【推荐1】With a huge variety of animals, plants, and geological features, it’s no surprise the Rocky Mountains host many national parks in both the US and Canada. Here are a few of the national parks in the region dedicated to preserving the unique environments of the Rocky Mountains.

Rocky Mountain National Park

The first of the great national parks in the Rocky Mountains, this park includes 415 square miles of land across the Continental Divide. Because of its size, visitors can experience high mountain peaks, grassy valleys, hidden alpine lakes, and beautiful waterfalls. Rock climbers can scale a thousand feet up the sheer rock cliffs of Longs Peak, and there are many hiking trails.

Yellowstone National Park

Yellowstone is probably one of the most well-known national parks. President Ulyssess S. Grant designated Yellowstone as the very first national park in the United States on March 1, 1872. It is famous for its hot springs, boiling mud, fumaroles and geysers such as Old Faithful, which shoots boiling water more than 100 feet into the air. Yellowstone also has its own canyon and magnificent waterfall. Visitors can see bison, elk, wolves and grizzly bears.

Grand Teton National Park

Travelers can leave Yellowstone on a parkway that brings them right to Grand Teton National Park, just north of Jackson, Wyoming. Humans have lived in the area for more than 11,000 years, and traces of this history can be found throughout the park. Grand Teton has many opportunities for hiking, camping, boating, rock climbing, and viewing wildlife, as well as amazing views of the Grand Teton Mountain Range.

Banff National Park

Banff National Park is located near Calgary, in Alberta, Canada. Banff was Canada’s first national park, and is known for its mountain peaks, its hundreds of glaciers, and glacier-fed lakes such as Lake Louise. Banff has many hiking trails and campsites, and winter visitors snowshoe, ski, and skate.

【推荐2】Whether you’re searching for a relaxing beach break, a cultural journey, or an active adventure, there are several must-see destinations offered to content you in 2024.

Cyprus

Cyprus is an attractive island in the eastern Mediterranean Sea and has been noted since ancient times for its mineral wealth, superb wine and produce, and natural beauty. Cyprus is home to a number of ancient archaeological (考古的) sites, peaceful beaches and lively cities. With a diverse range of experiences, Cyprus invites you to uncover its cultural treasures.

Huludao

Located in the southwest coastal area of Liaoning Province, China, Huludao neighbors the Bohai Bay to the south, and is bounded on the west by Shanhaiguan Pass. The continuous coastline provides not only rich seafood but also many sun-kissed beaches. There are many cultural landscapes, including Xingcheng Ancient City and Jiumenkou Great Wall. Xingcheng Ancient City is one of the four most complete ancient cities from the Ming Dynasty with many ancient buildings.

Maldives

In the Indian Ocean, the Maldives is a dream destination with greenish-blue waters and pure white sands. Whether you’re in search of relaxation or romance, the Maldives has it all and more. Be sure to explore the colourful coral reefs (珊瑚礁) and the amazing surroundings, or simply just relax on the sands.

Dubai

On the southeast coast of the Arabian Peninsula, Dubai has grown to become a global centre for tourism, business, and cultural experiences. Home to a typical skyline with the tallest building in the world, Dubai has world-class attractions and inviting shopping malls. Head to the untouched beaches to relax or be shocked at futuristic architecture and design. You could even take a bit of a risk in the desert.

【推荐1】The Books of Jacob By Olga Tokarczuk.Translated by JeniferCroft.

928 pages; ₤20; To be published in America by River head Books in February; $35

The novel that secured its author the Nobel prize of 2018 covers a “fantastic journey across seven borders, five languages and three major religions, not counting the minor sects”. At the centre of this fiction of faith, the book presents a real-life 18th century mystic.

Great Circle By Maggie Ship stead.

608 pages; $28.95; Doubleday; 16.99

A sweeping story that alternates between the life of a persistent female pilot in the 1930s and that of a millennial film star to play her in an auto-biographic movie. “In death, each of us destroys the world,” the author observes —but her marvelous novel is a moving reflection on the will to survive.

Klara and the Sun By Kazuo Ishiguro.

Knopf; 320 pages; $28; ₤20

The author’s first novel since winning the Nobel prize in 2017 is an adult drama in which advanced human-like robots are bought by wealthy parents as company for their children. Alongside the futuristic guess, this is a satire (讽刺) on ambitious parenting.

Chronicles from the Land of the Happiest People on Earth By Wole Soyinka.

464 pages; $28; Bloomsbury Circus; ₤20

The first work of fiction by the Nobel prize winning playwright for 50 years is both a complex thriller and a criticism of Nigeria’s political class. The narrator is a doctor who finds that a trade in human body parts is being run from his hospital.

【推荐2】IC’S COOL CAMP

We are working on providing the “best” memorable skating camp for all children. We provide a caring, attentive, and supportive environment for skaters to make new friends and improve their skating skills. Camp is available to skaters from beginner to advanced levels. Skaters will be broken down into groups based on their skill level for certain activities. All camp employees are Safe Sport Certified.

Ages: Must be between the ages of 5 and 14 to attend

PRICING

Thanksgiving Full 3-Day: $195.00 Winter Break Full 4-Day: $260.00 Daily Rate: $70.00

Full Camp Registration includes IC’ s Cool Camp T-Shirt

ADD-ONS

Daily Lunch from Bubbas 33: $8.00 per day

Before / After Care: $15.00 / hr l-hour before care, 2-hour after care

Private Lesson with Jr. Coach: $25.00 for 30 minutes

ACTIVITIES INCLUDED

2.5 hours on the ice

Group on-ice lesson with a figure skating coach Fun off-ice fitness activities

Ice skating practice with friends

Last-day themed performance — parents invited!

WHAT TO BRING TO CAMP

Jacket or sweatshirt Water bottle Gloves

Extra snacks

REFUND (退款) POLICY

No refunds after the camp has started, unless injury with a doctor’s note.

CONTACT INFORMATION

Have more questions on our Skating Camps? Contact our Skating Department! E-mail:Skating@AHCenterice.com

Phone:(813)803-7372

【推荐3】Here’s a selection of the strangest races in the world.

Surf Dog Competition

Hundreds of participants (参赛者) from all over the US come to fight for the first prize. This annual event is an official dog surfing competition taking place in Imperial Beach in August and Huntington Beach in September. The attendance to the event is free of charge, however, donations are welcome.

Bring Your Own Big Wheel Race

If you think wheel toys are designed for kids only, you’re wrong. The race was initiated by John Brumit in 2000 when he rode down Lombard Street on his plastic wheel toy. That day, he was the only participant in the race. He continued his tradition every year, but few joined him. In 2006, someone posted a video of his race and as a result, the next year’s race featured hundreds of participants though there was no prize money. Since then, the annual race has been held on Easter Sunday in San Francisco.

World’s Ugliest Dog Contest

It’s an annual event held in June in Petaluma, California. But it’s not about making fun of the ugly dogs, but about encouraging them and showing the world that such dogs can also be happy and adorable. The competition has been held since the 1970s. The winner gets a check for $1,000.

Fur Rondy

Like the famous Spanish Bullfighting Festival, Alaska has its own tradition. It’s a bit transformed. Speedy reindeer (驯鹿) run after the participants in the race. This event is held every February in Anchorage, Alaska. Participants pay a small fee to attend it; some of them wear funny dresses, which children enjoy very much.