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Tags: Movie Set Travel / Waterfalls / Hiking / Active Travel / → All Tags

Finding the Paradise of 'Up' A Little Closer To Home

If you haven’t made it to the local multiplex to see the new Disney-Pixar film Up, you’re missing out. In the movie, our heroes are headed to a fictional Paradise Falls in South America. Pixar filmmakers did head to Angel Falls in Venezuela to get some inspiration, but still, if your new dream is now to see Paradise Falls you might be out of luck.

Unless of course you have some time to head to Thousand Oaks, California, then you might fulfill your new need for exploration. From Los Angeles, you’ll take the 101 up the coast into Ventura County, where you’ll be ready to explore your own version of Paradise Falls. The trail lasts about three miles round-trip and there isn’t much of an elevation gain, so even coach potatoes should be good to go with this one. Just make sure to bring some water along with your milk duds, since the area is pretty dry, and the shade is limited along parts of the path.

You’ll be rewarded with views of a waterfall spilling into a large pool below. It’s not quite as big as the one in the movie, but it should still be worth the time and effort to get there. However, be careful of the local wildlife. Hikers have mentioned that rattlesnakes are big fans of this area near Wildwood Park. Pay attention and you’ll probably be safe.

Related Stories:
·Paradise Falls [LocalHikes]
·Paradise Falls [World-Of-Waterfalls]
·Hiking coverage [Jaunted]

[Photo: Neither Fanboy]

Tags: Summer-Vacations-With-An-Edge / Summer Travel / Clifton Hill / Niagara Falls / Waterfalls / → All Tags

Summer Vacations with an Edge: Niagara Falls? Really?

Yes, you've seen Niagara Falls before, but have you ever ventured over the edge in a barrel? No? Here's a tour that's the next best thing--and probably a lot safer.

Available on either the Canadian or American side of the border, Whirlpool Jet Boat Tours offer a ride in the rapids just before you would otherwise plummet to your death below. The 1,500 hp boats go up to 65 mph during the tour, and stop just short of the falls at a rough patch of class six rapids. The less adventurous can choose an enclosed vessel for the 60-minute journey, but for the full experience take one of the "Wet Jets" and get soaked.

The ticket will set you back $56, but they're hiring for the summer season so maybe you can work for some free rides. After you've changed into some dry clothes, go grab a bite to eat at one of the, uh, "wonderful" restaurants on Clifton Hill.

Related Stories:
· Whirlpool Jet Boat Tours [Official Site]
· Summer Vacations with an Edge coverage [Jaunted]

[Photo: wjklos]

Tags: Hawaii Travel / Waterfalls / Kauai Travel / → All Tags

Adventure Travel Gone Wrong on Kauai

Adventure travelers already know that Kauai is Hawaii's best bet for waterfalls, and that it's blessed with copious rainfall (making Mount Waialeale one of the wettest places on Earth). But most of those waterfalls are on private property. And while waterfalls may be pretty to look at, they aren't necessarily as safe as plunge pools.

With guidebooks printing detailed maps for bushwhacking through private property to get to these waterfalls, Kauai's cataracts have gotten crowded and, according to the rescue workers in Kauai County, dangerous. The worst offender is probably Puhi Falls, a mild-looking waterfall just 20 feet high--that still manages to send one jumper a day to the local hospital.

The guidebooks have likely resulted in two off-the-beaten-path deaths already, albeit not at Puhi, after falling off a trail to some hidden cascades. County officials are incensed, as are private landowners, but that's not yet stopping the popularity of Kauai's plentiful falls.

Alex Salkever is the editor/founder of Hawaii travel blog Hawaiirama.com

Related Stories:
· Two Hikers Die on Kauai [Hawaiirama]
· Danger Lurking in Beauty [Star Bulletin]

[Photo: eNil]