Wednesday, August 5, 2009

Lundin Peak, Mount Baker - Snoqualmie National Forest





The rain pounded down on Steve's Nissan as we powered our way up I-90 in search of Lundin Peak. The four of us had originally planned to be climbing in the Monte Cristo area over Memorial Day weekend, but the poor weather made the extended outing to Silvertip and Foggy Peaks a rather poor idea. Instead, we had waited out the weather on Saturday, which turned out nice, and tried for Lundin on Sunday. The rain didn't give me much confidence in our success, but I hoped that a fun time would at least be had by all.



















The snow at the pass had melted and consolidated to the point where the level was perhaps three to four feet lower than three weeks ago, when I had failed to get to the top of Lundin with a much larger party. Indeed, we were even able to park in the lower reaches of the PCT/Commonwealth Basin trailhead parking lot, a feat we were denied three weeks ago.


























































































































































































































































































Dubai Beach Hotels













Well defined as the top holiday destination in the UAE, Dubai is filled with an incredible variety of services and attractions. One of the biggest appeals of Dubai is the combination of exciting urban adventures and nightlife coupled with easy-going days spent at one of the many notable Dubai beach resorts. Beach hotels in Dubai run parallel with the city’s standards offering exceptional surroundings, world class services and plenty of excellent amenities.
On Dubai’s famous Jumeirah Beach lies the Jumeirah Beach Hotel nestled invitingly on a stretch of privately owned beachfront facing the Arabian Gulf. Less than a half hour from the city center, this Dubai beach hotels location offers the best of both worlds, tranquility and excitement. Luxurious and spirited Jumeirah is one of the top beach hotels in Dubai. Designed for families, couples and friends, the hotel presents a large variety of fun possibilities for every traveler. This beach resorts Dubai visitors, especially families, love the close proximity to the Wild Wadi Waterpark.
Shaped like a half-moon the Jumeirah houses almost 600 suites and guest rooms replete with luxurious decor, many amenities and a calm indoor ambience. The incredible array of restaurants, bars and cafes totals more than twenty for a vast culinary experience. Seven tennis courts, four pools, three squash courts, a fitness center and an impressive health spa are only a few of the fantastic facilities available to guests. Parasailing, diving, sailing and snorkeling around the man-made coral reef are a few of the possible ocean adventures.
Only thirty minutes drive from the airport is another of the beach hotels in Dubai called the Dubai Oasis. Impressively designed and standing tall on the Gulf Coast beach, rooms are showered in clean, modern designs and spacious layouts. Almost half of the guest’s suites have ocean views and large balconies and are equipped with a safety deposit box, air conditioning, mini bar, satellite TV, lavish bath robes and more.
Windsurfing, waterskiing and diving are possibilities or jump on a catamaran and enjoy an afternoon sail or ocean cruises. Tennis courts, volleyball, a well-equipped gym and table tennis are more fun activities to try. Relax with a massage or a visit to the sauna or steam room, or simply splash around in the ocean and relax on the soft, sandy beach. Delicious onsite dining beach side or inside are both available. All the great amenities are topped off with 24-hour room service and daily, complimentary transportation into Dubai.
Also nestled onto Jumeirah Beach, adjacent to the Jumeirah Beach Hotel and near Palm Island is Madinat Jumeirah-Dar Al Masyaf. Exceptionally exotic and impressive interiors, paired with an incredible outdoor design complete one of the most notable hotels along the beach. This beach resorts Dubai accommodation is offered in the form of house-style suites with Gulf villas offering the best beach access. Each suite can be arranged to accommodate up to three guest bedrooms and are idyllic for families or larger groups.
Interiors are brimming with rich wood furnishings, alluring colors and designs, large terraces with sublime views, extravagant bathrooms and plenty of space. This exclusive Dubai beach hotels amenities include sweeping gardens, beautiful landscaping, two upscale international restaurants and a network of waterways that link different resort areas together. With plenty of recreational facilities and watersports, there is no idle time at this beach resorts UAE location if you don’t prefer any. The Madinat is yet another terrific choice in Dubai beach hotels.
Aside from the well-known Grosvenor House and Le Royal Meridien, there are many beach resorts UAE offers in a wide variety of styles. The common denominator lies in the close proximity to one of the most exciting city centers in the world, where possibilities are endless. Only a short drive away lay the less frequented yet intriguing emirates of Ajman, Umm Al Quwain and Ras Al Khaimah for a taste of rich history and culture from the days before tourism exploded.

Hotels in Dubai

Dubai receives a large number of visitors every year from the West and the Far East. Hotels in Dubai are much sought after, and all of them come with superb facilities and amenities including a HDTV in their hotel room. There are many luxury hotels and a number of budgetary accommodation centers in Dubai.All the rooms are beautifully decorated and come with a host of in-room facilities. A room costs between $100 and $1500. A destination spot for holiday travelers to Dubai growing in popularity is the Burj-al-Arab, the first seven-star hotel is probably the greatest of all luxury hotels in Dubai.Damn... it's too expensive to stay even for a night there!
Posted by admin at 10:47

The White House


The White House, since 1800 the official residence of the president of the United States, is located at 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue in Washington, D.C. The winner of a 1792 competition for its design was the Irish-American architect James Hoban, whose dignified neoclassical plan was a virtual copy of a project in James Gibbs's Book of Architecture (1728). As early as 1807, Benjamin Latrobe, the principal architect of the Capitol, sought to improve the building by preparing designs for pavilions at either end (added that year in collaboration with Thomas Jefferson), for interior alterations, and for porticos on both fronts. After the building was burned (1814) by the British, it was reconstructed (1815-17) by Hoban, who also added (1826) the semicircular South Portico that Latrobe had proposed and completed (1829) Latrobe's rectangular North Portico
The White House was extensively remodeled (1902) by the firm of McKim, Mead, and White, which also added the East Gallery and the Executive Office Wing. Between 1948 and 1952 the building, deemed structurally unsound, was gutted and its interior structure replaced with steel framing, within which the original rooms were reconstructed. Since 1961 each First Lady has contributed to a continuing effort to refurbish the interior. The resultant enhancement has made the White House a veritable museum of decorative arts of the first quarter of the 19th century

Beijing









Missouri State University has connections with two universities in Beijing.
The first agreement is a formal affiliation between Missouri State University and China Agricultural University located in Beijing, for friendly cooperation and mutual benefit to further academic relations and international understanding. This agreement was signed by both universities on March 12, 2004.
The purpose of the second agreement between Missouri State University and China Agricultural University is to collaborate in the development of a joint masters degree in plant science and to promote collaborative research in programs in viticulture, enology, plant pathology, and other agriculture and fruit science related areas. This agreement was signed in September 2004.
Missouri State University also has a formal affiliation with Beijing University of Technology. This agreement establishes the groundwork for future joint projects between the two universities. This agreement was signed in September 2003

Chania Hotels


The prefecture of Hania is one of the four prefectures of Crete and it covers the west part of the island. It is mainly a mountainous region but it is also characterized by velvet beaches, particularly on its south part, where it meets the Libyan Sea. The prefecture of Chania constitutes a special place, which offers amazing natural beauties and also various comforts, without spoiling its physiognomy. The capital of the prefecture is the romantic, hospitable and very beautiful town of Chania. It is a town built on the sea, which combines in a particularly picturesque way old with modern architecture

During your touring of the prefecture of Chania, we suggest that you visit Akrotiri, which is only 15 km from the town of Hania. From there you can enjoy a spectacular sunset as well as a panoramic view of the town of Chania. Other interesting spots in the prefecture are the ancient town Aptera and the traditional villages Vamos, Gavalohori and Kefala. Also, don’t forget to visit Paleohora, a place that will offer you many historic information as well as a wonderful tour through green landscapes and picturesque little villages.
To view a variety of Chania accommodations please click the desired location on the map or use the search engine below to find all major Chania Hotels