tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-117878522024-03-23T11:23:57.562-07:00Dark Roasted BlendWeird and Wonderful Things DailyAvi Abramshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12550929795356812957noreply@blogger.comBlogger1385110tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11787852.post-31852437296749274012024-01-30T12:19:00.002-08:002024-01-30T12:20:22.583-08:00Link Latte 285<br />
<img src="https://lh5.google.ca/abramsv/R8JJK6oD7fI/AAAAAAAAJN8/nh188urve94/s800/drb_468x45_linklatte%20copy.gif"><br />
<font size="3"><b>#285</b></font><br />
<br />
<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zR3Igc3Rhfg" target="_blank" >To Scale! The Solar System</a> - <font color="#e06060">[one of the best videos]</font><br />
<a href="https://www.tiktok.com/@pengtoke/video/7314544649958591790" target="_blank" >The Hardest Gear In The World That Will Take Forever to Spin</a> - <font color="#e06060">[wow video]</font><br />
<a href="https://www.reddit.com/r/midjourney/s/OVYNj34Tad" target="_blank">Welcome to Scuba Kayaking!</a> - <font color="#e06060">[not real, eh]</font><br />
<a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Deepstaria_enigmatica" target="_blank">Deepstaria Enigmatica</a> - <font color="#e06060">[wow nature]</font><br />
<a href="https://www.reddit.com/r/SweatyPalms/comments/17y4t5p/this_bus_ride/" target="_blank" >Most Dangerous Bus Ride</a> - <font color="#e06060">[wow video]</font><br />
<a href="https://www.visualcapitalist.com/100-most-spoken-languages/" target="_blank" >100 Most Spoken Languages Interconnected</a> - <font color="#e06060">[cool graph]</font><br />
<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UIf8_8BqRLY" target="_blank" >Macro views of various writing instruments </a> - <font color="#e06060">[better without sound]</font><br />
<a href="https://www.tiktok.com/@interesting.channel6/video/7315766558020701486" target="_blank" >The Self Balancing Monorail</a> - <font color="#e06060">[retro tech]</font><br />
<a href="https://www.benningviolins.com/history/the-interesting-history-of-the-pochette" target="_blank">The Interesting History of the Pochette</a> - <font color="#e06060">[geek history]</font><br />
<a href="https://lumusvision.com/future-of-spatial-computing/" target="_blank" >Future of Spatial Computing: Fascinating</a> - <font color="#e06060">[great infographic]</font><br />
<a href="https://www.uk-featherflags.co.uk/blog/fictional-flags/" target="_blank">Fictional Flags</a> - <font color="#e06060">[geek infographics]</font><br />
<a href="https://www.reddit.com/r/oddlysatisfying/comments/18qbmw3/elaborate_coffee_routine/" target="_blank" >Elaborate Coffee Routine</a> - <font color="#e06060">[oddly satisfying]</font><br />
<a href="https://www.reddit.com/r/Damnthatsinteresting/comments/1acjhro/getting_dressed_in_1857_credit_sewnbyellen_on/" target="_blank" >Getting Dressed in 1857</a> - <font color="#e06060">[history, video]</font><br />
<a href="https://www.reddit.com/r/interestingasfuck/comments/18milku/a_basket_star/" target="_blank">A Basket Star</a> - <font color="#e06060">[weird, nature]</font><br />
<a href="https://www.shithot.co.uk/british-castles/" target="_blank" >Castles of the British and Irish Isles</a> - <font color="#e06060">[great map]</font><br />
<a href="https://www.soundandvision.com/content/greatest-show-earth" target="_blank" >The Greatest Show on Earth</a> - <font color="#e06060">[$6 Million Hi-Fi]</font><br />
<a href="https://www.reddit.com/r/audiophile/comments/10knufo/til_about_ken_fritz_an_audiophile_that_spent/" target="_blank">Another Audiophile Paradise</a> - <font color="#e06060">[geek info]</font><br />
<a href="https://archive.vanityfair.com/article/1996/3/anything-went" target="_blank" >Anything Went at Studio 54!</a> - <font color="#e06060">[interesting article]</font><br />
<a href="https://www.cheaprollerbanners.co.uk/blogs/news/superhero-logos" target="_blank" >Superhero Logo Collection</a> - <font color="#e06060">[wow graphic]</font><br />
<a href="https://www.reddit.com/r/EarthPorn/comments/1814bi8/lion_rock_sigiriya_sri_lanka_oc_3996x2248/" target="_blank" >Spectacular Lion Rock, Sigiriya, Sri Lanka</a> - <font color="#e06060">[wow nature]</font><br />
<a href="https://www.reddit.com/r/NatureIsFuckingLit/comments/18oeuwy/bald_eagles_performing_courtship_behavior/" target="_blank">Bald Eagle Courting Behaviour</a> - <font color="#e06060">[wow video]</font><br />
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/books/2023/nov/12/california-venice-book-club-finngeans-wake-28-years" target="_blank" >The book club that spent 28 years reading Finnegans Wake</a> - <font color="#e06060">[geek info]</font> <br />
<a href="https://www.tiktok.com/@cuisine161/video/7314959216849161518" target="_blank" >SuperExtreme Skiing</a> - <font color="#e06060">[wow video]</font><br />
<a href="https://www.reddit.com/r/NatureIsFuckingLit/comments/18od641/armored_catfish_crosses_a_desert/" target="_blank" >Armored Catfish Crosses a Desert</a> - <font color="#e06060">[wow video]</font><br />
<a href="https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=salmon+crossing+the+road" target="_blank">Salmon Crossing The Road</a> - <font color="#e06060">[many videos]</font><br />
<a href="https://www.tiktok.com/@xom0070/video/7299847483960757550" target="_blank" >Balance: Impossible!</a> - <font color="#e06060">[wow video]</font><br />
<a href="https://www.reddit.com/r/SweatyPalms/comments/18liw5s/redbull_gives_you_wings/" target="_blank" >Stunts High Inside an Air Balloon</a> - <font color="#e06060">[wow video]</font><br />
<a href="https://www.instagram.com/geniustech.world/reel/C2RwwdDvbgg/" target="_blank">Tatra Sleipnir Super Vehicle</a> - <font color="#e06060">[wow video]</font><br />
<a href="https://www.reddit.com/r/SweatyPalms/comments/19d29gf/just_a_little_slippery/" target="_blank">Just A Little Slippery!..</a> - <font color="#e06060">[wow video]</font><br />
<a href="https://www.tiktok.com/@huggyattack/video/7306043984135212318" target="_blank" >Ordering the Super Hot Hot Wongs</a> - <font color="#e06060">[fun video]</font><br />
<a href="https://www.tiktok.com/@banshoukeji/video/7308783750203100458" target="_blank" >Running Audio Commentary</a> - <font color="#e06060">[fun video]</font><br />
<a href="https://www.reddit.com/r/funny/comments/17ucwn0/just_an_average_day_in_india/" target="_blank" >Just an Average Day in India</a> - <font color="#e06060">[wow logistics]</font><br />
<a href="https://www.youtube.com/shorts/g19JzRiJyFo" target="_blank">Frying Wheat Heads!</a> - <font color="#e06060">[wow video]</font><br />
<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q5D4gs8YRkw" target="_blank" >Japanese Bed Making Contest</a> - <font color="#e06060">[neat video]</font><br />
<a href="https://www.reddit.com/r/oddlysatisfying/comments/17uztt6/precision_catwalk/" target="_blank" >Precision Cat Walk</a> - <font color="#e06060">[wow video]</font><br />
<a href="https://www.reddit.com/r/oddlysatisfying/comments/182v7vh/watching_this_racoon_escape/" target="_blank" >Watching This Racoon Escape</a> - <font color="#e06060">[wow video]</font><br />
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<b>SEE ALL OTHER <i>LINK LATTE</i> ISSUES <a href="http://www.darkroastedblend.com/2007/04/category-link-latte.html">HERE</a></b><br />
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Avi Abramshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12550929795356812957noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11787852.post-86861558152534227122023-08-30T12:31:00.005-07:002023-09-01T08:50:26.062-07:00Link Latte 284<br />
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<font size="3"><b>#284</b></font><br />
<br />
<a href="https://www.reddit.com/r/oddlysatisfying/comments/15g7h7w/the_marvel_of_rotating_headlights" target="_blank" >The Marvel of Rotating Headlights</a> - <font color="#e06060">[open up your eyes!]</font><br />
<a href="https://www.mixcloud.com/discover/kenny-everett/" target="_blank" >Awesome Radio Shows by Kenny Everett are Online in Full!</a> - <font color="#e06060">[great find]</font><br />
<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_XLwDiecY2A" target="_blank">The Real New York in Technicolor (1939)</a> - <font color="#e06060">[wow video]</font><br />
<a href="https://twitter.com/latestinspace/status/1681102257264230401" target="_blank">Astronaut smuggled a full gorilla suit aboard the ISS</a> - <font color="#e06060">[crazy, video]</font><br />
<a href="https://www.reddit.com/r/oddlysatisfying/comments/15v68mz/this_vintage_lettering_set/" target="_blank" >Awesome vintage lettering set</a> - <font color="#e06060">[wow video]</font><br />
<a href="https://twitter.com/thebrometheus/status/1676925337194704897" target="_blank" >Ugly Psychology truths no one wants to admit</a> - <font color="#e06060">[twit thread]</font><br />
<a href="https://twitter.com/BrianRoemmele/status/1685130158146224128" target="_blank" >Automatic Candle Extinguisher, 1841</a> - <font color="#e06060">[wow tech]</font><br />
<a href="https://www.reddit.com/r/ChatGPT/comments/15kzajl/strange_behaviour/" target="_blank">More of the Insane/Strange Behaviours of ChatGPT</a> - <font color="#e06060">[crazy]</font><br />
<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=naf5EPdOYMo" target="_blank" >1920s Sweetheart Antique Toaster In Action</a> - <font color="#e06060">[cool tech]</font><br />
<a href="https://www.instagram.com/reel/CuPd_NuAuex/" target="_blank">Get Ready for School!</a> - <font color="#e06060">[cool video]</font><br />
<a href="https://www.reddit.com/r/oddlysatisfying/comments/14q5j6s/the_way_this_snake_moves_through_the_mortar" target="_blank" >The way this snake moves through the mortar</a> - <font color="#e06060">[wow nature]</font><br />
<a href="https://boingboing.net/2023/07/31/author-michael-chabon-recreates-the-science-fiction-section-from-the-bookstore-of-his-youth.html" target="_blank">Author Michael Chabon recreates the Sci-Fi bookstore of his youth</a> - <font color="#e06060">[geek art]</font><br />
<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W4HwEHF__js" target="_blank">Very soothing circling animation</a> - <font color="#e06060">[fascinating video]</font><br />
<a href="https://twitter.com/Rainmaker1973/status/1693320141675602181" target="_blank" >A hubless motorbike powered by a Rolls-Royce aircraft engine</a> - <font color="#e06060">[wow video]</font><br />
<a href="https://www.uk-featherflags.co.uk/blog/sun-flags/" target="_blank" >Variants Of The Sun in Flags</a> - <font color="#e06060">[design, inforgaphic]</font><br />
<a href="https://www.youtube.com/shorts/6ntmFHqyQBQ" target="_blank">A black heron fishing</a> - <font color="#e06060">[wow nature]</font><br />
<a href="https://www.instagram.com/reel/CsdM-fyo_rm/" target="_blank" >Great (fake?) car stunt</a> - <font color="#e06060">[wow video]</font><br />
<a href="https://twitter.com/BrianRoemmele/status/1686071086356873216" target="_blank" >1840 Antique Safe from Italy: Incredible</a> - <font color="#e06060">[cool tech]</font><br />
<a href="https://www.shithot.co.uk/lost-and-hidden-treasures/" target="_blank" >Lost and Hidden Treasures From Around the World</a> - <font color="#e06060">[interesting]</font><br />
<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JLlBH2kgqKM" target="_blank" >Intelligent rabbit knows the dog is following its scent...</a> - <font color="#e06060">[so it doubles back]</font><br />
<a href="https://www.tiktok.com/@premiumnutritionnz/video/7231738971573718280" target="_blank" >Dad Jokes! All good series</a> - <font color="#e06060">[fun video]</font><br />
<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RBrZsgy4-SQ" target="_blank">Cats Scared by Cucumbers Compilation</a> - <font color="#e06060">[fun video]</font><br />
<a href="https://www.reddit.com/r/funny/comments/157tzmh/took_a_while/" target="_blank">Hilarious Prank: It Took A While!</a> - <font color="#e06060">[fun video]</font><br />
<a href="https://www.reddit.com/r/oddlysatisfying/comments/15ednvg/fidget_spinner_appears_to_be_animated/" target="_blank" >Fidget spinner appears to be animated</a> - <font color="#e06060">[wow video]</font> <br />
<a href="https://www.reddit.com/r/oddlysatisfying/comments/15ur1m3/incredible_nature_in_a_glass_art/" target="_blank" >Incredible Nature in a Glass Art</a> - <font color="#e06060">[art, wow video]</font><br />
<a href="https://www.tiktok.com/@happyclips4u/video/7261098421304462618" target="_blank" >Man starts playing trombone in a field, and...</a> - <font color="#e06060">[wow video]</font><br />
<a href="https://www.tiktok.com/@absolutegeniux/video/7261686300351204634" target="_blank" >Incredibly precise truck driving</a> - <font color="#e06060">[wow video]</font><br />
<a href="https://www.reddit.com/r/satisfying/comments/15zfq9i/pouring_hot_water_on_mms/" target="_blank" >Unexpected: Pouring hot water on M&M's</a> - <font color="#e06060">[wow video]</font><br />
<a href="https://www.reddit.com/r/aww/comments/15utpue/this_kittys_favorite_spot_to_sleep/" target="_blank">This Kitty's Favorite Spot To Sleep</a> - <font color="#e06060">[cute video]</font><br />
<a href="https://www.reddit.com/r/aww/comments/x2q5zz/petting_the_hands_of_an_otter/" target="_blank">Petting the hands of an otter</a> - <font color="#e06060">[cute video]</font><br />
<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Jfdg8DnJZNA" target="_blank" >Dumping A Huge Tub Of Soapy Water Down A Stairwell</a> - <font color="#e06060">[wow video]</font><br />
<a href="https://www.reddit.com/r/oddlysatisfying/comments/162431n/dahlia_blooming_cycle/" target="_blank" >Dahlia blooming cycle!</a> - <font color="#e06060">[wow video]</font><br />
<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H9UzNh_2TXk" target="_blank" >Replicating Jean Michel Jarre's Oxygene Live In Your Living Room</a> - <font color="#e06060">[wow video]</font><br />
<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bFxDNwPsIi0#t=2m14s" target="_blank" >El Mago Pop magically transports people across the plaza</a> - <font color="#e06060">[fun video]</font><br />
<a href="https://www.youtube.com/shorts/52fgfXjW2rA" target="_blank" >A Timeless Dance! (this Link Latte is a bit mindless)</a> - <font color="#e06060">[end of summer]</font><br />
<a href="https://www.reddit.com/r/funny/comments/15kgo5z/focus_on_the_important_things/" target="_blank" >Focus on the important things</a> - <font color="#e06060">[fun video]</font><br />
<br />
<b>SEE ALL OTHER <i>LINK LATTE</i> ISSUES <a href="http://www.darkroastedblend.com/2007/04/category-link-latte.html">HERE</a></b><br />
<br />
<br />
Avi Abramshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12550929795356812957noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11787852.post-43749582532650788162023-06-28T13:58:00.004-07:002023-06-28T14:05:09.303-07:00Link Latte 283<br />
<img src="https://lh5.google.ca/abramsv/R8JJK6oD7fI/AAAAAAAAJN8/nh188urve94/s800/drb_468x45_linklatte%20copy.gif"><br />
<font size="3"><b>#283</b></font><br />
<br />
<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FRLE8t1rfA8" target="_blank" >All SNL James Bond Sketches in one place</a> - <font color="#e06060">[hilarious, video]</font><br />
<a href="https://www.instagram.com/reel/Cm2yYSAsLQ7/" target="_blank" >Super Flight Along Epic Mountain Ridge</a> - <font color="#e06060">[wow video]</font><br />
<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=diJp4zoQPqo" target="_blank">Jimmy Wales at Lex Fridman's Opens Up About Wikipedia</a> - <font color="#e06060">[wow talk, video]</font><br />
<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=reYdQYZ9Rj4" target="_blank">Lex Fridman & Donald Hoffman: Reality Is An Illusion</a> - <font color="#e06060">[wow talk, video]</font><br />
<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VcVfceTsD0A" target="_blank" >Another One of Lex Fridman's Greatest Hits (AI Issues)</a> - <font color="#e06060">[wow talk, video]</font><br />
<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A-jb8ydfsqw" target="_blank" >A Day in London 1930s in color</a> - <font color="#e06060">[time-travel video]</font><br />
<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IJCy64adY3Y" target="_blank" >Ethiopia's Spectacular Chapel In The Sky</a> - <font color="#e06060">[wow video]</font><br />
<a href="https://twitter.com/drchriscombs/status/1611192133775462400" target="_blank">Time-lapse view onboard a SpaceX Falcon 9</a> - <font color="#e06060">[wow video]</font><br />
<a href="https://www.instagram.com/reel/CnAiSW3ImKV/" target="_blank" >Unreal Foot Archery (with Fire)</a> - <font color="#e06060">[wow video]</font><br />
<a href="https://www.noticeboard.company/2023/04/25/london-underground-notice-boards/" target="_blank" >Supercool Notice Boards in London Underground</a> - <font color="#e06060">[wow graphics]</font><br />
<a href="https://www.instagram.com/reel/CnJg2GhqvSe/?igshid=MDJmNzVkMjY%3D" target="_blank">British Shepherd Dogs Are Amazing</a> - <font color="#e06060">[cool video]</font><br />
<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9nFupfJk4T8" target="_blank" >Roaring 20s Babylon Berlin: 1927 Colour Short Film</a> - <font color="#e06060">[wow history]</font><br />
<a href="https://nowsourcing.com/a-gift-that-inspired-history/" target="_blank" >Accutron: Huge Invention You Never Heard About</a> - <font color="#e06060">[wow infographic]</font><br />
<a href="https://www.mentalfloss.com/article/58964/12-movies-were-shot-never-finished" target="_blank">12 Movies That Were Shot, But Never Finished</a> - <font color="#e06060">[cool info]</font><br />
<a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ketumati" target="_blank">Ketumati: Paradise and Its Location</a> - <font color="#e06060">[fascinating, wiki]</font><br />
<a href="https://www.tiktok.com/@britboycrypto/video/7183838810306825477" target="_blank" >Satellite GPS Car Navigation from 1971 !</a> - <font color="#e06060">[cool, video]</font><br />
<a href="https://www.shithot.co.uk/most-common-surname/" target="_blank" >The Most Common Last Name in Every Country</a> - <font color="#e06060">[wow inforgaphic]</font><br />
<a href="https://strangesounds.org/2020/11/the-really-big-one-cascadia-worst-disaster-history-continent-video.html" target="_blank">Cascadia Big One: Still A Concern</a> - <font color="#e06060">[good article]</font><br />
<a href="https://twitter.com/brianroemmele/status/1646880796941369344" target="_blank" >The Actual Chicken In An Egg</a> - <font color="#e06060">[wow video, disturbing?]</font><br />
<a href="https://twitter.com/pulplibrarian/status/1616144762263715841" target="_blank" >Japanese PopEye Magazine: Neat!</a> - <font color="#e06060">[pics, Twitter thread]</font><br />
<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q7v5NtV8v6I" target="_blank" >Why Everything You Knew About Quantum Physics Is...</a> - <font color="#e06060">[great talk video]</font><br />
<a href="https://www.instagram.com/reel/CmfXHlDJ_qv/" target="_blank" >Awesome Off-Roading Video (RC)</a> - <font color="#e06060">[cool video]</font><br />
<a href="https://www.openculture.com/2018/07/kurt-vonnegut-offers-8-tips-write-good-short-stories-plus-graphs.html" target="_blank" >Kurt Vonnegut: Tips on How to Write Good Short Stories (with Shapes!)</a> - <font color="#e06060">[cool video]</font><br />
<a href="https://collegecliffs.com/how-israel-has-emerged-on-the-tech-scene/" target="_blank">How Israel Has Emerged On The Tech Scene</a> - <font color="#e06060">[interesting, infographic]</font><br />
<a href="https://medium.com/lessons-from-history/he-used-ai-to-see-todays-looks-of-the-famous-people-from-the-past-3db43021ef39" target="_blank"> See Today’s Looks of The Famous People From the Past (AI)</a> - <font color="#e06060">[pics]</font><br />
<a href="https://www.tiktok.com/@grand.illusions/video/7245599911549439234" target="_blank" >Rounding Square: Grand Optical Illusion Object</a> - <font color="#e06060">[wow video]</font> <br />
<a href="https://www.ornl.gov/media/80821" target="_blank" >Exascale: The New Frontier of Computing</a> - <font color="#e06060">[geek article, podcast]</font><br />
<a href="https://www.tiktok.com/@respect_bx/video/7172370224400944426" target="_blank" >Get This Gold Brick Out!</a> - <font color="#e06060">[wow video]</font><br />
<a href="https://www.nytimes.com/2023/02/16/technology/bing-chatbot-microsoft-chatgpt.html" target="_blank" >If You Didn't Read it Yet, You Should</a> - <font color="#e06060">[AI weirdness]</font><br />
<a href="https://www.instagram.com/reel/CoRKAv1AJ4_/" target="_blank" >Hilarious Videos on Chinese Language</a> - <font color="#e06060">[fun video]</font><br />
<a href="https://www.tiktok.com/@jasonmoments/video/7186690805829045509" target="_blank">One Drop In Slow Motion</a> - <font color="#e06060">[epic video]</font><br />
<a href="https://www.instagram.com/reel/Cop84x6u7CP/" target="_blank">Most Incredible Rube Goldberg Machine?</a> - <font color="#e06060">[wow video]</font><br />
<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j5WCgmn4zBc" target="_blank" >Beatles plus ELO "Mr.Blue Sky"-style NEW song! (AI)</a> - <font color="#e06060">[wow video]</font><br />
<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qTmPrVhdtks" target="_blank" >Probably the Best AI Beatles Song Made So Far</a> - <font color="#e06060">[wow video]</font><br />
<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nmb_831Io7w" target="_blank" >Paganini's Caprice no. 24 on One Guitar - Marcin Patrzalek</a> - <font color="#e06060">[wow video]</font><br />
<a href="https://www.tiktok.com/@thisismichaelcarbonaro/video/7184899516246609194" target="_blank" >Wireless Soda: Carbonaro Effect</a> - <font color="#e06060">[fun video]</font><br />
<a href="https://www.tiktok.com/tag/philomenacunk?" target="_blank" >Philomena Cunk Is A National Treasure</a> - <font color="#e06060">[videos, TikTok tag]</font><br />
<br />
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Avi Abramshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12550929795356812957noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11787852.post-65449646637187574912022-12-22T18:18:00.002-08:002022-12-22T18:19:01.535-08:00Link Latte 282<br />
<img src="https://lh5.google.ca/abramsv/R8JJK6oD7fI/AAAAAAAAJN8/nh188urve94/s800/drb_468x45_linklatte%20copy.gif"><br />
<font size="3"><b>#282</b></font><br />
<br />
<a href="https://www.tasteatlas.com/search" target="_blank" >Taste Atlas! Great Food Exploration Idea</a> - <font color="#e06060">[interesting site, map]</font><br />
<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2cCd9sNxjU4" target="_blank" >Tragedies on K2: "Fatal Altitude" (National Geographic)</a> - <font color="#e06060">[wow video]</font><br />
<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ou3m2Ic4gFE" target="_blank">K2 "Bottleneck" Climbing 8350 meters (Death Zone)</a> - <font color="#e06060">[wow video]</font><br />
<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=moF7ouT7RH8" target="_blank">Riding Japan's Spaceship-like Train in Tokyo</a> - <font color="#e06060">[cool video]</font><br />
<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uX_uwG9jQ-8" target="_blank" >Bosozoku: Absurd Car Style Created by Kamikaze Pilots</a> - <font color="#e06060">[cool video]</font><br />
<a href="https://www.imsotiny.com/portraiture" target="_blank" >Tiny Food: great art portfolio</a> - <font color="#e06060">[cool art]</font><br />
<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AfKZclMWS1U" target="_blank" >Grzegorz Brzeczyszczykiewicz</a> - <font color="#e06060">[fun video]</font><br />
<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7_JUBgPHYmY" target="_blank">John Cleese thanks everyone on the planet for his award</a> - <font color="#e06060">[fun video]</font><br />
<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lXcbcKk2MGQ" target="_blank" >World's Most Useless Megaprojects</a> - <font color="#e06060">[Abandoned, video]</font><br />
<a href="https://www.cheaprollerbanners.co.uk/blogs/news/brilliant-billboards" target="_blank" >Mind-Blowingly Brilliant Billboards</a> - <font color="#e06060">[wow graphics]</font><br />
<a href="https://www.executiveplacements.com/jobs-of-the-future.asp" target="_blank">Jobs Of The Future</a> - <font color="#e06060">[cool infographic]</font><br />
<a href="https://tinyurl.com/4ee2mmt2" target="_blank" >Leslie Gulch, Oregon: One of the Most Spectacular Geologial Formations</a> - <font color="#e06060">[images]</font><br />
<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1fYvVt3ckfc" target="_blank" >New York's Most Hated Highway is Falling Apart</a> - <font color="#e06060">[wow video]</font><br />
<a href="https://www.tiktok.com/@refreshedcouple/video/7139936879545158917" target="_blank">Craziest Moving Sculpture</a> - <font color="#e06060">[wow art]</font><br />
<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JIxTVNnamj0" target="_blank">"Ancora qui" one of the last songs by Ennio Morricone</a> - <font color="#e06060">[music, video]</font><br />
<a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Doomsday_Clock" target="_blank" >Doomsday Clock (with the full chart)</a> - <font color="#e06060">[interesting, wiki]</font><br />
<a href="https://www.shithot.co.uk/giant-animals/" target="_blank" >Modern And Extinct Giant Animals</a> - <font color="#e06060">[wow inforgaphic]</font><br />
<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rObG3GddYGk" target="_blank">Philips Crazy "Ski Slope" Cassette Deck</a> - <font color="#e06060">[cool video]</font><br />
<a href="http://weber-street-photography.com/" target="_blank" >Black and White Street Photographs of New York City by Matt Weber</a> - <font color="#e06060">[art]</font><br />
<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tkkx2h-rIEI" target="_blank" >An unusual player for a forgotten ‘70s music format</a> - <font color="#e06060">[geek, video]</font><br />
<a href="https://www.theatlantic.com/photo/2011/07/the-history-of-the-space-shuttle/100097/" target="_blank" >History of the Space Shuttle in Great Pics</a> - <font color="#e06060">[wow space]</font><br />
<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vtW7KZGI1wM" target="_blank" >Walk in Heavy Snowstorm - Sapporo, Hokkaido</a> - <font color="#e06060">[cool video]</font><br />
<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZILoodFYyzs" target="_blank" >Stephen Fry and Hugh Laurie - Gannet Gets Fired</a> - <font color="#e06060">[fun video]</font><br />
<a href="https://www.kateclark.com/" target="_blank">Weird "Animal Core" by Kate Clark</a> - <font color="#e06060">[wow art]</font><br />
<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8BGXarvW65A" target="_blank">Onboard of the Rally Japan 2022: Awesome,</a> <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rMKHuGPwiFM" target="_blank">More</a> - <font color="#e06060">[wow video]</font><br />
<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G9XhLca9JSk" target="_blank" >The Most Futuristic Motorhome in the World, full tour</a> - <font color="#e06060">[wow video]</font> <br />
<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FVZmFISzqwY" target="_blank" >Turning The Titan Missile Key: Mind-Boggling Detail</a> - <font color="#e06060">[wow video]</font><br />
<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=COon-l5PM3Q" target="_blank" >Rare unseen California 1940s in color</a> - <font color="#e06060">[wow video]</font><br />
<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_eUlpPY96Ok" target="_blank" >Pistols Underwater 1: An Investigation</a> - <font color="#e06060">[cool video]</font><br />
<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OubvTOHWTms" target="_blank" >Pistols Underwater 2: Bullets at 27,000fps</a> - <font color="#e06060">[neat video]</font><br />
<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=stGUpMav1sc" target="_blank">G.E.M. Gloria "Revelation" Music Video</a> - <font color="#e06060">[epic video]</font><br />
<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VxdZNCwConI" target="_blank">"Gold Diggers of 1933" Epic Scene - "Shadow Waltz"</a> - <font color="#e06060">[wow video]</font><br />
<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L2slmf5PRXU" target="_blank" >John Wayne's 1930 "Big Trail" - first widescreen movie</a> - <font color="#e06060">[wow video]</font><br />
<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k5gQ_rruDmc" target="_blank" >That Mitchell and Webb Look - Corner Shop</a> - <font color="#e06060">[fun video]</font><br />
<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0dwcxbr9o5A" target="_blank" >Buster Scruggs Story: Brilliant Western by The Coen Brothers</a> - <font color="#e06060">[wow video]</font><br />
<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RQSwf-tYDio" target="_blank" >Harold Lloyd's Wonderful Comedy & Stunts</a> - <font color="#e06060">[fun video]</font><br />
<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FCKMJwfgM4w" target="_blank" >ABBA "The Name Of The Game" (ABBA Special TBS '78)</a> - <font color="#e06060">[nice video]</font><br />
<br />
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Avi Abramshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12550929795356812957noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11787852.post-28268873498990681472022-11-07T10:10:00.003-08:002022-11-07T10:13:03.011-08:00Link Latte 281<br />
<img src="https://lh5.google.ca/abramsv/R8JJK6oD7fI/AAAAAAAAJN8/nh188urve94/s800/drb_468x45_linklatte%20copy.gif"><br />
<font size="3"><b>#281</b></font><br />
<br />
<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L1Z8YT6w7Rc" target="_blank" >Flying To 17,500 Feet on my Paramotor!</a> - <font color="#e06060">[spectacular video]</font><br />
<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h41J3HyRKvQ" target="_blank" >Huge Saudi Arabia’s Line City,</a> <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Line,_Saudi_Arabia" target="_blank">Neom (info)</a> - <font color="#e06060">[wow video]</font><br />
<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2jAqsWGm-Wk" target="_blank">These boxes are NOT moving</a> - <font color="#e06060">[wow video]</font><br />
<a href="https://www.tiktok.com/@kratos9909/video/7101899510560984322" target="_blank">Unreal Rubik's Cube Performance</a> - <font color="#e06060">[cool video]</font><br />
<a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Third_Wave_(experiment)" target="_blank" >The Third Wave (Distopia Experiment)</a> - <font color="#e06060">[interesting]</font><br />
<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ePDl1JNqjpM" target="_blank" >How YOU can land a passenger aircraft! 12 steps</a> - <font color="#e06060">[cool video]</font><br />
<a href="https://www.tiktok.com/@frenchfuse/video/7099115461161274629" target="_blank" >These Cats Are Grooving!</a> - <font color="#e06060">[fun video]</font><br />
<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TDYXeEdGb7E" target="_blank" >Extreme Car Cultures and Ultra Styles Around the World</a> - <font color="#e06060">[geek video]</font><br />
<a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Westinghouse_Time_Capsules" target="_blank">Westinghouse Time Capsules</a> - <font color="#e06060">[interesting]</font><br />
<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7-4yOx1CnXE" target="_blank" >Flying Through Berlin Tesla Robotic Assembly</a> - <font color="#e06060">[geek wow video]</font><br />
<a href="https://www.tiktok.com/@colescolor/video/7085399487304207659" target="_blank" >Awesome Pendulum Art Creation</a> - <font color="#e06060">[wow art]</font><br />
<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j8NKOMzckPo" target="_blank">Paul McCartney Composes "Get Back": unique glimpse</a> - <font color="#e06060">[cool video]</font><br />
<a href="https://www.securitydegreehub.com/future-of-cyber-war/" target="_blank" >Future of Cyber War</a> - <font color="#e06060">[cool geek infographic]</font><br />
<a href="https://hotair.com/jazz-shaw/2022/08/17/astronomers-looking-at-webb-what-if-the-big-bang-didnt-happen-n490341" target="_blank" >Astronomers looking at Webb: What if the Big Bang didn't happen?</a> - <font color="#e06060">[science]</font><br />
<a href="https://twitter.com/wonderofscience/status/1544675030784610305?s=12" target="_blank" >An incredible example of camouflage by an octopus</a> - <font color="#e06060">[wow nature]</font><br />
<a href="https://www.instagram.com/yuri_vantowski/" target="_blank">Awesome Nature Photography by Yury Vantowski</a> - <font color="#e06060">[wow art]</font><br />
<a href="https://www.tiktok.com/@garage54_official/video/7067108528795749634" target="_blank">Shnekokhod Birch-Punk Vehicle</a> - <font color="#e06060">[cool video]</font><br />
<a href="https://www.cheaprollerbanners.co.uk/blogs/news/colour-psychology" target="_blank" >Color Psychology</a> - <font color="#e06060">[interesting, infographic]</font><br />
<a href="https://www.instagram.com/yuri_vantowski/" target="_blank" >Great Grand Staircase Design Idea</a> - <font color="#e06060">[photo]</font><br />
<a href="https://twitter.com/gunsnrosesgirl3/status/1550502532434231296?s=12" target="_blank">Majestic Royal Flycatcher Bird</a> - <font color="#e06060">[wow nature]</font><br />
<a href="https://www.shithot.co.uk/tallest-trees/" target="_blank" >Tallest Trees In The World</a> - <font color="#e06060">[cool infographic]</font><br />
<a href="https://vintagemusicradio1485.nl/" target="_blank" >Very Cool Vintage Music Radio</a> - <font color="#e06060">[Dutch, stream]</font><br />
<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fiMKGnfoDN4" target="_blank" >Monster Iowa Double Tornado</a> - <font color="#e06060">[wow video]</font><br />
<a href="https://www.instagram.com/reel/Ca0auprFX0P/?utm_medium=share_sheet" target="_blank" >Syd Trip Beautiful Vintage Fashion</a> - <font color="#e06060">[70s, ELO]</font><br />
<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qG31WSioSxk" target="_blank">Ian Hubert's Dynamo Dream Teaser</a> - <font color="#e06060">[wow video]</font><br />
<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LsGZ_2RuJ2A" target="_blank">Awesome New Cyberpunk Series: Dynamo Dream, Ep. 1</a> - <font color="#e06060">[wow video]</font><br />
<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zkuEP5iMRiM" target="_blank" >The Insane Giant Nazi Railway: Breitspurbahn</a> - <font color="#e06060">[wow video]</font> <br />
<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f07-3k8pkm4" target="_blank" >Climb up China's most dangerous village, Daliangshan, Sichuan</a> - <font color="#e06060">[cool video]</font><br />
<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ddvTFgzkS5M" target="_blank" >Classroom Rules (Fun Animation)</a> - <font color="#e06060">[fun video]</font><br />
<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WVM-HmiEOac" target="_blank" >Mr. Bean Builds a Video Camera: Part 1,</a> <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KWcPcRVbLQg" target="_blank">Part 2</a> - <font color="#e06060">[fun video]</font><br />
<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M72SVd7ccXA" target="_blank" >Steven Spielberg's Short Film: Amblin (1968)</a> - <font color="#e06060">[neat video]</font><br />
<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1PlCmtvwCTQ" target="_blank">Car Crash Movie Mix (Hong Kong)</a> - <font color="#e06060">[fun video]</font><br />
<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PXIZdhoJmY4" target="_blank">One of The Best Car Chases in Movie History</a> - <font color="#e06060">[fun video]</font><br />
<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QUQsqBqxoR4" target="_blank" >Sara Bareilles "Brave" Very Cool Inspiring Video</a> - <font color="#e06060">[wow video]</font><br />
<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f_vcZBwv2ZA" target="_blank" >Italo Disco Analog Robot (1980s Performance),</a> <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WOHQuIHElm0" target="_blank">Info</a> - <font color="#e06060">[fun video]</font><br />
<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MTzlBu2_OFY" target="_blank" >Great Road Race Comedies: Larry Semon, 1922</a> - <font color="#e06060">[fun video]</font><br />
<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=036KqrXHfyM" target="_blank" >Great Road Race Comedies: Mack Sennett, 1924</a> - <font color="#e06060">[fun video]</font><br />
<br />
<b>SEE ALL OTHER <i>LINK LATTE</i> ISSUES <a href="http://www.darkroastedblend.com/2007/04/category-link-latte.html">HERE</a></b><br />
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Avi Abramshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12550929795356812957noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11787852.post-66796497675074196882022-02-21T20:30:00.001-08:002022-02-21T20:32:40.296-08:00Link Latte 280<br />
<img src="https://lh5.google.ca/abramsv/R8JJK6oD7fI/AAAAAAAAJN8/nh188urve94/s800/drb_468x45_linklatte%20copy.gif"><br />
<font size="3"><b>#280</b></font><br />
<br />
<a href="https://photos.com/featured/airship-r33-r-humphrey.html?hcb=1" target="_blank" >It Emerges Out Of The Misty Darkness!</a> - <font color="#e06060">[retro pic]</font><br />
<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QMfm7hxW_qg" target="_blank">Lovely Merseybeat Tune from Hong Kong</a> - <font color="#e06060">[1967 footage, music]</font><br />
<a href="https://www.cryptomuseum.com/spy/index.htm" target="_blank" >CryptoMuseum: Huge Spy Radio Collection!</a> - <font color="#e06060">[great find]</font><br />
<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dsWxMoh3_50" target="_blank">The Most Beautiful Recent Concept Car?</a> - <font color="#e06060">[cool video]</font><br />
<a href="https://www.deviantart.com/voitv" target="_blank" >Did you see the steampunk art by Vadim Voitekhovitch?</a> - <font color="#e06060">[wow art]</font><br />
<a href="https://swling.com/blog/2021/03/the-sony-fx-300-jackal-a-holy-grail-technological-marvel-of-the-late-70s/" target="_blank" >My Favorite Radio / TV!</a> - <font color="#e06060">[SONY FX 300 Jackal]</font><br />
<a href="https://www.artstation.com/artwork/8eR6oq" target="_blank" >Just a 3D Mansion in Art Nouveau/Belle Epoque Style</a> - <font color="#e06060">[concept art]</font><br />
<a href="https://www.behance.net/biboX" target="_blank" >Hilarious and Cool Art by BiboX</a> - <font color="#e06060">[wow art]</font><br />
<a href="https://underprospective.com/123" target="_blank" >House of the Century! Indeed</a> - <font color="#e06060">[architecture]</font><br />
<a href="https://www.artstation.com/wenjuinn" target="_blank" >Space Babes by WenJuinn</a> - <font color="#e06060">[somewhat nsfw, scifi art]</font><br />
<a href="https://russos.livejournal.com/1518882.html" target="_blank">Rare Look on Repairs on Moscow Metro Subway</a> - <font color="#e06060">[wow photos]</font><br />
<a href="https://gravityglobal.com/news/the-death-of-subculture-part-1/" target="_blank" >The Death Of Subculture: Great Series of Articles</a> - <font color="#e06060">[insight]</font><br />
<a href="http://ontheshortwaves.com/Clandestine_Corner/Clandestine_Corner.html" target="_blank" >History of Secret Radio Operations</a> - <font color="#e06060">[fascinating]</font><br />
<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L9wl3jCHUXw" target="_blank">The Tallest Buildings (3D Size Comparison)</a> - <font color="#e06060">[wow video]</font><br />
<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=40F8mALRukA" target="_blank" >KDLT-TV 1999ft tower being climbed</a> - <font color="#e06060">[not for the faint-hearted, video]</font><br />
<a href="https://deccanviews.wordpress.com/2016/09/06/kakatiya-art-madanikas-at-ramappa-temple/" target="_blank" >Strange Ancient Feminine Statues</a> - <font color="#e06060">[Ramappa sculptures]</font><br />
<a href="http://ontheshortwaves.com/history-directory.html" target="_blank" >History (w/pics) of DX Remote Radio Listening</a> - <font color="#e06060">[interesting]</font><br />
<a href="https://www.carscoops.com/2017/09/dino-ev-concept-looks-like-something/" target="_blank">Dino EV Concept is quite handsome</a> - <font color="#e06060">[cool auto]</font><br />
<a href="https://tinyurl.com/tvbr7bzn" target="_blank">No cars on this Chinese "Island of Music"</a> <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gulangyu" target="_blank">(info)</a> - <font color="#e06060">[travel]</font><br />
<a href="https://www.gmlocksmiths.co.uk/post/epic-lock-fails" target="_blank" >Epic Lock Fails</a> - <font color="#e06060">[funny pics]</font><br />
<a href="https://tinyurl.com/yckst9dd" target="_blank" >Union Pacific "Big Boy" Steam Engine</a>, <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Union_Pacific_Big_Boy" target="_blank">info</a> - <font color="#e06060">[trains]</font><br />
<a href="https://www.core77.com/posts/91939/This-1966-Syd-Mead-Design-for-Ford-Looks-Like-a-Proto-Tesla-Cybertruck" target="_blank">1966 Syd Mead Design for a Ford Pickup Truck</a> - <font color="#e06060">[futurism]</font><br />
<a href="http://www.goethezeitportal.de/wissen/illustrationen/friedrich-schiller/kaulbach-zwoelf-bilder-zu-schillers-dramen.html" target="_blank" >This is a HUGE resource of 1800s German Romantic Art</a> - <font color="#e06060">[great find]</font><br />
<a href="https://www.johnstephens.com/" target="_blank" >Surreal Steampunk Art by John Stephens</a> - <font color="#e06060">[wow art]</font><br />
<a href="https://www.thelakescampers.co.uk/pimped-out-vw-campervans" target="_blank" >Pimped out VW Campervans</a> - <font color="#e06060">[fun pics]</font><br />
<a href="https://archives.doctsf.com/documents/index.php" target="_blank" >Huge Archive of Golden Age of Radio Publications</a> - <font color="#e06060">[great find]</font><br />
<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sG1fZAz6VHk" target="_blank">Alpicool Futuristic Prefab House</a> <a href="https://www.alpicool.com/details/overviews.html?id=43" target="_blank">info</a> - <font color="#e06060">[wow design]</font><br />
<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b38F4qEjh6k" target="_blank">A stunning roll cloud moving over Lake Michigan</a> - <font color="#e06060">[wow video]</font><br />
<a href="https://www.tiktok.com/@polymathematic/video/7052097446578720046" target="_blank" >Greatest Optical Illusion in awhile</a> - <font color="#e06060">[tiktok video]</font> <br />
<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K3aFtwRjnJc" target="_blank" >Nissan's 370Zki is something else...</a> - <font color="#e06060">[cool video]</font><br />
<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x2ZadzpwJZg" target="_blank" >Strange & Cute 1906 Forgotten Silent Film</a> - <font color="#e06060">[cool video]</font><br />
<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Nr_3MvtSgDE" target="_blank" >Playing banjo for a wild fox! He came back for an encore</a> - <font color="#e06060">[fun video]</font><br />
<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RXJKdh1KZ0w" target="_blank" >Turboencabulator! Hilarious Explanation</a> - <font color="#e06060">[fun video]</font><br />
<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jj_rrlZOBrw" target="_blank">More of this geek goodness, with charts</a> - <font color="#e06060">[fun video]</font><br />
<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DVdojmdQK1U" target="_blank">Ondrej Havelka' Outstanding Retro Music Video</a> - <font color="#e06060">[fun video]</font><br />
<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bQgRBnqpoQw" target="_blank" >How Spiritual People Fight (Parody)</a> - <font color="#e06060">[fun video]</font><br />
<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mhO7wSAoQCI" target="_blank" >Feel-Good Dancing in all its glory</a> - <font color="#e06060">[wow video]</font><br />
<br />
<b>SEE ALL OTHER <i>LINK LATTE</i> ISSUES <a href="http://www.darkroastedblend.com/2007/04/category-link-latte.html">HERE</a></b><br />
<br />
<br />Avi Abramshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12550929795356812957noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11787852.post-10904429521072069022021-11-30T12:35:00.006-08:002021-12-04T16:16:00.472-08:00The World's Most Magnificent Pipe Organs<table>
<tr>
<td class="wide">
<img
style="margin: 0px 14px 0px 0px; float: left; cursor: pointer; "
src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_hVOW2U7K4-M/ShUZw-2HyyI/AAAAAAABBpA/VI37YhvZY4s/s720/quantum_shot.png"
alt=""
border="0"
/><span style="color: rgb(96, 0, 0);"
><span style="font-size:78%;"
>"QUANTUM SHOT" #596<br />
<a
href="http://www.darkroastedblend.com/2009/10/worlds-most-magnificent-pipe-organs.html"
>Link</a
>
- article by <a href="http://www.mchristian.com/">M. Christian</a> and
A. Abrams</span
></span
>
<br /><br /><br />
<b
>"Pipe Dreams" with Magnificent Sound: Quite Simply, The Blockbusters of Their Time</b
><br />
<br />
Some of the most epic and magnificent music masterpieces were created to be played on a large pipe organ - made even better if listened insidesoaring gothic cathedrals with almost perfect acoustics. <br /><br />
The wonder of this music is certainly timeless, and gets even more amazing when you start to investigate the history, science, and simple magnificence that has gone into the creation of some of the world’s most incredible pipe organs.<br /><br />
<a
href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_hVOW2U7K4-M/Suvnt7t2TjI/AAAAAAABKgE/RgV2EJ57Q74/s720/rtyutryurtyjghjft6.jpg"
><img
style="margin:10px 10px 0px 0px;"
src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_hVOW2U7K4-M/Suvnt7t2TjI/AAAAAAABKgE/RgV2EJ57Q74/s720/rtyutryurtyjghjft6.jpg"
alt=""
/></a><br />
<font size="1"
>(on the left, the world's largest pipe organ console, in Atlantic City - photo <a
href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/rossmcneillie/1590800456/"
target="_blank"
>via</a
> - and on the right: Tokyo pipe organ, built by Marc Garnier from France in 1991, <a href="http://almighty-music.4mg.com">via</a>)</font
><br /><br />
As with a lot of important technological – as well as artistic – achievements, trying to determine who made the first one of these things is a bit fuzzy. Some experts give the ancient Greeks most of the credit – specifically the genius Ctesibius of Alexandria.
<br /><br />
Those early Greek organs were pretty simplistic, but the basic principle is still the same: force air through a pipe and you get sound. Narrower pipes produce a higher note, wider pipes a lower note. From these simple tubes of metal works of amazing intricacy may be wrought.
<br /><br />
<a
href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_hVOW2U7K4-M/SuvnsiShoJI/AAAAAAABKf0/tLHBGsxgzxo/s720/56ur6utyiujyk.jpg"
><img
style="margin:10px 10px 0px 0px;"
src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_hVOW2U7K4-M/SuvnsiShoJI/AAAAAAABKf0/tLHBGsxgzxo/s720/56ur6utyiujyk.jpg"
alt=""
/></a><br />
<font size="1"
>(on the left, a pre-organ "instrument", described by Pretorius in
"Syntagma Musicum", 1615 - on the right: a mobile organ from Maximillian time, 1517)</font
><br /><br />
What’s interesting is that portable organs were not only made in certain
parts of Europe during the Middle Ages - they were quite common. They were
probably about as mechanically simple as Ctesibius' early invention, but
it’s still remarkable that the technology was transportable by horse and
wagon.<br /><br />
The Beer Bottle Organ is an obvious idea, that was realized way back in
the 1800s. The right-hand image below is a portable bottle organ from the
1750s:<br /><br />
<a
href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_hVOW2U7K4-M/SuvnqidTk0I/AAAAAAABKfc/sRbY-SxQ_vc/s720/67i567rtjufyjf.jpg"
><img
style="margin:10px 10px 0px 0px;"
src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_hVOW2U7K4-M/SuvnqidTk0I/AAAAAAABKfc/sRbY-SxQ_vc/s720/67i567rtjufyjf.jpg"
alt=""
/></a><br />
<font size="1">(images <a href="http://www.krugosvet.ru/">via</a>)</font><br />
<br />
But when you want to talk about size - you have to talk about the permanently installed ones.<br />
<br /><br />
<b>Size matters, and does increase with the amount of money invested</b><br />
<br />
As with astronomical clocks (see our article <a
href="http://www.darkroastedblend.com/2009/10/incredible-astronomical-clocks.html"
target="_blank"
>here</a
>), large organs quickly became the blockbusters of their time. <br /><br />
If yours was a town of any note then you pretty much had to have one – and the
bigger the better. The fact that they were used by churches, like the
aforementioned fancy clocks, couldn’t hurt either, as they had the deep
pockets to afford them.<br /><br />
Fantastic ornamental hanging tubes of the cathedral organ in Trier,
Germany (left image below) and a strange horizontal arrangement of tubes in Madrid, Spain:<br /><br />
<a
href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_hVOW2U7K4-M/SuvnsEaxl0I/AAAAAAABKfs/-EPdRStN-SA/s720/6r7itr67urdthtdf.jpg"
><img
style="margin:10px 10px 0px 0px;"
src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_hVOW2U7K4-M/SuvnsEaxl0I/AAAAAAABKfs/-EPdRStN-SA/s720/6r7itr67urdthtdf.jpg"
alt=""
/></a><br />
<font size="1"
>(images <a href="http://fotki.yandex.ru/users/uhbu696/">via</a>)</font
><br /><br />
<a
href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_hVOW2U7K4-M/Suvnl9oIlZI/AAAAAAABKec/RVVaU9CzCpM/s720/tykjdryjdygfy.jpg"
><img
style="margin:10px 10px 0px 0px;"
src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_hVOW2U7K4-M/Suvnl9oIlZI/AAAAAAABKec/RVVaU9CzCpM/s720/tykjdryjdygfy.jpg"
alt=""
/></a><br />
<font size="1"
>(Helsinki Cathedral's elegant pipe organ, built by E.F.Walcker, 1832 -
image <a href="http://fotki.yandex.ru/users/davlarissa/">via</a>)</font
><br /><br />
<a
href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_hVOW2U7K4-M/SuvnnBUpJYI/AAAAAAABKes/qKVk7NWJIkE/s720/tkutuyhukhyujm.jpg"
><img
style="margin:10px 10px 0px 0px;"
src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_hVOW2U7K4-M/SuvnnBUpJYI/AAAAAAABKes/qKVk7NWJIkE/s720/tkutuyhukhyujm.jpg"
alt=""
/></a><br />
<font size="1"
>(left: balcony organ in Salzburg, Austria - right: Notre Dame du Finistere, in Brussels, Belgium - image <a href="http://fotki.yandex.ru/users/davlarissa/">via</a>)</font
><br /><br />
<a
href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_hVOW2U7K4-M/SuvnmVvqOeI/AAAAAAABKek/3_09d36gN28/s720/tryjyfjtyjyu.jpg"
><img
style="margin:10px 10px 0px 0px;"
src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_hVOW2U7K4-M/SuvnmVvqOeI/AAAAAAABKek/3_09d36gN28/s720/tryjyfjtyjyu.jpg"
alt=""
/></a><br />
<font size="1"
>(very elegant organ in Hamburg, Germany - image <a href="http://fotki.yandex.ru/users/tp-gas/">via</a>)</font
><br /><br />
<br />
Here’s a bunch of interesting facts: The pipe organ created for
<b>Halberstadt, Germany</b> was a monster for its time. Its bellows had to
be worked ceaselessly by ten men – who were, no doubt, music fans. The
technology is impressive today, and was simply astounding when it was
created in (ready for this?) 1361. <br />
<br />
Today it is the instrument and the site for the
<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/As_Slow_As_Possible" target="_blank"
>Slowest Piece of Music Ever Performed</a
>
<br /><br />
<a
href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_hVOW2U7K4-M/SuvnuYMiYtI/AAAAAAABKgM/Pqskw7pxRcc/s720/yt7uktykfgyhjfg.jpg"
><img
style="margin:10px 10px 0px 0px;"
src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_hVOW2U7K4-M/SuvnuYMiYtI/AAAAAAABKgM/Pqskw7pxRcc/s720/yt7uktykfgyhjfg.jpg"
alt=""
/></a><br />
<font size="1"
>(the bellows of Halberstadt, Germany, pipe organ - <a
href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:HalberstadtBurchardiChurchBellows.jpg"
>via</a
>)</font
><br /><br />
Because the technology of a pipe organ is relatively unsophisticated,
making them bigger was a simple matter of scale: bigger pipes, bigger air
supplies, etc. While there were a lot of monster organs… stop giggling…
there are some that took the the musical instrument from noteworthy to
astounding.<br />
<br /><br />
One of the largest still played today is the
<b>Kotzschmar Memorial Organ in Portland, Maine</b>. <br /><br />
Built in 1911, it is a beautiful piece of engineering as well as musical artistry.
Although much of its technology is hidden from sight, what is visible is
simultaneously elegant and powerful, which also perfectly defines the
sonorous air of its haunting notes.<br /><br />
<a
href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_hVOW2U7K4-M/Suvnv6qI9OI/AAAAAAABKgc/9fsdMtNLhyU/s720/5e6jurt6hsdthdfgd.jpg"
><img
style="margin:10px 10px 0px 0px;"
src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_hVOW2U7K4-M/Suvnv6qI9OI/AAAAAAABKgc/9fsdMtNLhyU/s720/5e6jurt6hsdthdfgd.jpg"
alt=""
/></a><br />
<font size="1"
>(left: Kotzschmar Organ, photo <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/bobtravis/176803296/">via</a> -
right: Wanamaker Organ, photo <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/steven2005/3621426293/">via</a
>)</font
><br /><br />
Another great pipe organ was created in 1904 for the St. Louis World’s
Fair: the <b>Wanamaker Grand Court Organ</b> in Philadelphia is a monster
among monsters. <br /><br />
Everything about the instrument looks like it was designed
not just to make sound but a LOT of VERY BIG sounds: it has not one, not
two … but, to get to the point, <b>28,482 pipes set in 461 rows</b> (more <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wanamaker_Organ" target="_blank"
>info</a
>).<br /><br />
<a
href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_hVOW2U7K4-M/SuvnvDpSRpI/AAAAAAABKgU/e6C6CKxWGOs/s720/liuhglkjhlkjhl.jpg"
><img
style="margin:10px 10px 0px 0px;"
src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_hVOW2U7K4-M/SuvnvDpSRpI/AAAAAAABKgU/e6C6CKxWGOs/s720/liuhglkjhlkjhl.jpg"
alt=""
/></a><br />
<font size="1"
>(a very small portion of Wanamaker's 28,482 pipes: strings section - photo <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/talldarkandweirdo/1644250943/"
>via</a
>)</font
><br /><br />
<a
href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_hVOW2U7K4-M/SuvnraYBakI/AAAAAAABKfk/TmsZBBaxVio/s720/56ur6ujtfhjdftgf.jpg"
><img
style="margin:10px 10px 0px 0px;"
src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_hVOW2U7K4-M/SuvnraYBakI/AAAAAAABKfk/TmsZBBaxVio/s720/56ur6ujtfhjdftgf.jpg"
alt=""
/></a><br />
<font size="1"
>(the organ at United States Naval Academy has 522 registers (controls), image <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Usnaconsole2.jpg">via</a
>)</font
><br /><br />
Its keyboard looks more like something used to launch a space shuttle
rather than underscore an aria… but the organ definitely creates music –
on a scale commensurate with its standing as the second largest pipe organ
in the world.<br /><br /><br />
<b>Nature Plays Its Own Melody</b><br />
<br />
<b>The Singing Ringing Tree</b> (by Burnleys Panopticon design, architects
Tonkin Liu Ltd) is a wind organ sculpture which sings (or moans) with the
wind - some say very hauntingly so (watch the <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4B0hGyKV9qs&NR=1" target="_blank"
>video here</a
>):<br /><br />
<a
href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_hVOW2U7K4-M/SuvnnkhfU2I/AAAAAAABKe0/wwlK87SnkEM/s720/yt8yukhyukyu.jpg"
><img
style="margin:10px 10px 0px 0px;"
src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_hVOW2U7K4-M/SuvnnkhfU2I/AAAAAAABKe0/wwlK87SnkEM/s720/yt8yukhyukyu.jpg"
alt=""
/></a><br />
<a
href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_hVOW2U7K4-M/Suvnob5tQHI/AAAAAAABKe8/xp79KPdpw4Q/s720/tykutukyuktygy.jpg"
><img
style="margin:10px 10px 0px 0px;"
src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_hVOW2U7K4-M/Suvnob5tQHI/AAAAAAABKe8/xp79KPdpw4Q/s720/tykutukyuktygy.jpg"
alt=""
/></a><br />
<font size="1">(images <a href="http://www.sculpture.net">via</a>)</font>
<br /><br />
Natural "pipe organ" formations can be found in some karst caves - they
are eternally silent however, playing "The Sounds of Silence" to an
attentive ear.<br /><br />
Here is one in Mramornaya cave in Crimea, Ukraine:<br /><br />
<a
href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_hVOW2U7K4-M/SuvnpZa7l7I/AAAAAAABKfM/Q7VM_aWgoxk/s720/tykiguuhjkhj.jpg"
><img
style="margin:10px 10px 0px 0px;"
src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_hVOW2U7K4-M/SuvnpZa7l7I/AAAAAAABKfM/Q7VM_aWgoxk/s720/tykiguuhjkhj.jpg"
alt=""
/></a><br />
<font size="1"
>(image <a href="http://www.planetakrim.com/">via</a>)</font
><br /><br />
Which leads us to...<br /><br />
<b
>The Great Stalacpipe Organ - the World's Largest Musical Instrument!</b
><br /><br />
Deep in the Luray Caverns in Virginia... there are sounds that might even
rouse the Old Ones if played properly (or if Pippin drops a bunch of stuff
down the hole). <br /><br />
It is played by striking huge stalactites all around the
cavern with felt hammers, producing sombre, sonorous tones... (more <a href="http://www.oddmusic.com/gallery/om25450.html" target="_blank"
>info</a
>):<br /><br />
<a
href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_hVOW2U7K4-M/Suvno7X7RSI/AAAAAAABKfE/bBL_6Ju9WOA/s720/ytiyukiyukh.jpg"
><img
style="margin:10px 10px 0px 0px;"
src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_hVOW2U7K4-M/Suvno7X7RSI/AAAAAAABKfE/bBL_6Ju9WOA/s720/ytiyukiyukh.jpg"
alt=""
/></a><br />
<a
href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_hVOW2U7K4-M/SuvnqHjJwvI/AAAAAAABKfU/ZhyFM7xHrO0/s720/67itr67utrhuftgf.jpg"
><img
style="margin:10px 10px 0px 0px;"
src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_hVOW2U7K4-M/SuvnqHjJwvI/AAAAAAABKfU/ZhyFM7xHrO0/s720/67itr67utrhuftgf.jpg"
alt=""
/></a><br />
<font size="1"
>(images via <a href="http://www.atlasobscura.com" target="_blank">1</a>, <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/brandonhirsch/2534898969/sizes/l/"
>2</a
>)</font
><br /><br /><br />
<b>The Loudest Musical Instrument Ever Constructed</b><br />
<br />
How would you like to hear something six times the volume of the loudest
train whistle? I'd say you should be warned before the sonic assault
commences so that you could cover your ears.<br /><br />
<br />
Next time you’re in Atlantic City, swing on by and check it out in
<b>the Boardwalk Hall</b>. Built in 1932, the organ makes that beast in
Philadelphia look like a sickly kitten. While the Wannamaker Organ boasts
those 28,482 pipes, the Boardwalk Hall organ has – ready for this? – about
33,000 pipes. I say ‘about’ because even the owner/operators of the
machine aren’t sure. <br /><br />
Indeed, the engineering for the organ looks like something that might have been
built to power the Muzak in the Tower of Babylon elevators.<br /><br />
<a
href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_hVOW2U7K4-M/Suvnj7brZuI/AAAAAAABKeE/dYz1kUCwuwE/s720/r67iktr7yjtfhyjg.jpg"
><img
style="margin:10px 10px 0px 0px;"
src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_hVOW2U7K4-M/Suvnj7brZuI/AAAAAAABKeE/dYz1kUCwuwE/s720/r67iktr7yjtfhyjg.jpg"
alt=""
/></a><br />
<a
href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_hVOW2U7K4-M/SuvnkYSwJDI/AAAAAAABKeM/Dg-e2zK9hF8/s720/ty7ukitdykdgfhjg.jpg"
><img
style="margin:10px 10px 0px 0px;"
src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_hVOW2U7K4-M/SuvnkYSwJDI/AAAAAAABKeM/Dg-e2zK9hF8/s720/ty7ukitdykdgfhjg.jpg"
alt=""
/></a><br />
<font size="1"
>(images <a href="http://www.oddmusic.com/gallery/om02700.html">via</a>)</font
><br /><br />
The Boardwalk organ holds a total of three Guinness World Records: largest
pipe organ in the world, largest musical instrument, and – it must have
been a literal blast to have been there when this was set – the loudest
musical instrument ever constructed. <br /><br />
When asked how he felt about winning this last award, the keyboardist was heard,
barely, to answer “what?”
(see more images <a
href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/rossmcneillie/sets/72157602455998626/with/1589916933/"
target="_blank"
>here</a
>).<br /><br />
Trying to play this beast is a life-time job: there are four manuals, and
a full list of "stops" (registers, and also controls that operate this
mechanism) is published <a href="http://www.organrecitals.com/acch.php" target="_blank">here</a>.
See if you can imagine memorizing this, let alone fluently play it.<br /><br />
<a
href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_hVOW2U7K4-M/Suvnk6Rl6zI/AAAAAAABKeU/S3rTjwUUck8/s720/y7uktkutgujghj.jpg"
><img
style="margin:10px 10px 0px 0px;"
src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_hVOW2U7K4-M/Suvnk6Rl6zI/AAAAAAABKeU/S3rTjwUUck8/s720/y7uktkutgujghj.jpg"
alt=""
/></a><br />
<font size="1"
>(images <a href="http://www.boardwalkhall.com">via</a>)</font
><br /><br />
From "Spitz Flute Celeste" (register 217) to "Tuba d'Amour" (register 231)
this fantastic instrument can indeed wake up the dead with celestial
music, it seems.<br /><br />
<i
>"When all of these stops and pitches are played together, the result
has been described as a "wall of sound" that can "move men's souls like
no other organ". The stops are controlled by 1,235 stop-keys on the main
seven-manual console (which is permanently located to the right of the
stage) and by 673 stop-keys on a portable five-manual console" (<a
href="http://www.boardwalkhall.com/organs.asp"
target="_blank"
>source</a
>)</i
>
<br /><br />
The Boardwalk organ, alas, is largely silent: having been damaged by weather,
water, budget cuts, and poor attempts at repair, it can still be heard
but at only a fraction of its true potential and power.<br /><br /><br />
<b
>Something that looks like a giant mobile pipe organ, but is definitely NOT</b
><br /><br />
<a
href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_hVOW2U7K4-M/SuvnjDxJ0KI/AAAAAAABKd8/sZCB5EK0rKU/s720/iutfjhydthjgrdh.jpg"
><img
style="margin:10px 10px 0px 0px;"
src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_hVOW2U7K4-M/SuvnjDxJ0KI/AAAAAAABKd8/sZCB5EK0rKU/s720/iutfjhydthjgrdh.jpg"
alt=""
/></a><br /><br />
These are the acoustic locators in Japan in the 1930s, intented to detect
and track incoming bombers before the widespread use of radar. <br /><br />
Here's the Japanese emperor Horohito checking out the AA guns intended to be used in
conjunction with the sound locators (more <a href="http://www.dself.dsl.pipex.com/MUSEUM/COMMS/ear/ear.htm">info</a
>)<br /><br /><br />
<font size="4"
><b
><a
href="http://www.darkroastedblend.com/2007/09/unusual-musical-instruments_04.html"
>CONTINUE TO "UNUSUAL MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS" -></a
></b
></font
><br /><br /><br />
</td>
</tr>
</table>
Avi Abramshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12550929795356812957noreply@blogger.com21tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11787852.post-29193908757186920852021-11-22T01:39:00.001-08:002021-11-22T01:47:40.723-08:00Most Beautiful Roads of the World, Part 1<table><tr><td class="wide"><br /><img style="margin: 0px 20px 0px 0px; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 41px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEil5J6RbMnBCg-jzWkk4HdgYUkskVxrL0HAB8knxvhNFDpYWmajYchuIL2J5tlG2T7LhAYWfqSGY4S0lRuxtOw3k47mb_XOA6J5BYrYJXvTCwA2ALIpp1OcPId_iSHQs6UBdYWM/s400/b_quantumshot_cup.jpg" alt="" border="0" /><span style="color: rgb(96, 0, 0);"><span style="font-size:78%;">"QUANTUM SHOT" #423<br /><a href="http://www.darkroastedblend.com/2008/05/most-beautiful-roads-of-world-part-1.html">link</a></span></span><br /><br /><i>This is a start of a new series, celebrating the most spectacular routes and backroads that you can drive on this planet; today we will feature only a couple from the US, next issues will cover Canada, Europe, etc. Text and images are by Avi Abrams, all rights reserved.</i><br /><br /><b>You can drive two of the world's most scenic roads - in two days, in Oregon.</b><br /><br />Oregon is a state that has everything California and Washington states have - ocean, rainforests, mountains and flower displays - but feels somehow cozier and more user-friendly, perhaps due to the more laid-back attitude of those who live there. <br /><br />It takes guts to live under the shadow of the most active volcano in the Pacific Northwest (<a href="http://www.pnsn.org/HAZARDS/volcanoes.html">info</a>) and on top of a dozen wicked earthquake faults (each similar to the one that just terrorized China). But it also takes a certain appreciation and disposition to enjoy the beauty while it lasts - to "smell the roses", so plentiful in Portland and area.<br /><br />Last week I had the privilege to drive the Oregon state's two most beautiful roads - easily among the most beautiful roads in the world, at the best time to visit them: late spring, when the weather (sometimes) is very good, everything blooms and the crowds are non-existent. <br /><br /><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/abramsv/SDJD2QM912I/AAAAAAAARYk/yoEEl6Gs-JA/s1600-h/werwerwrwererwrwere.jpg"><img style="margin:10px 10px 0px 0px;" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/abramsv/SDJD2QM912I/AAAAAAAARYk/yoEEl6Gs-JA/s720/werwerwrwererwrwere.jpg" /></a><br /><font size="1">"Bridge to Terabithia" screenshot, Walt Disney Pictures, <a href="http://disney.go.com/disneyvideos/liveaction/bridgetoterabithia/">site</a></font><br /><br />Let's start with:<br /><i><b>Columbia Gorge Historic Highway 30</b></i><br /><br />If you've seen the movie "Bridge to Terabithia", you might remember how the magic kingdom of Terabithia looks: a wondrous mountain river gorge, framed by the mighty waterfalls, a river leisurely flowing toward the distant ocean. Well, you might be surprised to discover that a part of Columbia Gorge (from Hood River to Troutdale) almost fits the above description.<br /><br /><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/abramsv/SDE5fQM90YI/AAAAAAAARL4/pBraB4P3f_A/s1600-h/ed44.jpg"><img style="margin:10px 10px 0px 0px;" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/abramsv/SDE5fQM90YI/AAAAAAAARL4/pBraB4P3f_A/s720/ed44.jpg" /></a><br /><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/abramsv/SDE5QgM90NI/AAAAAAAARKc/YK7aLzMDDrc/s1600-h/ed33.jpg"><img style="margin:10px 10px 0px 0px;" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/abramsv/SDE5QgM90NI/AAAAAAAARKc/YK7aLzMDDrc/s720/ed33.jpg" /></a><br /><br /><br />If you coming to Portland from the east, you can stay overnight in the Dalles (home of the mysterious Google "server <a href="http://googlesystem.blogspot.com/2006/06/project-02-googles-secret-data-center.html">farms</a>" - and hit the north side of the gorge in the morning (passing the quaint windy town of Stevenson, WA - and perhaps even hiking to the top of the Beacon Rock. The hike is surprisingly doable, considering how imposing it looks). The transition from high desert to temperate rainforests is nothing short of <b>epic</b>. Every single mile brings a change in eco-systems and vegetation. <br /><br /><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/abramsv/SDJn0QM91-I/AAAAAAAARZo/V6Bx2Zgf15U/s1600-h/3453245345.jpg"><img style="margin:10px 10px 0px 0px;" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/abramsv/SDJn0QM91-I/AAAAAAAARZo/V6Bx2Zgf15U/s720/3453245345.jpg" /></a><br /><br /><br />The drive through the Columbia Gorge wine country is relaxing, perhaps too much so (make arrangements to visit some wineries). But don't allow yourself to get sidetracked - your adventure is only starting. <br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/80651083@N00/200543539/in/set-72157594213337828/"><img style="margin:10px 10px 0px 0px;" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/abramsv/SDJrVwM91_I/AAAAAAAARZw/c6O1HfQCyNQ/s720/wertertqtq.jpg" /></a><br /><font size="1">(image credit: <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/80651083@N00/200543539/in/set-72157594213337828/">Thad Roan</a>)</font><br /><br /><br />The best part of the drive starts at the <i>Bridge of the Gods</i> (interesting enough to be included into our "Hall of Fame" of <a href="http://www.darkroastedblend.com/2008/01/worlds-most-interesting-bridges-part-2.html">bridges</a>) - make sure to cross the river to the Oregon side again and continue west on the interstate, until you come to the Historic Highway 30 turnoff. <br /><br /><br /><b>The Biggest Concentration of Waterfalls</b><br /><br />...awaits you on that winding, enchanting piece of road (once considered a pinnacle of road engineering). Every waterfall is unique, imposing and simply serene (no picture can ever give them justice, even though there are plenty of <a href="http://trips.stateoforegon.com/multnomah_falls/">Multnomah Falls</a> postcards going around). Each waterfall sits in the lush forest amphitheater, surrounded by gigantic cliffs and fanciful eroded stone.<br /><br /><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/abramsv/SDJfSQM915I/AAAAAAAARY8/F_fUIKQmQSs/s1600-h/ed18.jpg"><img style="margin:10px 10px 0px 0px;" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/abramsv/SDJfSQM915I/AAAAAAAARY8/F_fUIKQmQSs/s800/ed18.jpg" /></a><br /><font size="1">Horsetail Waterfall & Shepperd's Dell rocks</font><br /><br /><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/abramsv/SDJfSgM916I/AAAAAAAARZE/pmY_kVviOlM/s1600-h/ed19.jpg"><img style="margin:10px 10px 0px 0px;" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/abramsv/SDJfSgM916I/AAAAAAAARZE/pmY_kVviOlM/s800/ed19.jpg" /></a><br /><font size="1">Note how the spread of lichen on the right also "emulates" waterfall...</font><br /><br /><br />Multnomah Falls is the second-tallest waterfall in the nation (Yosemite Falls in California is the tallest) - with undeniable artistic (almost Old World) charm:<br /><br /><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/abramsv/SDJliAM918I/AAAAAAAARZY/3YVBJd7B82g/s1600-h/ed21.jpg"><img style="margin:10px 10px 0px 0px;" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/abramsv/SDJliAM918I/AAAAAAAARZY/3YVBJd7B82g/s800/ed21.jpg" /></a><br /><br /><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/abramsv/SDJllAM919I/AAAAAAAARZg/XE5wIl0KiUI/s1600-h/werwe.jpg"><img style="margin:10px 10px 0px 0px;" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/abramsv/SDJllAM919I/AAAAAAAARZg/XE5wIl0KiUI/s800/werwe.jpg?imgmax=512" /></a><br /><br /><br />Spring is the best time to visit, to avoid crowds and to catch the brilliant-fresh vegetation. Be prepared to be greeted by the "Tunnel of Trees":<br /><br /><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/abramsv/SDE5SgM90OI/AAAAAAAARKk/9nQRRu2cmAQ/s1600-h/ed34.jpg"><img style="margin:10px 10px 0px 0px;" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/abramsv/SDE5SgM90OI/AAAAAAAARKk/9nQRRu2cmAQ/s720/ed34.jpg" /></a><br /><br /><br />The Historic Columbia River Highway was built in 1913-1922 with multitude of bridges over the dizzying chasms. Over the years it was often called "The King of Roads":<br /><br /><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/abramsv/SDMBbgM92II/AAAAAAAARa8/FUPQHylGung/s1600-h/3245234534.jpg"><img style="margin:10px 10px 0px 0px;" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/abramsv/SDMBbgM92II/AAAAAAAARa8/FUPQHylGung/s720/3245234534.jpg" /></a><br /><font size="1">Shepperd's Dell falls</font><br /><br /><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/abramsv/SDMGlgM92JI/AAAAAAAARbE/aqM-r9L1mEk/s1600-h/mitchells_point_tunnel_3.jpg"><img style="margin:10px 10px 0px 0px;" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/abramsv/SDMGlgM92JI/AAAAAAAARbE/aqM-r9L1mEk/s720/mitchells_point_tunnel_3.jpg" /></a><br /><font size="1">The Mitchell's Point Tunnel and Hercules Pillars, <a href="http://www.columbiariverhighway.com/">source</a></font><br /><br /><br />A quiet forest walk to the Latourell Falls is the perfect medicine against modern day stress. <br /><br /><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/abramsv/SDE5cQM90VI/AAAAAAAARLg/lgHBJ4-iUo4/s1600-h/ed41.jpg"><img style="margin:10px 10px 0px 0px;" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/abramsv/SDE5cQM90VI/AAAAAAAARLg/lgHBJ4-iUo4/s800/ed41.jpg" /></a><br /><font size="1">Latourell Falls with curious eroded rock formations</font><br /><br /><br />Don't miss the classic <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Crown_Point_(Oregon)">"Crown Point"</a> where countless tourists take pictures of the same view over and over again. It is definitely an awesome view, though.<br /><br />Once you've driven the stretch to nice little town of Corbett, you have a choice either to continue on to Portland, or embark on another scenic drive - around Mount Hood (where the famous <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timberline_Lodge">Timberline Lodge</a> stands - the eternally spooky location of "The Shining" movie fame)<br /><br /><br /><b>If you come to Portland, be sure to wear some flowers in your hair</b><br /><br />It seems Portland (the official dwelling place of book, coffee, craft beer & outdoors fanatics) blooms like there is no tomorrow, in these early days of May. Some of the flower-scapes are from the world-class Japanese Gardens, but others are... just because:<br /><br /><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/abramsv/SDMMiwM92LI/AAAAAAAARbU/TY9UyPvDGtU/s1600-h/1231241415.jpg"><img style="margin:10px 10px 0px 0px;" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/abramsv/SDMMiwM92LI/AAAAAAAARbU/TY9UyPvDGtU/s720/1231241415.jpg" /></a><br /><br /><font size="1">Portland's Japanese Gardens:</font><br /><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/abramsv/SDE5ugM90iI/AAAAAAAARNI/hkylr7a6t5o/s1600-h/ed65.jpg"><img style="margin:10px 10px 0px 0px;" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/abramsv/SDE5ugM90iI/AAAAAAAARNI/hkylr7a6t5o/s720/ed65.jpg" /></a><br /><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/abramsv/SDE5kgM90cI/AAAAAAAARMY/fbtcSOFGpVg/s1600-h/ed54.jpg"><img style="margin:10px 10px 0px 0px;" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/abramsv/SDE5kgM90cI/AAAAAAAARMY/fbtcSOFGpVg/s720/ed54.jpg" /></a><br /><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/abramsv/SDE5rgM90gI/AAAAAAAARM4/90rxVyNxB7g/s1600-h/ed63.jpg"><img style="margin:10px 10px 0px 0px;" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/abramsv/SDE5rgM90gI/AAAAAAAARM4/90rxVyNxB7g/s720/ed63.jpg" /></a><br /><br /><br />A great way to explore Portland (which has a very compact and walkable downtown core) is to get on the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/MAX_Light_Rail">Max Light Rail</a>... but again, don't let the urban pleasures to swallow you up (it's awfully hard to tear yourself from this friendly and sophisticated city - though I admit, I did not check out San Francisco yet)<br /><br />Get going to the Oregon Coast (touristy, but still great Cannon Beach). In less than a couple of hours you will be gazing on the enormous Haystack Rock and wonder how many tentacles <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sea_anemone">anemones</a> have. Again, the middle of May is great time to escape the crowds that descend there during summer. <br /><br />Don't leave without checking out the mind-blowing <a href="http://www.cannon-beach.net/recreation/cbecola.html">Ecola State Park</a> - and head along Hwy.101 to Tillamook - and the next "Most Beautiful Road in the World":<br /><br /><br /><i><b>Three Capes Scenic Route, Oregon Coast</b></i><br /><br />Here is a comparatively little-known Oregon Coast gem, off the main highway - an area where locals themselves go to unwind and get quality beach time. You can drive the whole loop in a few hours, or you can spend a week there - this is a quintessential Pacific Coast experience.<br /><br /><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/abramsv/SDE55QM90qI/AAAAAAAAROM/oxaZIWJLXVk/s1600-h/ed87.jpg"><img style="margin:10px 10px 0px 0px;" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/abramsv/SDE55QM90qI/AAAAAAAAROM/oxaZIWJLXVk/s720/ed87.jpg" /></a><br /><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/abramsv/SDKDsQM92EI/AAAAAAAARac/PXqDmtm3C64/s1600-h/e5434ert.jpg"><img style="margin:10px 10px 0px 0px;" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/abramsv/SDKDsQM92EI/AAAAAAAARac/PXqDmtm3C64/s720/e5434ert.jpg" /></a><br /><br /><br />Ahhh... this is the life: a rare (admit it) sunshine spring day on the Oregon Coast, when after days of mysterious but still pretty annoying fog (or more gracefully "mist") the mountains and various off-shore rocks are coming into view - and the ocean asserts its magnificent presence.<br /><br />First off, I have to warn you: the road from Cape Meares village (no services) to the Cape Meares Lighthouse is so full of potholes, that even animals might break a leg there. So drive carefully, it gets much better from there. Here is mile-by-mile <a href="http://www.northwestplaces.com/trips101/Asto0007.htm">info</a> about this route.<br /><br />The Lighthouse is quaint (built in 1890) and a bit on a smallish scale - but worth checking out:<br /><br /><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/abramsv/SDL-5gM92HI/AAAAAAAARa0/vPFWi0qdzSs/s1600-h/ertyertywyw.jpg"><img style="margin:10px 10px 0px 0px;" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/abramsv/SDL-5gM92HI/AAAAAAAARa0/vPFWi0qdzSs/s800/ertyertywyw.jpg" /></a><br /><br /><br />The road will take you to three capes (with three distinct views to enjoy) - Cape Meares, Cape Lookout and Cape Kiwanda:<br /><br /><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/abramsv/SDMj-wM92QI/AAAAAAAARb8/drX3l-jgt9c/s1600-h/123432523523.jpg"><img style="margin:10px 10px 0px 0px;" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/abramsv/SDMj-wM92QI/AAAAAAAARb8/drX3l-jgt9c/s720/123432523523.jpg" /></a><br /><br /><br />Ocean is such a huge, non-negotiable presence that any troubles or worries you might have swiftly shrink and run away (I do wonder how any business is done at all at such locations). The forest around the ocean beaches is unbelievably green, lush and soothing:<br /><br /><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/abramsv/SDMIuAM92KI/AAAAAAAARbM/DocUEu_dPBg/s1600-h/1231231.jpg"><img style="margin:10px 10px 0px 0px;" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/abramsv/SDMIuAM92KI/AAAAAAAARbM/DocUEu_dPBg/s720/1231231.jpg" /></a><br /><br /><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/abramsv/SDMj_AM92RI/AAAAAAAARcE/mUItOTFqLkQ/s1600-h/1231245453435.jpg"><img style="margin:10px 10px 0px 0px;" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/abramsv/SDMj_AM92RI/AAAAAAAARcE/mUItOTFqLkQ/s720/1231245453435.jpg" /></a><br /><br /><br />You will also pass sand dunes (no need to go all the way to <a href="http://www.duneguide.com/sand_dune_guide_oregon_florence.htm">Florence</a>, Oregon, for that):<br /><br /><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/abramsv/SDMj-wM92PI/AAAAAAAARb0/WXK_pgv8Hy8/s1600-h/123344525.jpg"><img style="margin:10px 10px 0px 0px;" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/abramsv/SDMj-wM92PI/AAAAAAAARb0/WXK_pgv8Hy8/s720/123344525.jpg" /></a><br /><br /><br /><b>Added Bonus: Drive your car into the ocean</b><br /><br />Sometimes called McPhillips beach, this is Cape Kiwanda nirvana+paradise. Happy cars frolic in shallow waters on the sandy beach, happy surfers happily surf - you get the idea. The beach features another "haystack"-kind of huge rock (just for added visual interest)<br /><br /><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/abramsv/SDM5XAM92TI/AAAAAAAARcU/JbTWe_y2CkQ/s1600-h/12312334.jpg"><img style="margin:10px 10px 0px 0px;" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/abramsv/SDM5XAM92TI/AAAAAAAARcU/JbTWe_y2CkQ/s720/12312334.jpg" /></a><br /><br /><br />Continue on along the Oregon Coast - there are endless wonders and fresh vista to delight and astound, literally at every turn. In the next parts of this series we will feature most scenic roads in Canada, Asia, Europe, etc.<br /><br /><br /><font size="1">Photography and text copyright Avi Abrams, IAN Media. Let us know about the roads and locations you'd like us to feature in the next article of the series.</font><br /><br />Also read <a href="http://www.darkroastedblend.com/2008/02/most-dangerous-roads-in-world-series.html">Most Dangerous Roads of the World Series</a><br /><br /><a href="http://www.darkroastedblend.com/2008/05/most-beautiful-roads-of-world-part-1.html">Permanent Link</a>...<br /><i>Category: <a href="http://www.darkroastedblend.com/2007/01/category-travel.html">Travel</a>,<a href="http://www.darkroastedblend.com/2007/01/category-photography.html">Photography</a></i><br /></td></tr></table>Avi Abramshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12550929795356812957noreply@blogger.com27tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11787852.post-6583012265770271012021-11-22T01:34:00.001-08:002021-11-22T02:03:50.982-08:00World's Most Dangerous Roads, Part 5<table><tr><td class="medium"><img style="margin: 0px 14px 0px 0px; float: left; cursor: pointer; " src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_hVOW2U7K4-M/ShUZw-2HyyI/AAAAAAABBpA/VI37YhvZY4s/s640/quantum_shot.png" alt="" border="0" /><span style="color: rgb(96, 0, 0);"><span style="font-size:78%;">"QUANTUM SHOT" #338<br />
<a href="http://www.darkroastedblend.com/2007/12/worlds-most-dangerous-roads-part-5.html">Link</a> - by Avi Abrams</span></span><br />
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Also Read:<br /><a href="http://www.darkroastedblend.com/2006/11/most-dangerous-roads-in-world.html">Part 1</a> - <i>Roads in Bolivia, Russia + trek in China</i><br /><a href="http://www.darkroastedblend.com/2006/12/dangerous-roads-of-world-part-2.html">Part 2</a> - <i>Roads in China, Thailand, Italy</i><br /><a href="http://www.darkroastedblend.com/2007/03/most-dangerous-roads-of-world-part-3.html">Part 3</a> - <i>Roads in Nepal, Philippines</i><br /><a href="http://www.darkroastedblend.com/2007/08/dangerous-roads-of-world-part-4_06.html">Part 4</a> - <i>Roads in Alps, Slovenia, Norway</i><br /><br /><b>Crazy Routes in Andes, Albania & New Zealand</b><br /><br />Necessity may dictate that you choose the "road less traveled", but for goodness sake, leave weaker-nerved passengers behind. They might experience life-changing (and underwear-changing) circumstances that they will never forget, or forgive.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/iceovarock/663401812/"><img style="margin:10px 10px 0px 0px;" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_hVOW2U7K4-M/SodphM2MDTI/AAAAAAABEiM/4xaG1E-gnM4/s640/rrr12.jpg"></a><br /><font size="1">(image credit: <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/iceovarock/663401812/">iceovarock</a>, road in Ladakh, Tibet)</font><br /><br />At least this road has railings:<br />
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<a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_hVOW2U7K4-M/SodphuJGtfI/AAAAAAABEiU/QnYX5Hn6wNA/s640/rrr13.jpg"><img style="margin:10px 10px 0px 0px;" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_hVOW2U7K4-M/SodphuJGtfI/AAAAAAABEiU/QnYX5Hn6wNA/s640/rrr13.jpg" alt="" /></a><br />
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One of the Chinese military roads to "boost the morale of their troops" - and here is how they navigate it:<br /><br /><a href="http://lh6.google.ca/abramsv/R2hrMUKUaFI/AAAAAAAABJQ/tAtYyNrDjoQ/s1600-h/Mountain_Goat_PLA_Truck.jpg"><img style="margin:10px 10px 0px 0px;" src="http://lh6.google.ca/abramsv/R2hrMUKUaFI/AAAAAAAABJQ/tAtYyNrDjoQ/Mountain_Goat_PLA_Truck.jpg?imgmax=512"></a><br /><br /><a href="http://lh5.google.ca/abramsv/R2hrOEKUaGI/AAAAAAAABJY/ZhiXnKdzk4s/s1600-h/Mountain_Goat_Herd_PLA_Trucks.jpg"><img style="margin:10px 10px 0px 0px;" src="http://lh5.google.ca/abramsv/R2hrOEKUaGI/AAAAAAAABJY/ZhiXnKdzk4s/Mountain_Goat_Herd_PLA_Trucks.jpg?imgmax=512"></a><br />
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Outside of military scares, our first pick among the seriously crooked roads today is<br /><br /><b>"Los Caracoles" Pass in Andes</b><br /><br />Rodrigo L. van Lamoen tipped us about its existence and describes it in this way:<br /><i>"It's a place in the mountain pass "Los Libertadores" that goes trough the Andes between Chile and Argentina. It's called "Los Caracoles" and is a series of very hard switchbacks on a very steep road, with no barriers and ice and snow present most of the year. Add the cargo trucks and double-decker tourist buses... and you get the idea. I've done that a couple times, once in a double-decker even, and it's quite an experience."</i><br /><br /><a href="http://lh4.google.ca/abramsv/R2hV00KUZ0I/AAAAAAAABHA/vEfAFvitJpg/s1600-h/434260806_714c3d0472_o.jpg"><img style="margin:10px 10px 0px 0px;" src="http://lh4.google.ca/abramsv/R2hV00KUZ0I/AAAAAAAABHA/vEfAFvitJpg/s800/434260806_714c3d0472_o.jpg"></a><br />
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<a href="http://lh6.google.ca/abramsv/R2hRTUKUZzI/AAAAAAAABG4/JH2Fp7xMZGI/s1600-h/434260966_3883699994_o.jpg"><img style="margin:10px 10px 0px 0px;" src="http://lh6.google.ca/abramsv/R2hRTUKUZzI/AAAAAAAABG4/JH2Fp7xMZGI/s640/434260966_3883699994_o.jpg"></a><br /><font size="1">(images credit: <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/nadaquehablar/434260966/">nadaquehablar</a>)</font><br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/21652800@N06/2093769513/"><img style="margin:10px 10px 0px 0px;" src="http://lh4.google.ca/abramsv/R2hWH0KUZ1I/AAAAAAAABHI/74KaNHpCK48/s640/2093769513_817e1280e2_b.jpg" ></a><br />
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<a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_hVOW2U7K4-M/Sodpio9DRaI/AAAAAAABEic/eenWxVPhQPU/s640/rrr14.jpg"><img style="margin:10px 10px 0px 0px;" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_hVOW2U7K4-M/Sodpio9DRaI/AAAAAAABEic/eenWxVPhQPU/s640/rrr14.jpg" alt="" /></a><br />
<font size="1">(images credit: <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/21652800@N06/2093769513/">Aci2.Graphic</a>)</font><br />
<br />
Here is the view from the bus window:<br /><font size="1">(click to enlarge)</font><br /><br /><a href="http://lh6.google.ca/abramsv/R2hZNUKUZ2I/AAAAAAAABHQ/RDCS0bCm4DQ/s1600-h/211154484_75a99fbadf_b.jpg"><img style="margin:10px 10px 0px 0px;" src="http://lh6.google.ca/abramsv/R2hZNUKUZ2I/AAAAAAAABHQ/RDCS0bCm4DQ/s640/211154484_75a99fbadf_b.jpg"></a><br /><font size="1">(image credit: <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/cakecosas/211154484/">Cake D.</a>)</font>
<br /><br />
Some trucks cut corners, that does not add to safety:<br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/tonycanossa/897231000/"><img style="margin:10px 10px 0px 0px;" src="http://lh3.google.ca/abramsv/R2hcXkKUZ6I/AAAAAAAABH4/5w9uj5C_Is8/s640/ef.jpg" ></a><br /><font size="1">(image credit: <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/tonycanossa/897231000/">Tony Canossa</a>)</font><br /><br />However, this road is maintained pretty regularly and does not have as morbid an accident-record as the following:<br /><br /><br /><b>Tirana to Elbasan Road in Albania</b><br /><br />This is a hairy route, very high, badly maintained with high volume of heavy truck traffic - count on these Albanian drivers to be dare-devils, too. Whatever pictures we could get, look pretty serious:<br /><font size="1">(click to enlarge)</font><br /><br /><a href="http://lh6.google.ca/abramsv/R2hf6UKUZ7I/AAAAAAAABIA/tnMGgj1Svqs/s1600-h/1457912021_2867454dbb_b.jpg"><img style="margin:10px 10px 0px 0px;" src="http://lh6.google.ca/abramsv/R2hf6UKUZ7I/AAAAAAAABIA/tnMGgj1Svqs/s640/1457912021_2867454dbb_b.jpg" ></a><br /><font size="1">(image credit: <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/7449326@N06/1457912021/">lizp0ts</a>)</font><br /><br /><a href="http://lh5.google.ca/abramsv/R2hjZEKUZ_I/AAAAAAAABIg/4_NdoEWCy9E/s1600-h/845933497_7136adf7c3_o.jpg"><img style="margin:10px 10px 0px 0px;" src="http://lh5.google.ca/abramsv/R2hjZEKUZ_I/AAAAAAAABIg/4_NdoEWCy9E/s640/845933497_7136adf7c3_o.jpg"></a><br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/alban14/651682083/"><img style="margin:10px 10px 0px 0px; width:640px" src="http://lh6.google.ca/abramsv/R2hlNUKUaAI/AAAAAAAABIo/yUS3bvHGeSo/s640/651682083_d59b20b18a.jpg" ></a><br /><font size="1">(images credit: <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/alban14/845933497/">Alban Klossi</a>)</font><br />
<br /><br />
The cool thing about this road is that it leads to various interesting "rabbit trails" with ancient ruins at the end:<br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/alban14/755310696/"><img style="margin:10px 10px 0px 0px; width:640px" src="http://lh5.google.ca/abramsv/R2hhLEKUZ8I/AAAAAAAABII/dEl6NfE0e6w/s640/755310696_2fe0a43397.jpg" ></a><br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/alban14/755310696/"><img style="margin:10px 10px 0px 0px; width:640px" src="http://lh3.google.ca/abramsv/R2hi7kKUZ-I/AAAAAAAABIY/uOjsBoj2vFM/s640/1442552713_77798acb18.jpg"></a><br /><font size="1">(images credit: <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/alban14/755310696/">Alban Klossi</a>)</font><br />
<br />
Some of the bridges there look pretty ancient too, and require some extra faith that they'll hold:<br /><br /><a href="http://lh5.google.ca/abramsv/R2hiSEKUZ9I/AAAAAAAABIQ/T6ztIpNTKIo/s1600-h/1668906654_5f131e85a8.jpg"><img style="margin:10px 10px 0px 0px; width:640px" src="http://lh5.google.ca/abramsv/R2hiSEKUZ9I/AAAAAAAABIQ/T6ztIpNTKIo/s640/1668906654_5f131e85a8.jpg"></a><br /><font size="1">(images credit: <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/alban14/755310696/">Alban Klossi</a>)</font><br /><br /><br /><b>New Zealand Crazy Routes</b><br /><br />The "Lord of the Rings" country contains the prettiest landscapes in the world and the hairiest roads to reach them. At least we got this impression after receiving a dozen tips from our readers to investigate and to cover some of this island's fearsome backroads. Here are a few examples: <br /><br />Mount Hutt road (sent by Mick) -<br /><br /><a href="http://farm1.static.flickr.com/172/474856501_519be87fd7.jpg"><img style="margin:10px 10px 0px 0px; width:640px" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_hVOW2U7K4-M/SodmxsWD2KI/AAAAAAABEgw/0kSe37K17gs/s640/rrr3.jpg" ></a><br /><br />Looks like a good Optimus Prime hangout:<br /><br /><a href="http://farm1.static.flickr.com/202/481001970_cd70c46093.jpg"><img style="margin:10px 10px 0px 0px;" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_hVOW2U7K4-M/Sodmx-VItRI/AAAAAAABEg4/OkXmIkfaLG4/s640/rrr4.jpg" ></a><br />
<br /><br />
It gets pretty interesting in foggy conditions (sheer drop less than a meter away) -<br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/tva/1285197110/"><img style="margin:10px 10px 0px 0px;" src="http://lh6.google.ca/abramsv/R2h4aUKUaPI/AAAAAAAABKg/byIfrPmlTsg/s800/erewqq.jpg" ></a><br /><font size="1">(image credit: <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/tva/1285197110/">Trevor van Aurich</a>)</font><br /><br /><b>The Skippers Canyon Road near Queenstown:</b><br /><br />Katie Laurence writes to us:<br /><i>"This road is made from a very narrow cut in the middle of a sheer cliff face. The large tourist buses go along it, and it's so narrow that if two vehicles have to pass each other, one vehicle might have to reverse for anything up to 3 kilometres of winding narrow road to get to a place wide enough to pass. It is the SCARIEST road you could imagine..."</i><br />
<br /><br />
<a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_hVOW2U7K4-M/SodmyYAKFDI/AAAAAAABEhA/tAREZhkFLyk/s640/rrr5.jpg"><img style="margin:10px 10px 0px 0px;" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_hVOW2U7K4-M/SodmyYAKFDI/AAAAAAABEhA/tAREZhkFLyk/s640/rrr5.jpg" alt="" /></a><br />
<font size="1">(images credit: <a href="http://www.davidwallphoto.com">David Wall Photography</a>, exclusive permission)</font><br />
<br /><br />
and this is how it looks close up, with sheer drops just outside the single lane (with almost not enough space for tires) -
<br />
<a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_hVOW2U7K4-M/Sodmyjp695I/AAAAAAABEhI/3H79RDyryJ0/s640/rrr6.jpg"><img style="margin:10px 10px 0px 0px;" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_hVOW2U7K4-M/Sodmyjp695I/AAAAAAABEhI/3H79RDyryJ0/s640/rrr6.jpg" alt="" /></a><br />
<font size="1">(images credit: <a href="http://www.davidwallphoto.com">David Wall Photography</a>, exclusive permission)</font><br />
<br /><br />
This road still looks much the same as 100 years ago:<br />
<br />
<a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_hVOW2U7K4-M/SodmzJXoqTI/AAAAAAABEhQ/D_5G1L0Le18/s640/rrr7.jpg"><img style="margin:10px 10px 0px 0px;" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_hVOW2U7K4-M/SodmzJXoqTI/AAAAAAABEhQ/D_5G1L0Le18/s640/rrr7.jpg" alt="" /></a><br />
<font size="1">(images credit: <a href="http://skipperscanyon.co.nz">Skippers canyon Adventures</a>)</font><br />
<br /><br />
Another interesting road near Queenstown: leading up to the Remarkables -<br />
<br />
<a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_hVOW2U7K4-M/SodmzUw2hBI/AAAAAAABEhY/8i44xVZeNaQ/s640/rrr8.jpg"><img style="margin:10px 10px 0px 0px;" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_hVOW2U7K4-M/SodmzUw2hBI/AAAAAAABEhY/8i44xVZeNaQ/s640/rrr8.jpg" alt="" /></a><br />
<font size="1">(image credit: <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/gijoel/218298844/">gijoelromulanhero</a>)</font><br />
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Among other cliff-side roads of New Zealand we have to mention the Paikakariki road on the North Island - rewarding with awesome coastal views, but demanding driver's full attention at the same time. Otherwise the careless stray glance toward a pretty landscape may become the last thing you'll gaze upon, period. (images courtesy <a href="http://www.davidwallphoto.com">David Wall</a>, exclusive permission)<br />
<br />
The helicopter view reveals how spectacular the drive really is:<br />
<br />
<a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_hVOW2U7K4-M/Sodmzt3VUhI/AAAAAAABEhg/kg97T1lLNqk/s640/rrr9.jpg"><img style="margin:10px 10px 0px 0px;" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_hVOW2U7K4-M/Sodmzt3VUhI/AAAAAAABEhg/kg97T1lLNqk/s640/rrr9.jpg" alt="" /></a><br />
<br />
- <i>Irimahuwheri Bay, Perpendicular Point (Paparoa National Park, West Coast, South Island)</i><br />
- <i>State Highway Six at Ten Mile Creek, north of Greymouth, West Coast, South Island</i><br />
<br /><br />
Milford Road in Upper Hollyford Valley (Fiordland National Park, South Island) is something else again, but not as dangerous to drive, barring avalanches:<br />
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<a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_hVOW2U7K4-M/Sodm0NbjaaI/AAAAAAABEho/PFASPSpuhB0/s640/rrr10.jpg"><img style="margin:10px 10px 0px 0px;" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_hVOW2U7K4-M/Sodm0NbjaaI/AAAAAAABEho/PFASPSpuhB0/s640/rrr10.jpg" alt="" /></a><br />
<font size="1">(images credit: <a href="http://www.davidwallphoto.com">David Wall Photography</a>)</font><br />
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<b>Some other bad road predicaments:</b><br /><br />This road in Sahara is totally beset by drifting dunes: they change location and are hard to get rid of, considering the desert is all around it:<br />
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<a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_hVOW2U7K4-M/Sodm0oJ_BPI/AAAAAAABEhw/ZGXWKlIwrUs/s640/rrr11.jpg"><img style="margin:10px 10px 0px 0px;" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_hVOW2U7K4-M/Sodm0oJ_BPI/AAAAAAABEhw/ZGXWKlIwrUs/s800/rrr11.jpg" alt="" /></a><br />
<font size="1">(image <a href="http://world.people.com.cn">via</a>)</font><br />
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Potholes from hell:<br />
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<a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_hVOW2U7K4-M/Sodpjr6GZ1I/AAAAAAABEiw/iaiZAiOEC8o/s640/rrr16.jpg"><img style="margin:10px 10px 0px 0px;" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_hVOW2U7K4-M/Sodpjr6GZ1I/AAAAAAABEiw/iaiZAiOEC8o/s640/rrr16.jpg" alt="" /></a><br />
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<a href="http://lh6.google.ca/abramsv/R2horUKUaDI/AAAAAAAABJA/2esm5hWUecU/s1600-h/855467247_41d266a4a8_o.jpg"><img style="margin:10px 10px 0px 0px;" src="http://lh6.google.ca/abramsv/R2horUKUaDI/AAAAAAAABJA/2esm5hWUecU/s640/855467247_41d266a4a8_o.jpg"></a><br /><font size="1">(image credit: <a href="http://roussos.livejournal.com">Roussos</a>)</font><br />
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This is pretty extreme, I'd say:<br />(and almost certainly 'shopped)<br />
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<a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_hVOW2U7K4-M/SodmwnUf1XI/AAAAAAABEgg/agHunjvyuPE/s640/rrr.jpg"><img style="margin:10px 10px 0px 0px;" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_hVOW2U7K4-M/SodmwnUf1XI/AAAAAAABEgg/agHunjvyuPE/s640/rrr.jpg" alt="" /></a><br />
<font size="1">(original unknown)</font><br />
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<font size="5"><b><a href="http://www.darkroastedblend.com/2009/01/worlds-most-dangerous-roads-part-6.html">CONTINUE TO PART SIX! -></a></b></font><br />
<br /><br />
<font size="4"><font color="#FF0000"><b><a href="http://www.darkroastedblend.com/2008/02/most-dangerous-roads-in-world-series.html">Read the rest of the series -></b></a></font></font><br /><br /><br /><br />
<br />
<a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/TheThrillingWonderStory" title="Subscribe to my feed" rel="alternate" type="application/rssXml"><img style="float:right; margin:10px 20px 0px 0px;" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_hVOW2U7K4-M/ST2cT6PQWkI/AAAAAAAAuc4/7VTPdcSTgXE/s800/dailyDRBgif.gif" /></a><a href="http://www.darkroastedblend.com/2007/12/worlds-most-dangerous-roads-part-5.html">Permanent Link</a>...<br />
</td></tr></table>Avi Abramshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12550929795356812957noreply@blogger.com27tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11787852.post-2310550064800261942021-11-17T01:55:00.001-08:002021-11-17T01:57:29.478-08:00Dangerous Roads of the World, Part 4<table><tr><td class="medium"><img style="margin: 0px 14px 0px 0px; float: left; cursor: pointer; " src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_hVOW2U7K4-M/ShUZw-2HyyI/AAAAAAABBpA/VI37YhvZY4s/s640/quantum_shot.png" alt="" border="0" /><span style="color: rgb(96, 0, 0);"><span style="font-size:78%;">"QUANTUM SHOT" #244<br />
<a href="http://www.darkroastedblend.com/2007/08/dangerous-roads-of-world-part-4_06.html">Link</a> - by Avi Abrams</span></span><br />
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<b>Explore them with caution</b><br />
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Read previous issues <a href="http://www.darkroastedblend.com/2006/11/most-dangerous-roads-in-world.html" target="_blank">1</a>, <a href="http://www.darkroastedblend.com/2006/12/dangerous-roads-of-world-part-2.html" target="_blank">2</a>, <a href="http://www.darkroastedblend.com/2007/03/most-dangerous-roads-of-world-part-3.html" target="_blank">3</a><br />
<br /><br />
Continuing with our highly popular <a href="http://www.darkroastedblend.com/2008/02/most-dangerous-roads-in-world-series.html" target="_blank">series</a>, this issue will cover some hair-raising and simply not safe roads and tracks, most accompanied by breathtaking scenery (that is, if you'll be able to take your eyes off the road).<br />
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<a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_hVOW2U7K4-M/SodbYTl1QJI/AAAAAAABEbg/uFdzT7qzYsg/s640/rr1.jpg"><img style="margin:10px 10px 0px 0px;" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_hVOW2U7K4-M/SodbYTl1QJI/AAAAAAABEbg/uFdzT7qzYsg/s640/rr1.jpg" alt="" /></a><br />
<font size="1">(fragment of 1950s advertisement, see the whole ad <a href="https://tinyurl.com/w6an9prs" target="_blank">here</a>)</font><br />
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<b>1. Stelvio Pass Road - redefining switchbacks</b><br /><br /><i>Height</i> - 2757 meters<br /><br /><i>Location</i> - in the Italian Alps, near Bormio and Sulden, 75 km from Bolzano, close to Swiss border. (The road connects the Valtellina with the upper Adige valley and Merano)<br /><br /><i>Claim to fame</i> - "the highest paved mountain pass in the Eastern Alps, and the second highest in the Alps, after the Col de l'Iseran (2770 m)"<br />
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<a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_hVOW2U7K4-M/SodbZIbY3vI/AAAAAAABEbo/dLC8jEMrZvw/s800/rr2.jpg"><img style="margin:10px 10px 0px 0px;" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_hVOW2U7K4-M/SodbZIbY3vI/AAAAAAABEbo/dLC8jEMrZvw/s800/rr2.jpg" alt="" /></a><br />
<font size="1">(image credit: <a href="http://www.climbbybike.com">climbbybike.com</a>)</font><br />
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<a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_hVOW2U7K4-M/SodbZWBxQuI/AAAAAAABEbw/ymdLoXUanpc/s640/rr3.jpg"><img style="margin:10px 10px 0px 0px;" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_hVOW2U7K4-M/SodbZWBxQuI/AAAAAAABEbw/ymdLoXUanpc/s640/rr3.jpg" alt="" /></a><br />
<font size="1">(image <a href="http://www.anchoicali.com/">via</a>)</font><br />
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This road might not be as risky as the deadly routes in Bolivia, but it is certainly breathtaking. The tour books advise that the toughest and most spectacular climbing is from the Prato side, Bormio side approach is more tame. With 48 hairpins, this road is regarded as one of the finest continuous hairpin routes in the Alps.<br />
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<a href="http://www.panoramio.com/photo/338218"><img style="margin:10px 10px 0px 0px;" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_hVOW2U7K4-M/SodbaNnW3AI/AAAAAAABEb4/24gwldKLy0Y/s640/rr4.jpg" ></a><br /><font size="1">(image credit: <a href="http://www.panoramio.com/photo/338218">Emiliano De Angeli</a>)</font><br />
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The road itself is a marvel of engineering skill; the exhilarating serpentine sections ask to be driven by experienced motorists for their own sakes. All in all, this could be the most magnificent road pass in Europe.<br /><br /><i>"On the southern side the road worms its way up the immensely deep Braulio ravine, clinging from side to side and tunneling frequently, between towering rock walls, to the more open basin at the 4th Cantoniera, where the Umbrail Pass comes in from the left. From the junction to the summit is little more than a mile, the road winding more gently up 900 ft. of shaly slope, but still relatively viewless.<br /><br />From the summit, where the famous Ortler view is suddenly revealed, the Trafoi windings lead down in face of superb views of peaks and glaciers to Trafoi, just below the tree line. The rest of the road, falling along the Trafoibach to the Adige levels in the main valley, is a pleasant descent with fine views ahead of the Zillertal (Austrian) peaks in the main Alpine chain."</i><br />-- Hugh Merrick, "The Great Motor Highways of the Alps", 1958<br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/govert1970/539560772/"><img style="margin:10px 10px 0px 0px;" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_hVOW2U7K4-M/SodbaSEkgxI/AAAAAAABEcA/zKUzP4tRZZg/s640/rr5.jpg" ></a><br /><font size="1">(image credit: <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/govert1970/539560772/">Michiel</a>)</font><br />
<br /><br />-------------------<br /><br />There are other spectacular hairpin-climb passes in the Alps. <a href="http://www.ski-epic.com/2007_europe_motorcycle_trip/index.html">Brian Wilson</a> has some good bike touring shots:<br /><br />This one is Grimsel Pass near Gletsch, Switzerland. Furka pass is also visible in the upper left of the picture. <br />
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<a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_hVOW2U7K4-M/Sodbaw3-aHI/AAAAAAABEcI/3EMAEleIHr8/s640/rr6.jpg"><img style="margin:10px 10px 0px 0px;" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_hVOW2U7K4-M/Sodbaw3-aHI/AAAAAAABEcI/3EMAEleIHr8/s640/rr6.jpg" alt="" /></a><br />
<a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_hVOW2U7K4-M/SodbbEI1vlI/AAAAAAABEcQ/FiUc36dSf9g/s640/rr7.jpg"><img style="margin:10px 10px 0px 0px;" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_hVOW2U7K4-M/SodbbEI1vlI/AAAAAAABEcQ/FiUc36dSf9g/s640/rr7.jpg" alt="" /></a><br />
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Coming down from Furka Pass:<br /><br /><a href="http://www.ski-epic.com/2007_europe_motorcycle_trip/index.html"><img style="margin:10px 10px 0px 0px;" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_hVOW2U7K4-M/SodbbqyTj_I/AAAAAAABEcc/2qDWtObZUh0/s640/rr8.jpg" ></a><br /><br />Old road over Saint Gothard Pass, Switzerland - still open to the public.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.ski-epic.com/2007_europe_motorcycle_trip/index.html"><img style="margin:10px 10px 0px 0px;" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_hVOW2U7K4-M/Sodbb3L-StI/AAAAAAABEck/q1-VNyGH53s/s640/rr9.jpg" ></a><br /><font size="1">(images credit: <a href="http://www.ski-epic.com/2007_europe_motorcycle_trip/index.html">Brian Wilson</a>)</font><br /><br />Some will say that the hairpin road passes of Europe are quite safe to drive on. That may be so, but we think that the altitude, rockfall, snow and other unexpected road hazards (like inexperienced tourist drivers) make these routes "a little bit" more dangerous than your typical trip for groceries.<br /><br />-------------------<br /><br />Italian Alps are rife with exhilarating switchback roads. Here is one at Fraele, near Isolaccia in Lombardy.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.panoramio.com/photo/338136"><img style="margin:10px 10px 0px 0px;" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_hVOW2U7K4-M/SodbcUl7FYI/AAAAAAABEcs/oUcYsbF1Kfk/s640/rr10.jpg" ></a><br /><font size="1">(images credit: <a href="http://www.panoramio.com/photo/338136">Emiliano De Angeli</a>)</font><br /><br />The Italian side of the Splugen Pass, with breathtaking vertical grades at every turn.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.ski-epic.com/2007_europe_motorcycle_trip/index.html"><img style="margin:10px 10px 0px 0px;" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_hVOW2U7K4-M/Sodbc4-z7MI/AAAAAAABEc0/1OnOt1XLMEE/s640/rr11.jpg" ></a><br /><font size="1">(image credit: <a href="http://www.ski-epic.com/2007_europe_motorcycle_trip/index.html">Brian Wilson</a>)</font><br /><br />-------------------<br /><br />Slovenian Mountain Roads are even narrower, and less maintained, but no less spectacular. Witness Mangrt Mountain Road, with Brian Wilson's friend trying to navigate through snow. The road is a dead end, but traveled for the sheer scenery (click to enlarge):<br />
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<a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_hVOW2U7K4-M/Sodc6ynpkvI/AAAAAAABEfo/t8HpgyrXowc/s1600-h/zxzxzxzxzxzxzx.jpg"><img style="margin:10px 10px 0px 0px;" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_hVOW2U7K4-M/Sodc6ynpkvI/AAAAAAABEfo/t8HpgyrXowc/s640/zxzxzxzxzxzxzx.jpg" alt="" /></a><br />
<a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_hVOW2U7K4-M/SodbdFmofLI/AAAAAAABEc8/lLqrCl24u5U/s640/rr12.jpg"><img style="margin:10px 10px 0px 0px;" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_hVOW2U7K4-M/SodbdFmofLI/AAAAAAABEc8/lLqrCl24u5U/s640/rr12.jpg" alt="" /></a><br />
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Snow is not a problem, in this case anyway:<br />
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<a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_hVOW2U7K4-M/Sodbd4xTg4I/AAAAAAABEdM/eJmEk7F8gG4/s640/rr14.jpg"><img style="margin:10px 10px 0px 0px;" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_hVOW2U7K4-M/Sodbd4xTg4I/AAAAAAABEdM/eJmEk7F8gG4/s640/rr14.jpg" alt="" /></a><br />
<font size="1">(images credit: <a href="http://www.ski-epic.com/2007_europe_motorcycle_trip/index.html">Brian Wilson</a>)</font><br />
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-------------------<br /><br /><b>2. Fascinating Fjord Roads in Norway.</b><br /><br />We all know that the steep walls of fjords command an awesome view, like the one below. But when living in small towns and villages in the fjord country, you will need to use a car to get some groceries. This would mean driving on vertigo-inducing roads, honing your driving skills to perfection.<br />
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<a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_hVOW2U7K4-M/Sodbdbd25zI/AAAAAAABEdE/U5a6C9Z45O4/s640/rr13.jpg"><img style="margin:10px 10px 0px 0px;" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_hVOW2U7K4-M/Sodbdbd25zI/AAAAAAABEdE/U5a6C9Z45O4/s640/rr13.jpg" alt="" /></a><br />
<font size="1">(original unknown)</font><br />
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<b>Trollstigen - the Troll Ladder</b><br /><br />Trolls did not have cars, so they built a ladder to climb this mountain... Hordes of tourists, however, brave the 9 percent incline in their family sedans - to see a beautiful waterfall and an awesome view from the top. This being Norway, the safety record is pretty good, so book your flight and visit this incredible place.<br />
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<a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_hVOW2U7K4-M/SodbeXqDvEI/AAAAAAABEdU/Hh6Es3KhivU/s640/rr15.jpg"><img style="margin:10px 10px 0px 0px;" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_hVOW2U7K4-M/SodbeXqDvEI/AAAAAAABEdU/Hh6Es3KhivU/s640/rr15.jpg" alt="" /></a><br />
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<a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_hVOW2U7K4-M/Sodbej4-1-I/AAAAAAABEdc/5zI3oC5VMxM/s640/rr16.JPG"><img style="margin:10px 10px 0px 0px;" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_hVOW2U7K4-M/Sodbej4-1-I/AAAAAAABEdc/5zI3oC5VMxM/s640/rr16.JPG" alt="" /></a><br />
<font size="1">(images <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Image:Trollstieg1.JPG">via</a>)</font><br />
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The intense set of hairpin turns featured here belongs to the ancient Trollstigen road in the heart of Romsdal County of Norway, in the Rauma region. The road is very narrow with very few possibilities for cars to pass each other. There are frequent rockfalls in the area, so there have been some upgrades made to the road in 2005.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhC5jA0MfLiHVF-QhS91zw4YSXvA8q5k8fBGkQkKp3rwAjZtzOvZ97IiE1yfzMZOiqweuslZWwe487uW866NsItIm8RdK5do3m3a94j0s677JWcEVDL0mYpeBQyBneepTmsDDlDhg/s800/rr17.jpg"><img style="margin:10px 10px 0px 0px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhC5jA0MfLiHVF-QhS91zw4YSXvA8q5k8fBGkQkKp3rwAjZtzOvZ97IiE1yfzMZOiqweuslZWwe487uW866NsItIm8RdK5do3m3a94j0s677JWcEVDL0mYpeBQyBneepTmsDDlDhg/s800/rr17.jpg" alt="" /></a><br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/andreasmisera/49622667/"><img style="margin:10px 10px 0px 0px;" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_hVOW2U7K4-M/SodbfRNrolI/AAAAAAABEds/-XFcc54vFkI/s640/rr18.jpg" ></a><br /><font size="1">(image credit: <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/andreasmisera/49622667/">Andreas Misera</a>)</font><br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/nordlyset72/259882418/"><img style="margin:10px 10px 0px 0px;" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_hVOW2U7K4-M/Sodbf3so1qI/AAAAAAABEd0/-CkDKf3j-xI/s640/rr19.jpg" ></a><br /><font size="1">(image credit: <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/nordlyset72/259882418/">Ingrid</a>)</font><br />
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<a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_hVOW2U7K4-M/SodbgXMk2UI/AAAAAAABEd8/BI_yI61sKEY/s800/rr20.jpg"><img style="margin:10px 10px 0px 0px;" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_hVOW2U7K4-M/SodbgXMk2UI/AAAAAAABEd8/BI_yI61sKEY/s800/rr20.jpg" alt="" /></a><br />
<font size="1">(image credit: <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/luciojmartinez/">Lucio José Martínez González</a>)</font><br /><br />-------------------<br /><br /><b>Another Fjord Jewel - Lysebotn Road</b><br /><br />This is probably the most fun you can have on four wheels, and then on your two legs checking out various hiking trails leading from the area. In fact, this just might be the most breathtaking place in Europe (on par with Swiss Interlaken area). It all starts with the narrow road up the fjord's steep walls:<br /><br /><a href="http://travel.zerogdesigns.com"><img style="margin:10px 10px 0px 0px;" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_hVOW2U7K4-M/Sodbg67IxxI/AAAAAAABEeE/Ni6ymFRyvSs/s800/rr21.jpg" ></a><br /><font size="1">(image credit: <a href="http://travel.zerogdesigns.com">Stefan Jonsson</a>)</font><br /><br />This is the Lysebotn Road in Lysefjord, Norway - complete with 27 switchbacks and a 1.1 kilometer long tunnel at the bottom, also with three switchbacks inside. Let one driver tell the story (courtesy Stefan Jonsson):<br /><br /><i>"The first half of this road was nothing too special, but then... then came the fun part! The last 30 km (18 miles) to Lysebotn were the most fun I have ever driven! This part of the road was a true roller-coaster! It was narrow but with a perfect surface, and you just sat there on the bike with a big smile on your face as you pushed on for some really active driving. Not a straight part of the road as far as you could see. It was up and down and left and right all the time! The road ends with a 27 hairpin serpentine road taking you from 1000 meters (3280 ft) above sea level down to Lysebotn and the Lysefjord. At the end of the serpentine road you go through a tunnel that screws itself 340 degrees through the mountain and as you come out of it (slightly dizzy) you have Lysebotn in front of you. If you ride a motorcycle in Norway, then this road is something you simply can not afford to miss!"</i> <br /><br />Amen to that, brother. This is the view 900 meters down, once you get on top:<br />
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<a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_hVOW2U7K4-M/SodbhMX2b9I/AAAAAAABEeM/L9KWNjWGE44/s640/rr22.jpg"><img style="margin:10px 10px 0px 0px;" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_hVOW2U7K4-M/SodbhMX2b9I/AAAAAAABEeM/L9KWNjWGE44/s640/rr22.jpg" alt="" /></a><br />
<font size="1">(image credit: <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/mava76/163555601/">Malte</a>)</font><br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/bike-around-the-world/415884249/"><img style="margin:10px 10px 0px 0px;" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_hVOW2U7K4-M/SodbhzWRsRI/AAAAAAABEeU/GG1sorZz-RM/s640/rr23.jpg"></a><br /><font size="1">(image credit: <a href="http://www.reinhard-pantke.de/">Reinhard Pantke</a>)</font><br />
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So it only make sense to continue further - and hike to the most spectacular piece of rock in the Universe - Prekestolen, or the Pulpit Rock. <br /><br />-------------------<br /><br /><b>The Pulpit Rock Hike - if you fall, it's 1000 meters down</b><br /><br />This place is indeed so spectacular, that we are going to write a special post about it. For now, just to give you a taste of some scenery - a few shots of people definitely having fun (not forgetting thousand-meter drops at every turn)<br />
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<a href="http://www.susivarming.no/"><img style="margin:10px 10px 0px 0px;" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_hVOW2U7K4-M/SodbivjuppI/AAAAAAABEek/sH9weNSc9Fg/s640/rr25.jpg" ></a><br /><font size="1">(image credit: <a href="http://www.susivarming.no/">Susi Varming</a>)</font><br /><br />After a steep hike up (300 meters elevation gain), which should take about 2 hours for an inexperienced hiker, you get to stand on the "world class" photography attraction, the pedestal of truly spiritual proportions.<br /><br /><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Image:Preikestolen.jpg"><img style="margin:10px 10px 0px 0px;" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_hVOW2U7K4-M/Sodbi3J3dCI/AAAAAAABEes/zSblB-suyBo/s640/rr26.jpg" ></a><br />
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<a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_hVOW2U7K4-M/SodbjfnanOI/AAAAAAABEe0/gwQXdix5uYw/s800/rr27.jpg"><img style="margin:10px 10px 0px 0px; width:640px" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_hVOW2U7K4-M/SodbjfnanOI/AAAAAAABEe0/gwQXdix5uYw/s800/rr27.jpg" alt="" /></a><br />
<font size="1">(image credit: <a href="http://www.gardkarlsen.com/preikestolen.htm">Gard Karlsen</a>)</font><br /><br />This stupendous trail will exceed your expectations for truly great hiking, if you don't slip on any boulders in some foolish jump for a picture. The fall is exactly one kilometer, almost enough time to grow wings. <br />
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<a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_hVOW2U7K4-M/SodfChyXZ3I/AAAAAAABEgE/BYqWAd43jZo/s640/zxzxzxzx.jpg"><img style="margin:10px 10px 0px 0px;" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_hVOW2U7K4-M/SodfChyXZ3I/AAAAAAABEgE/BYqWAd43jZo/s640/zxzxzxzx.jpg" alt="" /></a><br />
<font size="1">(original unknown)</font><br />
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-------------------<br /><br />We finish with the two scenarios which might not have a happy ending. At least I'd be surprised if they do.<br /><br /><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_hVOW2U7K4-M/SodbjxUrXwI/AAAAAAABEe8/wXpJrzqJHQc/s800/rr28.jpg"><img style="margin:10px 10px 0px 0px; width:577px" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_hVOW2U7K4-M/SodbjxUrXwI/AAAAAAABEe8/wXpJrzqJHQc/s800/rr28.jpg" alt="" /></a><br />
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<a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_hVOW2U7K4-M/SodbkTBgiXI/AAAAAAABEfE/Tvp0lj7mMNA/s800/rr29.jpg"><img style="margin:10px 10px 0px 0px;" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_hVOW2U7K4-M/SodbkTBgiXI/AAAAAAABEfE/Tvp0lj7mMNA/s800/rr29.jpg" alt="" /></a><br />
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<b>UPDATE</b>:<br />The last picture is NOT Photoshop! This is a real drop, performed by the Russian dirt biker Ben de Roni (read more <a href="http://www.pinkbike.com/photo/1105132/">here</a>) as part of the "Achtung 3" extreme biking video. Respect.<br /><br />Here is another drop:<br /><br /><a href="http://www.pinkbike.com/photo/?op=list&ROWINDEX=16&function=myphotos&photouserid=148682"><img style="margin:10px 10px 0px 0px; width:500px" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_hVOW2U7K4-M/SodbknnhK3I/AAAAAAABEfM/fTFiGN2L-2Q/s640/rr30.jpg"></a><br /><br />Send us pictures of your own road adventures and various dangerous routes - for the inclusion in the next part of the series!<br />
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<font size="5"><b><a href="http://www.darkroastedblend.com/2007/12/worlds-most-dangerous-roads-part-5.html">CONTINUE TO PART FIVE! -></a></b></font><br />
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<font size="4"><font color="#FF0000"><b><a href="http://www.darkroastedblend.com/2008/02/most-dangerous-roads-in-world-series.html">Read the rest of the series -></b></a></font></font><br /><br />
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</td></tr></table>Avi Abramshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12550929795356812957noreply@blogger.com23