A lunar crash landing; a town that fought to bring its beach back from the sea; what the world's biggest sharks can do; and sunrise on Capri
|  | Friday, March 4, 2022 | | | | |
| In today’s newsletter, read about the Indian city that fought to reclaim a beach, find out about the rocket that slammed into the moon, glimpse a beautiful sunrise on Capri, learn about the enduring reach of the Shakers … and see powerful photos of a world transformed by COVID. | |
 | | PHOTOGRAPH BY ED CALLAERT, ALAMY | | By George Stone, TRAVEL Executive Editor
When I was a kid, I imagined that every hiking trail meandered along some ancient route plotted by wolves and woolly mammoths. Part of what made walking in the woods so exciting to me was the idea that I might follow a trail into a misty vale and be taken in by a troop of well-dressed foxes.
But most hiking trails are made by people—and most people would be lost without them. It’s a human paradox that in order to run wild we need a path to guide us. Still, thank goodness for trailmakers.
California’s Condor Trail is something of an upstart—a continuous thread of trails and roads that has become a 400-mile thru-hiking route (above in Monterey County). Unlike the well-established John Muir or Pacific Crest Trails, it lacks proper signage and maintenance. But it’s loaded with sights as it winds through seven wilderness areas, past colonies of elephant seals, and across the ancestral lands of the Chumash, Salinan, Esselen, Tataviam, and Costanoan peoples.
Writer Miles Griffis tracks the trail’s origins and development. The dream of its wayfinders was to form a route that showcased the highlights of Los Padres National Forest (north of Los Angeles), from the towering peaks of the Sespe Wilderness to the dense redwood stands of Big Sur—all home to the state’s iconic endangered species, the California condor. Now the trail has a guidebook. | | | |
 | | PHOTOGRAPH BY KEN CANNING, GETTY IMAGES | | Hikers have spotted California condors drifting in the sky (pictured above) or in redwoods or alcoves carved into rock high above the ground. This pleases wildlife biologist Kara Fadden of the Ventana Wildlife Society of Monterey. “They’ve shown us over the years that they know how to breed, find wild food, and great nesting habitat,” she says. “Now we just have to support them as they recover.”
Read the full story about the Condor trail here.
Do you get this newsletter daily? If not, sign up here or forward this to a friend. And please, consider supporting our storytelling by subscribing to our magazine and unlimited digital offerings for just $2.99 a month. | | | |
| | Sunrise in Capri: A winter view of the iconic Faraglioni and surrounding cliffs, rising from the Mediterranean waters. The Faraglioni are among the most photographed natural landmarks in Italy. Beyond the summer crowds, there are places on Capri where nature reigns supreme, much of which can be explored by foot. | | | |
 | | PHOTOGRAPH COURTESY OF THE NATIONAL CENTRE FOR COASTAL RESEARCH | | The beach is back: India’s colorful city of Pondicherry is dredging sand back to the shore. A restoration project, expected to be completed this year, will reverse decades of destruction that came with an ill-conceived port, writer Neha Bhatt reports. An artificial reef (shown above), as well as pipes channeling sand, have helped rebuild the shoreline. Besides the beach, cafes, boutiques, and architecture collectively create a gorgeous cultural landscape. “Residents are feeling proud of their town once again,” says tour guide and storyteller Bishwajit Banik.
Subscriber exclusive: In this dense Indian forest, tigers and leopards are thriving
| | | |
| PAID CONTENT FOR TRAVEL TEXAS | |
 | | PHOTOGRAPH BY SOFIA JARAMILLO | | | Off-grid adventure on pristine Texas waters | | Whether you’re an avid paddler looking for the experience of a lifetime, or a water lover ready to unplug, there’s no better place to soak in adventure than in Texas. Discover how to paddle, camp, and swim your way through the clear blue waters of the Devils River and the Amistad Reservoir. | | | |
 | | PHOTOGRAPH BY WAYNE LAWRENCE | | | |
 | LEFT: PHOTOGRAPH BY CAROL M. HIGHSMITH, GETTY IMAGES;
RIGHT: PHOTOGRAPH BY JOHN GREIM, LIGHTROCKET/GETTY IMAGES
| | Salute to the Shakers: The Shakers have had a tremendous influence on American culture. The Christian sect invented the flat broom, the circular saw, and the wheel-driven washing machine. You may find Shaker-style furniture, crafts, or cabinetry in your home. Now, there are new ways to appreciate them: a pair of Shaker settlements on the border of Western Massachusetts and Eastern New York, and an upcoming museum, Robin Catalano reports. (Pictured above, a kitchen building and a replica of a 19th-century schoolhouse at Hancock Shaker Village in Massachusetts.) Read more about Shaker legacy, history, and New England sites.
| | | |
| This newsletter has been curated and edited by David Beard, Monica Williams, and Jen Tse. We’d love to hear from you at david.beard@natgeo.com. | | | |
| SHARE YOUR THOUGHTS | | We'd like to hear from you! Tell us what you think of our emails by sharing your feedback in this short survey.
| | | |
Clicking on the Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and National Geographic Channel links will take you away from our National Geographic Partners site where different terms of use and privacy policy apply.
This email was sent to: mitch.dobbs.pics@blogger.com. Please do not reply to this email as this address is not monitored.
This email contains an advertisement from:
National Geographic | 1145 17th Street, N.W. | Washington, D.C. 20036
Stop all types of future commercial email from National Geographic regarding its products, services, or experiences.
Manage all email preferences with the Walt Disney Family of Companies.
© 2022 National Geographic Partners, LLC, All rights reserved. | | |
{LITMUS TRACKING PIXEL}
