Category Archives: Nature

Sonoran Desert Scenery

Posted on February 13, 2019 by

Posted in Cities, culture, deserts, Environment, fun, geography, Geology, hiking, history, land use, Nature, recreation, topography, tourism, Travel, walking, Wildlife | Leave a comment

Advice from a Saguaro cactus

Posted on March 23, 2018 by

Came across this list on a bookmark of all things. A little fun on a Friday evening. Stand tall Reach for the stars Be patient through the dry spells Conserve your resources Think long term Wait for your time to … Continue reading →

Posted in books, Communications, Environment, geography, Nature, peace, Uncategorized, Wildlife | Tagged | Leave a comment

Sky-high altitude cities with 100,000+ population

Posted on July 1, 2015 by

100,000+ Population City, Country Average Elevation 1. El Alto, Bolivia 13,615 feet (4,150 m) 2. Potosí, Bolivia 13,420 feet (4,090 m) 3. Shigatse, China 12,585 feet (3,836 m) 4. Juliaca, Peru 12,549 feet (3,825 m) 5. Puno, Peru 12,531 feet (3,819 m) 6. Oruro, Bolivia 12,159 feet (3,706 m) 7. Lhasa, Tibet (China) … Continue reading →

Posted in Africa, Asia, Canada, China, cities, climate change, environment, geography, Geology, India, Mexico, Nature, North America, South America, Statistics, topography | Tagged , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Can a remote uranium mining town become a retirement mecca?

Posted on January 22, 2015 by

While more of an academic publication than a great literary work of non-fiction, Boom Town Blues: Elliot Lake remains an enlightening and useful read. The book summarizes what can only be described as the “great experiment of Elliot Lake, Ontario.” Now, … Continue reading →

Posted in adaptive reuse, book reviews, books, Canada, cities, civics, commerce, Communications, culture, economic development, economic gardening, economics, Economy, energy, environment, geography, government, history, Housing, infrastructure, land use, literature, Mining, Nature, North America, placemaking, planning, product design, seasons, spatial design, Statistics, tourism, Travel, urban planning, weather, writing | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

The loveliest commuter railway of all

Posted on September 30, 2013 by

I will grant that I have not ridden every commuter railway line on the planet, but one would find it hard to find a one any lovelier than the DART (Dublin Area Rapid Transit) line that extends 17 miles from Dublin’s … Continue reading →

Posted in Active transportation, architecture, cities, civics, civility, commerce, Communications, entertainment, environment, Europe, fun, geography, Geology, government, hiking, historic preservation, history, infrastructure, Ireland, land use, logistics, nature, Nature, placemaking, planning, product design, spatial design, sustainability, technology, tourism, Trade, trails, transit, transportation, Travel, urban planning, walking | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , | 11 Comments

The scenic beauty of Detroit

Posted on August 1, 2013 by

Think Detroit is just an industrial wasteland? Think again, folks – here are a few photos that show the scenic (and softer) side of this great city. Enjoy!

Posted in Advocacy, architecture, art, bicycling, Biking, cities, civics, civility, downtown, environment, geography, historic preservation, history, land use, Nature, pictures, placemaking, planning, skylines, spatial design, tourism, Travel | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

The ultimate cool app for amateur astronomers

Posted on November 16, 2012 by

Okay. I may be a bit late to the party on this one, but I have to say that Google Sky is the single coolest phone app I have ever come across. Just click it this amazing Android app and it … Continue reading →

Posted in Astronomy, Communications, education, entertainment, fun, geography, Nature, Outer Space, pictures, product design, Science, spatial design, technology | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

Nonconforming (or unsustainable) cities

Posted on September 15, 2012 by

The article by Craig Pittman in the August/September issue of Planning magazine entitled “Water War. Southern Style” was a fascinating read. My only quibble with the story is it never addressed the toughest question – should cities be allowed to outgrow … Continue reading →

Posted in Active transportation, adaptive reuse, Alternative energy, architecture, cities, civics, civility, climate change, consumerism, culture, density, diversity, economic gardening, economics, environment, food systems, geography, Geology, government, health, historic preservation, history, humanity, inclusiveness, infrastructure, land use, minimalism, Nature, new urbanism, peace, placemaking, planning, politics, pollution, recycling, Renewable Energy, revitalization, spatial design, sprawl, sustainability, Transportation, Travel, urban planning | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , | 10 Comments

My favorite North American mountain ranges

Posted on August 24, 2012 by

A minimum of 2,000 foot elevation was required for consideration. Some of these listed below are part of larger mountain ranges. Enjoy! Cascade Range (California, Oregon, Washington and British Columbia) Blue Ridge (North Carolina, Virginia, Maryland, and Pennsylvania) Grand Tetons … Continue reading →

Posted in Canada, Environment, Geology, history, Nature, States, Travel | Tagged , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Why not permanent wildfire breaks?

Posted on August 17, 2012 by

While traveling through wildfire  country of Northern California and Southern Oregon, including being re-routed 80 miles because of a fire in Lassen Volcanic National Park, I had a thought. Instead of a hell-bent chaotic rush to build temporary wildfire breaks … Continue reading →

Posted in Animals, Climate Change, economics, Economy, education, Environment, government, history, Nature, politics, Science, weather | Tagged , , , , , | 2 Comments