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Elizabethtown (Pennsylvania)

Elizabethtown is a small town in Pennsylvania. The town was mainly agricultural until the 1900s, when Klien Chocolate Company and several shoe factories opened. The town probably best known for the small college in town, Elizabethtown College. Locals and college alumni often refer to the town as "E-town".

By train

 * Routes stopping at Elizabethtown:
 * Keystone multiple trips per day between Harrisburg and New York City with stops in Elizabethtown, Lancaster, Coatesville, Downingtown, Exton, Paoli, Ardmore, Philadelphia, Trenton, and Newark. Some trips operate between Harrisburg and Philadelphia.
 * Pennsylvanian operates daily between Pittsburgh and New York City with stops in Greensburg, Latrobe, Johnstown, Altoona, Huntingdon, Lewistown, Harrisburg, Elizabethtown, Lancaster, Exton, Paoli, Philadelphia, Trenton, and Newark.
 * Pennsylvanian operates daily between Pittsburgh and New York City with stops in Greensburg, Latrobe, Johnstown, Altoona, Huntingdon, Lewistown, Harrisburg, Elizabethtown, Lancaster, Exton, Paoli, Philadelphia, Trenton, and Newark.

By car
One can also arrive by automobile.

By bus
Buses run by the Red Rose Transit Authority connect Elizabethtown to Lancaster City, but are infrequent and do not run at night.

Get around
There is very little mass transit in the area. It is possible to walk from the train station through downtown Elizabethtown to Elizabethtown College. Driving is a more common way to get around.

Eat

 * Good Burrito - Local burrito place in the style of Chiplote. Their ingredients change on a regular basis
 * Brother's Pizza - Local pizza place that serves subs, chicken wings and fries. Delivers
 * Sal's - subs, pizza, limited Italian menu. Order in or pick up.

Go next
Elizabethtown is in the heart of Lancaster County. Be sure to get out and explore the Pennsylvania Dutch Country side, see an Amish horse and buggy, and check out Lancaster city.  Mount Joy is right next door. Hershey and Harrisburg are only about a 20-minute drive away.

title: Elizabethtown (Pennsylvania)


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El Jadida

El Jadida is a coastal town 100 km south of Casablanca in Morocco.

Understand
The town is very much the holiday destination for Morocco's more wealthy city dwellers. With long beaches and a more relaxed atmosphere, it makes a welcome relief to the hustle-and-bustle of the larger cities inland. However, the fancy promenade and buildings are crumbling, and it seems the town cannot catch the same fresh development wind like Essaouira. The latter should be preferred, if you have the choice.

The town's other economy is its fishing industry. Also, the town has remains of Portuguese buildings and the Cistern, which however are fairly limited attractions.

By train
Getting there/away: A taxi costs 15 dirham (Jan 2018). Arriving passengers can encounter problems with getting to the city in case there are no available taxis, in this case it can require walking to the nearest city suburb.

From specific destinations:
 * Casablanca – ONCF trains depart from Casablanca's Port and Casablanca Voyageurs train stations, every 2 hr, the trip is around 1½ hr. Train from Rabat takes 3 hr.
 * Marrakech – There are about 8 trains per day, travel time 6 hr.

By bus
There are 3-5 buses a day from Agadir (6 hr, 140 dirham) and Essaouira (11:30 & 13:00, 4½ hr, 80-90 dirham), hourly buses from Marrakech (4 hr, 70 dirham), and a couple of buses a day from Rabat, through Casablanca.

Get around
El Jadida is quite spread out along the sea front. It probably takes an hour to walk from one end of the centre to the other.

It has plenty of taxies and several bus lines.

Do

 * Relax in one of the restaurants or cafes in the town. Especially if this is towards the end of your trip, as it is for many. You'll find this town far more chilled than Marrakech or Fez.
 * Experience true Moroccan city life without the hassle, noise and glaring social inequity of Casablanca. Expect not to be bothered by anyone.

Buy
There are a few souvenir shops in the Citadel.

Eat
A few more 'western-style' restaurants along sea front, north of town centre.

Drink
Mint tea is available at the massive cafe in the centre of town, down the main road from near the entrance to the Medina.

Budget

 * If you have sleeping bags or a tent ground sheet, sleeping on the beach is possible. You may wake up damp from the salt spray though. There is also a campsite at the North East end of town, located about 5 min walk from the large roundabout near the sea.

Go next

 * Casablanca – This modern city by the sea is a starting point for visitors flying into the country. If you have the time, both the historical medina and the contemporary mosque (the second largest in the world) are well worth an afternoon.
 * Rabat – The capital of Morocco; very relaxed and hassle-free, highlights include a 12th-century tower and minaret.
 * Safi – The nearest big town to the south.
 * Essaouira – An ancient sea-side town newly rediscovered by tourists and far more beautiful than El Jadida. From mid Mai to August the beaches are packed (kitesurfers, beach people, etc.) but any other time and you'll be the only person there. Good music and great people.

license: Creative Commons - Attribution Share-Alike - https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/

title: El Jadida


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El Jem

El Jem is a town of 22,000 people (2014) in the east of Tunisia that holds the remains of a UNESCO World Heritage listed Roman amphitheater.

Understand
El Jem used to be the Roman town of Thysdrus, one of the most important towns in North Africa after Carthage (now to be found in the suburbs of modern Tunis). The amphitheater was built around the middle of the 3rd century CE and was thought to house up to 35,000 spectators.

Having fallen into some state of disrepair, its blocks being used for building the surrounding town and also contributing to the Great Mosque in Kairouan, the amphitheatre was declared a World Heritage site in 1979. In 1999, it was used for filming some of the scenes from the Oscar-winning film Gladiator.

The site features one of the cleanest public bathrooms in Tunisia, located about 150 m to the right of the entrance.

Get in
El Jem is more or less equidistant from Sousse and Sfax, lying just off the main road that links those two towns.

By train
A return ticket from Sfax should be around 10 DT, and take approx. 45 minutes. Alternatively, trains depart for El Jem from Tunis (1st class around 14 DT, ~3½ hours) and Sousse (~1 hour) in the morning and evening. You can just see the top of the coliseum from the train station. Trains call at, 300 m away from the Amphitheater.

By louage
Louages depart for El Jem from Sousse louage station (around 6 DT, ~1 hour). There is no direct public transport between Kairouan and El Jem, you'd need to change in Sousse. in El Jem is a few minutes to the west of the train station along Avenue Hedi Chaker.

By taxi
One of the most expensive options, this gives you the most flexibility. Either arrange a time for your driver to return or ask him to wait for you. Arrange a price before setting out, and expect to pay 50 Dinar or higher for a return from Sousse or Sfax.

By car
Head south from Sousse (north from Sfax) for about 1 hour; the amphitheater is clearly visible as you approach the town and the turn off well signed.

Get around
El Jem is a small town and everything that may be of interest to the visitor can be reached on foot.

Train is also a very convenient method. The trains are comfortable and the travel is short. One would be able to take an early morning train from Tunis, see El Jem and take the afternoon train back to Tunis. All in a day and you would have some spare time to tool around in Tunis as well.

Transportation: it is simple to travel from city to city within the country. There are planes, trains and buses that have routes going between most major cities. One of the simplest ways to travel around Tunisia is by louage. A louage is a shared long-distance taxi that is a very convenient way to travel within Tunisia. The concept of a louage is relatively unorthodox for many coming from North America and Europe and needs a bit of explaining. http://www.tunisia-live.net/2011/09/14/our-guide-to-travel-by-louage/

See

Do
Climb to the higher levels of the amphitheater and soak in the views over the surrounding countryside. Or, head down to the basement beneath the center of the arena and view the rooms where the animals for the fights would once would have been caged (this part is much more intact and accessible than the equivalent in Rome's coliseum).

Eat
There are cafés focused on tourists (complete with polite hawkers who speak several languages) near the entrance of the site. Or, try the café within the amphitheatre if you are feeling adventurous. You will probably get better fare at the 'hotel' near the car park.

A supermarket (super-marché) is on the main road between the train station and the amphitheater.

Sleep
Accommodation options are severely limited. Most visitors to El Jem visit as a day trip from the nearby towns of Sousse or Sfax - this is recommended. Day trips may be part of an organized tour, or just as easily, by train, louage, or taxi.

Stay safe
El Jem's street souvenir peddlers are probably the most rude and intrusive in the whole country. If you're coming by bus they will flock around it before it has parked and will set upon you the very second you exit. Remember that you have absolutely no obligation to buy anything, regardless of how insistent they are. If they put their sale item into your hands and ask for money, refusing to take the item when you hand it back to them, just put the item on the ground and walk away. At worse you will get a rude hiss, but they are not a threat, just an annoyance. Just stay calm and ignore them.

Go next

 * Sfax
 * Sousse

title: El Jem


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Elk City

Elk City is in the Great Plains Country region of southwest Oklahoma. It owes its existence to the railroad as well as to agriculture, oil extraction, and transportation services, being as it is on the busy interstate thoroughfare that is I-40. But perhaps what it is best known for is its location on the historic Route 66.

Sleep

title: Elk City


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El Kef

El Kef (or Le Kef, Arabic الكاف) is a small city in northwest Tunisia. The city is built onto the southern face of the Jebel Dyr Mountain, which is part of the Tebersouk Mountains, the eastern end of the High Atlas Mountains. El Kef is a laid back town, offering an authentic taste of Tunisia. It has some excellent sites to see, and it's a practical point of departure for day trips to the surrounding area.

Get in
El Kef can be reached by car, bus, or louage (shared taxi), directly from Tunis (3½ hours). As anywhere else in Tunisia, louages can be hired directly or indirectly, to and from any city. The bus/louage station is about a ten-minute walk downhill from Place de l'Independence, the city center.

Additionally, there's limited passenger train service from Tunis with 1-2 departures every day.

Get around
Once in El Kef, you have two options to get around -- walking and by taxi. Cabs are everywhere, and they are very cheap (a ride from the bus station to old town center should be less than 1 DT). However, given the city's small size, walking should be the best option and - depending on the day's heat - often the most convenient one.

See

Drink
Small cafes dot the city; they are often filled with local men.

As for alcohol, there is only one licensed restaurant in El Kef. Restaurant Venus serves Tunisian beer and wines. A beer should cost around 4 DT.

Sleep
The places to stay in the city are located around the Place de l'Independence.

Of note is Residence Venus, a small pension on Rue Mouldi Khamessi (phone 204-183). The place is very clean and run by a cheerful family. Almost all rooms have private washrooms (a few have semi-private washrooms) and breakfast, included in the room price. The price can be negotiated depending on the time of year and the length of your stay, but it usually runs between 20 and 25 DT. It's worth to check that your room has a working heater in wintertime.

Go next

 * Travel 60 km south-west to climb Jugurtha's Table. This large mesa rises out of the landscape close to the Algerian border and has a lunar landscape atop as well as massive fissures to jump across. It's an interesting natural destination to visit. Head first to the village of Kalaat Es-Senan, then follow the road from the village center around the base of the mountain, before climbing the steps to the summit.
 * Visit nearby Dougga, 50 km to the east, with its UNESCO World Heritage listed site of Roman ruins.
 * Drive north to the hills to visit the 'Alpine' town of Ain Draham.

title: El Kef


text:
Elk Grove

Elk Grove is a city of 176,000 people (2020) in Sacramento County in California. Elk Grove has many wineries, wine cellars, and vineyards.

By car
Elk Grove is located just east of Interstate 5, approximately south of Sacramento. It is also accessible from CA-99 S at a similar distance.

By plane
Sacramento International Airport is approximately 26 miles north.

Get around
Elk Grove utilizes Sacramento Regional Transit for Elk Grove Transit Services. You can buy passes online, and there are multiple stops around the city.

Go next
Sacramento is 10 minutes away on 5 North or 99 North.

title: Elk Grove


text:
Elkhart

Elkhart is the third largest city in Northern Indiana, and is just east of South Bend along the Indiana Toll Road.

By plane

 * The South Bend Airport is about  northwest of the city center, in the very northern part of the State of Indiana and close to the border of Michigan. The airport has easy access to Interstate 80/90 and US 20/31.

By car

 * Interstates 80 and 90 (also known as the Indiana Toll Road) makes Elkhart easily accessible by car from the west and east. It connects to Chicago, in the west and Toledo, to the east. Exits for Elkhart on the Indiana Toll Road would be State Road 19 (Elkhart) and County Road 17 (Elkhart East).
 * U.S. 20 provides access primarily from places to the west and east. It connects to South Bend, in the west and Toledo, to the east.
 * U.S. 33 provides access primarily from places to the southeast. It connects to Goshen and Fort Wayne.
 * State Road 19 provides access primarily from places to the north and south. It connects to Peru, in the south and Michigan, in the north.
 * County Road 17 provides access primarily from places to the north and south. It connects to Goshen, in the south, and Michigan, in the north.

By bus

 * Interurban Trolley is a local inter-city, and connects Elkhart to the nearby cities of Goshen and Mishawaka. The Interurban Trolley connects to South Bend-Mishiwaka region's TRANSPO bus system, which, in turn, connects the riders to the South Shore Line and South Bend Regional Airport.
 * Greyhound buses stop in the city's northern section.

By train

 * All services pass through in the middle of the night, often making rail travel quite inconvenient. Routes stopping at Elkhart:
 * Capitol Limited operates daily between Chicago and Washington, D.C. including stops in South Bend, Elkhart, Waterloo, Toledo, Sandusky, Elyria, Cleveland, Alliance, Pittsburgh, Connellsville, Cumberland, Martinsburg, Harpers Ferry, and Rockville.
 * Lake Shore Limited operating daily between Chicago and Boston or New York City. It makes stops at most stations along the route, though it does not stop at some of the smallest stations. Trains consist of train cars from both branches between Chicago and Albany (Rensselaer).  The trains split into separate branches between Albany (Rensselaer) and both Boston and New York City.  Stops between Chicago and Albany (Rensselaer) include South Bend, Elkhart, Waterloo, Bryan, Toledo, Sandusky, Elyria, Cleveland, Erie, Buffalo (Depew), Rochester, Syracuse, Utica, and Schenectady. Stops between Albany (Rensselaer) and Boston include Pittsfield, Springfield, Worcester, Framingham.
 * Lake Shore Limited operating daily between Chicago and Boston or New York City. It makes stops at most stations along the route, though it does not stop at some of the smallest stations. Trains consist of train cars from both branches between Chicago and Albany (Rensselaer).  The trains split into separate branches between Albany (Rensselaer) and both Boston and New York City.  Stops between Chicago and Albany (Rensselaer) include South Bend, Elkhart, Waterloo, Bryan, Toledo, Sandusky, Elyria, Cleveland, Erie, Buffalo (Depew), Rochester, Syracuse, Utica, and Schenectady. Stops between Albany (Rensselaer) and Boston include Pittsfield, Springfield, Worcester, Framingham.

By car
Driving in and around Elkhart by car is simple, with most streets being two way traffic. North-south travel can be difficult with the city being on the St. Joe River and a busy railroad track. Most streets don't cross either, but the one the cross the railroad tracks have under passes, so watch for low bridges.

Sleep
Hotels are clustered along the exit to Elkhart from Interstate 80. There are no major hotels in downtown.

Television

 * WNDU 16 NBC
 * WSBT 22 CBS
 * WCWW 25 CW
 * WSJV 28 FOX
 * WNIT 34 PBS
 * WBND 57 ABC
 * WMYS 69 My Network

Newspapers

 * https://www.elkharttruth.com/ Elkhart Truth] Elkhart's daily newspaper.
 * Goshen News Another daily newspaper for the area.
 * The Paper The Paper is a weekly free newspaper that is available on Tuesday.

Go next
South Bend is 15 minutes away.

title: Elkhart


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Elkhart Lake

Elkhart Lake is a city in Northeast Wisconsin. Elkhart Lake is a charming and relaxed lake community that has become a tourist destination for guests of all ages. With a large, clean lake for several water activities, the famous Road America raceway, and plenty of options for dining, lodging, and shopping, this Wisconsin town is a great spot for tourists to sit back and relax Wisconsin's great Kettle Moraine State Forest wilderness and visitor-friendly atmosphere.

Eat
There are quite a few excellent small cafes and restaurants to be found around the town.

title: Elkhart Lake


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Elkhorn

Elkhorn is a city of 10,000 people (2019) in Walworth County, Wisconsin.

Understand
First visited in the early 19th century by American settlers, Elkhorn got its name when Colonel Samuel Phoenix spotted a rack of elk antlers in a tree and proclaimed the area as "Elk Horn."

Get in
Elkhorn is located at the intersection of I-43 and US 12 in central Walworth County. It is immediately accessible from both routes.

Get around
The primary mode of transportation in Elkhorn and the surrounding area is car. As Elkhorn is in the central part of the county and used to be a minor rail hub, it is serviced by a number of major routes including I-43 and US 12 with service into the downtown through WI 67 and WI 11, which allow access to almost every part of the community.

See

 * Bray Road: The location of the siting on the now infamous "Beast of a Bray Road," a cryptid which is variably described as a Bigfoot, Mothman or Werewolf. It has been spotted since it's original siting as far east as Burlington and as far west as Delavan.  Bray Road is east of the city along WI 11. If visiting, please be respectful of the neighbors and don't trespass on private property.

title: Elkhorn


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Elkins

Elkins is a city of 7,000 people (as of 2020) in Randolph County, West Virginia. It is home to Davis & Elkins College, a small private college. Because of its size and convenient location, you'll likely want to use Elkins as a base to get to a variety of nearby sights and attractions.

Elkins is convenient to the Monongahela National Forest. It is less than an hour from the tiny high elevation twin towns of Thomas and Davis, noted for Blackwater Falls State Park, the Canaan Valley, Timberline Ski Resort and the region's caverns. One hour South will bring you to Snowshoe Mountain.

Understand
It was incorporated in 1890, and named for Stephen Benton Elkins, a US senator from 1891 to 1893 who came from West Virginia. Elkins is the county seat of Randolph County, and as the largest city for a significant distance in any direction; nearby Buckhannon is slightly smaller and the nearest city larger than Elkins is Clarksburg.

By car
Elkins lies at the intersection of four major roads: US-33, which goes through Buckhannon and Harrisonburg, Virginia; US-48, which parallels US-33 from Weston through Buckhannon to Elkins and then deviates towards Davis, Wardensville, and Strasburg, Va where it connects with I-81 near it's junction with I-66.US-250, which goes through Grafton and Staunton, Virginia; and US-219, which goes through Somerset, Pennsylvania and Marlinton.

Get around
Elkins has no public transportation. You can get around town easily by foot or bike, but any real adventure would require a car.

See

 * Seneca Rocks, US-33 and WV-28, +1 304-567-2827. 900-foot-tall formations made of Tuscarora quartzite with over 375 mapped climbing routes and a self-guided interpretive trail with a viewing platform.

 * Spruce Knob, Forest Road, +1 304-567-2827. The highest point in West Virginia, at 4,861 feet. A stone and steel observation tower provides 360-degree views, and there's a half-mile trail circling the Knob. Fishing, hiking and an on-site campground with 43 sites.

Do

 * Visit beautiful Stuart Parklocated outside of town on US Rt 33. During the summer months bring gear to go for a swim in the river, or just go wading. Pack a blanket and a picnic lunch, spread out and enjoy the outdoors. Available for rent are many different styles of campsites, for overnight guests. Pavilions are also available for rent, perfect for an outdoor get together.
 * Visit beautiful Stuart Parklocated outside of town on US Rt 33. During the summer months bring gear to go for a swim in the river, or just go wading. Pack a blanket and a picnic lunch, spread out and enjoy the outdoors. Available for rent are many different styles of campsites, for overnight guests. Pavilions are also available for rent, perfect for an outdoor get together.

Events

 * Antique Car Show, Held every 4th of July weekend, the car show fills the Elkins City Park with vehicles of all makes and models, past and present. Fun for car lovers of all ages, activities include live music, games, and vendor demonstrations.
 * International Ramp Festival and Cook-off, Elkins City Park, Held at the end of April. One of the first vegetables to appear in spring are wild leeks, known as ramps, which are widely celebrated in the Appalachian region. Live music, entertainment, and ramps cooked every way possible. Admission free.
 * Pickin' in the Park, Held every Wednesday afternoon in the Elkins City Park. Local musicians gather to play folk/country music and trade stories. All year long. In winter, held indoors nearby.
 * Pickin' in the Park, Held every Wednesday afternoon in the Elkins City Park. Local musicians gather to play folk/country music and trade stories. All year long. In winter, held indoors nearby.
 * Pickin' in the Park, Held every Wednesday afternoon in the Elkins City Park. Local musicians gather to play folk/country music and trade stories. All year long. In winter, held indoors nearby.

Learn

 * The local area newspaper is The Inter-Mountain, Their offices are located at 520 Railroad Avenue,.

Go next

 * Buckhannon, about 30 minutes west on US-33, is home to West Virginia Wesleyan College.
 * Helvetia, about 1 hour south on US-219 and CR-46, is a laid-back village with a strong Swiss cultural heritage.
 * Marlinton, about 1 hour and 15 minutes south on US-219 and US-250, is a good base to reach the Cass Scenic Railroad.
 * Morgantown, about 1 hour and 30 minutes north on US-33 and I-79, is home to West Virginia University.
 * Weston, about 45 minutes west on US-33.

title: Elkins


text:
Elkins Park

Elkins Park is a city in Montgomery County, Pennsylvania.

Understand
Elkins Park is a great destination to get away from the hustle of the city but yet still surrounded by diversity downtown Philly has to offer. Only a thirty minute drive to Center City or fifteen minute train ride. Elkins Park has attractions to satisfy the thrill for people of all ages. Come visit where so much history has taken place and new history is being made. Elkins Park is where leaders are born or call home, such as, singer Pink, comedian Bill Cosby, NFL player Marvin Harrison, Prime Minister of Israel Benjamin Netanyahu, and many many more.

Get in
There are many ways to get to Elkins Park from various cities of the Pennsylvania or even other parts of the country. Easy roads are available, national highways, a train station, bus stops, and a close by airport.

By car
Route 73 and route 611 are major roads that run through Elkins Park.

The main major highway is Route 309 which leads to the Pennsyvania Turnpike as well as other Montgomery County cities.

By plane
If traveling by plane, the airport to land in is Philadelphia International Airport. It is a 30-minute drive to Elkins Park. Trains from and to the airport are available at the Elkins Park train station.

By train
Train station is Elkins Park Station. Served by SEPTA with the R1, R2, R3, and R5 trains stopping at Elkins Park to transport passengers into or out of Philadelphia.

Get around
The Elkins Park train station has trains that stop twice every hour. There are bus stops conveniently scattered throughout the town. Personal cars are an easy way of transportation as well, finding parking spots is not an issue.

See

 * High School Park, an amazing park filled with all types of small hidden wonders and activities, a stream, bridge, track, great activities right next to it, and lots of great an extremely unique stores with lots of food and specialty items from around the neighborhood like local honey, a co-op marketplace, a clothing store, a spiritual store with gemstones and tarot and incence, and a bakery, antique store, and crepes and ice cream store.
 * High School Park, an amazing park filled with all types of small hidden wonders and activities, a stream, bridge, track, great activities right next to it, and lots of great an extremely unique stores with lots of food and specialty items from around the neighborhood like local honey, a co-op marketplace, a clothing store, a spiritual store with gemstones and tarot and incence, and a bakery, antique store, and crepes and ice cream store.
 * High School Park, an amazing park filled with all types of small hidden wonders and activities, a stream, bridge, track, great activities right next to it, and lots of great an extremely unique stores with lots of food and specialty items from around the neighborhood like local honey, a co-op marketplace, a clothing store, a spiritual store with gemstones and tarot and incence, and a bakery, antique store, and crepes and ice cream store.

Eat
The diverse range of people that inhabit Elkins Park also makes available eateries from around the world. The broad range of restaurants serves to satisfy all taste buds. Come and enjoy distinct and authentic foods from all over the globe. Be adventurous or satisfy your cravings.

Sleep
There are no lodging areas within Elkins Park, however, there are plenty in the nearby towns of Willow Grove and Washington Park and in the city of Philadelphia.

title: Elkins Park


text:
Beaver Hills

The Beaver Hills form a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve in the Edmonton Capital Region of Alberta, Canada. The Biosphere Reserve is centred on Elk Island National Park which is located less than an hour's drive east of Edmonton on the Yellowhead Highway, and a half hour's drive west of Vegreville in East Central Alberta. Spanning across parts of five of Alberta counties, the Beaver Hills Biosphere Reserve is a large area of rolling and marshy terrain containing scattered farms and a few small bedroom communities, but no towns: all accommodations here are either camping with a tent or RV, or else short-term rentals including in a cabin or teepee.

Famous as a refuge for grazing animals, Elk Island National Park has a high density of hoofed mammals per square area, so wildlife viewing is relatively easy: no safari required! Visitors can see over 40 species of free-roaming mammals including plains bison, wood bison, "elk" (wapiti), moose (true elk), white-tail and mule deer, beaver, and muskrat. Over 250 species of birds live here, making it a good place for birdwatching. This is one of the last remaining large areas of natural aspen parkland, one of the most endangered habitats in Canada, that is undisturbed by agriculture and other human activities. Open year-round, park visitors can enjoy wildlife viewing, hiking, canoeing, kayaking, sailing, cross-country skiing, snowshoeing, golfing, picnicking and overnight camping.

Also located in the Biosphere, and with a similar range of wildlife (except for bison) are Miquelon Lake Provincial Park, Cooking Lake-Blackfoot Provincial Recreation Area, the Ministik Lake Game Bird Sanctuary, and the Strathcona Wilderness Centre. Also found here is Ukrainian Cultural Heritage Village, an outdoor, living-history museum detailing the lives of Ukrainian immigrants to Alberta in the late 19th and early 20th centuries.

Understand
The Beaver Hills became a UNESCO Biosphere in 2016 due to the work of the local municipal governments, Parks Canada staff, and local community groups. This recognizes the region around Elk Island Park as a cohesive whole where land use decision making is integrated to preserve the local landscape and wildlife.

Because there area was not well developed agriculturally, it never developed any towns of any size, so most tourist services are of the rural and rustic type. Aside from stand-alone farmsteads, the only settlements inside the Biosphere Reserve are exurban commuter homes around the hamlets of and  as well as clusters (some of which are second homes) near lakes, like, , , , ,. For more urbane accommodations and meals, however, Sherwood Park and Edmonton are close by.

History
Prior to joining Canada in 1870, the Beaver Hills had been an important hunting and trapping area for the indigenous peoples of the area. By the time Canada began inviting Europeans to settle in the area after 1872, however, the region had become "trapped out" of beavers (they were locally extinct due to over-harvesting) because of the commercial demand for beaver pelts in England for making top hats.

The areas on all sides of the hills are good farmlands and were part of the general wave of settlement of this part of Alberta during the 1890s. However the park is composed of rocky, wet land not well suited for wheat growing. It was used for grazing, lumber, and hunting by surrounding farmers, but not much tilled.

The Canadian government started a timber reserve here in 1899 to preserve the remaining forests, making this one of Canada's oldest protected areas. At first it was only the trees that were deemed worth of protection from development but in 1906 the area officially became an elk sanctuary, then a federal park in 1916, and was a founding part of the Canadian national parks system when it began in 1930. Part of the old timber reserve then became the Cooking-Lake Blackfoot Grazing Reserve.

The area's claim to fame (the bison) originated in 1907, when the park was used as a temporary holding area for plains bison. This was a wild herd purchased by the Canadian government in Montana, one of the last such herds in existence. The bison were supposed to be shipped on to another park, but an estimated 40-70 bison evaded recapture, and their descendants have been there ever since.

Wood bison were thought to be completed extinct (or interbred with plains bison) at one point, but in 1957 a small, genetically pure herd was discovered in Wood Buffalo National Park. Then in 1965, 23 of those woodland bison were moved to Elk Island Park to start a second herd. The two subspecies are kept apart by the fences and highway to maintain genetic purity.

Elk Island is Canada's only entirely fenced national park, and home to Canada's most famous herds of wild bison, also known as "buffalo" (but not closely related to the Eastern hemisphere's water buffalo or African buffalo). These two herds are used as breed stock to repopulate other famous parks, in Canada (for example, Banff National Park in 2017), the USA (Yellowstone) and even Russia. Elk Island is a small park by Canadian standards at 194 km² (75 sq mi) and is an "island" (metaphorically, only) of protected forest surrounded by farmland. Because this is the closest park to the city of Edmonton and located on a major highway (Alberta 16, the "Yellowhead" route of the Trans-Canada Highway), it sees many Canadian visitors but because it lacks photogenic mountain vistas, it's not a common part of the itineraries of international visitors to Western Canada, unlike the more famous Banff National Park to the south.

During the late 1990s and early 2000s, Alberta was undergoing an economic boom fuelled by high prices of oil and gas, and development pushed eastwards from Edmonton rapidly into the region. Staff from Elk Island National Park conceived of the "Beaver Hills Initiative" as a way to connect the local region together and encourage preservation. Ultimately the decision was made to peruse UNESCO designation has other Canadian regions near national parks had done, including Waterton Lakes in southern Alberta 1979. In the end 14 local, provincial, and national government agencies and local groups signed the application to become a Biosphere with dozens more signing letters of support, and on March 19, 2016, the designation was made official. Since that time, new websites, trail maps, and signage have started to give a sense that the Beaver Hills Biosphere Reserve actually exists as a place on the map, rather than just a collection of ideas.

Landscape
The biosphere reserve protects the "Southern Boreal Plains and Plateaus" natural region - a transitional zone between the aspen parkland to the south and the boreal forest to the north. The region has a "knob and kettle" topography rising 30-60 m above the surrounding plains of Alberta. The elevation is around 750 to 800 m above sea level which, while not high by Alberta standards, is significantly higher than the North Saskatchewan River's valley bottom at around 600 m just a few kilometres to the northeast of the hills.

Elk Island National Park is an island, not in the geographical sense, but in terms of its landscape of small hills and depressions surrounded by flat plains. When the glaciers retreated from the area, they left debris clustered around chunks of ice that formed the knobs, while the melting ice made shallow ponds or kettles. These are eutrophic ponds, meaning they have a very poor oxygen supply, but they contain rich accumulations of nutrients, making them an excellent habitat for plants and wildfowl. The park has more than 250 lakes, ponds and wetlands over 20% of its surface area.

Astotin Lake, near the park's north end is 3.9 km long, almost 3.1 km wide and 0.5-10 metres deep, and is the park's largest body of water, but the largest waterbodies in the Beaver Hills are Cooking Lake and Hastings Lake. Nearby is Beaverhill Lake, which, despite the name, is on the flat plains just east of the hills proper.

Climate
The climate of the area is continental (dry) and temperate (varies by season); the park is usually a degree or two cooler than Edmonton on a typical day, no matter the season.

Flora and Fauna
The star attraction here are the two different sub-species of bison (also known as "buffalo"), wood bison on the south side of the highway, and plains bison on the north. As well there are the eponymous "elk" (a.k.a. wapiti), moose, other types of deer, coyotes, fishers, lynx, and so on.

Visitor information
There are tourism information centres nearby in Sherwood Park and Camrose as well, but those inside the Biosphere are :
 * Tourism website (Beaver Hills)
 * Park website (Elk Island National Park)

Get in
Elk Island National Park is approximately one hour's drive east from Edmonton city centre by traveling on Highway 16 (Yellowhead Highway). It is open 365 days a year.

The Elk Island Parkbus offers daytrips from Edmonton in the summer months.

Elk Island
Daily (2024): Seasonal passes are available for less than the cost of 5 day passes, and less than the cost of 4 day passes if purchased before March 31.
 * Adult $9.00
 * Senior $7.75
 * Youth and children free
 * Family/group $17.50

Remember that camping fees are in addition to entry fees.

Elsewhere
Entry to provincial and local parks and are free. However, there is a charge to use the ski trails at the Strathcona Wilderness Centre. The Ukrainian Village charges: for a family (2 adults + youths, to maximum of 8 people), $40; for a single adult (18-64), $15; for a senior (65+), $13; for a youth (7-17), $10; for a child (0-6), free; for members of the Canadian military and their families, free (with CFOne card); for members of the Friends of the Ukrainian Village Society member, free.

Get around
This is a huge and mostly rural and wilderness region, so you will be hiking, canoeing, and biking mostly for pleasure, but mostly like taking a car for getting from accommodation to attractions and back.

By car
No car rentals are available here, so plan ahead. There are several refilling stations scattered around, and repair shop in Ardrossan, however. There's only one, Y-shaped road going through the northern half Elk Island Park so it's hard to get lost inside the park in your car.

Do
There are several walking/hiking trails in Elk Island Park, most in the 1-3 hour range, but a longer trail exists south of Highway 16 to see the Wood Bison (distinct from the Plains Bison north of the highway).

For trails that begin and end at a parking lot that doesn't require a national park admission, locals prefer to use the trails in the Cooking Lake-Blackfoot Recreation Area just to the south of Elk Island. Its three main parking lots (somewhat grandly called "staging areas") serve as trail heads for a number of hikes and skis, and even allow horses and snowmobiles on certain trails.
 * Beyond hiking, canoeing, golfing are other good options here.
 * Beyond hiking, canoeing, golfing are other good options here.
 * Beyond hiking, canoeing, golfing are other good options here.
 * Beyond hiking, canoeing, golfing are other good options here.
 * Beyond hiking, canoeing, golfing are other good options here.

Buy, eat and drink
The only retail store in Elk Island is in the visitor's centre near the south park gate, it only sells souvenirs, not food (beyond a few snacks) or only the most basic camping equipment. Everything else available in nearby Sherwood Park (to the west), Lamont (to the north), or Mundare (to the east). There are also gift shops at the Ukrainian Village and Miquelon Lake Provincial Park, and a food kiosk at the Ukrainian Village. There is a small shopping centre in Ardrossan opening in 2023 which will have basic amenities like a pharmacy. There are also a food kiosk at the indoor skating rinks in Ardrossan and Fulltonvale (open seasonally) and drinks available at the curling rinks in Ardrossan and Fultonvale.

Sleep

During the summer, Elk Island offers a semi-serviced campground. Hotels, motels, bed & breakfasts, gasoline, groceries, and other services can only be access communities surrounding the Beaver Hills.

Stay safe
Safety for visitors:

 * Safety first - view wildlife from a safe distance and vantage point.
 * Remain in your vehicle to view wildlife on roadways.
 * Slow down when wildlife are near the roadside.
 * Observe the 60 km/h speed limit on the Elk Island Parkway.
 * At all times, maintain a distance of 100 metres from moose, elk, deer and bison.

Visitors are discouraged from bicycling on park trails in wet spring weather conditions and during the rut (breeding season for ungulates) from late July through to the autumn.
 * Become familiar with the natural hazards of the park, be properly equipped, and well prepared (knowledge, skills, fitness) for wildlife viewing activities such as hiking, walking, and cross-country skiing.
 * Report aggressive wildlife to Parks Canada staff. Check with Parks Canada staff for information and safety warnings. Respect area and trail closures. Trails and areas are occasionally closed due to aggressive wildlife, poor trail conditions, on-going management activity, or other hazards. Entering a closed area is an offence under the National Parks General Regulations.

Safety for the wildlife:

 * Do not feed the wildlife. Poor health and premature death can result from wildlife consuming food other than their natural food supply. It is forbidden to feed, touch, or attract wild animals with food or bait.
 * Resist the temptation to pick wildflowers, cattails, berries, mushrooms, or any other plant item. Plant matter and natural objects such as antlers and bones are part of the natural food supply for wildlife.
 * Dogs and other domestic animals must be kept leashed and under physical control at all times when in a national park. Loose domestic animals present a hazard to wildlife, as they are prone to chase and molest wildlife; they also present a public safety hazard.
 * It is an offence to lure, disturb, chase or molest wildlife in a national park; penalties can range as high as $5000 or six months in jail.

Go next
Delve further into rural Alberta. For more bird watching, try Beaverhill Lake near Tofield. To expand your historical and cultural knowledge, go to Kalyna Country.

title: Beaver Hills


text:
Elko

Elko (Shoshoni: Natakkoa) is a city in Elko county, Northern Nevada.

By train
Amtrak. The California Zephyr stops here on its runs between Chicago and San Francisco. There are two Amtrak platforms in Elko. The first is located at 1300 Water Street (Westbound only). The other is located at 1301 Sharps Access Rd (Eastbound only).

By car
Interstate 80

Go next
Reno - 80 West. About 4 hours away.

Salt Lake City - 80 East. About 3 1/2 hours away.

Austin - 80 West to 305 South to 50 East. About 2 1/2 hours away

Twin Falls - 80 East to 93 North. About 2 1/2 hours away.

title: Elko


text:
Ella

Ella (also spelt 'Elle') is a beautiful small town on the southern edge of Sri Lanka's Hill Country. It is popular with tourists and makes a great base from which to explore the surrounding countryside. It's in the middle of beautiful countryside, with small vegetable plots in the valleys, tea plantations on the hill slopes and forests on the tops.

The climate throughout most of the year is typical of the high Hill Country, with a hot sun by midday, but a moderate air temperature. It will often rain in the afternoon, but only for an hour or so. A sweatshirt, or light jacket is needed at night. In December it can rain a lot! Heavy rain causes a few problems including tea harvesting to be suspended, dirt trails can turn to mud, and the emergence of leaches on greenery including along hiking paths and in tea plantations.

There's not much to do in Ella itself; though it is can be quite busy with tourists. The centre of town is a combination of some small shops, lots of small sized hotels and restaurants, and some bars. It's a base for exploring the surrounding country. Instead of staying in Ella, you may find it more comfortable to stay somewhere a kilometre or more from the centre.

Ella has a small post office and multiple banks with ATMs. Track bashers (rail enthusiasts) should particularly enjoy the line to Badulla, where at the village of Demodara it does a 360-degree loop before crossing over itself.

By train
Ella is a few stops from Badulla at the end of the railway line that snakes through the Hill Country. 4 trains per day go to Colombo via Kandy from here, and the trains generally take about 7 hours from Kandy to Ella despite their posted schedule suggesting the trip will take 6 hours. As for all train travel in Sri Lanka, fares are cheap (2nd class LKR 490, 3rd class LKR 310 as of 2021) and the views are particularly spectacular. It's usually no problem getting a seat in 2nd/3rd class (seating is unreserved) going to Colombo or Kandy, as the trains from Badulla are quite empty until reaching Nanu Oya. However, getting a seat is challenging if traveling by train to Ella, as the train can be quite crowded until the last 2 or 3 hours of the journey. Ella's railway station is prettily quaint. Train seats are available for reserving 32 days in advance, but are all purchased immediately as soon as they become available. If you can a reserved seat, make arrangements for a company to purchase the tickets as soon as they become available or expect to pay several times the ticket price through a reseller. During high season, such as December-January, do not expect tickets to be available even from reseller in the last 1-2 weeks before the scheduled departure.

By bus
Buses go south through Ella Gap to Wellawaya where you can change for a number of destinations in the south of the island. There is also a direct bus service to Galle which stops at various locations along the south coast including Mirissa and Unawatuna.

When catching a bus from Wellaway to Ella you need to catch a bus to Bandarawella - there are 2 routes, only one goes through Ella. There are tuktuk drivers who will try to take you to the wrong bus platform so that you take their tuk tuk.

The bus stops are at the southern end of Ella's main road. Buses to Ampara leave in front of the curd shop/Lavazza Barista shop.

Useful buses:
 * 8:45AM: Ella-Matara
 * 9:15AM: Ella-Ampara, via Monaragala (2 hr, Rs184) and Siyambalanduwa. Onward buses to Pottuvil (for Arugam Bay) leaves from both destinations so no extra change in Wellawaya is required. A direct bus from Monaragala has a direct bus to Arugambay via Pottuvil (3½ hr, Rs247).

Get around
There are plenty of tuk-tuks around, but the best way to get around is to rent a scooter (most guest houses do this) or walk.

See

 * During high season, expect to following and being followed by tourists throughout the path. There is a zip line near the bottom of the trail, available for a fee, though it won't save you time.
 * Rawana Falls.jpg
 * Rawana Falls.jpg
 * Rawana Falls.jpg

Do

 * Have an authentic Ayurveda Massage at one of the local massage places in town. Expect to pay around Rs1000 for one hour of massage.

Eat
The home cooking in the guest houses and hotels is probably the best food in town. You can find a lot of tourist-oriented bars, cafes and restaurants on the main street.

 * Down Town Rotti Hut, right in the center of town you can't miss it. Nice cold beers and good quality Kotthu Roti's. Recommend the beef!
 * Rawana Hotel Perched on a hill top with views down the valley, book a dinner with the owners before 3PM. If you come late the owner might not be able to serve you. For Rs400-500/person you will be served an explosion of flavors—about 8 small dishes with each order. If you are not staying here, you must eat here. Do you want to reproduce the meals? -- ask the cook for lessons! This might be your best meal in Sri Lanka.
 * Ella Tavern serves hot meals, but the quality is very poor. It's quite a dingy place that tends to be frequented by local alcoholics. Stop in for a chat with the locals. Strong (8.8%) for Rs200 or take a bottle home for Rs230. Not ideal for unaccompanied women.
 * Ella Holiday Inn opened in 2005 at the Wellawaya Road junction in the centre of town is a good place for meals, snacks and drinks, sitting on the verandah looking out at life on the main street.

Drink
See "eat" above.

Budget
There are a number of cheap guest houses scattered around town.

 * Green Hill, (e-mail: wemalasooriya@yahoo.com) is on top of the Ella Gap overlooking green mountains with a picturesqueness view through the gap. The owners, Podi and Prasanna were very welcoming and provided authentic Sri Lankan meals including egg hoppers for breakfast. The rooms were constructed in the early 2010s and were of very good quality. It is 200m walk back to the center of town and approximately 1.5 km walk to Little Adam's Peak. The water was hot and the rooms were very modern and clean. Rs2500/3000.

Go next

 * Take the train to Badulla, Haputale, Nuwara Eliya (Nanu Oya railway station) or Kandy

Stay healthy
Don't walk in the countryside in shorts and sandals or flipflops, especially after it's been raining. There are lots of leeches that hang on to the vegetation by the side of tracks waiting for a nice juicy mammal to walk by.

It is advisable to take some Dettol with you, and spray it on the offending leech, which will drop off. It is not advised to scrape or pull a leech off as you may leave the leech's teeth inside the bite which will be very itchy until you have the teeth removed with a needle or tweezers (without being removed, they stay inside the bite for weeks).

title: Ella


text:
Ellendale

Ellendale is a town in the Coteaus and Plains area of North Dakota. It has a population of about 1,559 people. Its elevation is 1,459 feet.

Understand
Ellendale was named for Mary Ellen Dale Merrill, the wife of S.S. Merrill, who was the superintendent CMSP Railway. Ellendale became the first permanent settlement in Dickey County in 1881. It is home to Trinity Bible College

Get in

 * By car: from Jamestown, take exit 258 from I-94, south 63 miles on US-281. It is just 5 miles north from the South Dakota state line.
 * By air: Ellendale Municipal Airport

title: Ellendale


text:
Ellensburg

Ellensburg is a city of 21,000 people (2019) in the North Cascades region of Washington State.

Get in
Ellensburg is located at the junction of Interstates 90 and 82, approximately 110 miles east of Seattle and 170 miles west of Spokane. Road is the only practical way in, there is no air or rail service. Greyhound has four departures daily to Seattle from a stop at the western edge of town (see below).

 * I-90.svg (I-90) is located south of town. Ellensburg is accessed from Exits #106 (W. University Way & Thorp Hwy) and 109 (S Canyon Rd).  It is 110 mi/165 km (1 hr 38 min) east of Seattle and 170 mi/272 km (2 hr 44 min) west of Spokane.
 * I-82.svg (I-82) begins southeast of Ellensburg at Exit 110 from I-90. I-82 goes southeast through Yakima (36 mi/57.5 km), Toppenish, Sunnyside, Tri-Cities (113 mi/181 km) and down into Hermiston, Oregon (142 mi/227 km) to Interstate 84.  From I-84, I-82 starts from Exit #179.
 * US 97.svg US 97 goes another 160 mi/256 km (3 hr) north to Omak and another 48 mi/77 km (45 min) from Omak to Osoyoos, BC by Lake Osoyoos, just over the U.S./Canadian border. From I-90, access to US Hwy 97 northbound is off of Exit #106 and the first left (north) from the eastside of the freeway. Going southbound, US-97 follows I-82 to Union Gap just to just south of Yakima where it branches off again on a separate road to Toppenish and south to Biggs Junction, Oregon (Exit #104 along Interstate 84 in Oregon).

By bus
The on 1512 Hwy 97, on US Hwy 97 & University Rd (Exit #106 of I-90) in the outskirts of town serves as a de facto bus station for: Central Transit Rt #15 (to 4th & Ruby in downtown) and 16 (to Central Washington University) pick up at the Greyhound stop for the ride into town.

The near CWU on E 10th & E University Ave (908 E 10th) serves as the other de-facto stop for Flixbus and BellAir Airporter (stop here by appointment only). In additional they may also have stops in other parts of town too. See the below links:

Get around
The city is small enough to walk on foot in less than an hour.

Drink

Sleep
Except the Rainbow Inn and Motel 6 most of the listed hotels in the below are either NW of town at W University Way & I-90 (Exit #106) or  south of town at Canyon Rd & I-90 (Exit #109):

Telephone
The area code for Ellensburg is 509.

Go next

 * Ginkgo Petrified Forest State Park/Wanapum Recreational Area, about 30 miles east
 * Liberty B.L.M. Recreation Site, an old gold-mining site 22 miles from Ellensburg
 * Summit at Snoqualmie - ski resort at Snoqualmie Pass

title: Ellensburg


text:
Ellesmere

Ellesmere is a small market town in Shropshire, England, near the Welsh border. It is notable for its proximity to a number of prominent meres (shallow lakes, ponds, or wetlands).

Get in
Ellesmere lost its railway connection in 1965.

By road
Ellesmere is at the junction of the A495 and A528 roads.

By bus

 * Lakeside Coaches run the 501 from Shrewsbury and 449 from Oswestry buses.
 * Arriva run the 53 from Oswestry.

Get around
Lakeside Coaches run the 208 town service on Tuesdays and Fridays, running every 30 minutes between 9AM and 2PM. Any other day you will have to walk!

See
The large mere with boats for hire on the edge of town. Also there are many other nice meres with pleasant walks around them within a few miles, Colemere especially.

Do

 * The town's semi-professional football club, Ellesmere Rangers FC, play their home games at Beech Grove. They are members of the North West Counties Football League Division One South, the 10th tier of the English football pyramid.

Drink
Ellesmere has at least eight pubs and a social club. Good pubs to visit are The Swan, The Railway, The Market, and the Red Lion which is on the edge of town near to the mere and next to the church.

title: Ellesmere


text:
Ellesmere Island

Ellesmere Island in Nunavut is the northernmost populated place in Canada. The world's tenth largest island, Ellesmere Island has one small community (Grise Fiord) which is reachable by air (from Resolute Bay on Cornwallis Island) or – seasonally – by sea in summer. A far northern military base (CFB Alert) and weather station (Eureka) are reachable only by aircraft.

Understand
Ellesmere Island is the northernmost populated place on Canadian land, 4,654 km north of Middle Island and Point Pelee. Established primarily as a means to establish Canadian sovereignty in the high Arctic, it consists of three small communities:

 * (population 129 in 2016), at the southern tip of the island, is a small Inuit village established in the Cold War era of the 1950s. There is a school, a church and a store.
 * , at 80° north near the middle of the island, is a research and meteorological outpost. There is a token military presence to operate satellite links at "Fort Eureka"; CFB Alert cannot be reached directly by geosynchronous satellite, so the signal beyond Eureka must be carried overland.
 * , at 82° north, is a Cold War radio listening post operated by a skeleton crew. The northernmost point, it is geographically closer to Moscow than to Ottawa. Alert had 62 permanent residents in 2016.

This is the land of the midnight sun: months of sunlight in summer, months of darkness in winter.

More than one-fifth of the island is protected as Quttinirpaaq National Park. Barbeau Peak, the highest mountain in Nunavut (2,616 m or 8,583 ft) is located in the British Empire Range on Ellesmere Island. The most northern mountain range in the world, the Challenger Mountains, is in the northeast region of the island. The northern lobe of the island is called Grant Land.

History
The first human inhabitants of Ellesmere Island were small bands drawn to the area for Peary caribou, muskox, and marine mammal hunting about 2000–1000 BCE. The Inuit used the Bache Peninsula region extensively in summer and winter until environmental, ecological, and possibly social circumstances caused the area to be abandoned. It was the last region in the Canadian High Arctic to be depopulated during the Little Ice Age.

Vikings from the Greenland colonies reached Ellesmere Island, Skraeling Island, and Ruin Island during hunting expeditions and trading with the Inuit groups. Unusual structures on Bache peninsula may be the remains of a late-period Dorset stone longhouse.

The first European to sight the island after the height of the Little Ice Age was William Baffin in 1616. Ellesmere Island was named in 1852 by Edward Inglefield's expedition after Francis Egerton, 1st Earl of Ellesmere.

By plane
Almost all transport is by air. The only scheduled destination is.
 * Borek Air flies cargo and a handful of passengers to the village.
 * Air Nunavut operates charter flights.
 * Air Nunavut operates charter flights.

Access to Quttinirpaaq National Park requires chartering a Twin Otter from Resolute Bay, an expensive four-hour flight. A Twin Otter can carry 1000-1200 kg, enough for eight to ten people and cargo. There are no scheduled services.

Access to CFB Alert is by military aircraft, which operate from Canada's largest air force base at Trenton (Ontario).

Get around

 * There is an airport van that meets the Borek plane when it arrives from Resolute.
 * One may travel by dogsled or snow machine with an Inuit guide from Grise Fiord.

See

 * Marine wildlife, iceberg, Beluga whale and polar bear watching
 * Thule and European expedition sites can be viewed nearby

Do

 * Hike Grise Fiord's glaciers and ice caps
 * Snowmobile and boat trips, hiking, walking, photography
 * Spend a night in an igloo.
 * Quttinirpaaq National Park of Canada is 640 km (425 miles) north of Grise Fiord (a distance comparable to "Drummondville to Toronto").

Buy
With the possible exception of some local handicrafts or locally-caught fish and game, expect practically everything to be very expensive. This is a remote location where everything has to be flown in or brought by boat. The storekeeper has to cover shipping costs not only on the merchandise but also on fuel for heating the store and running a generator.

Eat and drink

Connect
Conventional landline telephony is available in Grise Fiord in Nunavut's area code +1-867. Calls destined to Eureka and Alert are placed by calling a federal government number in Ottawa, plus a four-digit extension; voice and data is brought into Eureka by military satellite link then overland to Alert. Bandwidth, unsurprisingly, is somewhat limited.

Mobile telephones have no signal in most Canadian High Arctic points outside the three territorial capitals. There is wireless network at Grise Fiord, provided by Qiniq and Bell Mobility. Satellite telephone coverage is poor; Iridium works all the way to the North Pole but systems that rely on satellites parked above the Equator may fail to communicate – especially if the satellite's location is anywhere other than exactly due south – as they simply disappear below the horizon.

Post office boxes are available in Grise Fiord; the addresses are PO Box nn, GRISE FIORD NU, X0A 0J0 Canada. Mail to CFB Alert is carried by military aircraft from CFB Trenton.

Stay safe

Quttinirpaaq is polar bear country. Whiteouts and hazardous winter conditions are not uncommon; avalanche risk and glacial conditions are common, while adverse weather may delay departure or return for days. Untested water must be boiled or disinfected before consumption in the wild. Access to first aid is limited; self-reliance, map, GPS navigation and complete safety equipment are a necessity. Magnetic compasses are useless in this area due to its proximity to the magnetic north. Experience and training in wilderness travel, knowledgeable companions and/or the services of an outfitter or experienced guide are a necessity.

Any rescue in the park or in uninhabited portions of the island is an expensive and arduous task, as resources may need to be brought in from outside Nunavut. Park visitors must notify authorities of their arrival and their safe return to avoid the unnecessary launch of a very expensive search expedition.

See also cold weather; the island has lots of that.

Go next

 * Resolute
 * Sisimiut, Greenland is also relatively close geographically, but there are no scheduled connections.

title: Ellesmere Island


text:
Ellicott City

Ellicott City is a wealthy suburb of Baltimore, with a long and well-preserved history, and is often ranked one of the top towns to live in the country.

By plane
Baltimore-Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport is approximately 12 miles (19 km) from Ellicott City. Take a taxi from the airport.

By car
Coming from D.C., take 16th Street to Colesville Road/Columbia Pike (US-29) about 25 miles, then take a right on Frederick Road, continuing to the historic district.

From Baltimore, head west on US-40 (the Baltimore National Pike), and turn left on Rogers Ave for the historic district.

See
The main attraction in Ellicott City is the, popular with day-trippers and tourists for its old-time charm, upscale restaurants and cafes, and a couple historic attractions.

Eat
There are endless places to eat in greater Ellicott City, but as a visitor, the best (and often priciest) options are on the Historic Main Street, and there are a bunch to choose from.

Go next

 * Annapolis
 * Baltimore
 * Columbia
 * College Park
 * Savage

title: Ellicott City


text:
Ellicottville

Ellicottville is a village in the Southern Tier of New York. It is famous for its ski resorts, Holiday Valley and HoliMont, the former has been ranked the number 4 ski resort in the Eastern United States.

Get in
US 219 runs north from I-86, and south from Buffalo. NY242 runs into the village.

The closest airport is in Buffalo, as is the closest Amtrak station. However, driving to Buffalo is not hard at all: take the 219 north to the end of the road at the New York State Thruway (I-90), then get off at Exit 53 (I-190 north). Downtown Buffalo is five minutes past the exit.

Fullington Trailways, an intercity bus provider, runs once daily through the village, northbound from Pennsylvania during lunch hour, and southbound from Buffalo during early afternoon. The Seneca Allegany Casino also operates a shuttle between Salamanca and Ellicottville on weekends, several times a day.

Get around
Within the village of Ellicottville (downtown), you do not need a car, as the village is very compact and everybody walks. Everything you want to see or do is on or near Washington Street, the main thoroughfare. However, if you are going from town to the ski resorts, you will need a car. Holiday Valley is about a mile (2 km) from the village on US 219, and HoliMont is on NY 242 before you enter the village.

Do
Skiing and snowboarding are what a vast majority of visitors to Ellicottville come to do. The two ski resorts are:

Besides the ski resorts, there are many other things to do in Ellicottville:

 * In the fall, check out the Nightmare Hay Rides , and in the summer check out the Ellicottville Rodeo. 6319 Sommerville Valley Rd, outside the village.
 * Ellicottville Village Park, Just off Maples Rd behind the Legion, +1 716 699-2240. Fully equipped park with picnic shelter, tennis, soccer, baseball, inline skating, washroom and changing facilities.

Buy
Funky Washington Street has a surprisingly huge selection for a small village- Check out some of the shops:

Because Ellicottville is known as the "Aspen of the East", there are many ski- and snowboard-specific shops. A good tip for those looking to buy new skis or snowboards is to wait till the end of the season. Prices are typically $200-300 lower than what they would be at the beginning and during the ski season. Typically, prices go down in mid-March, which means you can still get a couple of weeks in before the resorts close.

 * The Boardroom, 6113 RT 219 S (next to Holiday Valley) +1 716 699-5620. The place to go for a snowboard in Ellicottville, as well as the only snowboard-specific shop. Right next to Holiday Valley. Very good service.

Eat

 * Ellicottville Depot, 6094 Rt. 219 S (near Holiday Valley), +1 716 699-4744. Pizza & wings, movies, and souvenirs.
 * The Hearth Restaurant, on-site at Holiday Valley. +1 716 699-2010. Expensive, but good food. Overlooks the slopes.
 * Ellicottville Depot, 6094 Rt. 219 S (near Holiday Valley), +1 716 699-4744. Pizza & wings, movies, and souvenirs.
 * The Hearth Restaurant, on-site at Holiday Valley. +1 716 699-2010. Expensive, but good food. Overlooks the slopes.
 * The Hearth Restaurant, on-site at Holiday Valley. +1 716 699-2010. Expensive, but good food. Overlooks the slopes.
 * The Hearth Restaurant, on-site at Holiday Valley. +1 716 699-2010. Expensive, but good food. Overlooks the slopes.
 * The Hearth Restaurant, on-site at Holiday Valley. +1 716 699-2010. Expensive, but good food. Overlooks the slopes.

Drink

 * Coolings Ice Cream Cafe, 10a Washington St +1 716 699-8860. A quaint coffee and ice cream shop.
 * All of the above places have great food and should not be overlooked by families with children for a late-afternoon lunch or dinner.
 * All of the above places have great food and should not be overlooked by families with children for a late-afternoon lunch or dinner.
 * All of the above places have great food and should not be overlooked by families with children for a late-afternoon lunch or dinner.
 * All of the above places have great food and should not be overlooked by families with children for a late-afternoon lunch or dinner.

Sleep

 * The Inn at Holiday Valley, On-site at Holiday Valley. (716) 699-2336. A comfortably elegant Inn, on the golf course & ski slopes. Indoor/outdoor year round pool, spa, sauna & exercise room. Complimentary continental breakfast. Ski & golf packages available. On site meeting rooms.
 * The Inn at Holiday Valley, On-site at Holiday Valley. (716) 699-2336. A comfortably elegant Inn, on the golf course & ski slopes. Indoor/outdoor year round pool, spa, sauna & exercise room. Complimentary continental breakfast. Ski & golf packages available. On site meeting rooms.
 * The Inn at Holiday Valley, On-site at Holiday Valley. (716) 699-2336. A comfortably elegant Inn, on the golf course & ski slopes. Indoor/outdoor year round pool, spa, sauna & exercise room. Complimentary continental breakfast. Ski & golf packages available. On site meeting rooms.
 * The Inn at Holiday Valley, On-site at Holiday Valley. (716) 699-2336. A comfortably elegant Inn, on the golf course & ski slopes. Indoor/outdoor year round pool, spa, sauna & exercise room. Complimentary continental breakfast. Ski & golf packages available. On site meeting rooms.
 * The Inn at Holiday Valley, On-site at Holiday Valley. (716) 699-2336. A comfortably elegant Inn, on the golf course & ski slopes. Indoor/outdoor year round pool, spa, sauna & exercise room. Complimentary continental breakfast. Ski & golf packages available. On site meeting rooms.

Connect

 * Ellicottville Chamber of Commerce, 9 Washington St +1 716 699-5046.
 * Ellicottville Memorial Library, 6499 Maples Rd +1 716 699-2842.

Go next

 * Allegany State Park is 15 minutes south of Ellicottville. This 65,000-acre (260-km2) park offers excellent facilities for camping, swimming, fishing, biking, hunting, cross country skiing and snowmobiling.
 * Buffalo is about an hour's drive north of here.
 * Niagara Falls is half an hour north past Buffalo.
 * The Finger Lakes region of New York state is about a 2-hour drive to the east, and is the largest wine producing region in the US outside of California.

title: Ellicottville


text:
Ellijay

Ellijay is a city in Georgia's Historic High Country. It is considered the Apple Capital of Georgia.

Get in
By car: take Interstate 575/515 off Interstate 75 from Atlanta.

Get around
Ellijay has a quaint downtown area with various speciality and antique shops and restaurants but the shopping centers and all the chain restaurants are on the highway.

See

 * Fort Mountain state park is about 20 min away from Downtown Ellijay on Hwy 52 West
 * Downtown Ellijay
 * Carter's Lake
 * Ridgeway Area
 * Appalachian Trail
 * Apple Orchards, mostly located on "Apple Alley" A.K.A. Hwy 52 East
 * The Cartacay and Ellijay River
 * Amicalola Falls is about 20 min away away from Downtown Ellijay on Hwy 52 East
 * Burt Pumpkin Farm, located just before Amicalola Falls on Hwy 52 East
 * Hillcrest Orchards, located on Hwy 52 East about 10 mins from Downtown.
 * Hillcrest Orchards, located on Hwy 52 East about 10 mins from Downtown.

Do

 * Buy some apples at apple orchards in Apple Alley
 * Raft, canoe, kayak or tube the Cartacay River
 * Hike at the Ridgeway Area
 * go to Carter's Lake
 * Shop in Downtown Ellijay
 * Hike near or at Fort or Walnut Mountain
 * Go to the Georgia Apple Festival in October
 * Amicalola Falls
 * Horseback riding
 * Mountain biking
 * Visit surrounding waterfalls
 * Wildlife viewing
 * Ride the nearby Blue Ridge Scenic Railway
 * Pan for gold in nearby Dahlonega

Buy

 * Downtown Ellijay
 * East Ellijay Shopping Center
 * Chewing baccer
 * Shine'
 * sweet tay

Eat

 * Pink Pig Barbeque
 * Longhorns
 * Charlie's
 * River Street Grill
 * Poole’s Real Pit Barbecue
 * Cantaberry
 * Okinawa Restaurant

Drink
There aren't many bars in Ellijay due to a very religious population.

Sleep

 * Best Western Mountain View Inn 43 Coosawattee Dr, East Ellijay. The hotel offers mountain views and a friendly staff of locals. Be sure to pet the hotel cats. Tel: 706-515-1500 or Toll Free 866-515-4515.
 * Rainbow Cabin Rentals of North Georgia riverfront cabin rentals in the North Georgia mountains with direct access to trout fishing, canoeing, and tubing. Make reservations online.
 * Stafford Inn

Go next
Jasper is 30 minutes south. Blue Ridge is 20 minutes away. Atlanta is 1 hour and 10 minutes south.

title: Ellijay


text:
Ellora

Ellora Caves are an impressive complex of rock shrines that represent the three faiths of Buddhism, Hinduism and Jainism and were created between the 5th and the 13th centuries CE. The caves are 30 km north-west of central Aurangabad, a few kilometres from Khuldabad, and north-east of Mumbai in Maharashtra state.

The caves are a.

Understand
The caves are a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

By plane
Aurangabad has the nearest airport (36 km), and there are daily flights from Delhi and Mumbai.

By train
Aurangabad is the nearest railway station, and there are regular trains from Mumbai, Hyderabad, Delhi, Amritsar etc. There is an overnight train from Mumbai.

By bus
MSRTC (Maharashtra State Road Transport Corporation) Red Buses are available at regular intervals to Ellora. The frequency is good, and they are extremely safe and fairly comfortable, though not very luxurious. MSRTC also operates semi-luxury Asiad buses to here but the frequency is not very good. All these buses depart from and arrive at the Aurangabad Central Bus Stand (CBS). There is no need for advance booking and tickets are issued on the bus itself. Timetable. Tourists who wish to travel to Ellora are STRONGLY RECOMMENDED to travel only in MSRTC (Maharashtra State Road Transport Corporation) buses from Aurangabad CBS (Central Bus Stand). Maxi-cabs (medium-sized black-yellow taxis) parked outside the Aurangabad CBS (Central Bus Stand) are extremely unsafe.

By taxi
One can reserve a chauffeur-driven taxi / tourist taxi from Aurangabad which will charge around ₹350-₹400.

Get around

 * There are numerous bus services running to Ellora from Aurangabad Central Bus Station, but the Maharashtra State Tourism Corporation (MTDC) Bus Service is most reliable. There is a luxury bus tour departing daily at 8AM from the MTDC office on Railway Station Road. In addition to Ellora, the tour also includes several famous sites in Aurangabad.
 * Taxis of all types are available from Aurangabad. Daulatabad Fort is on the way to Ellora.

See
The tourist attractions in Ajanta are undoubtedly the caves. The 34 caves at Ellora and the 29 caves at Ajanta remained in obscurity for over a millennium, till John Smith, a British Army Officer, accidentally stumbled upon them while on a hunting expedition in 1819. Ajanta and Ellora are protected monument sites under the Archaeological Survey of India and has been included in the World Heritage list of monuments.

These murals and frescoes adorning the walls of these structures depict the story of Buddhism, spanning the period from 200 BC to 650 AD. Many of the caves have panels depicting stories from the Jatakas, a treasure trove of stories about the several incarnations of the Buddha. This makes the Ajanta caves a fascinating spiritual tourist attraction for Buddhists and scholars and researchers of Buddhism.

Caves 2, 16, and 17 also contain amazing paintings, while caves 1, 4, 17, 19, 24, and 26 boast of some of the most divine sculptures. The flying apsara painting in Cave 17, and the image of the Buddha preaching, also in cave 17, are two unforgettable works of art in Ajanta. The Ajanta caves and the treasures they house are a landmark in the overall development of Buddhism in India and in general.

The nobility, grace and serenity inherent in Buddha is reflected in the sculptures of these caves. Caves 6 and 10 house images from the Buddhist and Hindu faith, under the same roof, the latter dedicated to Vishwakarma, the patron saint of Indian craftsmen. The Vishvakarma cave is both a Chaitya and a Vihara, with a seated Buddha placed in the stupa. Its two-storeyed structure sports a colourful pageant of dwarfs, dancing and making music. The Kailasa temple in Cave 16 is architecture. The entire structure was an exquisite piece carved out of a monolith, the process taking over a century to finish. This mountain-abode of Lord Shiva, is in all probability, the world's largest monolith, the gateway, pavilion, assembly hall, sanctum and tower, all hewn out of a single rock. The most striking feature about this structure is that unlike other temple structures that are built base onwards, the sculptures or architects of this majestic and fantastic sculptures started carving from the very top and the sides. The gigantic yet delicate and intricate piece of ancient work is the most amazing structure here. The Dumar Lena cave, dedicated to Lord Shiva, resembles the famous cave temple of Elephanta. The Jain caves are about a mile away from the Kailasa temple, amongst which Cave 32, houses a beautiful shrine adorned with fine carvings of a lotus flower on the roof, and a yakshi on a lion under a mango tree, while Caves 32 and 34 contain grand statues of Parasnath. The other Jain caves sport the images of Tirthankaras, and one of them, also, has a seated figure of Mahavira. These caves are a treasure of India which hold the wealth and display the rich Indian heritage.

Do

 * Every year in the third week of March, M T D C organises the Ellora Festival of Classical Dance and Music at the caves.

Buy
Buy the Archaeological Survey of India Book - World Heritage Series "ELLORA"  for ₹99.

Eat
Hotel Kailash is an older hotel and has an attached Beer Bar. Hotel Manor, Hotel Ambience and several other Indian restaurants are along the road to Aurangabad from Ellora. Hygiene and spice level may be an issue for some.

Sleep

 * Alternatively, one can stay at Aurangabad and visit the caves on a day trip.
 * Alternatively, one can stay at Aurangabad and visit the caves on a day trip.

Go next

 * Aurangabad (towards the south-east)
 * Indore (towards the north)

title: Ellora


text:
Ellsworth (Maine)

Ellsworth is a small city in Maine on the Union River. It is the county seat of Hancock County, with a population of about 6500 people.

It was settled in 1763 and became a large lumber port and ship building center during the 19th century. Today it's the increasingly prosperous shopping center for Hancock County and the gateway for many tourists visiting Acadia National Park, Mount Desert Island and the Bar Harbor region.

Ellsworth has many historic buildings, beautiful spots and points of interest. Maine Coast Memorial Hospital is there. From May until September Ellsworth is busy with lots of visitors from all over the United States and Canada.

Understand
This is a blue-collar, low-income area that has a very large influx of tourists for four months of every year. Ellsworth, Maine people — perhaps like most people living outside of urban areas — are somewhat reserved until they get to know you, but are almost invariably kind and helpful. Patience goes a long way in getting along in Maine. The hectic summer tourist season can at times be an abnormal and somewhat stressful experience for locals and for visitors, and that a smile and a kind word go a long way. Visit Ellsworth from late fall through early spring to see what it's really like, when the crowds have gone home!

There is a local weekly newspaper, The Ellsworth American and more information can be found on the city's web site or via the Ellsworth Area Chamber of Commerce.

History
According to the history of the Passamaquoddy Indians, the Ellsworth area was first inhabited by members of the Passamaquoddy and/or Penobscot tribes. In 1773 the first schooner was built at Ellsworth. This was the Susan and Abigail, named after the daughters of the two most prominent citizens and original 1763 settlers from southern Maine, Benjamin Milliken and Benjamin Joy. The vessel carried pine shingles and oak staves in annual voyages to the West Indies. In the years that followed, up to the beginning of the 20th century, a great many schooners of various sizes were built in Ellsworth shipyards along the Union River.

Historian Albert Davis records that in the latter part of the 18th century, Ellsworth was known as the 'Union River Settlement' and was adjacent to the settlements of Surry (to the west) and Trenton (to the south). In 1798 the local inhabitants petitioned to be incorporated under the name 'Sumner.' That name having been already taken by a settlement in Oxford County, Maine, the town was incorporated by the Commonwealth of Massachusetts in 1800 as Ellsworth, named for Oliver Ellsworth, 3rd Chief Justice of the US Supreme Court and thought to be the person who first suggested the name "United States of America" for the newly formed country.

Davis also reports that in the late 1770s there were British raids on the Union River Settlement, with attempts to appropriate the local cattle. However, there were no formal battles in the Ellsworth area during the Revolutionary War.

In 1838 Ellsworth became the county seat of Hancock County, replacing Castine in that role. The original 1838 county buildings still stand, west of the Union River, on Bridge Hill.

Between 1860 and 1865 Ellsworth sent 653 soldiers to fight in the Civil War, according to historian Albert Davis. This was at a time when there were only 847 (male) voters in the area. Military training was held in front of the old county buildings on Bridge Hill, west of the Union River, at the triangular park site of the present Civil War Monument.

In 1869 Ellsworth was incorporated as a city by the Maine Legislature. The first City Hall was Hancock Hall, which stood at the corner of Main Street and School Street. It was destroyed by the Great Ellsworth Fire of 1933.

Work on the famous Ellsworth hydro-electric dam was begun in 1907, at the site of one of the original Benjamin Milliken Union River dams at the 'lower falls.' This led to the creation of the present Leonard's Lake just to the north of the city.

Ellsworth's first great disaster of the 20th century was the Great Flood of 1923. A spring freshet rushed over the dam and carried off the metal Union River Bridge, along with many buildings located along the river, such as the well-known Dirigo Theater, the Foundry and many wharves and warehouses. This event marked the end of Ellsworth's prominence as a shipping center. The present concrete bridge was finished in 1924.

The Great Fire of 1933 destroyed most of Ellsworth's Downtown commercial district, on the east side of the Union River. New buildings were re-built in brick, mainly in the Art Deco style. The unique Ellsworth City Hall dates from this period. Fortunately, many of the old houses outside the business district survived the conflagration.

In the 1960s and 70s, a new Ellsworth business district developed on High Street, which is the direct route to and from Bar Harbor and Acadia National Park. This area is now the largest shopping district in Hancock County, with several shopping centers and many large stores, stretching nearly to the Ellsworth-Trenton boundary. Congested traffic during the summer months has led to attempts to change the road network, especially at the busy intersection of Route 1 and Route 3, known as "The Triangle."

By car
Travel north up I-95 towards Bangor until Exit 182A, then briefly follow I-395 until Exit 6A leads you on to Route 1A and south 22 miles to Ellsworth. Alternatively, drive the old but much more scenic Route 1 all the way up the Maine coast. A common compromise route by locals returning home from southern Maine is to take I-95 to just beyond Augusta, and then pick up Route 3, which leads to Belfast and then joins Route 1 up the coast to Ellsworth. This latter may be the fastest route to Ellsworth from points south, though the stretch along Route 3 lacks the charm of the coastal drive.

By sea
There is no long-distance ferry service into the Acadia region.

By train
There are no intercity trains traveling to Ellsworth and points Downeast. However, the old railway right-of-way is being used for tourist excursions, departing from Washington Junction in the nearby town of Hancock, and running into downtown without boarding. The railway tracks still intersect West Main Street, just beyond the meeting point of High Street and Oak Street.

Buy
Apart from Ellsworth's older, picturesque 'downtown' Main Street commercial area, near the Union River and original 'waterfront' district, there are many, many more stores along the busy High Street "strip" heading towards Bar Harbor, including the large Maine Coast Mall at 250 High Street. Tel: +1 207-667-9905 and the Ellsworth Shopping Center next door at 185 High Street. (The much smaller Mill Mall at 240 State Street, out towards Ellsworth High School and Ellsworth Falls on Route 1A to Bangor, houses the University of Maine Education Center and the Maine Coast Memorial Hospital Wellness Center as well as a number of other businesses.)

Stay safe
Ellsworth is a very safe place, with relatively little crime. However, petty theft is possible anywhere in the United States, especially in large shopping centers and during the busy summer tourist season. Realistically, your biggest risk is in driving your car. Don't drive if you drink, and always drive carefully and defensively, here and everywhere else. Ellsworth drivers are generally polite, careful drivers, but the summer season can be a crazy time on the Maine roads. If visiting Ellsworth in the winter, take special care on the slippery, snowy roads, especially if you're unfamiliar with winter driving conditions.

Connect
Wireless internet service covers the Downtown area and Ellsworth Public Library.

Go next

 * Acadia National Park - the first National Park east of the Mississippi. Busy during tourist season but one of the most beautiful parts of the Maine coast. Approximately 30 minutes south of Ellsworth via Route 3.
 * Acadia Information Center - located on Route 3 in Trenton, just outside Ellsworth, with free assistance in planning your visit to the Acadia National Park region.
 * Blue Hill - beautiful, quaint village about 14 miles southwest of Ellsworth via Route 172, located on Blue Hill Bay. Historic houses, antiques, harbor with boats. Well worth the visit.
 * Mount Desert Island
 * Bar Harbor
 * Acadia Air Tours at the Hancock County-Bar Harbor Airport in Trenton, about 10 minutes from Ellsworth on the way to Bar Harbor, offers scenic flights with both gliders and old-fashioned biplanes that allow you to see Ellsworth, Bar Harbor and Acadia National Park from a unique perspective.

title: Ellsworth (Maine)


text:
Ellsworth (Wisconsin)

Ellsworth is a village in Northwest Wisconsin.

Understand
Ellsworth is the county seat of Pierce County.

Get in
US Highways 10 and 63.

title: Ellsworth (Wisconsin)


text:
Elma

Elma is a city in the Olympic Peninsula region of Washington.

Get in
WA State Hwy 8 from Olympia connects into US Hwy 12 in Elma from the East. From the West, US Hwy 12 leads into Elma before splitting off South. Monte-Elma Rd (the old highway) connects Montesano to Elma paralleling US Hwy 12.

Get around
Grays Harbor Transit operates a limited bus service in Elma.

See
Grays Harbor County fair which usually starts on the second Wednesday of August and runs through the following Sunday.

Grays Harbor County Raceway is a big attraction amongst locals and out-of-town folk alike. Sprint car racing (especially the World of Outlaws) uses the track every Saturday from April til about October. Hobby-stock cars and motorbikes use the track as well.

Elma Ponds is a nice place to relax on a sunny day. Fishing is possible if you bring a raft and float in the center of the pond. Not too many fish venture towards the shore as there are usually a lot of splashing kids around.

Briggs Nursery. Nuff said.

Eat
Schmitty's is a nice burger stand on the west side of Elma. Great milkshakes, better girls who serve them  ;]

Juseppie's Pizza makes the best pizza in town.

Rusty Tractor is a good place to go for a country breakfast/dinner.

title: Elma


text:
Elmali

Elmalı is a town in the Lycia region of Mediterranean Turkey. It's 110 km west of Antalya and 35 km from the coast, at an altitude of 1100 m in the Taurus Mountains. It sees little tourism, but it's a starting point for hikes into the mountains. It's the chief town of Elmali district, which had a population of 40,000 in 2022; the town is not separately numerated but has about 15,000.

Understand
Elmalı stands on a route through the Taurus mountains, but there are better routes, so it never acquired the bastions and fortifications of more strategic cities, and no great battle was fought here. The valley here widens into a triangular plateau, with good soil and with plenty of water running off the mountains, so the area is agricultural. The upland climate is a mite cold for tomatoes, grapes or olives, but orchards do well, and Elmalı means "of apples" - 10% of Turkey's apple crop is grown hereabouts.

Get in
Bus EA01 runs from Antalya every 30-60 min, taking two hours via Korkuteli.

is the new bus station opened in 2021 on the main road 3 km from town centre. Your inter-city ticket may include the dolmuş ride downtown, enquire when booking.

the old downtown bus station has been demolished, but this is where a dolmuş will bring you from the new station.

Get around
Elmali is small enough to cover on foot. From Eski Otogar head north up the slope to come into the main part of town.

See

 * Green Mosque (Yeşil Cami) 100 m south of the museum was built in 1963 in traditional Ottoman style.
 * Kesik Minaret is older, from the Seljuk era. It's now free-standing across the street from Ömer Paşa Mosque.
 * is on the hill at the north edge of town. He was a 16th century Sufi poet and preacher.
 * Chained Rock 200 m further up is a viewpoint. This came crashing down the slopes but in legend was halted here, just before squishing the Sufis below, by command from Vahab-i Ümmi.
 * Gilevgi Kalesi was a Lycian castle on a hill 15 km north of Elmali above the village of Çobanisa. Good luck finding anything of it in the undergrowth.
 * is on the hill at the north edge of town. He was a 16th century Sufi poet and preacher.
 * Chained Rock 200 m further up is a viewpoint. This came crashing down the slopes but in legend was halted here, just before squishing the Sufis below, by command from Vahab-i Ümmi.
 * Gilevgi Kalesi was a Lycian castle on a hill 15 km north of Elmali above the village of Çobanisa. Good luck finding anything of it in the undergrowth.

Do

 * Turkish baths: Bey Hamamı are just north of Ömer Paşa Mosque, open daily 07:00-22:00. They're probably 400 years old like the mosque, and the towels and attendants look every bit that old.
 * Oil-wrestling: (Yağlı Güreşleri) the annual contest was founded in 1352 AD and is still held mid-September.
 * Kizlar Sivrisi at 3086 m / 10,125 ft is the highest peak of the Western Taurus range. One access route is from the village of Söğle ("Serlay") 10 km km east of Elmalı: reckon a three day round-trip with two nights bivouac on the mountain. The route up to 2200 m follows dirt tracks used by tractors: shepherds' dogs snarl as you cross their territory so wield a stout stick and be prepared to throw stones. After 12 km you emerge above the treeline into high mountain pastures.
 * You need a bottle / bucket and at least 10 m of cord to draw from the wells along the route, and they dry up in late summer.
 * Wildlife (including wolves, wild horses and eagles) avoids humans for fear of hunters, but watch your step for snakes and scorpions.
 * A large house below the steep final section (visible on Google Earth) is run by the local mountain climbers association. It's locked when not in use, though the covered porch could provide emergency shelter.
 * The final stage passes north of the summit, curves around from a comma-shaped valley (clearly visible on Google Earth), follows a footpath over a southbound pass, then breaks off to ascend the eastern ridge. This part is difficult talus and scree. Immediately below the summit ridge is a small valley, and a stone circle here acts as an unroofed emergency shelter. At this altitude, night temperatures are below freezing even in summer.

Buy

 * Lots of small shops along the main street, typically open daily to 21:00, and almost as many ATMs.

Eat

 * Over a dozen inexpensive cafe / restaurants line the main street, typically open daily to 21:00, no stand-out.

Connect
Elmali and its approach highways have 4G from all Turkish carriers. As at June 2024, 5G has not rolled out in Turkey.

Go next

 * The highway north leads to the junction of E87 at Korkuteli. Turn east for the big bustling resort of Antalya.
 * Turn west on E87 for Denizli and the travertine pools of Pamukkale.
 * The highway south reaches the coast at the small resort of Finike.

title: Elmali


text:
El Malpais National Monument

El Malpais National Monument is a national monument located south of I-40 in northwestern New Mexico. The name (meaning "the badlands" in Spanish) comes from the rough, barren lava flow that makes up much of its terrain.

History
El Malpais National Monument and Conservation Area was established in 1987. The national monument protects 114,277 acres of volcanic landscape, while the adjacent national conservation area protects an additional 263,000 acres. The area has been inhabited for over 10,000 years, and historic and archeological sites provide reminders of past times. To this day Indian groups including the Acoma, Laguna, Zuni, and the Ramah Navajo still utilize the park for traditional activities including gathering herbs and medicines, paying respect, and renewing ties.

Landscape
El Malpais (pronounced el-mal-pie-EES) means "the badlands", so named due to the volcanic features such as lava flows, cinder cones, pressure ridges and complex lava tube cave systems that dominate the landscape. Sandstone bluffs and mesas border the eastern side, providing access to vast wilderness. Elevation in the park ranges from 6500 to 8300 ft. The most recent lava flow emanated from McCarty's Crater within the last 2,000 to 3,000 years, so the park remains a geologically active area.

Flora and fauna
While known more for its geologic features than for its wildlife, the park is home to golden eagles, red-tailed hawks, prairie falcons, great-horned owls, black bears, mule deer, elk, coyotes, mountain lions and bobcats. Less cuddly residents include rattlesnakes, scorpions, black widow spiders and brown recluse spiders. The park was also the home of a transplanted bison herd from 1993 until 1995, but the herd's preference for roaming onto private lands led to their relocation. Some of the oldest douglas firs on earth live in the monument: one dead tree was dated at over 2,000 years old!

Climate
The weather in northwestern New Mexico is unpredictable and visitors should be prepared for all conditions throughout the year. Thunderstorms are a common occurrence during summer afternoons and lightning poses a hazard to hikers. Winter snowstorms are common and nights are cold with below freezing temperatures.

Visitor information

 * Park website

By car
El Malpais is south of the town of Grants. Two major state highways border the monument and conservation area and both are accessed via Interstate 40. Exit 89, east of Grants, will take you along NM 117 which forms the eastern park boundary. BLM's El Malpais Ranger Station is 9 miles south of this exit and is open daily. Exit 85 at Grants will take you to the Northwest New Mexico Visitor Center, a multi-agency facility, south of exit 85. Exit 81, west of Grants, will take you along NM 53 which forms the northwestern park boundary. NPS's El Malpais Information Center is 23 miles south of this exit and is open daily.

By plane
The nearest major airport is in Albuquerque, about 90 miles (150 km) away and only slightly farther from El Malpais than Gallup is. Since you're going to have to rent a car or SUV anyway if you fly, you might as well get it in Albuquerque and drive. From the Albuquerque airport, drive north on Interstate 25 to Interstate 40 and continue as above.

Fees and permits
There are no entrance fees charged for visiting the park.

By car
State highways NM 117 and NM 53 provide access to many areas in the monument. County Road 42, a dirt road, provides access to the backcountry's primitive dirt roads. These roads may be impassable when wet, and travel is restricted to high clearance vehicles and those with four-wheel drive. Check at the ranger station for current road conditions before visiting the park's backcountry.

By bicycle
A mountain bike is a good alternative to driving when exploring the park's backcountry.

By foot
Hiking routes exist throughout the monument. Most traverse lava flows and are marked with rock cairns. Few dirt routes exist. Backcountry hiking and cave exploration is permitted, but no water is available. Topographical maps and a compass or GPS unit are strongly suggested for backcountry exploration. Please stop by a visitor center for the park's caving policy and information prior to entering any cave. Entry to most caves requires permits in advance of your visit. Use extreme caution hiking on lava terrain - it's sharp and unstable! Please don't hike or cave alone.

See

Caving
Only four caves are open to the public (with a free caving permit, obtainable at the park office or visitor's center). The four caves are Junction Cave, Xenolith Cave, Big Skylight, and Giant Ice Cave (ice only in winter months).

Warning: Always bring several independent light sources and wear sturdy hiking boots when exploring a cave!

Caves created from ancient lava tubes are found throughout the park, with some cave systems extending as far as seventeen miles. The 4 open caves require permits for entry; check with rangers for current regulations. When caving, assume that your light source could break or be lost while exploring, and bring at least one (and preferably two) backup light sources. In addition, be aware that the cave floors are uneven, littered with boulders, and often wet, making sturdy shoes a necessity. Anyone who has visited a cave or cavern within the last several years will need to disinfect their gear prior to entering caves in the monument, in order to prevent the spread of White Nose Disease among the bats.

Hiking
The open lava expanses make for a wonderful hiking experience, one found in few other places. The terrain is truly from another world, and any hiker off the beaten path will feel like a trail blazer for sure. A word of caution before attempting any off-trail journey, either a GPS or extremely good orienteering skills are required, as the iron content of the lava makes compass readings unreliable and useful visible landmarks are few.

Buy
The park's visitor center has a few books, postcards, and other souvenirs available for sale. Supplies and just about anything else can be purchased outside of the park, with the nearby town of Grants offering most of the essentials. Albuquerque, a little more than an hour away, offers everything a traveler could want.

Eat
There is no food sold within the park. The nearby town of Grants has numerous restaurants, grocery stores and convenience stores.

Lodging
There are no hotels in the park, but the nearby town of Grants offers numerous options.

Camping
There are no organized campgrounds in the western portion of the park, and campgrounds in the park's eastern portion may be closed; check with rangers for current conditions. Additional camping options can be found north of the park in the town of Grants.

Backcountry
Backcountry camping in the national monument area requires a free backcountry use permit that can be obtained at any visitor center. Backcountry usage in the national conservation area does not require a permit, although visitors are encouraged to notify a ranger of their plans to help monitor usage.

Stay safe
Visitors planning to explore lava tube caves need to come prepared with warm clothing, protective headgear, at least three sources of light, sturdy footwear, and leather gloves. Do not take these warnings lightly; if you lose your light source even a short distance from a cave entrance it is extremely likely that you will become disoriented in the darkness and unable to find your way out. Similarly, the cave floor is rocky, uneven and often slippery, making sturdy footwear is an absolute necessity to avoid foot and ankle injuries.

Sturdy hiking boots are required when hiking on lava terrain and daypacks with water, snacks, raingear, first aid kit and sunscreen are suggested. The heat while on lava flows can be intense, so plan on drinking at least one gallon of water per person per day. In addition, be aware that progress over lava flows is slow, that lava is sharp and can easily tear apart tennis shoes, and that some sections of lava are unstable and may simply be thin crusts covering sinkholes. Traveling solo on the lava is a very bad idea, as a broken leg can spell certain doom. Cellular service is nonexistent beyond the very northern borders of the park. It is advisable to let someone know your itinerary in case you turn up missing. No joke: more than one person has been lost upon the veritable black sea. The dangers cannot be overstressed.

Less common park dangers include rattlesnakes, scorpions and spiders, which can be easily avoided by being cautious in rocky areas; these creatures crawl under rocks to avoid the sun, so be cautious when reaching into crevices or overturning rocks. In addition, the area around McCarty's crater was once used as a military bombing range, and while unlikely, it is possible that unexploded ordnance may be encountered if traveling in this remote location. Any munitions that are encountered should not be handled and should be reported to rangers.

Go next

 * El Morro National Monument. Jst off NM Highway 53 about 30 miles west of the park, El Morro protects a Puebloan dwelling as well as a sandstone bluff on which ancient people, early Spanish explorers, and pioneers carved inscriptions.  Fee $3 (Park Pass applies) for day use; there is a small (9 sites), primitive campground ($5/night fee during summer, free off-season when water is turned off).
 * Grants. About 10 miles north of the park, this town offers food, lodging, and supplies for visitors to El Malpais.

title: El Malpais National Monument