Travel Ideas - Guides for Travel and Vacations

Fish Creek House - Making Montana Memories and a Dream Come True

by: Cid and Dan Busarow

WHITEHALL ? Cindy Buscarow fulfilled a childhood dream when she moved to Montana last May. Another dream was reached two weeks ago when she and her husband, Dan, opened Fish Creek House, a bed and breakfast just outside of Whitehall.
“When I was young I always told my parents I wanted to live in Montana,” said Cindy, known as Cid. Living in New York and later California, Cid didn’t know how that would quite happen.
Dan, a partner in a computer business and gunsmith, and Cid, a bi-athlete, came to Bohart Ranch near Bozeman to compete in the running and shooting competition and fell in love with the area. The search was on for property in Montana. For Dan, he was returning to his roots. He lived in Malta until he was five.
The couple found a beautiful log home located on forty acres with gorgeous views of the mountains and a stone’s throw from Fish Creek.
The house was purchased and a large renovation started.
“We’d drive up from California every month to see how the progress was going,” said Cid.
During one of their trips, they took a hike down to the creek and when Cid looked up at the log home nestled in the hills, the name Fish Creek House came to her.
With the renovation complete and the licenses involved with a bed and breakfast approved, Fish Creek House is officially open for business.
The couple looks forward to sharing their home with guests, and those with horses as well. A new barn and round pen have been built for the couple’s horses and although they are not offering trail rides, guests are welcome to bring their own horses and board them in the new facilities.
“We want accommodate people who arenature loving. We’ll make you feel like part of the family while you’re here,” said Cid.
One of Dan and Cid’s specialties is shooting and plan to host shooting clinics for enthusiasts.
Another specialty of Fish Creek House will be the food. They offer a gourmet breakfast for their guests and with their own personal greenhouse, the vegetables will be organically grown on site.
The inn offers two guests suites, each with a private bath, a large living room with a stone fireplace, a library and a sitting room, complete with a microwave and a fridge. Fish Creek House is also a place where the active businessperson can stay in touch. They offer wireless internet in each of the rooms and are considered a “wifi hotspot.” The Buscarow’s have quickly introduced themselves to the local Chamber of Commerce. They have offered their services to build a website for the Chamber and are in the process of doing so. They are also community minded business people and have used custom made Montana pieces in their guest rooms.
“The beds were made by the Amish,” said Dan. The couple also uses local artwork to adorn the rooms.

About The Author

Dan and Cid are anxious to help their guests plan their ultimate vacation and can be found on the web at www.fishcreekhouse.com. They can be e-mailed at info@fishcreekhouse.com
Cid has varied experiences from careers in custom software programming, marketing, farming and horticulture.
Cid has also worked in business development and with her twin sister formerly owned a catering company, Sibling Revelry. An avid hunter and fisherman,husband Dan is a certified NRA instructor developing shooting programs for 4-H clubs and is a gunsmith.

Tags: brush, cid, creek house, fish creek, fish creek house, help, informa, suggest, year

by: Steven N. Ng

Egypt has long been the source of countless conspiracies, ranging from ancient lost civilizations to extraterrestrial markers. The reason for this focus is likely because Egypt is the most romanticized ancient civilization, and also because it is home to the mystical Great Pyramid of Giza, the only surviving Wonder of the Ancient World. This article will describe some of the conspiracies surrounding the Sphinx and the Pyramid.
The Riddle of the Sphinx
Most of the conspiracy theories revolving around the Sphinx usually involve its age. The Sphinx is generally accepted to have been built along with the Pyramids of Giza around 2500 BC. It is even accepted that the face of the Sphinx bears the likeness of Khafre (Chephren), the Pharaoh during that time.
However, there was no written record from that era regarding the Sphinx or its construction. In addition, the human head of the Sphinx is small in relation to the rest of the body, indicating that the head bearing Pharaoh Khafre’s likeness could have been carved out of a larger lion’s head. These points led some researchers to believe that the Sphinx could have been built much earlier by a more ancient civilization, thus starting a whole host of conspiracy theories.
Geologist Dr. Robert Schoch and author John Anthony West made a case that the erosion marks on the Sphinx appears not to be made by wind or sand, but by water, such as falling rain. They used evidence of other structures in the Giza area to prove their point. If this were true, the construction of the Sphinx could then be dated back to at least 5000 BC, when the area still received substantial rainfall, in contrast to desert conditions later on.
In his official website, Director of the Giza Monuments Dr. Zahi Hawass provides various points suggesting that the evidence used in proving Dr. Schoch’s theory is flawed.
Adding to the conspiracies surrounding the age of the Sphinx, writers Graham Hancock and Robert Buvaul provide evidence in their book Message of the Sphinx that the creation of the Sphinx and Pyramids can be pushed back as far as 10,500 BC using astronomical data.
Secret of the Pyramids
The Pyramids of Giza have been the objects of many conspiracies over the years. Many people believe that the Pyramids are a link to an ancient lost civilization, and may still contain evidence to prove it. Many conspiracy theories regarding secret chambers and passageways within the pyramids exist to this day.
These conspiracy theories became even more widespread in 1993, when Dr. Zahi Hawass announced that the Great Pyramid of Khufu was to be closed to the public for a year. The reason given for the closure was to facilitate cleaning, conservation and restoration of the interior chambers in the Great Pyramid.
However, conspiracy theorists believe that the Egyptian authorities had uncovered evidence of a lost civilization in the Pyramid, and were secretly excavating it to reveal more information.
During the conservation process in 1993, robots were used to explore the small ventilation shafts leading from the “King’s Chamber” and the lower “Queen’s Chamber” in the Great Pyramid. An intriguing discovery was made: partway through the shafts of the “Queen’s Chamber” were “doors” with handles.
In order to prove the transparency of their work and debunk any conspiracies, Dr. Zahi Hawass decided to partner with National Geographic to explore beyond the “doors”, and provide a live telecast of the exploration to the rest of the world.
After much publicity, the expedition commenced, with footage telecast live around the world. During the last minute of the show, a camera was sent in a hole made in the “door” of the shaft, revealing another “door” behind it. And that was when the show finished. Conspiracy theories started sprouting, asking the following questions: “What’s behind the 2nd door? Why did the show end so abruptly? What are they hiding from us?”
If you want to know more conspiracy theories surrounding Egypt, you can visit:

http://www.nekhebet.com/m_conspiracies.html

About The Author

Steven maintains the informational website Wonders of Ancient Egypt at http://www.nekhebet.com. Do visit if you want to find out more about the wonders of Egypt such as the Pyramids and the Lighthouse; or mysteries such as mummifcation and conspiracy theories; or its religion and history.
webmaster@nekhebet.com

Tags: compare, conspira, conspiracy, conspiracy theories, maya, pyramid, theories

Universal Meaning of Celtic Knotwork

by: Marc Choyt

In the spring of 2003, I spent three weeks in the city of Chennai, formerly known as Madras, located in Southern India. Each morning, walking before the heat of the day, I was amazed to see intricate knot work patterns drawn out free hand with flour in front of the driveways and gates of homes. These artistic scrolls, I was told by an Indian friend, were offerings to local gods, and were part of a tradition that stretched back into the ancient past.
I have seen knot patterns in my travels throughout many parts of the world. In Islamic countries where iconography is prohibited, the mosques are heavily decorated with knot-like patterns. Stone-carved knot work motifs can be found on ruins from the Americas to the Hindu iconography of Bali, Indonesia. In Tibet, the ?eternal knot? is a common symbol representing the endless cycles of existence.
The knot work most familiar in the West is from Celtic iconography. Though the Celts, before the Roman Empire, were spread throughout much of Western Europe, we?re most familiar with their designs remaining today in England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales. On the moors, surrounded by winding rock walls and ancient neolithic bridges, this knot work carved in stone transcends time. We know from the writings of the Romans that the Celts believed strongly in the sacredness of place. Similar to the beliefs of many in South India today, the land anchored a particular god or goddess that was meant to be honored, though we do not know whether the knot work designs were made as offerings.
The broad spectrum of knot work designs found in many cultures suggests that the motif is both universal and rooted in ancient mystery. From the most general perspective, knot work iconography can be viewed as a metaphor for our own unique tapestry of experience. On a macrocosmic level, the knots express metaphorically that life on earth is deeply interconnected, as illustrated in the Spider Women?s web or the Great Hoop of Life in Native American stories. As one Native woman told me, if you move a pebble on top of a mountain, you can change the course of a mighty river. This is also expressed slightly differently in the Biblical aphorism, ?We reap what we sow,? which is similar to the Eastern understanding of karma. Even physics today speaks of a ?unified field.?
Yet it is also true that individual elements of knots hold specific meaning from the perspective of sacred geometry. Look around you at different geometric forms. Why is the earth, our eyes, the trunks of trees circular instead of square? How does the circle function in the world verses the triangle and what does that mean in terms of knot work that uses circular patterns? Here are a few hints to help you with these blueprints.
We speak of a circle of friends and live in circular cycles, such as the day and the season. Native cultures throughout the world hold ceremonies in protective circles. A knot work pattern with circles or variations of circles certainly has some important keys to relationships and community.
A square knot motif concerns structure and stability, which is why buildings use the shape of a square foundation. Numerology has always played a part in ancient cultures and there are many books on the subject. The number five, for example, represents the four directions and the center point, or the five senses.
We also often see knot work shaped like an oval, which is the shape of an egg. The oval has something to do with generative creativity and birth. Planets circle the sun in an oval. And if you squeeze an oval together you get the lemniscates, the symbol for infinity which is very prevalent in knot work motifs.
Many knot work motifs also deal with vectors that travel in a certain direction. If you look at the shape of an arrow, it?s easy to understand why a triangle might connote movement.
Another common motif is the knot work depicting a trinity. In the Celtic tradition, many deities had three forms. The Mother Goddess was understood to the maiden, mother and crone. The universe was viewed as heaven, earth and otherworld. We are born, we live and we die. Certainly the trinity knot also illustrates the One being dividing off into the masculine and feminine, or the mother and son– a mystical truth contemplated in many sacred traditions.
The cross is also a symbol rich in meaning. From a simple point of view, two lines crossing symbolizing a connection or meeting which can be a point of creativity. Some mystics speak of the horizontal axis representing the earthly plain, while the vertical axis points toward the heavens.
While the above guide for understanding knot work is not necessarily based on any scholarly or anthropological text on the meaning of knots, it does provide a starting point that is based on a universal perspective. Most knot work designs are going to have some variation of these shapes. Spending time contemplating the motif may yield some insight.
Lastly, there?s an essential reason why the knot work is so prevalent, and that is beauty. I will never forget Jaisalmer, an ancient town in the desert of Rajasthan. This ancient city, where caravans used to stop and trade, is made from sandstone. Many of the buildings are carved with intricate knot work patterns. Strangers walked up to me and said, ?How do you like our beautiful city?? I could see clearly how art is life-giving and the need for beauty is something fundamental. In the middle of the desert, the beautiful knot work in golden stone brings joy to the heart.
Contributed by:
Marc Choyt

©2005, Marc Choyt

Email: marek@celticjewelry.com.

Website: www.celticjewelry.com

About The Author

Marc Choyt graduated from Brown University in 1984 with a degree in English. In 1995, he received an MA degree in Humanities from St. John’s College. In 1996, he and his wife, Helen Chantler, founded Reflective Images, a designer jewelry company specializing in contemporary Celtic jewelry.
http://www.celticjewelry.com Please send email requests to
marek@celticjewelry.com.
Copyright 2005 Marc Choyt All Rights Reserved

Tags: celtic, choyt, clubs, compare, knot, knot work, marc, marc choyt, mea, oval, patterns

How To Tell If It’s A Swell Motel

by: Ed Williams

Lately, I?ve been doing a lot of traveling in connection with my writing. The past three weekends alone I?ve driven to Sylva, North Carolina, Louisville, Kentucky, and Destin, Florida. Overall, I?m holding up reasonably well, except for the fact that my rear end is starting to closely resemble the upholstery pattern of my car seats. I?ve also learned that you don?t want to drink a twenty-four ounce Diet Mountain Dew in a plastic bottle just before you drive up to Atlanta. Doing that can give the term, ?the Foggy Mountain Two Step,? a whole new meaning.
When you travel a lot it gives you the opportunity to stay in motels. Lots of motels. And I?m learning very quickly which ones are the good ones and which ones are the ones you need to avoid like a polecat. Believe me, even in this day in time there are as many fleabag motels as there are fire ants, and if you?re not careful you can easily find yourself in one. Like the one I found myself in recently where the showerhead was level with my chest. I honestly had to bend over so far to wash my hair that I felt like a human parentheses. Or the one that I stayed in a couple of months back that had a TV with maybe four viewable channels, and the remote had no batteries in it. Oddly enough, right there on the nightstand was a little sign telling you that they had batteries for sale in the lobby for only three dollars apiece. Isn?t that classy?
Because of experiences like that, I?m going to do a little public service column for y?all this week, and point out just what to do look for so that everyone can avoid all the fleabag and clip joint motels that are out there in travel land. Just consider the following:

If it costs less than thirty dollars a night for a room, avoid it like a beet casserole. Think about it - going to a movie nowadays costs maybe fifteen or twenty dollars for two people. Snacks like popcorn and cokes can easily double that cost. Altogether, a couple could very easily spend thirty dollars or so for a movie. Common sense tells me that any place that will let you stay overnight for less than it costs for two people to attend a movie has got to have something wrong with it. Maybe something major wrong with it, like a door that won?t lock, or towels that smell like a bass. Just a hunch, mind you, but less than thirty, it?s gotta be dirty. Find another one.
If a motel deliberately misspells its name, avoid it like a cash strapped relative. Y?all know the types I?m talkin? about - motels that have names like, ?Thriftee Inn, ?Sleepee Inn? or something else disgustingly similar. The folks running those joints want you to think they?re one thing, but, when you lay down and find that Mr. Cockroach and his family are in bed with you, it?s too late. Hard to sleep when you?re perched up on top of a nightstand for the rest of the evening.
A ?pay per the hour? option is offered. No need to say a whole lot more about this, but if you still go ahead and book one of these joints you?ll find that the bed in the room is in real bad shape, but the furniture is in near perfect condition. Go figure.
If the place offers adult movies on their TVs, and you decide to watch one and it seems like the action is occurring in a room that looks a whole lot like yours, consider writing off the rest of the evening, packing up, and quickly riding on down the road. If you don?t, not only might you become an accidental adult film star, but you might also discover that some of these ?reality based? adult films feature haints that not only shouldn?t be filmed, but probably shouldn?t even be allowed outdoors in the daylight. Just my opinion, though.

And there you have it. Practical guidelines for keeping a fleabag joint out of your moteling future. I?d write more, but I?m doing this on a laptop computer out on the road, and this motel I?m staying in is charging me a dollar a minute for electricity, and don?t even ask me about the eight dollar rolls of toilet paper…..

About The Author

Ed?s latest book, ?Rough As A Cob,? can be ordered by calling River City Publishing toll-free at: 877-408-7078. He?s also a popular after dinner speaker, and his column runs in a number of Southeastern publications. You can contact him via email at: ed3@ed-williams.com, or through his web site address at: www.ed-williams.com.

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