Five years since Western Mass Tornado

Do you remember that day?  The weather was bad, but since the tornado hit the ground two miles east, I was totally unaware of what was going on.  Read about it here and see the track here.

Here is a shot I took in West Springfield a few days later.

World Stamp Show 2016

Last chance to check out the World Stamp Show in New York.  http://ny2016.org/

2016 Hiking Trails in America: Pathways to Health

2016 Hiking Trails in America: Pathways to Health is to be published on 26 May 2016 from the American Hiking Society website.  This report will "illustrate the very real health benefits of a nation with a well-prepared and connected trails system."  Last year's report can be found here and highlights the economic benefits of trails.

In the meantime, dream about hiking.

A view from Tekoa Mountain, Massachusetts.

Record Travel this weekend?

Well AAA says so.  "AAA projects more than 38 million Americans will travel this Memorial Day weekend. That is the second-highest Memorial Day travel volume on record and the most since 2005. Spurred by the lowest gas prices in more than a decade, about 700,000 more people will travel compared to last year. The Memorial Day holiday travel period is defined as Thursday, May 26 to Monday, May 30. "

And if you are flying get to the airport today so you can get through TSA Security.  CNN reports heavy air travel. Especially as the number of TSA staff reduce while air travelers increase.

Or you can stay home and enjoy a BBQ!

U.S. Citizen International Travel up 11 Percent in February 2016

February 2016/2015 YTD Comparisons

U.S. travel to overseas markets (1) totaled 4.5 million, up nine percent

Regional results were:

Europe, 1.16 million travelers, up seven percent
Caribbean, 1.23 million travelers, up five percent
Asia, 786,000 travelers, up 10 percent
Central America, 519,000 travelers, up 14 percent
Middle East, 331,000 travelers, up 11 percent
South America, 314,000 travelers, up 19 percent
Oceania, 131,000 travelers, up eight percent
Africa, 49,000 travelers, up nine percent

Source: The National Travel and Tourism Office.

For the data and such http://travel.trade.gov/view/m-2016-O-001/index.html

Recreation Job ..... Act Quick

so, there are so many jobs sites out there and a quick check today found this park ranger job in Massachusetts.  Act Quick at this link.

Trout Stocking

Even though I don't fish, I do enjoy seafood (and freshfood for freshwater fish)!  So for all you anglers out there, check out the stocking schedule for Massachusetts.

Medical students cheating to get degrees for Medical Tourism

"Medical degrees are highly sought after in Thailand, where doctors can make small fortunes in a private sector that has become one of the world's treatment hubs."

For another link to this story, see this.

Medical Tourism Destinations Threatened by Doctor's Cheating

Seems another story of medical students cheating on exams has a potential impact on the lucrative medical tourism business!  Recent news reports from SE Asia, one the world's most popular regions for medical tourism, highlights the "mission impossible" tactics used by wanna' be doctors facing the mounting pressures to be doctors and serve the tourists arriving daily.  Another report  identifies the same damaging fact.  Seems these students are willing to pay upwards to $30k to pass the test in order to offer medical care for the fast growing medical tourism industry.

Just think about this as you travel half way around the world to get a cheap nose job!

Indian Cave, Middle Caicos Island, TCI

Here is another historic site and one that has a unique past.  Off the beaten track in TCI, Middle Caicos only has  only 300 residents, but with only one main road it is easy to get around.  This cave is just west of Conch Bar.

Check out the video here.

Since caves are typically fragile environments they need to be protected.  This one however has a flourishing ecosystem despite the heat.

Sapodilla Hill, TCI

It is important to preserve our history and this place is just one of the many places in the world that needs our help.  Remember to take nothing but pictures, leave nothing but footprints and waste nothing but time.

The walking tour is found here.

For the back story see this link.