Lapland or Finland

Pine Mountain News

It is Christmas at Pine Mountain Ranch. Jeff and Squeekers have joined us to make this a memorable and joyous occasion. We had a large breakfast and have just finished lunch.The presents have all been opened and Laurel and Grace are trying to get Squeekers to spell his name with scrabble tiles. Squeekers is being his usual obstinate self. It is hilarious to watch them.


Poem of the Week






Winter

The ground is whitened with snow
It means there is no more grass to mow

Cold and piercing are the stars at night
Fading from sight in the full moonlight

From the fireplace comes warm waves of heat
Washing over the man on his seat

Through the air flies the owl
Off in the distance the coyotes howl

Underfoot the snow crystals crunch
While on a cookie the man does munch

Across the heavens a meteor does streak
And a wish to be granted a woman does seek

The snowflakes on the winds twirl
Around the corner of the house they do swirl

Darkness comes early it seems
Off to sleep go the people to their dreams


Weekly Travel Adventure

Lapland or Finland

by Roxana Arzamazova

Lapland met us snow-covered, with a light frost.The
comfortable bus  brought us quickly from the airport
to hotel in about 20 minutes.  We  received our room
keys,unloaded our luggage and  proceeded to a dinner
at restaurant " Mango" . The dinner before us was not
included in the vacation package and cost on the
average of 35-40 euros for two. The menu was not too
extensive, but it was tasty. I heartily recommend a
fried venison in port wine sauce.  I also recommend
the salmon soup.

Next morning we had breakfast buffet (included in
the vacation package)fritters, rolls, sausages,
ham, very tasty house cottage cheese, and local
dishes of type of baked puddings not giving in
to the name, omelets, boiled eggs, fruit salads,
yogurts, kefir, milk, juice, cocoa, coffee, tea,
and for certain something I have forgotten still.
All of it was very tasty and fresh.Having
properly filled our stomachs, we rested to
digest our food then decided it was time to visit
the local tropical aqua park.





The way to the aqua park lay through the general
locker room. In the locker room area per  besides
the shower there was a Finnish sauna, and a
Turkish steam bath.The aqua park had various pools
connected by beautiful bridges and transitions,falls,
a jacuzzi,and the stream had a current like a  river.
There was a 30-40 meter hill, a bar at the water,
and a children's splash pool.Palm trees and other
trees created the effect of tropics.The  water was
beautifully highlighted from below,and the temperature
in the aquapark was really warm (25-30 degrees centigade).

We visited this summer place every day , our spirits
soared in the saunas, and in the jacuzzi.We sunbathed
on the aqua park beach.  It was very pleasant to us.
When you transition from winter to summer at the aqua
park, after you come from skiing or cross mountain skiing,
it is really great!

In the evening of the second day (and evening in the
conditions of polar night is at 3 PM)
, we  decided to examine the small town of Kuusamo.
Even Santa was there.



We  arrived at Kuusamo, Finland. The main
street was elegantly decorated with firs and
garlands, it made lovely impression, with one
and two storied houses on either side of the
street.
There were a lot of little shops, souvenir
benches, markets, small restaurants, all clean
and sparkling. Local residents ride bicycles
on the streets even in winter.




We also saw fantastically beautiful sleighs
going through the snow. In an hour of walking
we have seen all of the small town and have
bought some souvenirs at a bench kiosk. We
then proceeded in the opposite direction to
the road service station and from there in
15 minutes to Ski base A and from
there to the hotel.




Around our hotel there was a remarkable pine
wood and nearby a frozen lake. We could not
pass by it without enjoying the beauty.  On
day 3 we have devoted ourselves to studying the
vicinities. We began by crossing the lake and
climbing up on a porch of a private small summer
house. We were photographed against a garland
by a small lamp placed next to a deer statue.
Very beautiful. We then  passed to shined ski
lines and  walked on them for an order of 5
kilometers, admiring the beauty of the snow.



On the fourth day of our stay we could not
avoid visiting a place called "The Hand"
that is 20 km from Kuusamo. The Hand  is a
well-known Finnish mounting skiing resort
in which draws skiers and snowboarders not
only from southern areas of Finland, but
also from Europe, Russia, and the Ukraine.
The same Ski bus delivered us for 5 euros
per person for 20 minutes directly to the
slopes. The road goes to picturesque places,
to the left and on the right is a line of
fine wood. When we came closer to the slopes
there rising over us were majestic mountains
covered with pine trees.



It was a very remarkable week.

Pine Mountain Evening

Christmas is drawing to a close. We
have just finished a dinner of prime
rib and mashed potatoes with a fresh
vegetable salad and apple pie for desert.
We are now gathered in the family room
and are playing an interactive game about
a caveman and what he has to do to survive.
It is interesting you have to survive the
sabre tooth tiger attack and find a cave to
get out of the storm and make a fire and
so on. I am now relaxing in my easy chair
while my fine dinner digests. I am trying
the sample coffee of the week from
http://www.coffeefool.com. Tonight my
sample coffee is Chocolate Mint. This
American roast coffee tastes like coffee,
chocolate, and mint all rolled into one.
It goes great with some after dinner
sugar cookies.

Well my coffee is done now and it is
getting late. Christmas is over for another
year. Join us next week as we welcome
the New Year. Good night all.


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Nepal

Pine Mountain News

Hello again from Pine Mountain. July is over already and August is about to start. This year is flying.
Here at the ranch we are enjoying juicy tomatoes, fresh lettuce, beets, and beans from our hydroponic garden. No weeding, fertilizing, or hoeing. Just a few simple water tests to make sure the fish are happy. It is easy to plant and in a few weeks you are harvesting.

Local News

The police found a second pot farm on Tejon Ranch property. The people up there are definitely getting high on more than altitude.


Poem of the Week

an epitaph to preface me.

a sonnet written by emily d stine

I wander myself in a faraway land,

a blank page of manifest prose

the scrawls clauses on my lips black and coarse--

unbound travels spell check my apology.

It is an epitaph to preface me.

My eyes tell the stories my lips can't compose

lexemes hang from my mouth like marigolds

oh but to grow a word than pick it for free

Each letter a bloom exquisitely thought

silent kept and sophisticate until,

paired with a Prince Charming-like gaze, the kind

that recalls fairy tales you forgot

where a happily-ever-after still

exists as a place on a map you can find.


Travel Story of the Week

Nepal. Katmandu - Pakhara

by Oxana Arzamazova



On one of our journeys we stopped in Katmandu.
We stayed in "Dvarike". These are
the old mansions of the Nepalese.
Aristocratically altered into one the best hotels
of the city: the walls and the arches
carved from a tree to the many wooden sculptures
more than two hundred years old.

In the hotel there were only three rooms
similar to ours: the bathroom represents an
amphitheater where you go down on backward steps
and at last get in a bath - big white and clean.
One wall of a bathroom is
glass with a panoramic view on a small court yard.
A room is a combination of Buddhist
symbolics and simply convenient, wide bedroom. Two
ridiculous shaggy dogs,lived at the hotel.
therefore here they do not accept lodgers with cats.


We had supper in a bar of the hotel in the evening.
We departed Pokhara in the morning.
We were on a Jetstream airplane with 50 passengers.
It was not as terrible, as it seemed. In Pokhara we
rented bicycles and rode on the  " lake side" coast
of lake Feva which was a busy tourist spot.



Then we flew into Jomsom, in a Mustang airplane
, an 18-seater. But it was not too  scary. The
plane flies between mountains; both on the right
and on the left are the huge white tops Nilgiri,
Annapurna..



Small streets, the Tibetan type  houses, people in
national clothes, stone roadways, the bright sun
and shiny top of Nilgiri above a valley all so is
well combined  creates a kind cosiness. We spent 3
days on this walking tour from Jomsom downwards to
Pokhara around Annapurna.First we went over a river
valley, we crossed channels on time weathered
planked footways, at the left- White mountain tops,
on the right- Steep foothills.




Sometimes we found small settlements. A strong wind
blows, and though the sun is
warm, because of the wind it is necessary to put on
a jacket.




Continually we met caravans of  mules loaded with bales.
Huge handbells are attached to each  mules neck. Mules
are  very picturesque- Fluffy long ears are decorated by
embroidery.



In Lardjunga we stopped in the new guest house.
They would cook any food, and even though it was late
at night we walked in the village a little. Here in
general there are no shops, or passing caravans.
Products are basically for the trades only. With the
approach of darkness there is nothing to do except to
sleep early. In the morning It is a good time for
walking. The wind has not risen yet, the sun already
heats and there is no rain.



In the evening in the Internet-cafe  we have found
the announcement of flights above the mountains on
hang gliders with motors. They usually fly early in
the morning while there is no smoke or wind. We
reserved a spot for 8 in the morning.



And here we are in the air on the flying device named
Ultra Light.  It is a wing like a hang-glider, behind
is a propeller and little motor. The seat of the
passenger is located next to the pilot, or behind.
On the wing a camera is attached. During  the flight
the pilot sometimes presses a button, and the camera
takes a picture of the most picturesque mountain
landscapes. For flights to greater height we put on
warm overalls with gloves, warm felt slippers and a
helmet. And like a  fat bear, with hardly room
for the pilot, we fasten seat belts. The device takes
off on the landing strip and flies away.It is certainly
scary.



We made a circle above Pokhara  and rose upwards and
beside the mountains. Most were close to us
the mountain Fishtail nearby 7000 meters of height.
It is a Sacred Mountain, ascentions on Fishtail are
forbidden. More to the right we see Annapurna. The
longer we fly, the closer we are to the mountain and
it becomes colder. As much as possible we have risen to
3500 meters, Decreasing, have made a bend above a lake,
And in some minutes we have landed. Flight on this
miracle-device is the strongest impression which remains
from all our stay in Pokhara.


People says, that for five years in the flying club there
was no emergency case. Flights are safe.
Even if the motor will break, the device can fly as much
as necessary on a wing like a normal hang-glider.



Too soon our vacation in Nepal was over and we returned
home.


Pine Mountain Evening

We are gathered in the family room once more and I am
enjoying my coffee of the week from
http://www.coffeefool.com. Tonight I am enjoying
Australian. This American roast coffee has a strong
hearty taste that boomerangs back for an exciting
taste experience. It tastes just right with a plate
of fresh baked chocolate chip cookies.

Well my coffee and cookies are finished now And it
is time to get some sleep. Good night all see you
next week.

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Rarotonga of the Cook Islands

Pine Mountain News

It is the second week of July. The summer is quickly passing and the year is over half gone already. Here at the ranch John has been turning logs into wood chips with the big John Deere chipper. The local plant nursery and garden center buys them by the bag full for mulch. The chipper is noisy and you have to wear earplugs to keep from going deaf.

Back in the greenhouse the hydroponic garden is growing rapidly as are the fish in the fish tanks. The secret to hydroponic gardens is to keep the fish happy. If the fish are happy the plants are happy also.

Local news

There have been a series of wildfires along the grapevine in the last few weeks but they have been quickly contained.

In other news the north bound I-5 ramp from Frazier mountain park road is closed for repairs this month.

Well enough about Pine Mountain it is time now for our poem of the week.

Poem of the Week

Rainy Roadtrip

by emily d stine

Mist sprinkles my eyelashes as we careen

through the Mid...West. Minneapolis, a face.

less city littered with lakes and gray shutters

for sky. Neon green blankets of grass decorated

by black.white black.white moo.cow moo.cow

and a red.white farmhouse here or there,

send us cascading east into Madison,

ambling down State Street, I'll be a Badger

for a day. I'm smiling, taking pictures

with my eyes. eyelash.click.

eyelash click.

My thoughts, a slideshow I can't slow

but blue eyes return to raindrops.

Chicago brings cobalt skyscrapers, dim fog.

Trains rattling in the screeching cold.

Do I exist in that exquisite moment?

Smoke-lined mist, silky and bitter.

Fog stealing the skyline, I gaze upward

to white, and blue eyes return to raindrops.

Travel Story of the Week

Rarotonga of the Cook Islands

Out in the Pacific Ocean just before you arrive in Fiji is a group of islands called the Cook Islands. They were named after the great explorer captain Cook.

The largest island is Rarotonga. The capital Avarua is located on this island. The international airport is also on this island. There are small local airports on 8 of the other 15 islands of the group. Rarotonga is surounded by a lagoon and about 100 yards out there is a coral reef.

There are 2 roads that circle the island. One road follows the beach and the other road is a little ways inland. The interior of the island is mountainous.The tallest peak is Temanga at 2140 ft ( 658 meters). The islanders grow food on terraces on the sides of the mountains.

At Muri beach on the the southeast side of the island are four coral islands . These islands are about 200 meters from the beach. Also on the Southeast side o f the island is the Takitumu conservation area. This area protects the island native species especially the endangered ones like the Rarotonga flycatcher.

There are many white sandy beaches with swaying palm trees. Inland there is dense jungle vegetation and eroded volcanic peaks. There are many things to do on the island. You can take the cross island walk and go by Te Rua Manga the famous needle peak. You can also explore flat top mountain and Wigmore falls. You can go snorkeling, diving, and deep sea fishing. You can take boat tours of the islands, go biking and horseback riding. You can rent a moped or go hiking. You can watch native dancers and sample the many fine restaurants.

At night the natives gather on the seawall at the end of the runway at the international airport to watch planes fly over them and land on the runway. When you are tired of Rarotonga you can take a local flight on the island airlines. There are airports at 8 of the 15 islands. The television series Survivor was filmed on Aitutaki island.

Just when you get used to the leisurely island living, it is time to go home and you wish you had more time to spend on the island.

Pine Mountain Evening

It is evening once more and we have just finished dinner and are relaxing in the family room. it is summer and it is too hot for a fire in the fireplace so we settle down to watch TV. I am relaxing with this weeks coffee sample from http://www.coffeefool.com. Tonight I am enjoying Chocolate Mint. this American roast coffee tastes like coffee that a chocolate after dinner mint has been dissolved into. It is just right to go with a plate of warm fresh baked sugar cookies.

Well my TV show is over and my chocolate mint coffee and sugar cookies are finished as well.Now it is time to go to bed and get some sleep. Good night all see you next week.

Resources

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rarotonga

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Lauterbrunnen Switzerland

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Welcome to Pine Mountain. The first week in December is over already. The Christmas season is upon us.The store owners are hoping for big Christmas sales, but with the economy being what it is and all the layoffs they may be disappointed.

This week I finished putting up the Christmas decorations. We have so many lights and decorations that it took me 2 weeks to get everything up and working. Now we light up the whole ranch when we turn the lights on at night. Good thing we produce our own power between the wind turbines,the solar panels and the water turbine otherwise we would have a large electric bill.


This week our feature story is Lauterbrunnen Switzerland.It is a scenic village high in the Swiss Alps. Some of my friends went there last summer and wrote me a story about their adventures.

If you are new to this site, here is how to navigate our site. Our newsletter is divided into sections.

Section 1 - Ranch News

Section 2 - Alternative energy

Section 3 - Easy Cash

Section 4 - Nutrition and Health

Section 5 - Travel

Section 6 - Treasure Hunting

Section 7 - Our Travel Story

Each one of the sections has links to websites and products. Just click on any of the green colored words and you will go to one of our product websites.

Finally we have coffee by the roaring fire in the fireplace and wish you a good night and a good week ahead. I hope you enjoy our newsletter and return at least once a week for a new adventure and new products and programs to improve your life.

Alternative Energy Store

Visit the Alternative Energy Store for great prices on solar and wind energy equipment!

Alternative energy is the way of the future.The Alternative Energy Store has the latest products at reasonable prices.
Do you want an Alternative energy system but do not know where to start? The folks at the Alternative Energy Store will be happy to help you plan an efficient system. The Alternative Energy Store has many books and videos that lead you step by step to an installed system.


Alternative Energy Handbook

Do you want to cut your electric bill? Are you looking for easy and inexpensive ways to save energy? Click on ==> Alternative energy and learn simple ways you can cut your electric bill.

Hydrogen Fuel

Would you like to increase your gas mileage, reduce emissions, and have more power. An inexpensive hydrogen generator can be added to your present fuel system to save you money.
Go to ==> Hydrogen Fuel to learn more while supplies last.

Ethos Fuel Additive

Do you want to increase your fuel economy and create 30% less pollution? How about increase your gas mileage and increase your power too. An environmentally safe non toxic product called Ethos will do just that.
It improves gas economy by reformulating your gasoline to allow more air to be mixed with the fuel vapor. This causes cleaner combustion and increases power. Your fuel burns more completely and thus produces less emissions. All you have to do is add a couple ounces per tank of gasoline or diesel. Go to ==> Ethos and learn more about this alternative energy supplement.

Easy Cash

Secret Wealth Map

Starting an internet business? Would you like your site to stand out from the crowd? Do you want to make a profit as soon as possible? Learn from the best. Traffic experts Tellman Knudson and Brian Edmondson can show you how in simple step by step videos.

Go to ==> Secret Wealth Map to find out more.

Tellman Knudson is "darn tired" of watching people fail time and time again...

"What people don't seem to understand," says Tellman,"is that the cash is out there, but people just don't have the right map to find it!"...
But what if you were given a "secret map" to wealth,

a simple step-by-step plan that anyone can follow?...

==> Overcome Everything

Would you be able to simply follow the steps and cash in?

...Others just like you have actually done it in less than 30 days...

You can too.==> Overcome Everything

Imagine yourself just 30 days from today, going out to eat dinner at your favorite "spot"... while the sales come rolling in and add up in your bank account.

It's happened for others... It could happen for you.

Get YOUR "map to wealth"

just by following the arrow:==> Overcome Everything

Think: if this worked for Tellman, a 31 year old kid from rural New Hampshire... It'll work for you.

PS I hope this link still works. If it doesn't, it means there are no more packages left...==> Overcome Everything

Easy Program

Are you looking for a way to earn extra money in these hard economic times? Have you tried other programs that are all hype and in the end you are just poorer for the experience? Are you looking for a down to earth way to make money on the internet? I have found a program that will teach you step by step in simple easy to understand videos how you can prosper on the internet. Once you set things up the program runs almost on autopilot. All you do is monitor things answer a few emails from paying customers and collect and cash your checks. You spend less than 2 hours a day working the business. Go to ==> Six Figures to find out more.

Web Domains with Residual Commissions

Is the cost of living getting you down? Do you need to make some quick money to cover expenses? Go to ==> Freedom , put in the access code mountain1, watch a free short movie and start making the money that you have dreamed about.

Internet Survival Videos during these Hard Economic Times

Do you need extra cash during these hard economic times? Are you thinking of trying to start an internet business but do not know where to begin? Are you low on cash and need something that you can start for next to nothing? Do you want something that is easy and has simple to follow step by step video training? A new program called The Money Siphon may be just what you are looking for. Go to ==> Money Siphon to learn more.

Nutrition and Health

These days everyone is concerned about nutrition and health. Most of our food is over processed and has very little nutrient value. Our food looks great but not much more. If we want to stay healthy in today’s world we are forced to take supplements. The question is: What supplements will provide what you need for the least amount of time and money? I believe one of the best supplements out there is called acaiplus. It is a blend of vitamins and minerals plus acai to promote health and long life. They also have vitamins to help improve your long term and short term memory. They also have an energy drink that gives you steady long term energy. To learn more about these products go to ==> Acaiplus . Check out Acaiplus, Feed My Brain, and White Lightning. Here on Pine Mountain we drink Acaiplus every day.

Travel for Less

Discounts, Incentives, Rebates, and Promotions

Are you tired of paying high airfares only to be crammed into a tight seat when you travel? Find out how you can save hundreds of dollars on your next flight. You may even be able to fly first class for the cost of coach if you know the secret. Learn how you can save enough money to take that once in a lifetime vacation. Go to ==> Cheap Travel and find out now while supplies last.



Travel Writing

Have you ever wished that you could travel for a living. Does the call of far off places thrill you? Would you like to travel the world on your own schedule and see the places that you want to see? Would you like to enjoy your vacation and get paid for it too? Long to travel on your own schedule and enjoy your vacation? Would you like to travel for a living and see new and interesting places every day? Would you like to be pampered like a VIP and enjoy life all for just writing about your travel adventures? Do you like to write letters to your relatives telling them about your recent vacation? Then you have what it takes to become a travel writer. All you need is a little instruction and you can have a dream job too. Go to ==> Travel Writing and learn how you to can become a travel writer.

Adventure and Treasure Hunting

Proper Research is the Key


Do you watch movies like Indiana Jones and wish you could do that in real life? Do you like a good mystery and a good adventure? Would you like to use modern methods and tools to find long lost treasure? All this is possible if you learn from the best. Stan Grist, world renown adventurer and treasure hunter has written a course complete with step by step instruction on how to become successful. Go to ==> Treasure Hunting and check out his course “Creating Wealth Through Adventure”

And now our feature story.

Lauterbrunnen Switzerland

Some friends of mine were traveling in Europe and stopped for a few days in Lauterbrunnen Switzerland. This is the story of their adventures. The name of the village means many springs. The village is in a U shaped valley and the river Weisse Lutschine flows through the middle of the valley. In the springtime when the snow melts the river overflows it’s banks.

Author J. R. R. Tolkien used Lauterbrunnen valley as his model for valley of Rivendall in “ Lord of Rings”.

We came in to the village of Lauterbrunnen on the Berner Oberland Bahn train from Interlaken. There is also the Wengernalpbahn train that goes to Grindelwald and an aerial tramway that goes to the mountain village of Murren. Lauterbrunnen is a charming little village that has many things to see both in the summer and in the winter.


Tramway to Murren

We spent several days in the village. Our first day we hiked to the famous Trummelbach glacier falls and watched the water pour down the sheer wall of the mountain cliff. As you climbed the trail you could see the village far below in a very scenic panoramic view.



Lauterbrunnen from Trummelbach waterfall


Trummelbach Waterfall

The second day we took the aerial tramway to the high mountain village of Murren. Even in summer the mountain peaks are snow covered. You can look up from Murren and see the famous snow covered north face of Eiger Mountain.






Murren

Eiger

Eiger, Monch, Jungfrau

The third day of our visit we spent exploring in and around the town of Lauterbrunnen. We had to leave and return to Interlaken on the fourth day and we wished that we could have had more time to explore.


Pine Mountain Evening

It is evening once more and I am relaxing here on Pine Mountain in my easy chair in front of the fireplace. The gas fueled fire in the fireplace takes the chill off the mountain evening. Squeekers my African Grey parrot is sitting on his perch munching peanuts. I am relaxing with my coffee from http://www.coffeefool.com/. Tonight I am trying Creme Brulee. This coffee has a distinct taste of vanilla and brown sugar mixed with coffee. It is another desert coffee. It is just the right drink for a cold evening and it goes well with a plate of chocolate chip cookies. Squeekers and I have been watching another Sci fi series called Highlander. Both my coffee and my TV show are over now. It has been a long day. I put Squeekers in his cage, turn off the gas fireplace, and head upstairs to bed. Good night all. See you next week.