Tagged With "Running Wild with Bear Grylls"
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Re: Sea World gives up its killer whale shows
I grow weary of political correctness. Orcas are highly intelligent animals, no doubt -- and have the "cruelty" we expect of intelligent animals (anyone who's seen them hunt a baby gray whale for hours, only to kill it, eat its tongue and let the rest go to waste knows what I mean). I never saw Blackfish, but I do recall at the old Marineland park in Southern California. The park was closed for a number of months, and the orcas got depressed. Listless, didn't eat, didn't look good. Someone...
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Re: Wonders of the Modern World
The Soviets have never been completely transparent about Chernobyl, but this is the story as best as I was able to synthesize it: It seems that the alarm system was malfunctioning (going off all the time) so it was turned off by the tech monitoring the system. He had the fuel rods pulled out of their cooling chambers for maintenance work, was distracted (remember, the alarms are off), then by the time he focused back on the task at hand the rods had begun to melt and couldn't be reinserted...
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Re: Sept 1, 2016: Wild Roses on the River Side.
A great moment of a wonderful day.... We have wild roses in North America too, at least in the mountains and northern parts. But they are smaller and while they smell nice, are not as fragrant as those you describe.
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Re: Sept 1, 2016: Wild Roses on the River Side.
WILD ROSES Wild Fruit - before the birds eat them ! I've been told by other walkers that further along you can only smell wild Jasmine. On the waters edge - where these grow - can best be described as a cool climate. With the onshore breeze off the river it rarely passes above 21c / 70f. So about the same climate as your Mountain rose. The smell really takes you by surprise - like walking into a small room holding a large "Women's Institute"meeting ! Perfume overload !
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Re: Where in the World is TravelGumbo (#288)
Absolute extreme difficulty Travel Rob. Just had a family emergency and sent in my best wild guess without any real confirmation.
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Re: Everglades raccoon
Invasive species cause havoc not just with cute native species, but also agriculture, people's health and livelihoods. The Park Service has a number of interesting management programs, including a parntership with Florida Fish and Wildlife. Fish and Wildlife has a Pet Amnesty Program so that people can rehome unwanted exotic pets, rather than thoughtlessly placing them in the wild. The exotic animals are offered to adopters, who are given instructions on proper care. Fish and Wildlife offers...
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Re: The Worst Train in the World
I hope that wasn't your last venture into third world high speed travel. Reminds me of Austria on the Zillertal Bahn Valley Railway. The Train went so slow that passengers would lean out and pick wild flowers from the trackside. Each carriage had warning notices - in English - not to do this. But ....
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Re: Greenland from six miles high!
I agree it's a spectacular sight not to be missed and that there's more to Greenland that just the ice sheet. 2014 will see me on my 7th month-long visit in the last 9 years. I will again hike alone from Sisimiut on the west coast to a location north east of Kangerlussuaq (something like 110 - 120 miles) and then join colleagues doing wild goose research. By all means aim to set foot on the ground there and enjoy camping in the remote arctic landscape - being alone out there is a unique...
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Re: Doctor List for Traveling
SueZee, wherever you travel in the world your hotel will find you a suitable doctor who will speak enough English for your needs - just like Dr.F says - and Italy will have plenty. Don't bother with lists as they will always be out of date by the time you might want to use them, plus it will no doubt not list a great doc that the hotel knows is just around the corner! At the worst the hotel will have an English speaking staff member sit with you to help translate. Conversely, I do think that...
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Re: The Wild Horses of The Camargue, France
Sounds like a lovely experience! And great photos....you can really feel the wild energy of the horses.
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Re: Where in the World is TravelGumbo (#178)
Your pictures all look familiar but I cannot pinpoint the exact location. I have a feeling you have not wandered far from home and are somewhere in the Wild Rose province.
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Re: Where in the World is TravelGumbo (#128)
I admit it's a wild reach, but something about the not-parallel alignment tickled a neuron or two. Will be very embarrassed if it turns out to be John Portman.
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Re: Polar bears: Hard to live with, hard to escape
While they seem cute, polar bears are one of the few animals that actively hunt humans as a food source. They are quite dangerous and very lethal. The Norwegian town reminds me of Churchill, Manitoba, another great place to polar bear watch.
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Re: Sept. 27, 2017: Balloon Man Running, Denver
That's a fun piece, Sam! I do love finding an interesting piece of street art.
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Re: Terry Fox Monument, Thunder Bay, Ontario
What a great story! That guy is an inspiration to all.
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Re: Terry Fox Monument, Thunder Bay, Ontario
Thanks for sharing this story with our audience, Ottoman. I remember Terry Fox well. His run across Canada became an important news story, and the image of him hoping on his good leg before stepping with his prosthesis has always remained with me. He was a remarkable brave young man, and it's sad that he didn't live to see the profound influence that one life can have. A reminder how how cancer can strike anyone. No age, no sex, no race, no social class is immune from its reach. I really...
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Re: Terry Fox Monument, Thunder Bay, Ontario
Thank you Travel Rob, Travel Luver and DrFumblefinger for taking the time to share your thoughts. I appreciate it, and am happy that you all enjoyed this blog.
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Re: Gumbo's Pic of the Day, May 22, 2014: Universal Studios, Orlando, Florida
Originally Posted by Travel Luver: What's the best ride? Hi Travel Luver! I can honestly say that I enjoyed all the rides at the Universal Studios Theme Parks, but if I had to pick a favorite or favorites, I would have to say that I particularly enjoyed the 3-D rides such as "Despicable Me Minion Mayhem" (where Gru turns you into a Minion and you embark on a wild ride through Gru's lab), "The Simpsons Ride" (where you embark on a wild ride through Krustyland and Springfield), and "The...
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Re: Gumbo's Pic of the Day, November 25, 2014: Fall colors at Upper Kananaskis Lake, Alberta
Hi GarryRF, Yes, this part of the world includes vaste stretches of wilderness. Lots and lots of unspoiled mountains, valleys, forests, rivers and lakes. It is only an hour's drive from west Calgary, so lots of those of us who live here spend our weekends in the Rockies. Much like those in Denver. Camping is wonderful in the summertime, as the weather is mild and the days very long. It's also great to hike here at that time. Camping in the winter is only for the brave of heart. You need to...
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Re: Where in the World is TravelGumbo, #60
The flag looks familiar and if I'm not mistaken, that brown blob is the bear on the CA state flag. If so, I think that narrows down the search for type of tree considerably.
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Re: Finding Your Hike in Prospect Park
Sounds very familiar! Old money, big houses and the park becomes a buffer zone. But for now it's a great place to fill your lungs and for the kids to run wild - like kids need to !
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Re: HOW YOU CAN SAVE THE ASIAN ELEPHANT
Thanks for sharing these thoughts. Elephants are highly intelligent animals, probably smarter than dogs for example. Wild elephants in Asia are having a hard time because of loss of habitat and conversion of their normal range to agricultural land. Most do not have ivory tusks so unlike their African cousins, they are not slaughtered for their teeth. In Sri Lanka I visited the elephant orphanage in Pinnawala a number of times, which I've previously written about on TravelGumbo at this link .
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Re: A visit to Waterton National Park
I love the pictures, Roderick. Part of what makes Waterton so special are its many wild animals. Almost like going on safari in America! I'm especially fond of the little bear. He looks so very lost without his mother. Hope you didn't get between her and the little one! And thanks for your first contribution to Travelgumbo!
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Re: Welcome to the town of Dawson City, Yukon
That's the nature of gold boom towns, PHeymont. I believe another gold vein had been found in Alaska near the mouth of the mighty Yukon River, and most of the Klondike prospectors flowed downriver to it. I've been fascinated by the Klondike gold rush since I was a school boy in Canada, reading the writing of Pierre Burton (famous Canadian author, former resident of Dawson City, whose father was one of those who came here during the Klondike Gold Rush and unlike most stayed in Dawson). On the...
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Re: Why you should visit Borneo
Originally Posted by DrFumblefinger: Some GREAT photos. I presume you saw lots of animals on your travels in Borneo? Is there a specific park or place you'd recommend? Thanks very much! Yeah, we saw so many animals it was incredible. I'd highly recommend Sepilock in the North of Borneo, which is great for spotting wild Orangutans, Sun Bears and Proboscis Monkeys. Kuching, in the South, is a great base too if you want to visit Bako National Park, which is a great place for spotting Snakes,...
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Re: Gumbo's Pic of the Day, June 16, 2014. "The beer guy", Canmore, Alberta
Love it! I'm going to take a wild guess and say he ordered a beer? For some reason I think this mystery will be easier to solve then Where in the World is Gumbo!
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Re: Signs of Aspen, Colorado
Originally Posted by Travel Rob: Nice of the Bear to tell us to fight back if attacked He is a nice bear to tell us, and that's good advice with BLACK bears only. There are no grizzlies left in Colorado, but the general advice for them is to "play dead" and not fight back. If a black bear attacks you he likely wants to eat you. If a grizzly attacks you he likely wants to dominate you. Of course, you need to use your judgement on the spot, if you've time to assess. A thin wasted grizzly might...
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Re: Signs of Aspen, Colorado
I don't know what amazes me more...this cocky bear telling us we better be ready to rumble if he comes at you, or the fact that he posed with this sign in the first place
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Re: Gumbo's Pic of the Day, June 18th, 2014: Bears
Enjoyed your photos Still Country. Brought back many memories. Haven't been lucky enough to see one this year but it is really exciting for me when I see my first bear of the season.
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Re: Gumbo's Pic of the Day, June 18th, 2014: Bears
The black bears in Yosemite NP are among the most aggressive and clever in the world. They've been known to pull down a locked closed car door to get at a picnic hamper or cooler in the back seat. They are amazingly strong -- imagine the power needed to peel a locked steel car door off its hinges. And they share this knowledge from generation to generation! Once a bear has eaten human feed, they are "spoiled" forever and often become more aggressive in their hunt for food and may even need...
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Re: Banff National Park: Hiking to Boom Lake
Beautiful piece of country you have there DrF. As someone who's never seen a bear - what precautions do you take ? Looks like excellent cycling country too. But the thought of a grizzly knocking me off my bike worries me !
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Re: Banff National Park: Hiking to Boom Lake
Thanks, GarryRF. Bear attacks are about as common as lightening hitting folks, but it does happen. I've never encountered a bear while hiking except at a distance (could see them across a valley for instance). Here's what you do to be bear safe 1) Follow the park rules. They're very good about placing warnings (eg. trail closed, bear hovering over a carcass) 2) Hike in tight groups of four or more. Bears have never attacked a group of people this large 3) Avoid baby bears. If you see one,...
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Re: Where in the World is TravelGumbo (#85)
As I mentioned, it was a wild guess. I definitely would not have risked "a true daily double", even after seeing the clue.
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Re: Yellowstone National Park in Winter
Thanks so very much for making us a part of your fascinating road-trip by sharing your visit to this unique place at such a special time. It's so rare to actually talk to someone who visited Yellowstone in the winter, much less to read such a wonderfully written report and to share in your experience through your beautiful photos. I'm sorry you didn't get to see wolves in the wild, but in this you are not alone. As many times as I've been in the wilderness, I've yet to see them (though I was...
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Re: Airbnb now open for business in Cuba
Did it go Brrr....Brrr... or was that the Polar Bear without his coat on ? Yes party lines were great fun if you picked up the receiver when someone else was talking.
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Re: On your marks, get set, get on board!
I just find it hard to envision the reserved Japanese jogging down this airport track....but I, too, like the idea!
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Re: On your marks, get set, get on board!
Sometimes getting to your gate involves walking half a mile. Walkways - when they are working - are a necessity to our ageing parents and less mobile neighbours. I just hope distances in this airport are not extreme.
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Re: April 1, 2020: Lynx Family, Alberta
Beautiful! I can just see you standing there with your phone taking those wonderful photos. I am pretty jealous , I’ve never seen a wild lynx!
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Re: May 17, 2017: Elephant Jam at Amber Fort, Jaipur
The Elephants certainly look well cared for. Maybe they have a better life than being out in the wild.
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Re: Kruger National Park - South Africa. Pt 2
I'm amazed you were able to see let alone photograph all those Wild Animals! The photos are really incredible.
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Re: Where in the World is TravelGumbo #209
Time for your next clue.... What’s black and white, and red all over? This is the most difficult clue, so bear down and look for a sign that will give you a bit of direction.
Member
Big Bear Escapes
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Re: Name Your Favorite Restaurants for Atmosphere, Past or Present
DrF - I'm sure that's what they were, or whatever the version is that grows in China. Young & tender. Sigh... But this place, as I mentioned, was out in the countryside, not even in a village, as close to wild growing things as you can get so no surprise.
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Re: Weekend getaways. Where's your favorite spot
That's a fun question! Living in SoCal, there's lots of great places to getaway to. But there are 2 I really like. In the winter I like Palm Springs. Great weather, wildflowers, the mountains and desert. It's great! In the summer I like to go to Big Bear in the mountains. Beautiful mountain scenery. Great trees and lots of cabins. Both places are great!
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Re: Alligator, Everglades National Park, Florida
It is funny that we tend to think of all animals as "he". Could be a lady gator. You were wise to give him or her your respect and distance. Most wild animals have no interest in two legs, The natural instinct is to hide or run. The exception is when they have been given treats in the past. He or she was probably trolling for tossed treats, not you. If you were the gator, would you rather nibble on salty you or a nice deli sandwich ?
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Re: Sri Lanka: A Land Like No Other (Part 11). On safari in Yala Park, with a stop in Kirinda
Thanks, TravelandNature! And how about that Junglefowl. Looks like a fancy chicken but apparently a wild species.
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Re: Planning a Road Trip
That's an interesting tripod, TravelandNature, but you won't catch me on anything that potentially could launch me as a projectile at 60 mph. And, unless you're very macho, you'll not enjoy yourself in bad weather. So if you want to walk on the wild side, rent a convertible, or buy an older one, drive it for a month and sell it in Seattle (not exactly a city for convertibles, except on rare days). Regarding on where to go and how to plan the trip, I'd make a point of going by my local AAA...