If the pockets of warmer weather around the country have been infiltrating your neighborhood, you’re probably starting to think about spring. The folks in Washington, DC are thinking the same and already have Mother Nature on speed dial as they try their best to predict when those cherry blossoms will do their thing.

There’s been loads of snow in DC this winter, but despite all the harsh weather, experts are predicting that the cherry trees will be back to put on a show in only a few more weeks. The National Park Service is thinking that things will start on March 31, but the peak blooming should be between April 3 and April 8. That’s pretty good as the official festival is set to run from March 27 through April 11 this year. ]]> kjb 2010-03-11T08:30:03-05:00 http://www.jaunted.com/story/2009/10/8/144017/983

It seems like we're doing a naked travel or nude hiking post every few weeks now, with today's story courtesy of the 11 mile naturist hiking trail opening up in Germany. The eagerly anticipated path goes from Dankerode to the Wippertal dam along the Harz mountain range in central Germany.

Apparently enthusiasts have been lighting up naturist chat rooms over it for months. The Reuters writeup was very specific on this: "Naturist chat rooms."

So scientists believe we started wearing clothes some time between 100,000 and 500,000 years ago. Do you know why our grunting ancestors decided to cover themselves with animal pelts? Because they realized that dirt is dirty. It must have been a radical insight at the time—"hey, all this sticky stuff doesn't get on my skin if I cover myself, and I even feel warmer"—but nevertheless they were able to apply their chimp-like analytical skills to the problem and crack that nut. Not so much with these hippies.]]> Omri 2009-10-08T16:03:56-05:00 http://www.jaunted.com/story/2009/6/11/194410/756

Anywhere else in the world, tourism boards would be totally stressed that nature had just destroyed part of a key tourist attraction. But along the Great Ocean Road in Victoria, Australia, locals are just wandering how to rename their famous landmark to suit the new situation.

The problem is, a huge natural rock formation known as the Island Archway partially collapsed this week, thanks to the constant pounding of the ocean. The bridge section of the structure has fallen into the ocean and now the archway looks instead like two pillars.

It's not the first time nature has created havoc with the sights along the Great Ocean Road; as recently as 2005, one of the famous Twelve Apostles pillars tumbled into the sea. But it does kind of make you want to get Down Under ASAP before all the pretty things fall over.

Related Stories:
· Island Archway Near Loch Ard Gorge Loses Its Archway [Herald Sun]
· Walk the Great Ocean Road [Jaunted]

[Photo: kabl1992] ]]> amandak 2009-06-12T09:22:10-05:00 http://www.jaunted.com/story/2008/10/10/51752/046

Sometimes being second best is still an exciting thing: That's what they're thinking down in Tasmania where they've just discovered the world's second tallest tree.

The giant swamp gum tree measures 330 feet, making it quite a few feet smaller than the tallest tree found in California's Redwood National Park. But being second isn't harming the tourism potential of this tree with plans already taking shape.

Luckily the tree is close an already-existing tourist attraction, the Tahune AirWalk. The forestry people in Tassie are looking at erecting a boardwalk to get visitors close to the massive tree. And they're also hurriedly measuring the rest of forest to see if they can win the tallest tree award too.

Related Stories:
· World's Second Tallest Tree Found in Tasmania [news.com.au]
· Tasmania Travel coverage [Jaunted]

[Photo: sridgway]]]> amandak 2008-10-10T09:00:42-05:00 http://www.jaunted.com/story/2008/5/28/73618/3232

Instead of filling up the car for your next trip, spend that gas money on an expensive pair of hiking boots and head outside for National Trails Day on June 7.

Sponsored by The American Hiking Society, the day seeks to share the fun of hiking with newbies through gear demonstrations, workshops and educational exhibits. The group has put together an interactive map, so you can easily figure out what's going on near you. Just a quick look reveals new trails to explore, dedications and events and opportunities to volunteer to improve your favorite trail.

Even if you're not that into hiking, the day is sponsored by a bunch of outdoorsy companies, so you can probably score some free swag just for showing up!

Related Stories:
· National Trails Day [Official Site]
· Active Travel coverage [Jaunted]

[Photo: Nicholas_T]]]> kjb 2008-05-28T09:30:01-05:00 http://www.jaunted.com/story/2008/5/22/18750/0980

Visitors have been enjoying the show at Hawai'i Volcanoes National Park since March, when a new vent exploded open in Halemaumau Crater at the summit of Kilauea. The volcano has sent a continuous flow of fluffy white gas into the sky, adding some excitement to the park's already impressive lava flows.

But Kilauea has also covered the Big Island in a haze of "vog"--volcanic fog--which is heavy in sulfur dioxide and has some island residents wheezing and worrying for their health. Hawai'i Volcanoes National Park has been among the voggiest areas, leading rangers to close parts of the park nearest the summit, and even temporarily shutter the entire park in April.

The Big Island Visitors Bureau launched a press push this week to bring visitors back to the park, noting that the trade winds returned last Friday, pushing the vog out to sea and creating clearer viewing opportunities.

If you'd rather check the vog from a distance, the NPS has set up a webcam on the volcano.

Related Stories:
· Hawai'i Volcanoes National Park [Official Site]
· Losing Your Cool in Hawaii [Jaunted]
· National Parks coverage [Jaunted]

[Photo: bobster1985]]]> BS 2008-05-23T11:45:01-05:00 http://www.jaunted.com/story/2008/4/14/131156/887

Hibernation time is over! Maine's Acadia National Park reopens its central Park Loop Road tomorrow for the official season. The road, built by philanthropist John D. Rockefeller, Jr. as a set of carriage trails criss-crossing the preserve, takes visitors throughout the park, which is located primarily on Mount Desert Island.

The only national park in New England is heavily traveled during the summer months but it's a great place to hike in spring, before the hordes arrive. Use of a camp site is just ten dollars a night.

Need some gear and driving up? Swing by the 24-hour L.L. Bean store in Freeport.

Related Stories:
· Acadia National Park [Official Site]
· National Parks coverage [Jaunted]
· Spring Travel coverage [Jaunted]

[Photo: dbking]]]> egw 2008-04-14T15:05:01-05:00 Search Jaunted string http://www.jaunted.com/search/