WEST COAST WILDERNESS RAILWAY

 The West Coast Wilderness Railway is an award-winning railway and wilderness experience located on the west coast of Tasmania. The lovingly restored steam journey connects the historic towns of Queenstown and Strahan and is a wonderful way to experience a combination of Tasmanian wilderness, history, cuisine and hospitality. Three of the original trains now command the railway, built in 1896 (ABT 1), 1898 (ABT 3) and 1938 (ABT 5), and are beautifully restored to their former 28 tonne glory. 

The West Coast Wilderness Railway was originally built during the 1890s to transport copper from the mines in Queenstown to the port on the coast at Strahan. The railway operated until the 60’s when it became too expensive to run, and road transport became a more efficient way of travelling. The trains were decommissioned and the track fell into disrepair. However, reconstruction work started in the 1990s and in 2003 the railway was officially reopened. 

The West Coast Wilderness Railway embodies a wealth of stories, stories that tell of the ingenuity, resilience and determination that turned the west coast of Tasmania into one of the wealthiest mining regions in the world.   

West Coast Wilderness Railway

OLD MAN OF THE MOUNTAIN

The Old Man of the Mountain, nicknamed the Great Stone Face or Profile, was located in Franconia Notch State Park, New Hampshire. Discovered in 1805, the rocks that made up the profile collapsed during the night hours on May 3, 2003. 

The Profile was a natural rock formation that was formed by a series of geologic happenings that began an estimated 200 million years ago. It hovered majestically 1,200 feet above Profile Lake. The Old Man was made of five separate granite ledges arranged horizontally to form a man’s profile. From chin to forehead, the Profile measured about 40 feet and was 25 feet wide.

Franconia Notch, New Hampshire

Robert Frost (1874–1963), one of America’s best-loved poets, settled in the Franconia Notch region in 1915. The Frost Place Museum includes a half-mile nature trail that has plaques displaying the poems written by Frost during the years he lived in Franconia.

Postcrossing Postcard US-877496  

This is a natural Rock Formation, which is amazing to see inperson - the sender writes.

CALGARY

Calgary is the largest city in the province of Alberta which is located in Western Canada. It is nestled in the Foothills of Canada’s Rocky Mountains and has many beautiful parks and rivers. The city is known for its friendly western hospitality and is a culturally diverse and thriving metropolis. The City of Calgary is committed to ensuring Arts and Culture remains an essential element in creating a vibrant, creative and culturally stimulating city, and encourages residents to actively participate in and access the arts around the city.

North Mount Pleasant and Wildflower Arts Centres operate year-round to bring you and your family the best in arts programs, facilities and services. Visit us soon and discover the incredible variety of creative opportunities that await you

North Mount Pleasant Arts Centre has been offering fine arts classes and studio space to Calgarians of all ages and abilities for more than 25 years. Housed in a heritage property built as a school in 1913, North Mount Pleasant ceramics and visual arts programs are varied and will appeal to all levels of personal competency.

Wildflower Arts Centre is situated in the community of Spruce Cliff/Wildwood, in a former school, built in 1957. The City of Calgary transformed the facility and opened the Wildflower Arts Centre in January 1978. Wildflower Arts Centre has offered fine arts, drama and dance classes to Calgarians of all ages and abilities for more than 30 years.

MARSHALL ISLANDS

The Republic of the Marshall Islands is one of only four atoll nations in the world and is also one of the world’s youngest nations, independent only since 1986. The Marshall Islands consists of 29 atolls each made up of many islets and 5 islands in the central Pacific between 4 degrees and 14 degrees north, and 160 degrees and 173 degrees east. The atolls and islands are situated in two almost parallel chain-like formations known as the Ratak (Sunrise or Eastern) group and Ralik (Sunset or Western) group. 

The Republic of the Marshall Islands covers nearly a million square miles of picturesque islands, thriving coral atolls, and crystal clear blue waters … undoubtedly one of the most interesting places in the world to visit. Marshall Islanders are known throughout the Pacific and the world for their friendly and peaceful nature. Both Marshallese and English are the official languages of the Marshall Islands.

Capital: Majuro Island, Majuro Atoll
Political Status: Self-governing democracy in free association with the U.S.
Currency: U.S. dollar

Received from Marshall Islands Visitors Authority

POULSBO

 Velkommen til Poulsbo! Welcome to Poulsbo!

Poulsbo, Washington, with a population of 9,775, is located in the northern part of Kitsap County and is 4.5 square miles in area. Liberty Bay, originally called Dog Fish Bay, and the majestic, snow-peaked Olympic Mountains to the west induced the Scandinavians to settle in Poulsbo because the area was so similar to the fjords of Norway.

 Often referred to as "Little Norway", Poulsbo is the site of the annual MAY VIKING FEST. Come join the fun!

For over 50 years Poulsbo has been celebrating Viking Fest – a celebration rooted from Norway’s Constitution Day of May 17. Traditional Norwegian costumes are a prominent and common part of the celebrations. The festivities last from early morning until late at night. Parties with family and friends featuring traditional food and drinks are common. Festivities include a parade, food & vendor booths, as well as a carnival with rides.

Liberty Bay and Olympic Mountains provide a dramatic background for this famous city located between Seattle-Winslow ferry terminus and the Hood Canal Floating bridge, seventeen miles north of Bremerton

Today Poulsbo is a thriving community with many amenities. With its picturesque downtown core of rosemaled storefronts and shopping areas at Poulsbo Village, along Viking Avenue, and in College Market Place, Poulsbo offers much to citizens and guests alike. These include several beautiful parks, a boardwalk along Liberty Bay, the Valborg Oyen Public Library, three marinas, interesting gift shops, delicious bakeries, and panoramic views of Liberty Bay and the Olympic Mountains.

For more information on Poulsbo please visit: Velkommen til Poulsbo
 

FOUR CORNERS

The Four Corners is the only place in the United States where four states (Arizona, New Mexico, Utah, and Colorado) come together at one place. The original marker, erected in 1912, was a simple cement pad placed after government surveys showed the location of the terminus of the four state boundaries. The monument was refurbished in 1992 with a bronze disk embedded in granite. Each of the state boundaries radiate from the disk and each state's seal rests within that state's boundary. The scenery immediately surrounding the Four Corners Monument is somewhat bleak, but nearby you will find incredible sites that typify Southwest desert country. 

The only place in the entire United States where a person can stand in four states at once. The corners of Colorado, Arizona, New Mexico and Utah meet here

The area surrounding the monument is Native American land, which includes part of New Mexico, Utah, and Arizona and covers some 25,000 square miles. Both the Navajo, or Dine, and Ute people live in the Four Corners area. Artisans and craftsmen from both Indian nations are represented at the monument. The area is very remote. The tiny community of Teec Nos Pos, AZ, is six miles away.

For more information visit: Four Corners Monument

NEWARK

 It’s a happening place

The Garden State’s largest metropolis, Newark blossoms mere miles from New York City.  Newark shines even in New York’s shadow.  It offers ease and affordable access to all New York is.  But Newark offers a taste of Big-Apple-style action in smaller more intimate bites. Before America was, Newark was already happening.  As an early outpost in the New World, it served from the beginning to bring together cultures and commerce.  Even then, it was a melting pot brimming with indigenous and imported foods, arts, music and entertainments.

   

Newark, New Jersey's largest city, is the leading industrial and financial center in the State. Containing a major maritime port, Newark is one of the great sea, truck, rail and air transportation hubs of the nation.

 
In the centuries since, Newark has continued to blossom, always renewing and reworking itself, always becoming something richer and more varied – a new work with each new arrival of people and promise. Each new face in its growth has given rise to a different facet of its overall character so that today’s Newark is multi-faceted – an endless parade of offerings, adventures and opportunities.  From America’s first and oldest public park to one of the country’s largest performing arts venue, from the state’s biggest museum to the continent’s 5th largest cathedral – pro sports, fine arts, urban retail and outdoor adventure, it’s all happening here. On any given day, you’ll find 25 different languages conversing over an even greater mix and melding of world cuisine and cultures. 

CANADA

A World of Possibilities

The red and white Canadian flag shows a leaf of the maple tree, which grows widely in North America. Canada provinces number 10, with three territories to the north (Yukon, Northwest Territories and Nunavut). Each province and territory has its own unique draw for visitors. 

 

The 10 provinces in Canada, from west to east, followed by the territories are best known for:
1. British Columbia - Okanagan wine region, skiing, fishing, whale watching, golf and other outdoor adventures.
2. Alberta - Calgary Stampede, Edmonton Folk Festival, Edmonton Mall, Rocky Mountains, Head Smashed-In Buffalo Jump.
3. Saskatchewan - Fishing, hunting and other outdoor adventure.
4. Manitoba - Polar Bear Capital of the World, Le Festival du Voyageur, Folklorama.
5. Ontario - Algonquin Park, CN Tower, Niagara wine region, Bruce Trail, woods and lakes.
6. Quebec - French Culture / Language, Old Montreal, Plains of Abraham, skiing.
7. New Brunswick - Bay of Fundy, Appalachian Range, coastline, lighthouses.
8. Nova Scotia - Cabot Trail and other scenic drives, Celtic culture, Fortress of Louisbourg, fresh lobster dinners, coastline, Annapolis Valley.
9. Prince Edward Island - Anne of Green Gables.
10. Newfoundland & Labrador - Gros Morne National Park, the friendliness of the people, icebergs, whale watching.
11. Yukon - Northern lights, dog sledding, historic Klondike Gold Rush locations, Kluane National Park, midnight sun.
12. Northwest Territories - Northern lights, midnight sun, Nahanni River, outdoor adventure.
13. Nunavut - Canada's youngest territory or province.

CHRISTMAS ISLAND

Christmas Island is an island in the Indian Ocean, about 1,400 km northwest of Australia. Captain William Mynors of the East India Ship Company vessel, the Royal Mary, named the island when he arrived on Christmas Day, 25th December, 1643. It is administered as an external territory of Australia. The island is the summit of an oceanic mountain whose highest point on the island is Murray Hill, rising to 361 metres in the western part of the island. The island is only 52 square-miles in area. The main settlement and chief port is at Flying Fish Cove on the northeastern part of the island.

 Flying Fish Cove

Christmas Island is an impressive feat of nature full of natural wonders including red crab migrations, exotic birds and wonderfully deserted beaches who are only disturbed by nesting sea turtles. Fourteen species of land crab call Christmas Island home, but the red crab is by far the most famous. The narrow tropical reef that surrounds the island is laced with unspoiled corals and schools of colourful fish like anemones, butterfly fish, wrasse, surgeon and more. Occasionally, even sharks come up to divers to take a curious look.

fabulous stamps

Received from Christmas Island Tourism Association

DELAWARE WATER GAP

 The Delaware Water Gap, located in Monroe County in Northeastern Pennsylvania, and named after a magnificent natural wonder carved by the Delaware River. It is the best known feature of the park, a distinct notch cut into the Kittatinny Ridge by the Delaware River. Once touted as a scenic Wonder of the World, it is an impressive site when motoring through on Interstate 80 or viewed from the overlooks along PA 611. The Gap is about a quarter mile wide at river level and nearly a mile wide from the top of one mountain to the top of the other.

The Delaware Water Gap, seperating Pennsylvania and New Jersey, is one of the world's scenic wonders

The spectacular Delaware Water Gap has inspired and fascinated people for centuries. From the mid-19th through the early 20th century, Delaware Water Gap was one of the most popular summer resorts in the eastern United States. The recreation area encompasses 67,000 acres of mountain ridge, forest, and floodplain on both sides of the Delaware River in the states of New Jersey and Pennsylvania. Among the more surprising species of animals in the park are black bear, timber rattlesnakes, bald eagles, and, recently, nesting peregrine falcons. Ecosystems include hemlock ravines with bountiful rhododendron and ridgetops with prickly pear cactus.