even today, the Lassen Peak has hot springs and you will find fumaroles coming out of the peak’s mouth. These are also signs of volcanic activities in the volcanic mountains. Further, this national park houses all four types of volcanoes: plug domes, cinder cones, composites, and shields. These volcanoes make this national park a chosen destination for geologists and volcano enthusiasts. The presence of these volcanoes has also added unique hydrothermal features to this park. You will find vibrant hot springs, steam vents making hissing sounds, and mud pots with bubbling water here.  Here, I present a brief overview of the geothermal wonders of the park. I will also talk about the park’s camping provisions.  Geothermal Areas In Lassen Volcanic National Park The Lassen Volcanic National Park had 418,978 visitors in 2023, and we can say that its hydrothermal features are a major factor in crowd-pulling here. Snow falling on the park highlands and rainwater keep feeding the geothermal systems. Under the Lassen Peak, there is a molten or hot rock body. This hot rock body makes the water warm once it reaches underground. When the water becomes hot, you see the water boiling in the geothermal pools and mud pots. As the temperature of the water rises, it gets transformed into fumaroles. Fumaroles exude from various cracks in the earth. In Lassen Volcanic National Park, you will observe fumaroles at Sulphur Works, Devils Kitchen, and Bumpass Hell.  Little Hot Springs Valley You can have a look at the Little Hot Springs Valley from Lassen Peak (the largest plug demo volcano in the world) and other mountains lining it.   Further, various seasonal creeks drain into this valley, feeding the geothermal water. If you overlook the valley from the mountain peaks in the summer, you will see many wildflowers smiling. In particular, grass and the wildflower vegetation across the East Sulphur Creek edge is quite dense, thanks to various hypothermal activities. You can also look at the Little Hot Springs Valley from a pullout, just one mile away on the south. The view from this pullout is scenic, with lush green slopes before your eyes. If you look at the slopes with binoculars, you will find black bears roaming around.  Bumpass Hell https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7OE_c2SzWNw As you walk 7 miles from the southwest entrance of the park, you will find a parking area on the park highway. Here, you will find the trail to Bumpass Hell. With a 3-mile hiking trail(round trip), Bumpass Hell is the largest geothermal area in the park. You can only hike the Bumpass Hell trail in autumn and summer. It remains closed during spring and winter. The temperature of the geothermal water in the Bumpass Hell area can reach up to 322 degrees.  The elevation of this trail is 8,000 feet. However, because of its moderate difficulty level, you will find many visitors here on weekends. The water in this hydrothermal area is emerald green or blue in color. Further, the minerals in the water stain the rocks and soil in yellow and orange shades.  Sulphur Works It can’t get easier than hiking to Sulphur Works if you want to explore the geothermal wonders of Lassen Volcanic National Park. Here, you can see how volcanic activities have created the most interesting geology with shifting new and ancient grounds.  The landscape here experiences regular updates because of geothermal activities and natural activities like erosion. Also, thanks to the volcanic activities, you will encounter colorful rocks, steam vents, and the most pungent sulphuric smell here. Sulphur Works is important in the Lassen Volcanic National Park history, and it was earlier known as Supan's Sulphur Works. Mathias B. Supan, a pioneer of the American West, used to extract minerals from the ground here in the mid-19th century.  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sTvAs6VPfIE The hydrothermal area of Sulphur Works is interesting as it is located at the center of a wide basin. Brokeoff Mountain, Mount Conard, Pilot Pinnacle, and Mount Diller surround this basin. According to geologists, these mountains are eroded formations or remains of Mount Tehama or Brokeoff Volcano. Boiling Springs Lake A trail starting from the Warner Valley trailhead will take you to the Boiling Springs Lake, filled with hot and bubbling water. The temperature of the water in this lake is 125 degrees.  You will also find steam vents and mud pots on the shore. The mud pots on the southeastern shore of the lake demand a special mention.  As you continue on the Boiling Springs Lake trail, you will see colorful wildflowers. The vegetation of Douglas-fir, sugar pine, incense-cedar, white pine, and ponderosa pine will soothe your eyes here. This trail is also a birder’s paradise and one of the best places in the park to observe birds.  Devils Kitchen https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3Pah0QzBkN0 This hike, starting from the Warner Valley Trailhead, is moderate, and it will take you to an area filled with boiling pools, mud pots, and steam vents. You can call Devils Kitchen a  Cauldron. The piled-up cracked red and yellow stones here give this place a colorful appearance. These colorful stones show deposits of various minerals found in volcanic eruptions. The Cauldron will keep making hissing, belching, and plopping sounds, and the unique odor filling the air creates the perfect ambiance of a natural kitchen. Something is definitely cooking in this kitchen!  Terminal Geyser Start hiking from the Warner Valley Trailhead to reach Terminal Geyser. It is a steam vent showcasing the active volcanic activities in the park.  Unlike a geyser, it does not erupt hot water periodically, and it’s actually a fumarole. Even if you can’t see the steam, you will smell a sulfuric odor, and there will be a billowing cloud.  Cold Boiling Lake You can start trekking from Kings Creek Picnic Area to reach the Cold Boiling Lake. The road to the Cold Boiling Lake is almost flat, and the landscape has further descent to the Crumbaugh Lake.  You can see some small gas bubbles near the shore of the Cold Boiling Lake. So, it is known as a dying geothermal wonder of the park.  The Cold Boiling Lake and its shores look the best if you pay a visit in the morning after a night of snowfall.  Pilot Pinnacle Pilot Pinnacle is a remains of volcanic composites. You will find it along the ridges of Mt. Diller and Brokeoff Mountain. You can look at this area filled with mud pots, pools, and steam vents from Park Road.  Lassen Volcanic National Park Camping Lassen Volcanic National Park has seven campgrounds. However, only four campgrounds are available this year. The Dixie Fire 2021 recovery process will keep the three other campgrounds closed in 2024.  The campgrounds open this year are Butte Lake, Summit Lake, Southwest Campground (Southwest Parking), and Manzanita Lake.  Closed campgrounds are Juniper Lake, Warner Valley, and Southwest Campground (Walk-in campground).  Most campsites in the park are available at this national park on a reservation basis. You can make the reservation between June and September. You can make your reservation at recreation or call the park authority at 1-877-444-6777.  Final Words  The Lassen Volcanic National Park is a hub of scenic beauty, active volcanoes, and various geothermal features. Active volcanism and weather forces, like rain and erosion, have given this park a rich geological landscape that goes back thousands of years. With the magnificent Lassen Peak towering over the park, the hydrothermal areas are surrounded by forests and green meadows. So, various species of animals, birds, and insects reside around these geothermal areas.  So, if you are a volcano enthusiast, a wildlife lover, or a hiker, pack your bags, plan a trip to this national park, and share your experience once you come back.  Lassen Volcanic National Park FAQs  What Lives In Lassen Volcanic National Park? Home to around “300 species of vertebrates,” Lassen Volcanic National Park has many mammals, birds, amphibians, reptiles and fish. The park has three ecological zones where you can encounter rich wildlife.  Mammals: Black bear, Sierra Nevada red fox, mountain lion, America pika, snowshoe hare, Douglas’s squirrel, mule deer Birds: Steller's Jay, Clark's nutcracker, Anna’s hummingbird, woodpeckers, round-legged hawks, etc.  Amphibians: Pacific tree frog, long-toed salamander, western toad Reptiles: Sagebrush lizards, northern lizards, alligator lizards, western terrestrial garter snake, rubber boa, Northern Pacific rattlesnake, etc.  Fish: Rainbow trout, Lahontan Redside, speckled dace, etc. Along with these animals, you will also find the most beautiful  California Tortoiseshell butterflies, spiders, and other insects in the park. The total number of invertebrate species living here is 350.  What Is The Closest Town To The Lassen Volcanic National Park? Chester is the closest town to the Lassen Volcanic National Park. You can take a 40-minute drive from the southwest entrance of the park. You can relax at the eateries at Chester, and you will find some decent lodging options here.  Who Died In Lassen Volcanic National Park?  Tommy Botell, a 9-year-old boy, died in an accident in the Lassen Volcanic National Park on 18th March 2010. His elder sister, Katrina, a 13-year-old girl, was severely injured in the same accident.  The mishap took place at the Lassen Peak Trail.  Also read Why Include Whale Watching In Your LA Itinerary. Traveling On A Budget: Tips For Affordable Adventures. Be Soothed And Meet History At Hot Springs National Park.

BY  Barsha Nov 24, 2022

So you have arrived at our ultimate list of all the top group friendly restaurants in Las Vegas that you must check out before 2022 disappears from our lives forever! Of course, when you plan on visiting the dazzling Sin City, we know what’s on your mind - the casinos, right?  But what about checking out the lesser-known attractions or trying out new places for lunch, breakfast, or even dinner before you hit the clubs with your group? Don’t worry because we have got you completely sorted! So keep reading and definitely stick around for an inside scoop on all the best restaurants to visit with friends.  Best Group Friendly Restaurants In Las Vegas In 2022: You don’t have to type ‘restaurants for large groups near me’ on Google and waste time - instead, you can just scroll down and check out all the best group friendly restaurants in Las Vegas! We know that a hangover is difficult to deal with, so chill out with your friends and trust us to get all your meals sorted! You just have to stick around till the very end - that’s the deal we have for you! Juan's Flaming Fajitas & Cantina: Price Range₹891 - ₹3,240Address9640 W Tropicana Ave Ste 101, Las Vegas, NV 89147-2604Contact+1 702-823-1400WebsitejuansflamingfajitasCuisineMexican and Latin Juan’s Flaming Fajitas & Cantina is one of those ideal restaurants for groups - you get the best Mexican food here. And that’s not all. If you are vegetarian or vegan, even then, you won’t be disappointed. Plus, they serve gluten-free options as well!  Reviews: “The staff was amazing, and the drinks and food were some of the best we have had anywhere. We went here because we heard the queso was good, and it is, however, the fajitas and the fajita presentation are AMAZING!!” “This place has the most delicious pozole I ever had, great Mexican food. The service of my waiter Cristian was beyond good, always with a great attitude. I definitely highly recommend this restaurant.” “It's a must-go when we make our annual vegas trip. We discovered Juan's several years ago, and it hasn't changed. Excellent food and margaritas. Happy, friendly staff. Reasonable prices and lots of food for your money.” Texas de Brazil: Price Range₹2,511 - ₹4,050Address6533 Las Vegas Blvd S, Las Vegas, NV 89119-3214Contact+1 702-614-0080WebsitetexasdebrazilCuisineBrazilian If you are looking for a group friendly restaurant that also excels as a steakhouse then there’s no way you can miss out on Texas de Brazil. You just don’t find mouthwatering steaks made in the Brazilian style, you will also find gluten-free options - you never know which member in the group is only eating gluten-free food.  Reviews: “Once again, a wonderful meal at Texas de Brazil! The food is always fresh, prime, and cooked just perfectly when it comes off that sword! We are lucky to have two great Brazilian-style steak places in town!” “We just "happened" upon this place because everywhere else was packed for lunch. It was expensive but worth every penny. The food was great & the experience even better.” I was seated after a 10-minute wait. Our waitress (Tatum) was awesome. She kept the meats coming at a good rate. I love the Picanha, and beef ribs were the best for me. A little crowded but not noisy. Will be back” Weera Thai Restaurant: Price Range₹486 - ₹1,944Address3839 W Sahara Ave Suite 7-9, Las Vegas, NV 89102-0540Contact+1 702-873-8749WebsiteweerathaiCuisineAsian and Thai Hailing from Chiangmai, Thailand, the Weera Thai Restaurant is a famous name in their home for serving delicious and authentic Thai food for over three decades. Perfect for group friendly dining, you can visit Weera to explore the best of Thailand, and they also have plenty of vegans, vegetarian, and gluten-free options! Reviews: “Worth walking to from Palace Station casino, this restaurant appears to be a local favorite. The lunch specials included the soup, and it definitely stole the show, in my opinion. I wish I had some right now.” “Excellent authentic Thai food with a wide variety of options. Everything that we ordered was very tasty, we ordered from the lunch menu, and the sizes of the portions were perfect. The service was also very good, and the ambiance was quiet and unique.” “We went as guests of a friend who is a local and were really happy with the place, the food, and the service. Weera is a find, so wherever you are on the strip, get a taxi and go there. You will be happy!” McMullan's Irish Pub: Price Range₹324 - ₹1,458Address4650 W Tropicana Ave, Las Vegas, NV 89103-5249Contact+1 702-247-7000WebsitemcmullansirishpubCuisineIrish A group friendly restaurant that stays open for 24 hours, McMullan's Irish Pub is a local pub, right out of a novel. And if you are a sucker for Irish food, then there’s no way you can miss out on this beautiful pub that gives out the right kind of feel.  Reviews: “Somewhere good to watch premiership football, we watched the Arsenal game, very friendly atmosphere. food good, Mary who looked after us, was excellent.” “We stopped here after looking at TA, and we loved it. The shepherd's pie was amazing, as was the chicken salad with potatoes. Also, there was an amazing selection of beers. Love this place!” “All the Irish food is great, especially the Irish Nachos. I love being able to have Cider with my meal, my companions like the various beers. suggest you make reservations for dinner.” Ferraro's Ristorante: Price Range₹3,240 - ₹4,860Address4480 Paradise Road, Las Vegas, NV 89169Contact+1 702-364-5300WebsiteferraroslasvegasCuisineTuscan, Cental Italian, and Italian If you are looking for restaurants for big groups then you can’t miss out on Ferraro's Ristorante! A little on the expensive side, this place serves delectable Tuscan, Central-Italian, and classic Italian dishes. And, of course, you will find vegetarian, vegan, as well as gluten-free options! Review: “From the tasty bread and oil, through magnificent carpaccio and mouth-watering vale. Wine and food were served by the service-minded waiters and sommeliers. Best dinner in Las Vegas!” “Delicious little gem. We had some Spaghetti Aglio, Olio, e Peperoncino “Ridiculously Good. Two plates of Gnocchi Al Pistachio Siciliano. A split plate of Rigatoni Alla Spilinga. Ended our six-course meal with Bucatini Amatriciana. Thank you to Oscar and the rest of the team” “Great atmosphere, Great people, Great manager, Attention to service. Do not miss the chance to visit if you are in Vegas” Casa Di Amore: Price Range₹1,620 - ₹2,592Address2850 E Tropicana Ave, Las Vegas, NV 89121-7354Contact+1 702-433-4967WebsitecasadiamoreCuisineItalian, Southern Italian, and Sicilian Another Italian group friendly restaurant, Casa Di Amore also specializes in Southern Italian dishes, more importantly, Sicilian food. The food’s definitely the star of this Italian restaurant, but if you are looking for an X-factor, the place’s got more than one. Our favorite? The live Jazz music is accompanied by fantastic service!  Review: “Absolute gem! The food is the star of the show, but the live jazz music and fantastic service added to a wonderful experience. Highly recommended!” “Great time!! The food and service were exceptional. Oh, and the bread, wow!! Waiter Tony was the best!! Will definitely come back when we're in Vegas again, live music to end it all!” “Large group for dinner - got picked up and dropped off after with wonderful driver wild music down the strip. Had a great meal with cool blues music inn the background. Huge meals - wonderful service, and, being a Monday, the wine was half-price.” Omelet House: Price RangeNot SpecifiedAddress2160 W Charleston Blvd, Las Vegas, NV 89102-2243Contact+1 702-384-6868WebsiteomelethouseCuisineBrunch, Lunch, Breakfast One of those restaurants for large groups where you can have breakfast or even a nice brunch, Omelet House is popular for their generous portions and delicious omelets! If you love a nice, heavy breakfast as much as we do, then don’t miss out on this local favorite! Review: “Just great food and service was outstanding. Highly recommend. A great variety of food and choices to fit anyone’s appetite.” “The food here is excellent with the emphasis on the old school flavors. Everything here is delicious, but I love their omelets the best.” “We stopped here on our way out of Vegas as part of our tour to the Grand Canyon. Orders were called in a few minutes before our arrival. Food was fast, hot, and good.” Mercato Della Pescheria: Price Range₹1,620 - ₹8,100Address3377 Las Vegas Blvd S Ste 2410 Suite 2410, Las Vegas, NV 89109Contact+1 702-837-0309WebsitemercatodellapescheriaCuisineItalian, Central Italian, and Tuscan Yet another Italian group friendly restaurant, Mercato Della Pescheria is well known among the local for serving authentic Italian dishes, and even varieties of seafood. And that’s not the best part! The best part is how the food is served fresh, market-style. Review: “The setting is very nice and romantic … if you like this kind of fake Italy. The service is very nice. The wine list was nice, although only the third attempt found a bottle available. The food was good but not outstanding.” “We love, love this restaurant! During this visit we celebrated a family birthday and had a great time. Everything from pizza to chicken parm was excellent! Our server was was Julia and she was excellent!! She made our celebration special!” “Great atmosphere. Delicious pastas. A special callout for our waitress Grace, who was personable and very knowledgeable even though she was new! Highly recommend!” Fresco Italiano: Price RangeNot SpecifiedAddress3000 Paradise Road, Las Vegas, NV 89109Contact+1 702-732-5276WebsiteNot SpecifiedCuisineItalian, Central Italian, and Tuscan One of the best restaurants for parties, albeit small ones, there’s no way you can miss out on Fresco Italiano while visiting Las Vegas. It might be a little small if you are seeking large party restaurants - but again, it depends on how many people are going to be there. Also, you can try to reserve the entire place.  Review: “Great food…worth the price tag. Excellent end to a fun weekend! Will definitely be back next time!!!” “Meal was fantastic and our server DANTE was the best, he even sang to us!!! I give him a15 on a scale of 1-10!!! Definitely would go back!!!” “What an incredible experience from start to finish. The food was delicious and Michael’s service (and singing) took it to the next level. If you visit Vegas or you love Italian food then a visit to Fresco and service by the wonderful Michael Blake is a must. Would definitely return.” Yard House: Price RangeNot SpecifiedAddress3545 Las Vegas Blvd S The Linq, Las Vegas, NV 89109-8978Contact+1 702-597-0434WebsiteyardhouseCuisineAmerican A top group friendly restaurant in Las Vegas, Yard House makes you always want to come back. The food was great, the beer kept flowing, and the service was excellent. We have absolutely no complaints. So there’s no way you can forget about this beauty on your trip to Sin City! Review: “The food was excellent menu price was good and the Korean garlic chicken wings are the best we had. Pretzel was huge. Good time. Great food.” “Perfect cooked steak with shrimp and tasty mashed potatoes with about a hundred different beers server was great.” “Absolutely fantastic. Reasonably priced beer (compared with the Strip) and their Ribeye steaks were to die for. So good we went back the next day, just before leaving Las Vegas for our return to the UK. Good atmosphere and great service.” And It’s A Wrap! So now you have a fair idea of all the crazy group friendly restaurants that you must check out on your visit to Las Vegas. There’s only a little time left this year - so check these out before we move on to the next batch of trending restaurants to visit in different luxury locations across the globe. Bon Appétit! Don’t forget to share your thoughts and experiences on these places in the comments below!

BY  sagnika Aug 8, 2023

Did you know Aha Airlines were one of the lowest-cost-carrier airlines that operated mostly during the pandemic? It was founded in September 2021. However, it closed down its operations in August 2022, which was quite predictable. The price they were charging for flights was pretty low, plus, as a regional carrier, people will only book tickets if they need to go somewhere specific, while most prefer to make a road trip! I was hoping you could read this article to learn about what else I found about Aha Airlines. The low-cost airlines were trying to create bundle packages for travelers visiting Reno and Tahoe. Yet, the issue was with the specificity of the destination, which ended in fewer passengers booking Aha Airlines. Aha Airlines suffered from bankruptcy, and the parent company ExpressJet filed it on 22 August 2022. Here's What I Found Out About Aha Airlines! Image Source: www.oregonlive.com Aha Airlines headquarters were based in Reno, an interesting hub. However, it is quite justified. There are two aspects to the hub selection considering the airlines operate regional aircraft, which means they have limited demand. The second aspect is that several low-cost carriers are major in the market. They act as competitors for popular routes such as Las Vegas. Therefore, it is better to restrict flights to small cities located in the Western U.S. The company did not charge anything to print a boarding pass printed on normal receipt paper. The brands did not use the typical boarding cards used by other airlines. They are cutting costs from every angle to make their service as cheap as possible, given it is a brand-new carrier! What Are Aha Airlines? Image Source: travelupdate.com The brand Aha Airlines was launched on 24 October 2021 in the United States. The name Aha comes from the acronym "air-hotel-adventure." It was identified as the leisure brand of ExpressJet Airlines, which only provided regional services. The Aha Airlines flights were short-hop at an attractive, affordable price, where the focus was to partner with resorts and hotels to earn more value from the vacation packages! The Aha Airlines fleet was based in Reno, Nevada, and mostly operated by ExpressJet. The fleet of Aha Airlines consisted of ERJ-145 regional jets, which are quite smaller than ERJ-175 planes. ERJ-175 planes, along with CRJ-200s, are the ones which are used by SkyWest that serve the local airport. These planes rank low on space scale, seating arrangements, and other services. Flight Details Image Source: travelupdate.com The Aha Airlines destinations covered are Pasco or the Tri-Cities, Redmond, Eugene, Medford, Arcata-Eureka, Fresno, and Bakersfield, Ontario. There are other smaller airports where there might be no other flight services available. Hence, Aha Airlines provides flights to Reno-Tahoe non-stop. There were 13 cities in which Aha Airlines operated; the plan was to expand to 20 destinations once they established their market. The flight operated by the airline was Embraer ERJ-145 which had a capacity of 50 passengers, and they owned 5 of those. The Airlines charged $30 for checked baggage or carrying personal items. According to many passenger reviews, it was stated that getting your luggage checked in is better than carrying it in the flight cabin. The Benefits Of Booking With Aha Airlines One of the benefits of booking with Aha Airlines was that you would never face any traffic considering it is a regional-based carrier. You could go 2 to 3 hours earlier and do your check-in even though they have the facility to check in online! Alas, there is no way you can avail of it anymore. Aha Airlines do not charge anything to print their boarding pass, even though it is more of a receipt than a boarding card. If you are traveling solo, it will be easier, considering the cabin's layout is 1-2. The window aisle is cool for solo travelers. The leg space in front of the seats is quite spacious compared to other low-budget carriers. The window placements are also good, as they are at an appropriate height. The flight attendants were quite relaxed in their approach as they offered passengers to sit anyplace they liked, as many seats were empty. Especially on weekdays, the crowd could have been better. There were also options for water and snacks served by the Flight attendants, with choices between graham cracker squares or granola bars. The Drawbacks That I Noticed The flights have tiny overhead bins, which is a way of restricting carry-on luggage. There is less security even though there is a justified reason that there are a limited number of people. However, it cannot be a reason for scarce security! The locations selected to provide service, such as Reno and Tahoe, cannot be an appropriate reason for the airlines to get a satisfactory number of visitors. People only sometimes vacation or go on trips, leading to fewer travelers booking flights. There were goof-ups by staff which can be a red flag for a company operating on limited grounds. According to a review posted by Family Flus Free, the gate number printed on travelers' boarding receipts was wrong, creating a commotion. They did not even apologize for it. Instead, an announcement was made for all passengers to come to a different gate. The airline's ERJ-145 flights were tiny, with a cabin layout of 1-2! The place for walking is restricted. The cabin overhead is so low that anyone with a height of 5ft 10 in will have an issue standing upright. There is another option of keeping the carry-on baggage under your seats. However, it will pose serious trouble for placing your legs. People with longer legs will have serious problems with their feet! Honest Review Based on all the information and Aha Airlines reviews, I realized that the flights of Aha Airlines might have worked well during the pandemic, especially when there was an emergency need to travel; however, later, it failed miserably. With so many options for connecting flights and major airlines providing offers and deals, only some people will choose a regional low-cost carrier airline that might not be effective in their long-term plan. Conclusion Now you know why Aha Airlines did not have an effective run, especially even with the reasonable pricing of the tickets. It is about the experience and the market demand for their services as a regional low-cost carrier. Apart from visiting Reno-Tahoe, only a little use has been found of the Aha Airlines! So, Comment below about your favorite low-cost airline in the U.S. and why! Read Also: This Is My Experience With Play Airlines! 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