Oil Spill

Photo Credit: ABC7 News

Just if we don't need enough environmental problems with the drought, we add another ghastly phenomenon.
Santa Barbara, CA., where nearly 250 barrels of oil has spilled on the ocean's coast, spreading more than 9 miles and killing wildlife Tuesday afternoon.
There has been a state of emergency declared and many are now wondering, including myself, to how careless people are on taking care of our ecosystem.
In recent pictures, it flabbergasted me to see on what it appeared only a few dozen clean up crew members. I would expect at least 100!

"The company responsible for the spill, Plains All American Pipeline, apologized again Thursday for what could be up to 100,000 gallons of oil that spilled."

http://losangeles.cbslocal.com/2015/05/21/cleanup-crews-continue-to-battle-oil-spill-near-santa-barbara-coast/

Drilling oil  should be terminated for perfect examples like this one. If we are able to find another alternative that steers away from our environment and reduce the risk of an erupted pipeline near wildlife, then it should be done.
Otherwise, these animals will have consequences for just living in the natural habitats.

Oil making its 9 mile stretch off the coast of Santa Barbara Tuesday afternoon
Photo Credit: ABC7 News

“I am deeply saddened by the images coming from the scene,” Rep. Lois Capps (D) of California said in a statement Wednesday morning. “This incident is yet another stark reminder of the serious risks to our environment and economy that come from drilling for oil.”

http://www.csmonitor.com/Environment/2015/0520/Santa-Barbara-oil-spill-raises-questions-about-California-pipelines-video

Sources say at least 5 pelicans have been retrieved to a rehabilitation center due to the oil spill
Photo Credit: ABC7 News

My photos :)

Santa Cruz, Highway 17

National Parks To Visit in the Summer

If you're one of those people that never have plans for the summer, then cross off one of these cool and adventurous national parks in the U.S. Why not be daring and insightful at the same time?

1. Mammoth Cave National Park

Starting off the daring rather quickly, this cave is the longest cave system stretching more than 400 miles. You can get a tour and is included with the squeezing, crawling, and climbing mechanism to get around the cave. I wouldn't recommend this park to those that are claustrophobic.
                                                        Where: Kentucky

2. Crater Lake National Park

With it's crystal blue waters, Cater Lake offers hiking trips with beautiful sights with 100 miles of trail.

Where: Oregon.

3. Sequoia & Kings Canyon National Park

Summer temperatures won't be devastatingly hot especially if you're visiting this park. With cooling temperatures surrounding these trees, you can stare up at amazement to the tallest beings on Earth.
                                                              Where: California.

4. Zion National Park

This isn't your ordinary hiking trail. You'd be walking through rivers, rocks, and walls. But you can't beat the amazing scenery. 

Where: Utah

5. Grand Canyon

A very powerful landscape, this one is on my bucket list. With unique geological colors and erosion forms, you can hike different sections of the Canyon and will be in for a good scenery treat.

Where: Arizona

6. Yellowstone National Park

Home to a natural ecosystem and to wildlife (grizzle bears, elk, wolves) and one of the world's geysers preservations, Yellowstone is booming with life, not to mention active volcanos. 

                                                      Where: Wyoming 

Giants

A little fun fact about me, I am obsessed with red wood trees.
Fun facts about red woods:

• known as skyscrapers or giants.
• Sequoias and red woods actually are different, in terms of how they survive in climate. 
• Redwoods stand up to 378 feet tall, sequoias are 318 feet tall.
• Sequoias weigh around 2.7 million pounds.
• Redwoods live up to 2,000 years old and Sequoias live up to 3,000 years. 

Photo credit: Michael Nichols, National Geographic

"Fossil records have shown that relatives of today's coast redwoods thrived in the Jurassic Era 160 million years ago. And while the fantastic creatures of that age have long since disappeared, the redwoods continue to thrive, in the right environment." 

www.savetheredwoods.org

http://www.visitsequoia.com/redwoods-and-sequoias.aspx

 http://www.nps.gov/redw/learn/nature/about-the-trees.htm

http://www.savetheredwoods.org/redwoods/coast-redwoods/

Villarrica Volcano Eruption

In recent volcanic activity news, a volcano erupted! 

Villarrica volcano located in Southern Chile erupted Tuesday, March 3, 2015 and is South America's most active volcano in the region. 

Erupting around 3 a.m., residents evacuated after the possibility of mud slides caused by the eruption but luckily no fatalities were indicated. 

The volcano is roughly 9,000 feet high and stretches to 400 miles wide. Hard to imagine ain't it?

Though it might be catastrophic and hazardous, many witness recall the event to a beautiful and mind blowing sight. 

Photo Credit: Ariel Marinkovic

"It was the most amazing thing I've ever seen," 29-year-old Australian tourist Travis Armstrong said in a telephone interview from Pucon. "I've never seen a volcano erupt and it was spewing lava and ash hundreds of meters into the air. Lightning was striking down at the volcano from the ash cloud that formed from the eruption." 

"'The eruption "was something beautiful and amazing. We're still a bit shocked but the volcano has calmed down so I'm going to continue with my vacation," Alejandra Paz Bustos, 29.."

And I would probably have the same reaction. The eruption looked absolutely stunning. 

Photo Credit: Ariel Marinkovic

Photo Credit: Reuters/Landov

Photo Credit: Carlos Rocuant

"Human Nature to Want to Explore"

I've recently seen a commercial about exploration, got so into it that I wasn't even aware The North Face was being marketed. But in the end, I loved it!

Who wouldn't want to see a one minute video contemplation about people exploring the most beautiful and extravagant landscapes on Earth? So kudos to The North Face for targeting an audience that just gets fascinated by nature in general while promoting your brand. No, I'm not being sarcastic. The commercials are actually very good!

"Exploration is not just about the places you haven't been, it's about re-imagining places you have. "Your Land" is a celebration of these wild places that connect us to our environment, and to each other. Head outside, find a new approach, and #SeeForYourself." The North Face.

And of course, we can't forget about Red Bull and Jeep and their awesome commercials too! Different audience targeting strategy but same concept; a very nice video on nature.

So, take the time to watch these awesome commercials, will only take up less than 7 minutes of your time.

Scared of Heights? Beware.

I believe 2012 was the best year because Felix Baumgartner, Austrian skydiver and daredevil, decided to think "Hey, I'm going to do a free fall from the Earth's stratosphere".
Of course it was initially purposed to beat a world record that Joseph Kittinger achieved in 1960.


When I first heard about a man that jumped out of the stratosphere, my reaction was "what?" Talk about not being scared of heights! It must have been an amazing feeling to be up so far up Earth but very intimidating. How can one be 100% sure everything will turn out ok. Luckily for Baumgartner, it very much did. With a helium balloon, Baumgartner jumped from the highest altitude at a estimated speed of 1,357.64 km/h (843.6 mph).

Though some may say Baumgartner didn't beat the world record, some say he did. However, still doesn't objectify the extreme coolness this guy achieved. I was very impressed!

And I especially support money spent on these kinds of projects because to hell with it. Why spent money? Because we can! Humans are extremely curious to take on adventures and Baumgartner is no exception.

So keep on being amazing Felix!

*Baumgartner also jumped the base of Rio de Janeiro.









 One of the best quotes from Baumgartner just seconds before he jumps was:

     "The whole world is watching now. I wish they can see what I can see. Sometimes you have to get up really high to see how small you are. I'm going home now."

Watch his awesome-ness