Good bye 2014

I don't know if I will get to post something tomorrow on New Year's Eve, so I figured let's do it now.  It has gotten colder today after a spell of really nice weather and except for s few piles of snow in parking lots, none of that white stuff here.

So Happy New Year and hope for Peace!

Costa Rica Crime

We had pondered visiting Costa Rica this winter, but decided to go elsewhere.  It is a beautiful country, with friendly people, but alas, it is becoming more and more Americanized every year.

Tourists are loving it to Death.

Crime is everywhere and this report from Tico Times highlights (lowlights) 2014 Crimes.

Top environment news for Costa Rica in 2014

Tico Times is the English language newspaper in Costa Rica and provides us with news of interest for the region and the world.  Tico Times reports today the 5 top issues in Costa Rica.

Feliz Navidad!

International tourism record numbers in 2014

International tourism is set to hit a new record by the end of 2014 with over 1.1 billion international tourists travelling the world in one single year. During the first ten months of 2014, the number of international tourists grew by 5% according to the latest UNWTO World Tourism Barometer, rising above expectations. See the UN report.

whew!

Robert Moses Birthday today

Robert Moses would have celebrated his birthday today, but since we are more concerned about Beyouncy (sic) or Brad Pit 9sic) I figured I would spend a moment highlighting an important career.

Known for his planning in New York City and local environs, I tend to like his work centered on parkways.  As Americans were "driven" by Detroit to give up mass transit and become addicted to the auto, Moses propose a highway system that was both practical and scenic.  Since driving for pleasure remains a popular activity, these parkways are valuable resources.

Beaches Resort and Lie Detectors

Employees at Beaches Resort and Spa in the Turks and Caicos Islands are outraged by the hotel's decision to start asking staff to take lie detector tests.

While hotel officials are saying that these tests are not mandatory, employees fear that they could lose their jobs if they refuse to subject themselves to this new policy.

Read the full story at this link.

Start the new year on a trail

See First Day Hikes at this web link sponsored by the American Hiking Society.

Appalachian Trail Boundary Monitoring 2014

A couple times of the year I go out to the AT to walk along the boundary of the National Park.  A video of the walk is found on YouTube.

It is all about finding these monuments.

Fun Happens

I came across these students playing on the snow bank from last week's snow storm.  All the snow has basically left, but these guys are making the most of it by creating a small jump and rail in which to practice twirls or whatever they may actually be called.

Fun Happens.