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Climate change was again a major focus in Flagstaff in 2021 and the region saw the effects firsthand with a summer of extreme wildfires. The community moved forward on critical climate regulations and worked proactively to curb the severity of future issues, with some drawing public criticism.

Here are the top environmental stories of 2021:

Flagstaff signs onto carbon neutrality plan

The Flagstaff City Council passed the Carbon Neutrality Plan in June, pledging to reach net-zero carbon emissions by 2030.

The Carbon Neutrality Plan was first prompted in 2020 by a citizen petition urging Council to declare a climate emergency. It only establishes a framework for future action and fine-tuning continued throughout the year.

Projected costs include a one-time investment of $90 million to enhance bike and pedestrian infrastructure, and $5 million annually to support high-frequency bus lines, according to the plan. That is in addition to costs not yet specified for future infrastructures, such as reducing nonrenewable energy use.

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The Carbon Neutrality Plan attempts to address and ultimately reduce emissions through multiple areas, including infrastructure improvements that support walking or biking. Most of Flagstaffs 2020 increase was attributed to transportation and waste. The city will also work with Northern Arizona University and the council to craft feasible goals and timelines.

North Rim bison removal

Thousands of hunters applied for one of 12 spots to reduce the number of bison living on the Grand Canyons North Rim.

The herd of bison has been living on the North Rim since the 1990s, resulting in frustration for park managers, scientists and conservationists.Park officials worried the herd of an estimated 800 animals could seriously impact water, vegetation, soils and archeological sites.

Grand Canyon National Park officials said reducing the number of bison will protect the parks ecosystem, resources and values. It marked the first time hunting was allowed within the national park.

Applicants had to pass a shooting test, putting three of five bullets in a 4-inch target from 100 yards. They also had to have a support team, be willing to field-dress and haul out their kill, provide their own camping and hunting gear, and complete several safety and training programs.

But local environmental and conservation groups called for a nonlethal solution. Bison had been relocated to more suitable areas in the past and officials, such as Colorado Gov. Jason Polis, questioned why that couldnt be done again, but park officials said they needed to reduce the size of the herd quickly.

Rafael Fire burns thousands of acres

The Rafael Fire burned more than 78,000 acres southeast of Flagstaff in June. The lightning-caused blaze threatened multiple communities and left hundreds of residents on edge as they waited for a possible evacuation.

Fire crews were spread thin with multiple fires burning across the state. But the Rafael Fire demanded attention, peaking at 600 crews.

Ultimately, they utilized back burns to contain the rapidly-growing northern and western portions of the fires. But the loss of vegetation from the Rafael and Backbone fires increased the risk of post-fire flooding.

Forest closure impacts campers, businesses

The Coconino National Forest again closed due to the high risk of wildfires over the summer, forcing campers out of the woods and impacting outdoor-dependent businesses.

The restriction lasted for weeks and the city saw an uptick in displaced forest dwellers moving their camping equipment within city limits. In one such instance, RV, vans and sedans were given 24 hours to decamp in a Walmart parking lot after the forest closed.

The Flagstaff City Council ultimately denied a citizen petition to repeal the citys public camping ordinance,prompting further conversations about how to better support unsheltered and vulnerable populationsespecially as the seasonal summer closures become the norm.

Some businesses, like Arizona Snowbowl, were forced to close due to the restrictions. Others saw cancellations amid uncertainty and looming evacuation orders during whats typically considered their busiest season.

Wood for Life continues

Throughout the early fall, crews with the Ancestral Lands Conservation Corps cut wood from the slopes of the San Francisco Peaks and Bill Williams Mountain aspart of the second annual Wood for Life partnership.

The project has a unique goal of restoring the meadow and riparian areas threatened by growing strands of coniferous trees before then giving the wood to tribal communities in need of firewood. The demand for alternative heating on tribal lands grew significantly with the closure of the Navajo Generating Station and Kayenta Coal Mine, creating a home heating crisis on the Navajo and Hopi nations.

The project resulted in the donation of nearly 2,000 cords of woods with more efforts already lined up for the next few years.

New chapter in Grand Canyon uranium mining

Uranium mining near Grand Canyon National Park again came under controversy this year.

Canada-based Energy Fuels Resources applied for a new aquifer protection permit for the Pinyon Plain Mine. The mine is located 10 miles away from the gates of the Grand Canyon National Parks South Rim.

Environmental groups and the Havasupai tribe pushed the Arizona Department of Environmental Quality to deny the application. Activists have worried for years that the mine's proximity to the Grand Canyon means it is contaminating groundwater in the area, with the further potential to poison springs throughout the Grand Canyon -- including the Havasupai tribes sole source of water.

Its just the latest chapter in the ongoing conflict over uranium mining near the Grand Canyon. The tribe and two environmental groups lost their bid to close the mine in 2020 following a lengthy court battle.

Developments for 4FRI

The future of the Four Forest Restoration Initiative (4FRI) looked bleak after Forest Service officialscanceled the Phase 2 contract, citing several challenges that made the project unfeasible.

The project involves treating millions of acres of forested land throughout northern Arizona to reduce the risks of wildfires and improve forest health. Its one of the largest forest restoration projects in the country.

But the announcement left state officials and advocates concerned that this was the end for 4FRI after years of work.

The project found new life though after theU.S. Forest Service pledged $54 million for forest restoration in November. This allowed crews to begin treating approximately 135,000 high-priority acres immediately with a goal of 35,000 acres completed by the end of the 2022 fiscal year.

Fire officials gather for prescribed burn training

Fire officials from across the West gathered in Flagstaff to conduct several city-led burns as part of a training exchange

Flagstaff Forest Health Supervisor Neil Chapman said Flagstaff is a good place to host such an event. For one, the Flagstaff Fire Department has not only had a wildlands fire division for close to two decades but also has been doing a lot of proactive work on the forest, including prescribed burns.

The hope was to bring municipal and federal fire officials together to share ideas and strategies in addition to better preparing local departments to handle wildfires. More attention is being put on the initial response and preventative measures as wildfires grow in size and intensity with each passing season and housing developments encroach more on forested land.

Participants participated in classroom training about managing fire and the importance of long-term fire suppression in addition to tackling prescribed burns firsthand during the training.

Reporter Bree Burkitt can be reached atbburkitt@azdailysun.comor on Twitter at@breeburkitt.

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Environmental Year in Review: Fires, flooding and forest restoration in Flagstaff - Arizona Daily Sun

SAN FRANCISCO--(BUSINESS WIRE)--After a week of on and off rains, a series of holiday winter storms are forecasted to intensify Sunday night into Monday. Pacific Gas and Electric Company (PG&E) electric and vegetation crews have restored service to thousands of customers following weather-related outages.

PG&E crews have restored electric service to nearly 50,000 customers since Christmas morning, with 15,000 customers still experiencing outages as of 5 p.m. on Sunday. Crews are also preparing to respond to any outages from the next pulse of the current storm system.

PG&E meteorologists are forecasting low snow levels tonight and tomorrow with heavier snow accumulations in the low to mid elevations. That snow accumulation could lead to increased power outages in some areas.

The wet and unsettled weather pattern looks to continue through Tuesday in certain areasthe National Weather Service has issued a Winter Storm Warning through Tuesday morning for the Sierra and northern mountainsbefore drier conditions possibly return, along with potentially very cold temperatures.

Throughout the last week weve been focused on staying ready and keeping the power on for our customers. This weekend, as our customers hopefully enjoy time with their families, the men and women of PG&E continue to work in challenging conditions to power our state, said Wade Smith, PG&Es Senior Vice President, Electric Operations.

Winter storms produce wet and windy conditions that can cause trees, limbs and other debris to fall into power lines, damage equipment and interrupt electric service. In some areas, ground already saturated by previous storms, along with drought-intensified conditions that weakened vegetation, could cause more trees to fall into equipment and cause power outages.

PG&Es meteorology team has developed a Storm Outage Prediction Model that incorporates real-time weather forecasts, historical data and system knowledge to accurately show where and when storm impacts will be most severe. This model enables the company to pre-stage crews and equipment as storms approach to enable rapid response to outages. Those activities are taking place now.

Fall and winter rain and snow in PG&Es service area have been a welcomed occurrence, especially in lieu of drought conditions in the state. Since the start of the weather year on Oct. 1, rain totals have been 206% of normal at the Oakland Airport. Statewide, Californias snowpack has grown from 19% of historic averages on Dec. 10 to 102% as of Dec. 23, according to the California Department of Water Resources.

Among other actions being taken by PG&E:

Keeping Customers Informed

PG&E knows how important it is to keep its customers informed. Customers can view real-time outage information on its website outage center and search by a specific address, by city or by county. This site has been updated to include in-language support for 16 languages.

Additionally, customers can sign up for outage notifications by text, email or phone. PG&E will let customers know the cause of an outage, when crews are on their way, the estimated restoration time, and when power is restored.

Storm Safety Tips

Other tips can be found at http://www.pge.com/beprepared.

About PG&E

Pacific Gas and Electric Company, a subsidiary of PG&E Corporation (NYSE:PCG), is a combined natural gas and electric utility serving more than 16 million people across 70,000 square miles in Northern and Central California. For more information, visit pge.com and pge.com/news.

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PG&E Crews Continue to Restore Power as Winter Storm System Is Forecasted to Bring More Snow, Rain and Wind - Business Wire

Some 2.5 million tons of wasted food in 2020 cost the country NIS 19.1 billion ($6 billion), or the average household NIS 3,600 (US $1,140), according to Leket Israels 6th annual Food Waste and Rescue Report, published in partnership with the Environmental Protection Ministry on Monday.

This waste accounted for 35 percent of the food produced in Israel. Half of it was edible and could have been resold.

The cost to the environment was an additional NIS 3.4 billion ($1 billion), the study found, when waste of land resources, water, waste collection, and processing was taken into account, as well as air pollution and the emission of an estimated 5 million tons of greenhouse gases, accounting for 6 percent of all greenhouse gas emissions in Israel.

In total, just under one in five (18.7%) of Israeli households suffered from food insecurity last year, equivalent to half a million households, Leket found.

Food insecurity has been defined as the inability to ensure a constant supply of food that contains all the nutritional elements necessary for proper development and health.

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An elderly lady receives a meal delivery courtesy of Leket, the National Food Bank. (Courtesy, Leket)

A different report, issued earlier this month by the Israeli aid organization Latet, estimated that around 630,000 households suffer from food insecurity, including some 300,000 experiencing it to a severe extent. These households include close to 800,000 children under 18 years of age.

Mondays study by Leket Israel, which rescues nutritious surplus food and distributes it to needy people via some 200 other nonprofits, found that the COVID-19 crisis did not bring any significant changes in total food waste compared with previous years, but changed the way that waste was distributed.

With more people at home, household food waste increased by NIS 800 million ($255 million) compared to 2019, while in the agricultural sector, it also went up, mainly during the first lockdown, due to a shortage of workers, export restrictions on agricultural produce, and the closure of hotels, restaurants and employee cafeterias.

Volunteers sort produce at the warehouse of Leket Israel, the countrys largest food rescue organization. (Ben Sales/JTA)

In institutions such as hotels and workplaces, waste declined by around half to NIS 2.2 billion ($700 million), compared with the year before.

In April 2020, at the height of the crisis, about 1.2 million workers left the workforce. During the year, some 825,000 workers experienced income loss. After deducting government COVID-19 grants, the reports researchers concluded that an additional 150,000 people joined the ranks of the food insecure, while those already in need suffered even more.

Thanks to lockdowns, the shift to remote school studies in capsules, and the days students spent in isolation, around 60 million fewer meals were distributed at educational institutions.

Soup kitchens were also impacted, particularly during the first lockdown, with NIS 900 million ($285 million) less spent on food than in 2019.

The report takes issue with the previous governments decision to give stipends to the entire population, saying it would have made more sense to focus support on the needy and would have been more economically efficient to fund food distribution programs rather than having every family buy food for itself.

Volunteers for Leket Israel deliver food to needy recipients, September 2020. (Courtesy Leket Israel)

The increase in food waste and the widening of the food-insecurity gap that occurred during the year of the pandemic reinforce the need to use food rescue as one of the national policy tools, the report concludes, calling for the setting of a national target to cut food waste by half by the end of the decade.

Gidi Kroch, CEO of Leket Israel, called on Prime Minister Naftali Bennett to lead the creation of an inter-ministerial food rescue plan.

Chen Herzog, Chief Economist at BDO Consulting and editor of the report, called it economic folly that no national food rescue policy was formulated during a year in which 150,000 people joined the ranks of the food insecure.

Food waste prevention and food rescue are economic, social, and environmental policy tools, he went on, adding, Without formulating a national plan to rescue food and prevent food waste, we will not meet the climate goals and declarations of the (United Nations COP26) Glasgow (Environmental) Conference to reduce greenhouse gas emissions in the field of waste.

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Over a third of food produced last year went to waste, costing Israel $6b report - The Times of Israel

By TIM KELLY

They were strong. They were brave. Today, they are mostly unknown.

That last part is about to change, due largely to efforts here in Ocean City.

They were surfmen, federal employees and servicemen of the U.S. Life-Saving Service, who were forerunners to members of todays United States Coast Guard.

Their mission: to save lives from the thousands of shipwrecks which occurred up and down the Eastern Seaboard, including many off the beaches of Ocean City, when seafaring cargo transport was the way of the world.

The stretch of ocean off South Jersey, including Ocean City, which led into the harbors of New York City, was especially dangerous.

Inadequate lighthouses, bad mapping and sometimes terrible conditions were the reasons, historians said.

Lost cargo was one thing. Lost lives were quite another. The surfmen and their now-antiquated equipment were all that stood between the shipwreck victims and a watery grave.

Pick the worst day youve ever seen at the Jersey Shore, and that was a workday, said Ocean City historian and surfmen expert John Loeper, who was recently elected president of the U.S. Life-Saving Heritage Association.

Who were they, these surfmen? They were local residents who served their city and country. Their names included familiar ones, such as Mackie Corson, as well as men famous only to their family and friends.

Their tools were teamwork and rudimentary equipment available at the time, namely wooden lifeboats and oars.

Whether famous or not, the surfmens common thread was dedication to their service and willingness to put their lives on the line to save others.

They charged in there with seven men in a boat and they punched through 10-foot waves using oars and courage, Loeper said. They pulled the victims out and rowed them back to safety.

Loeper said surfmen were respected members of the community who walked tall and proud.

They prevented shipwrecks from becoming catastrophic disasters. They were the heroes of the day, Loeper remarked. When they werent out on a rescue, they were constantly training for the next one.

He said each man had a specific function and they cross-trained to learn each one.

On a rescue, they never knew which guys would be available at a given time, said Loeper. They each were assigned a number.

For example, if Joe didnt know Mike or his name, then Joe simply called out to Mike by his number, Loeper explained.

In Ocean City, their headquarters may have been U.S. Life-Saving Station 30, one of three in the city.

It is now a museum, at 801 East Fourth Street, or Fourth and Atlantic.

Construction on the building was completed in 1886. Although hundreds of the Carpenter Gothic-style stations dotted the coast at that time, Ocean Citys Station 30 is the only one of its style still standing in New Jersey and one of only four left in the United States, according to published reports.

Recently, using online research, networking and some luck, the final resting places of most of the Ocean City surfmen have been located and plans are underway to formally recognize them, Loeper said.

A few graves were found at the old section of the Methodist Cemetery in Seaview, and more were discovered at a cemetery in Woodbine.

Also, through sheer luck, two more resting places were found on the grounds of a former family farmstead private land.

When the names of the deceased were found, photos and personal stories soon followed. Through the use of websites, such as Ancestry.com and Facebook, relatives and other historians were contacted.

Where possible, Loeper said he and museum staff are compiling individual dossiers on the surfmen.

The long-range plan is to make the names and resting places public, in order for grave decorations and other tributes to be given, as is the case with other branches of the services. The surfmen are deserving of such recognition, Loeper said.

They found themselves in some horrendous situations, he noted.

Loeper said some did it because they had survived their own difficult moments on the water, and felt they had to recognize it and give back. Others did it, he said, for the money.

Census figures of the time indicated a dirt farmer might have a net worth of $50, while a surfman could have a net worth between $400 and $500, Loeper pointed out.

Also, Loeper said, it was a steady paycheck a member of the surfmen could depend on, while the dirt farmers existence was eked out day to day.

Internet searches find glowing accounts of the surfmens exploits in old articles in national publications, such as Harpers Weekly.

However, when moving freight over the sea gave way to railroads and interstate roadways, the Life-Saving Service became the Coast Guard. The surfmen mostly slipped onto the forgotten pages of the history books.

The men worked and at times lived in Life-Saving Station 30 with each other, and often with survivors who needed shelter until their relatives could be located.

It sometimes took weeks for their families to arrive at the station, which in the early days was in the middle of nowhere.

The station was one of the first structures in the city, Loeper said.

While waiting for the rescued folks to leave, everyone still had to eat and sleep.

Hunting and fishing and cooking on a wood-fired stove and sleeping in close quarters was routine. Whatever fish could be caught and whatever small game could be trapped or shot was on the menu.

The upside was that the building was a center of Ocean City life, Loeper said.

The town grew around the station and they were right in the middle of it all, he said.

Originally built close to the shoreline, shifting sands and storms deposited more beach in front of the building.

Today, it is about a quarter mile from the ocean with blocks of homes built in between. Many folks assume it is a restored facility of the Beach Patrol and dont know it is an historic facility of the Coast Guard.

When current men and women of the Coast Guard learn of the life-saving services history, many are amazed.

In a posting on the Station 30 Facebook page, one Coast Guard member said, I will never complain about our facilities again after seeing what these guys went through.

COVID-19 has gotten in the way of the museum giving the building an identity. Regular hours and events have been sporadic since the pandemics outbreak.

Also, a decision was made early on in the restoration to make the station a place of living history rather than a traditional museum filled with exhibits.

It is set up to replicate, as closely as possible, what the station was like during its heyday into the 1920s.

It displays a fully equipped and restored surf boat, very close to an exact duplicate of those used in rescues, including that of Ocean Citys most famous shipwreck, the Sindia, which ran aground 120 years ago this month. The surfmen managed to rescue everyone aboard the Sindia.

We have the names of all the men involved in the operation and all of the equipment used in the rescue, Loeper said in a previously published report.

Life-Saving Station 30 also includes a restored keepers quarters, the home to the head man at the facility. He oversaw the men and the operations, and things were busy.

At least 100 ships would sail through Ocean City on any given day, Loeper said. You could sit on the beach and watch dozens of cargo vessels pass through.

Life-Saving Station 30 stands as a reminder of those days and remains a historic gem of Ocean Citys north end.

The surfmen never could have imagined todays air rescues and other modern technologies used by their (historical descendants) in the Coast Guard any more than todays servicemen could imagine rescuing people by loading a wooden boat and pushing off from the beach, Loeper said.

It is overdue that we recognize the sacrifice, courage and bravery of these men, he added.

Continued here:
Graves of Life-Saving Station Surfmen Discovered - OCNJ Daily

If space is all you want in the New Year, look no further. These D-FW homes are massive. Of course, you might not be surprisedthis is Texas, after all, and everything is bigger here, including the houses.

In 2021, we featured a number of massive homes as part of our Posh Properties newsletter. Were wrapping up the year by highlighting a few extra-large homes you might have missed. Take a look at these five houses in D-FW that are more than 10,000 square feet.

This Dallas home was built in 2000 and underwent a significant remodel that was completed this year. Inside, youll find seven bedrooms, 10 bathrooms, and five half-bathrooms. The home has a large, grand foyer and classically styled living spaces. There are two kitchens, a refrigerated wine storage space, a wine tasting room, an elevator and a climate-controlled auto showroom. The home is on the market for $18,900,000.

Take a look inside.

This Plano home sits on more than three acres and makes the most of the space inside and out. Theres a glass chandelier in the homes foyer, a formal dining room with a striking fireplace and a large family room with tall windows that overlook the property. The primary suite has a bedroom and two full bathrooms. Outside, youll find a tennis court, pool, a cabana and a patio with an outdoor kitchen.

Check out the homes design.

You dont have to go far to get a look at la dolce vita in Dallas. This Preston Hollow home has an Italian feel and sits on more than three acres. The homes six bedrooms, seven bathrooms and four half-bathrooms are spaced between three levels. A courtyard at the center of the home is visible from all three levels. The home also offers a seven-car garage, media room, game room, wine storage room, wine tasting room and guest quarters. The home is on the market for $19,500,000.

Take a look inside.

This home on Deloache Avenue was built in 2004 and has seven bedrooms, eight bathrooms and two half-bathrooms. The home was designed with family and entertaining in mind, and the backyard is expansive. The property is 1.4 acres and has a pool, outdoor entertaining areas, a sport court and a childrens playhouse. The home is on the market for $8,200,000, a price reduction since we first wrote about the home in August.

Get a look at the property.

A listing agent representing this Dallas property told us that the home feels like an art museum thanks to the high level of detail in the design. With five bedrooms, six bathrooms and three half-bathrooms, its safe to say that the home offers plenty of space. The grand living spaces have a classic feel with pops of color throughout, like the fuchsia tones in the homes large living and dining room space. One of the closets in the primary suite has cabinets adorned with gold leaf. The home has a library or study with a spiraling staircase and a theater. The home is on the market for $8,500,000.

See the homes two spiraling staircases and read more about the design.

This is part of our Posh Properties series, providing a glimpse inside nice homes in North Texas for those who love to look at houses. It is not paid for or presented by area real estate agents or companies.

Looking for more Posh Properties stories? Follow Mary Grace Granados on Instagram, go to our luxury real estate page or subscribe to our free weekly newsletter.

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End the year in a big way: See 5 of the largest North Texas homes we featured in 2021 - The Dallas Morning News

CHICAGO--(BUSINESS WIRE)--An affiliate of Walton Street Capital, L.L.C. (Walton Street) originated a $73 million loan to 29th Street Capital for the acquisition of Peakline at Copperleaf (the Property), a 266-unit garden-style apartment community located at 4343 S. Picadilly St. in Aurora, CO, a submarket near Denver. The Property is the second new vintage multifamily loan the affiliate of Walton Street has originated.

Built in 2021, the Property is currently 95% occupied and includes a variety of one, two and three-bedroom floorplans. The property features stainless steel appliances, stone countertops and subway tile backsplashes, spacious 9-ft. ceilings, wood style flooring, private balconies and patios and full-size washer and dryer. Community amenities include resort style swimming pool and spa, poolside cabanas and hammocks, 24/7 fitness center, bicycle lounge/repair shop, bocce ball court, onsite dog park and complimentary beer and wine taps in the clubhouse caf.

The Property is located within an 850-acre master planned community, Copperleaf, which is zoned to the highly-ranked Cherry Creek School District and surrounded by high-end single-family homes with an average cost of $600k+. The community features extensive open space, parks and trails and is situated conveniently with connectivity to a number of Denvers major employment centers.

In 2021, Walton Street affiliates have closed or are in process of closing loans on multifamily projects totaling approximately 6,036 units across multiple high-growth markets.

About Walton Street Capital, L.L.C.: Walton Street is a private equity real estate investment firm that, since its inception in 1994 through its affiliates, has raised over $14 billion of capital commitments from a broad cross-section of sophisticated institutional investors. Walton Streets principals have collectively acquired, financed, managed, and sold over $50 billion of real estate and have an average of 21 years of real estate industry experience. Senior management has collectively invested and managed both real estate equity and debt through several real estate cycles over five separate decades and more than 40 years, forging long-term and deep relationships with lenders, public and private real estate owners, operators, brokers, managers, and industry service providers. Through this diverse network, Walton Street has sourced over $10 billion in lending opportunities for its affiliates since inception.

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An Affiliate of Walton Street Originates a $73 Million Loan to 29th Street Capital for the Acquisition of Peakline at Copperleaf, a 266-unit...

Reservations for glamping sites have more than doubled between 2021 and 2022 according to Campspot, the leading online campground marketplace. Whether youre into glamping in a cabin, roughing it in a tent, or being surrounded by all the comforts of home in an RV, Campspots top camping destinations of 2022 have something for you.

From majestic mountains to turquoise glacier-fed lakes, Banff is one of the most scenic national parks in the Canadian Rockies. Hiking, rafting, and climbing are all great ways to explore this unconquered territory. Mountain Aire Resort is just a couple of hours away, offering access to fishing, ATV trails, wildlife watching, and more.

Pristine Lake Superior beaches and over 100 miles of hiking trails await at Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore. The national shoreline is named for its vibrant multi-colored sandstone cliffs, some of which feature waterfalls like Spray Falls. See it on a Pictured Rocks Cruisesboat tour, enjoy the scenery by foot, or take in Michigans serene Upper Peninsula by kayak.

Close to downtown Grand Marais on the shores of Lake Superior, Woodland Park Campground makes for a great home base. Watch the sunrise or set over the water Campspot says its the view that keeps people coming back year after year.

Home to caves and waterfalls, Hocking Hills State Park makes for some super scenic hiking. Campspot says Old Mans Cave can be reached by crossing bridges, hiking past a swirling pool of water called Devils Bathtub, and climbing a narrow set of stairs carved into the rock.

Campbell Cove RV Resort & Campground is surrounded by tall pines by beautiful Lake Logan. The family-friendly campground offers seasonal sites, RV sites, tent camping, and rental cabins in a beautiful natural setting. Its also conveniently located close to Hocking Hills attractions, such as Hocking Valley Scenic Railway, Hocking Hills Canopy Tours, and Cedar Falls, as well as restaurants, wineries, and distilleries.

Spanning more than 47,000 acres, Acadia National Park is known as the crown jewel of the North Atlantic Coast. One of the most popular national parks in the U.S., more than 2 million visitors come to Acadia to bike, hike, birdwatch, swim, stargaze, and boat in the summer, while the winter brings hikers, cross-country skiers, snowshoers, and ice fishermen.

Just minutes from Acadia National Park and the popular seaside town of Bar Harbor, Hadleys Point Campground offers quiet, family-friendly digs where you can stay in a cabin, tent, or RV amid the pines.

Bordering New Hampshire and Maine, White Mountain National Forest draws millions of visitors every year. Boasting the highest elevation in the northeastern U.S., this area is home to world-class leaf-peeping, skiing, hiking, and camping.

Conveniently located near the towns and villages of Mt. Washington Valley, Jellystone Park is an outdoorsy paradise with a vast number of scenic hiking trails (some even have hidden swimming holes and underground caves), according to Campspot. Campground amenities include a pool and an ice cream bar.

Known for beautiful beaches, quaint little towns and villages, fresh seafood, and lighthouses, Cape Cod is a relaxing summertime haven. The Capes pristine peninsula also features golf courses, charming history, and three coasts to choose from.

Situated along a spring-fed pond, Peters Pond RV Resort offers a serene environment if you want to get away from it all. But, theres also plenty of onsite activities, such as softball, horseshoes, volleyball, and bocce ball to keep guests entertained.

Famous for wild horses, Assateague Island is an Atlantic barrier island located off the eastern coast of Maryland and Virginia. At 37 miles long (but never more than a mile wide), the small strip of land is considered one of the best beaches on the entire East Coast. Lack of human development makes for an abundance of wildlife, including marsh and coastal birds. Search for seashells, explore sand dunes, and check out the picturesque Assateague lighthouse. Campspot recommends visiting the island during sunset for a truly colorful and surreal experience.

Only 8 miles away from the Assateague Island National Seashore entrance, youll find Sun Outdoors Frontier Town in Berlin, MD. Formerly known as Frontier Town RV Resort & Campground, the Western-themed campground doubles as a theme park and water park. It also features a marina, fishing, jet ski rentals, an onsite restaurant, and mini-golf.

Sparkling white sand beaches, sinking sunsets, and key lime pie are all synonymous with Key West. Sunsets are so stellar here that the island celebrates sundown every evening on Mallory Square. The southernmost point in the U.S. also sports historic sites, unique architecture, lively nightlife, and quite a culinary scene.

An hour away from downtown Key West, Sun Outdoors Marathon sits along the Gulf of Mexicos blue waters. In addition to camping, this quiet paradise offers secluded waterfront access, boat slips, and a private marina.

Filled with important history, beautiful scenery, diverse attractions, local treasures, and fun things to see and do The Ozarks, aka the Ozark Mountains, meander through Missouri, making their way down to northern Arkansas. Hiking is one of the best ways to appreciate its woodlands, limestone bluffs, and caves.

Located in the heart of the Ozark Mountains, Ozark Farms offers peace and quiet in the great outdoors. Fugitive Beach Meramec Springs are nearby, while Onondaga Cave State Park is only a 40-minute drive.

West of Austin and north of San Antonio, Texas Hill Country is where you can find Fredericksburg, wineries, Enchanted Rock Natural State Area, and plenty of bluebonnets in the spring. Its also home to New Braunfels, which features the award-winning Schlitterbahn New Braunfels Waterpark & Resort, floatable rivers, and a brand new camping experience.

Located along the Guadalupe River, Camp Fimfo puts the glam in glamping. This fun campground boasts a swim-up bar, outdoor movies, water slides, and more!

Speaking of Texas adventures, Big Bend National Park is chock-full of them! From hiking and backpacking to river trips through deep canyons and dirt road adventures, Big Bend adventures know no end. Dont forget the awe-inspiring views, brilliant star-gazing, and camping!

Stay at Roadrunner Travelers in the lively ghost town Terlingua, just a short drive away from the park. This Chihuahuan desert oasis features excellent views of Bee Mountain from each camp spot, access to hiking, and a dog park.

Named for where four states meet, Four Corners rich history and protected lands draw visitors to the Southwest. To the east is Colorados Mesa Verde National Park, where what remains of the Ancestral Puebloans stand. Tour the cliff dwellings of a civilization that lived on the Colorado Plateau for hundreds of years. Its also one of the best stargazing spots in the country. Also to the east, San Juan National Forest is home to some of the most stunning hikes in Colorado.

West, youll find Glen Canyon National Recreation Area, where you can boat Lake Powell, hike and drive the canyons and mountains, and check outHorseshoe Bendon the Colorado River andRainbow Bridge National Monument. Canyonlands National Park also lies to the west of Four Corners. One of the big five national parks in Utah, its 527 square miles feature a colorful landscape of canyons, arches, buttes, rivers, and mesas.

Durango, CO is about an hour and a half from Four Corners Monument (where you can get your picture in four states at once). Here you can stay at Alpen Rose RV Park in the peaceful Animas River Valley surrounded by stunning red rock cliffs. Note the RV part this campground only has full hook-up sites.

Located in eastern Utah, Moab is surrounded by natural beauty, rugged landscapes, and national and state parks that are ideal for photographers and outdoor enthusiasts.

The terrain is a product of erosion, with softer rock yielding to water and wind, leaving behind arches, striated canyon walls, hoodoos, and towering monuments.

Moab is a good central location for those looking to explore Canyonlands and Arches national parks. Campspot recommends Moabs Canyonlands RV Resort & Campground. Its pool allows campers to sunbathe or swim while surrounded by red rocks. Guests can also hike around the property. Choose to stay in one of the tent sites, pull-thru RV sites, or cabin rentals.

Nestled in the Sangre de Cristo Mountains and drenched with sunshine, Santa Fe offers something for everyone. Whether you are an art lover, history buff, outdoor adventurer, or foodie, youll find plenty to see, do, and eat in this high-altitude capital city about an hour north of Albuquerque.

In close proximity to the city, KitFox offers high desert glamping at its finest. From hiking and fishing to offroading and horseback riding, there is plenty of outdoor fun to be had. KitFox launched last year and has yet to release its Spring 2022 calendar for nightly stays.

Nearly 3 million tourists flock to Sedona each year to hike, mountain bike, bask in energy from the areas world-famous vortexes and dine in restaurants in spectacular settings. This upscale resort town has several must-see spots in addition to gorgeous red sandstone formations,

Rancho Sedona RV Park offers a peaceful desert setting to relax and unwind. Sedona has more than 300 days of sunshine a year, but shaded RV sites are canopied by grand sycamore and cottonwood trees. Mountain bike, hike, and fish on premises, or walk to nearby galleries, shops, and restaurants.

Named for the giant cacti it protects, Saguaro National Park is comprised of two areas separated by the city of Tucson: the Red Hills Tucson Mountain District (aka Saguaro West) and the Rincon Mountain District (Saguaro East). Take in the parks iconic southwestern landscape via scenic drive or hiking trails.

Just an hour north of Saguaro National Park, Ride Out Ranch offers scenic desert views in Florence, AZ. In addition to full-hookup RV sites, The ranch features primitive camping areas and four shed-sized tiny homes. Its called Ride Out Ranch because campers are encouraged to bring along their horses to stay in the partially covered horse stalls and take on the endless trails right outside the gates.

A college town on the scenic western side of the state, Missoula, Montana, has the best of both worlds. Minutes from the city, youve got solitude, nature, and adventure while still being close to funky local shops, a unique music scene, and plenty of eateries. White water raft the famous Alberton Gorge, or explore the city via its system of trails. Bonus: Yellowstone and Glacier National Park are both an easy days drive away.

Nestled in the heart of Missoula, just 10 minutes from downtown, is Jim & Marys RV Park. This well-manicured family-owned campground also features a made-in-Montana gift shop.

The tallest peak in Washington State and in the Cascade Mountain Range of the Pacific Northwest, Mount Rainier stands 14,411 feet above sea level and is home to the most glaciers in the country. Five major rivers originate at its glaciers, subalpine meadows surround its icy peaks, and old-growth forests cover its lower slopes. Mount Rainier National Park strives to preserve this unique and diverse ecosystem. The best way to experience its towering forests, crystal-clear alpine lakes, cascading waterfalls, rushing rivers, and world-famous wildflower meadows is by hiking through it all.

A 15-minute drive from the Nisqually Gate entrance (the only one thats open year-round) Elkamp Eastcreek lies among the trees at the foot of Mt. Rainier. Just a couple hours away from Seattle and Portland, its park-like grounds are the perfect place to stay during your Western Cascade getaway.

Hood River is situated between the Columbia River Gorge and the Cascade Range. Scenic hiking and biking trails and waterways display the Pacific Northwests natural beauty. Skiing, kiteboarding, and windsurfing are popular sports here. Its also home to some of the regions best wineries, craft breweries, and farm-to-table restaurants.

Although Gorge Base Camp overlooks the Oregon town of Hood River, it is located on the Washington side of Columbia River Gorge. Tent and RV sites are available.

From white-sand beaches to fantastic restaurants, sunny San Diego offers so much to see and do. Head downtown to the Gaslamp Quarter and sing your heart out at The Shout! House dueling piano bar. Drive over to Coronado and have a drink at the Hotel del Coronado as you watch the sunset over the Pacific.

Southern Californias newest, upscale resort, Sun Outdoors San Diego Bay is on San Diego Bay in nearby Chula Vista, right next to Living Coast Discovery Center. It has RV sites as well as cottage rentals, plus amazing onsite amenities. The pool has private cabanas, theres an arcade and outdoor activities like pickleball, a market, and onsite eateries.

Speaking of SoCal escapes, Palm Springs is just a couple of hours away from Los Angeles and San Diego. This posh resort town is home to quirky historic hotels, the largest concentration of mid-century modern architecture in the world, creative cuisine, and stunning natural landscapes. Its boutique hotels, luxurious resorts, and vacation rentals can cost a pretty penny though, so why not try camping in the charming nearby town of Indio?

Just half an hour from Palm Springs and Joshua Tree National Park, Indian Wells RV Resort offers mesmerizing mountain views. No RV? No problem! In addition to 300 RV sites, one- and two-bedroom vacation rentals are available. Indian Wells amenities include a pool, hot tub, clubhouse, gym, mini-golf, dog park, yoga, and more!

Dubbed Alaskas Playground, the Kenai Peninsula wilderness is a nature lovers paradise. Its also a fishermens paradise, with the famed Russian River offering some of the worlds best salmon fishing. At the edge of the peninsula, Kenai Fjords National Parks landscape, carved eons ago by glacial ice, is a protected space preserving a unique blend of glaciers, marine and land wildlife, and snow-capped mountain fjords.

Situated on the bluff overlooking the famous Kenai River and Cook Inlet, between the town centers of Soldotna and Kenai, Diamond M Ranch Resortmakes for a perfect home base for your Alaskan adventure with easy day trips to Seward or Homer. In addition to spacious, full hook-up RV sites, the resort offers tent sites and cute-as-can-be Main Street historical suites, designed to represent Alaskas Last Frontier.

The rest is here:
22 Best Places To Camp In 2022 - TravelAwaits

THORNHILL

Location: 70 Parr Place,

Bathurst St. and Flamingo Rd.

Asking price: $7,480,000

Size: about 8,200 sq. ft., plus about 4,000 sq. ft. finished lower level

Lot: 100-by-226 feet, attached four-car garage, private drive, inground pool

Taxes: $21,348 (2021)

Bedrooms: 6 plus 2

Bathrooms: 10

Part of the upscale, gated community Burbank Estates, this two-storey residence has over 12,000 sq. ft. of finished living space with 10 bathrooms, six bedrooms with ensuites and walk-in closets, five fireplaces and 11-foot ceilings.

Additional features include polished limestone floors, Brazilian cherry hardwood floors, and a finished walkout lower level with a wet bar, a billiard area, and a gym.

Finding a safe neighbourhood with a sense of community, with great schools, and proximity to Toronto was important to us, says homeowner Elaine Newton.

The layout of our home has been perfect for both raising our family and for entertaining. Our house is on a half-acre lot with a large in-ground pool with a built-in hot tub, a loggia, a playground, multiple seating areas, a basketball court, and a cabana with wet bar and washroom, added Newton.

The home is also near parks, golf courses, restaurants, shopping, and easy access to Hwys. 7 and 407.

This property stands out with its wrought-iron gates and fencing, and manicured grounds. The home was custom-built with exceptional quality, featuring built-ins throughout, oversized windows, and an open-concept kitchen and breakfast area, says listing agent Voula Argyropoulos, who adds there is also a four-car heated garage.

This L-shaped estate features a stone and stucco exterior, an impressive, covered double-door entrance with a balcony above, a second covered entrance, a varied roofline with multiple peaks, arched windows, and interlocking drive and walkways.

Inside, the grand foyer features a two-storey ceiling with a large crystal chandelier, limestone floor with inlay, and a double closet.

Living room highlights include a floor-to-ceiling window, a limestone floor, a gas fireplace with a detailed plaster surround and mantel, and wall sconces.

The formal dining room contains a limestone floor, crown moulding, a crystal chandelier, and a double garden door walkout.

A large centre island/breakfast bar is a highlight of the kitchen that also has crystal chandeliers, granite counters, a pantry, a built-in desk, high-end steel appliances, and a breakfast room with hardwood floor, tray ceiling and curved wall of windows.

The adjoining family room has a hardwood floor, a tray ceiling, a gas fireplace, built-in shelves, and two double garden door walkouts.

Double French doors open to the office with built-in shelves.

On the second floor, the primary bedroom showcases a large seating area surrounded by a curved wall of windows, a gas fireplace, two chandeliers, a balcony walkout, walk-in closet and a seven-piece ensuite.

This floor includes five more bedrooms with ensuites and walk-in closets.

The walkout lower level has a rec room with floor-to-ceiling built-ins, a wet bar, an open-concept games room, a gym, two bedrooms and two three-piece bathrooms.

To have a look at this property please contact the listing agent Voula Argyropoulos, Hammond International Properties, Brokerage, 416-795-4999; http://www.70parrplace.com/.

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Home of the week: Luxe $7.48 million Thornhill estate is built to entertain - Toronto Star

For those of us old enough to have driven in the 1900s-- it's weird to say that-- do you remember the first time you ever drove across the old Sikorsky Bridge? I was thinking about it the other day, and I was terrified.

The original Sikorsky Bridge was completed in 1940,named after aviation pioneer Igor Sikorsky to honor him and his factory, which still thrives just north of the bridge in Stratford. The Sikorsky Bridge carries RT. 15, better known as the Merritt and Wilbur-Cross Parkways, across the Housatonic River between Stratford and Milford.

If you drive across it now, in 2021, you don't give it another thought-- why? Because it's not the same bridge.

The original Sikorsky Bridge was demolished in the early 2000s and replaced with what is now known as the Igor I. Sikorsky Memorial Bridge.But if you drove across it in the 1900s, it was an old, steel deck bridge, and your tires sang as you drove across it, giving the Sikorsky the nickname of "The SingingBridge." Even in dry weather, your tires slipped a little bit across the grooves, and if you looked down as you were driving across, you could see right through the steel to the 85-foot drop and the Housatonic River below.

I was a traffic reporter back in 1991, and the route that I had to drive was I-95 and Rt. 15 between New Haven and Greenwich. Every time that I had to drive across that span on I-95, the tragic events of the Mianus River Bridge collapse in Greenwich in June, 1983,duringwhich three motorists unfortunately lost their lives, echoed through my mind and also when I drove across the old Sikorsky Bridge. Every time.

Now, in 2021, I don't even notice that I'm driving across it. The only thing on Rt. 15 that makes me any kind of nervous today? Driving through Heroes Tunnel, the formerly-named West Rock Tunnel.

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Continued here:
Remember How Scary It Used To Be Driving Over the Sikorsky Bridge? - i95rock.com

While over 270,000 square metres of new office space entered the market in the countrys biggest cities in 2019, this year the figure will not reach 90,000, iDnes.cz said, citing consultants Cushman & Wakefield.

Photo: Tom Adamec, Czech Radio

Interest in new offices in Prague and Brno already declined significantly last year, when the switch to work from home showed many companies that they did not need to rent as much space, the news site said.

Experts believe that this factor, combined with a shortage of construction workers, has also impacted developers, who are re-evaluating some planned office projects.

Josefna Rybov of real estate consulting company JLL told iDnes.cz that construction projects had been suspended even before the pandemic due, to rising construction costs. The present low level of new construction is the result of the brakes having been put on for two years, she said.

On the Czech Republics largest market, Prague, less than 70,000 square metres of new office space will be created in 2021, while the long-term average is about 150,000 per year.

According to estimates, the number of new offices in Brno this year should be half that seen last year and approximately two thirds less than in 2019.

Photo: Alex Kotljarskyj, Unsplash, CC0

The head of Cushman & Wakefields leasing team, Radka Novak, told iDnes.cz that there will not be many more new projects in 2022 than there were this year.

Optimism is gradually returning and several relatively large projects have already begun to be built; however, their completion is not expected until 2023, she told the news site.

Leo Anderle, CEO of developer Sekyra Group, told iDnes.cz that it was necessary to take into account that the construction of such structures cannot take place overnight. If work starts on an office this year, it may be completed in two years, he said.

Banks are also cautious about providing loans to build office projects and developers are waiting for a time when they will be able to use pre-agreed rental deals as a source of financing, Martin Striko of JLL told the news site.

There is currently more free office space in Prague since at any time since 2017, Cushman & Wakefield said.

Read more from the original source:
Interest in office space down as new building construction slows markedly - Radio Prague