Eagle Falls - Lake Tahoe

Carson River Hot Springs - Gardnerville, NV / Markleeville, CA

Hunter Creek Falls - Reno, Nevada

Date:
Location: 39.494533, 119.882018
Elevation: 6360 ft.

http://www.nvtrailmaps.com/trail.php?trail=863

Spencer Hot Springs - Austin, Nevada

Date: March 15, 2015

Location: N39° 19.750'  W116° 51.178'  |  Elev 5,706

Directions: Take hwy 50 east out of Austin, Nevada. Turn right onto Hwy 376 then take first left turn onto a gravel road that leads to some caves. There is signage at the beginning of this gravel road about the caves. Travel about 5 miles on this gravel road and you will come to a well defined dirt road on the left. Take this dirt road about 1 mile or a little bit more and then you will have to stop and get out and look for the hot tubs. They are slightly hidden on this hilltop. The exact coordinates are (39d 19' 36.23" N - 116d 51' 29.12" W)

A series of hot springs on the site of an old resort in an isolated part of central Nevada. There are both natural hot spring pools and a watering trough that has hot spring water diverted into it. Bathing opportunities are some of the best in the area. These are relatively well-known hot springs, but definitely worth a visit. Spencer Hot Springs basically consists of three hot springs. The lower hot spring is adjacent to an abandoned swimming pool that has since been bulldozed. The spring is now diverted through a metal pipe to a round watering trough. This trough makes an excellent bath, since the water is kept relatively clean by the constant flow of water. The temperature is also kept relatively constant at 105 degrees F. The other two springs are up the hill, and consist of natural pools formed by hot spring water. One of the springs is about 5 by 7 feet, and about 3 feet deep. This spring is also excellent for bathing.

Tulum - Our Honeymoon

Date: February 2015
Location: 20.214945° N, 87.429521° W

Tulum or Tuluum is an archeological site of an ancient Mayan city. It is located in the peninsula of Yucatan, southeast Mexico, State of Quintana Roo in an area called the Riviera Maya along the Caribbean Sea. The site is part of the national park since 1981 Tulum. The foundation of the city appears to date back some 564 entries as indicated. The Mayan city of Coba, whose apogee lies at about 650 used the site of Tulum as an important fishing port and can also betrade for trade to other cities of the region. Artifacts made of flint, pottery from the Yucatan Peninsula, objects of obsidian or jade from Guatemala and the bells and brass rings of the central plateau of Mexico, demonstrate the importance of such exchanges. The structure 59 also shows the footprint of the style of classic Mayan era.

Tulum - The Walled City

In the Yucatec language, Tulum means “wall”, referring to the large barricade that surrounds the settlement. In the Mayan language, Tulum was called Zama, meaning “dawn,” an appropriate name given its eastern location. It seems “Tulum” is the name given to the site by explorers Stephens and Catherwood in 1841. Stephens and Catherwood visited Tulum just before the beginning of the Caste War in 1847, long after the city was abandoned. Their visit to Tulum is outlined in their famous book “Incidents of Travel in Yucatan”. It is important to note that Juan José Gálvez is actually credited with Tulum’s rediscovery in 1840.

History of the Site

The earliest date found in the site is A.D. 564 , an inscription on a stelae. This places Tulum within the Classic Period, though we know that its heyday was much later, 1200 – 1521 A.D., during the Late Post-classic Period. Tulum was the primary location for the Maya’s extensive trade network with both maritime and land routes converging here. Artifacts found in or near the site confirm contact with Central Mexico and Central America. Archeologists found copper rattles and rings from the Mexican highlands; flint and ceramics from the Yucatán, and jade from Guatemala. Tulum was the hub for international trade and responsible for the distribution of goods into the Yucatan through Coba, Chichen Itza and connecting settlements. Tulum was thought to also be a religious center for priests with the walls protecting the sacred leaders. Archaeologists have evidence that the population was killed off by the Spaniards when they introduced Old World diseases into the area as a way to destroy the native population. Tulum remained inhabited about 70 years after the Conquest, when it was finally abandoned. Documentation of this demise can be found in the writings of Friar Diego de Landa’s Observations on the Yucatan Peninsula. Local Maya continued to visit the temples to burn incense and pray until the late 20th century.

Fast facts about Tulum Ruins

• Tulum site is one of the very few walled cities build by the Maya. These walls are located on only three sides of the settlement as the ocean protects the eastern borders.
• The ruins are situated on 12-meter (39 ft) cliffs along the Caribbean
• Tulum had an estimated population of 1,000 to 1,600 inhabitants.
• The wall around Tulum is three to 5 meters (16 ft) in height, 8 m (26 ft) thick and 400 m (1,300 ft) long on western wall parallel to the sea.
• The Castillo (main pyramid/castle) is 7.5 m (25 ft) tall and appears to have built in stages.
• Tulum was a major crossroads of trade from both land and sea managing trade from Central and South America into the Yucatan.
• Tulum honored the “diving god” or “descending god” and “the god of the bee”, an important insect for the Maya even today.
• During the Caste War, Tulum was occupied by members of the Talking Cross cult
• Tulum is the single most frequently visited Maya ruin in the Yucatán Peninsula, receiving thousands of visitors every day.

Principal Structures of the Tulum Ruins

When visitors arrive at Tulum’s ancient pre-hispanic site they see the buildings that, in its time, were the city’s main center where ceremonial and political activities took place. Around this wall were a number of thatched wooden houses that were homes to workers but little evidence exists of these residential homes. City Square – El Castillo – The Castillo, sometimes referred to as the lighthouse, is the tallest building within the Tulum settlement and the most famous. It stands forefront on the bluff, commanding a view of the ocean and coast for miles. The structure underwent several building stages with the lintels of its upper rooms carved with the plumed serpent motif. The rooms themselves are vaulted in classic Mayan style. A tiny cove lies at the foot of the Castillo where trading canoes would slip ashore. Temple of the Descending God – On the façade of the Temple of the Descending God” is a figure sculpted with its head pointing down, the descending god. Tulum appears to be the center of this god’s cult with more descending god carvings found on other buildings. The interior walls show traces of the original pigments/paints applied by the Maya.

Secondary Structures at the Tulum Ruins

The Temple of the Initial Series façade bears several stucco figures. The stelae that holds the earliest date found in this site, was located in the interior of this building. The Temple of the Frescos is filled with murals that are significantly affected by time and the elements. The temple shows traces of several building styles. The House of the Columns is more complex than most structures at the site. It’s a palace-like structure with four rooms whose principal entrance faces South. Six columns support the roof of the main room and top sanctuary. Located to the North of El Castillo, the Kukulcán Group, is identified by the minor structures grouped in this area. The most outstanding structure in this group is the Templo del Dios del Viento (temple of the god of the wind), named after its round base. Traditionally the god of the wind, Ehécatl from Central Mexico, was related to Kukulcán. Two watchtowers are located on the west facing wall that also hold religious altars. The Port and Beach – The beach located at the base of the Tulum Ruins was an important part of the Tulum settlement. This area is where Mayan ships, dedicated to trade around the Yucatan Peninsula, docked. Today visitors use this area as a place to swim, snorkel and rest.

Xenotes Oasis Maya - Yucatán Penninsuila, Cancún

Date: February 2015

Location:

The word cenote comes from the Mayan dzonot, meaning cave with water. There are cenotes open, semi-open and closed or grottos. The cenotes constituted the largest supply of fresh water for the Mayans and were used as natural burial chambers, you will be amazed by the mysticism and beauty that surrounds the cenotes in Riviera Maya.

Rappel

Whether you've practiced this activity or is your first time doing rappel, we assure you will enjoy it to the fullest. This activity is taken in the cenote "Lu´um". There will be no location or surroundings that can compare to the rock formations found in this unparalleled cenote. Lu’um is a semi-open cenote. It connects to the aquifer through tunnels and caves. The flow of water is horizontal and the amount of time the water stays put is usually short. The Xenote is still semi-closed, thus it is considered young.

Snorkel

Get amazed with the flora and fauna inside the cenote "Ha", an open cenote with great visibility, let yourself be surprised by the underwater gardens of water lilies and enjoy this landscape. Ha’ is a cavern cenote, home to beautiful aquatic fauna and where you will find beautiful rock formations. Here you will be able to enjoy the unique landscape of the underwater world, surrounded by jungle and peace.

Zip line

Feel the wind in your face as you slip through zip lines over the enigmatic jungle in the cenote Lik. Feel the adrenaline of flying high and feeling free in this amazing environment. Iik’ is an advanced age cenote known as ancient cenote. This type of Xenote is blocked from the watertable due to the collapsed roof or walls and sediments, which make the exchange with underground currents restricted and the flow of water a lot slower.

Kayak

Paddle a kayak surrounded by lush jungle and admire the exotic flora that surrounds the cenote K’áak There are inner tubes available for those who prefer a more relaxing ride. K'áak ´ is an open Xenote that allows underground currents to communicate with the jungle and light. Among its great virtues are its vertical walls and exceptional landscapes. Large quantities of life can be found here and plants surround it; it is the perfect place to interact with nature and enjoy some healthy fun.

Information: http://www.xenotes.com