1 . San Francisco’s public garbage cans have long outlived their lifespan (寿命) and need to be replaced. However, the current design is not enough for the city’s large population and the increasing number of tourists. The garbage cans also get messed up by the homeless. To address the issues, in 2018, San Francisco Public Works officials set out in search of a perfect garbage can. This proved harder than they had thought.

The officials had a few criteria in mind. The ideal garbage can had to be durable (耐用的) and easy to empty. It would also have a built-in sensor (传感器) to send warnings when full, cost between $2,000 to $3,000 a piece, and, most importantly, look good! After an extensive search failed to find a suitable off-the-shelf replacement, the committee asked local firms to design customized garbage cans.

The four-year exploration ended on July 18, 2022, with three selections. They include the “Slim Silhouette” “Salt & Pepper” and “Soft Square”. Since none of them meet all the required criteria, the officials have turned to the city’s residents for help.

The customized cans and three new off-the-shelf options have been placed across San Francisco for a 60-day trial. Residents can scan the QR codes on the cans and provide opinions on their use experience. A location map of each option is included at the end of the survey. The most popular garbage can will be publicized after the trial ends in mid-September.

The time spent on the project and the cost of the three customized garbage cans — which ranged between $11,000 to $20,900 a piece — have drawn criticism from the city’s retired official Matt Haney.

“The idea that San Francisco is so unique that we need a separate garbage can from any one used in any city around the world is laughable,” Haney said. “It’s something that reflects a broader and deeper brokenness of city government and the services it provides.”

However, Beth Rubenstein, director of policy and communications at San Francisco Public Works, believes their research will benefit cities across the US.

2 . Blue Grotto, Italy

Despite its name, it is actually not a grotto(洞穴)but a sea cave, about 60m long. What makes it one of the most beautiful caves in the world is the blue color, as its name suggests. When you enter inside, you can see it is filled with weird blue light. This color is formed by the unique combination of the rocks, the entrance, the clear water and the whole shape. In fact, you can’t identify where the source of the blue light is.

Son Doong Cave, Vietnam

This is known as the largest cave in the world, not because of its length—in fact, it is just about 5km long. But its size comes from its enormous passages and caves, reaching 200m in height. In addition, there is an underground river, making the cave even more impressive.

Marble Caves, Chile

Located far from any road, the caves are accessible only by boat. This is the most beautiful cave structure in the world, in which crystal clear water is literally lightened by dazzling(使目眩)blue ice walls. A magical, fabulous, unreal and almost unearthly sight! The caves are best seen from September to February and earlier in the morning when the sunlight streams inside.

Reed Flute Cave, China

Its name comes from the reeds beside its entrance that have been used for making flutes(长笛). It is not too long and not too deep-only about 500m in length. What makes this cave more special is the history. It has been known since ancient times. And when you enter inside, you can see a lot of inscriptions(碑文)dating back to medieval times, starting from the times of the Tang Dynasty (around 792 AD).

3 . Marvelous Scenic Walks Near London

There are plenty of walking routes in London. If you fancy something a bit more rural, then the green and pleasant land has plenty to offer.

If you’re in the mood for a gentle rural walk, the Thames Path is far from boring. The 5-mile footpath follows the curve of the river, winding past wildflower meadows (草地).

Post-walk pub: Pangbourne’s seventeenth-century pub The Swan serves high-end dishes. Bag a table on the riverside or keep toasty by one of its open fires.

To admire this spots rural views, first you’ve got to jump across 17 stepping stones and climb 272 steps to the top of Box Hill, where the path begins. The total distance is 6.8 miles.

Post-walk pub: The cavernous Tree on Box Hill has an attractive menu and huge beer garden, or sample a glass of Juniper Hill at Denbies Winerie.

If you’ve already done the classic Seven Sisters clifftop walk or can’t face all those hills, this is a long but lovely alternative. The route covering 14.3 miles snakes along a ridge and a river valley.

Post-walk pub: There are always 10 real beers at the old-school pub The Wellington.

Chess Valley in the Chiltern Hills isn’t home to any chess masters, but it used to produce a kind of water plant. This walk of 4.9 miles follows the river, winding through rolling meadows and woods.

Post-walk pub: The George & Dragon is a simple old coaching pub on the High Street with a log fire, real beers and giant burgers.

5 . Though the following ski resorts (旅游胜地) listed are less well-known, going skiing there is exciting for everyone this season.

Bear Valley, CA

Bear Valley is one of the less well-known ski resorts in California when compared to popular resorts like Mammoth Mountain and Squaw Valley. This ski area has runs that satisfy the needs of nearly everyone with or without experience. Skiers will find 1, 280 acres of skiable areas with an average annual snowfall of over 350 inches. The summit is at an elevation (海拔) of 8, 500 feet and has a 1, 900-foot vertical drop. There are even snowcat tours that take adventurous skiers to the terrain (地带) that is harder to access but less tracked.

Jay Peak, VT

Located in Jay, Vermont, Jay Peak is the snowiest ski area on the east coast, averaging 355 inches of snowfall annually. The mountain has 2 peaks and over 50 miles of skiable terrain. Jay Peak’s ski area has a top elevation of 3, 968 feet and a vertical rise of 2, 153 feet. There are 76 trails and 8 lifts over an area of 385 acres. Jay Peak is known for its challenging terrain and good backcountry skiing. The peak is best known for getting some of the most snow on the East Coast.

Big Mountain, MT

Located outside the town of Whitefish, which offers plenty of fun after a long day of skiing, Big Mountain has over 3, 000 acres of terrain, with almost 100 marked trails and plenty of bowl and tree skiing. Big Mountain gets 300 inches of annual average snowfall. Skiers will find a summit elevation at over 6, 800 feet, and a vertical drop of almost 2, 500 feet.

Schweitzer Mountain, ID

Schweitzer Mountain is one of Idaho’s greatest skiing treasures. Visitors will enjoy the views of Lake Pend Oreille, and can visit the lovely town of Sandpoint after a long day of enjoying the snow. The mountain has over 2, 900 skiable acres, and the highest elevation is at 6, 400 feet. There is an annual average snowfall of 300 inches, and over 90 trails. Schweitzer even has open bowl skiing, cat skiing, and even night skiing.

6 . Planning a rip to the USA can be a difficult task due to its vast size and numerous fferings. Below are some places in America that attract the most visitors from both home and abroad.

New York

The city's landmark, the Statue of Liberty, is 152 feet tall and was built in 1886 to symbolize freedom. The Empire State Building is another city landmark. Tourists can also visit the Brooklyn Bridge and appreciate the architectural wonder. Tourists can also visit the 9/11 Memorial and Museum, the footprints of where the twin towers once stood.

Chicago

Tourists to the city must visit the Art Institute of Chicago which houses hundreds of thousands of artworks dating back to hundreds of years ago. Visitors can also visit the Navy Pier, which was opened in 1916 and serves as one of the city's main attractions. The Museum of Science and Industry offers one of the best experiences—it allows tourists to interact physically with the tools and collections as well as learn how the tools work.

New Orleans

New Orleans is popular for the Jazz music and Mardi Gras celebrations. It's a city with a unique culture represented in food, music, and architecture. For those who seek festivals, the Mardi Gras offers a once-in-a-lifetime event that lasts two weeks. The festival is marked by parades, decorated floats, and dances. The National WWⅡ Museum is also a must-visit for all tourists.

Florida Keys

Florida Keys are a set of islands off the southern coast of Florida. The islands make a perfect tourist destination for tourists seeking a tropical vacation. Apart from the sandy beaches, visitors can enjoy scuba diving, sailing and many more. Visitors can visit the local museum to view historical artifacts, and the galleries and shops sell unique collections that tourists can buy to remember the visit.

8 . If you’re a camping lover, the scenery of the following campsites will provide you with an experience that you will never forget.

North Rim Campground, Grand Canyon, Arizona

Address: North Rim, AZ 86052, USA

Camping in the famous Grand Canyon, with its layers of million-year-old red rock, is the favorite thing for many people. After all, it is one of the Seven Natural Wonders of the World. You will see rural views of the canyon which is shaded by towering pines. And it is home to vast wildlife including wild wolves and deer.

Apgar Campground, Glacier National Park, Montana

Address: US Hwy 2, West Glacier, MT 59901, USA

There are plenty of original forests, mountain meadows, lakes, and rocky mountains in Glacier National Park. Adventurous visitors and campers visiting Montana enter a hiker’s paradise when coming here. Apgar Campground is situated among the trees and wildlife there ranges from mountain goats to grizzly bears.

Watchman Campground, Zion National Park, Utah

Address: UT-9, Springdale, UT 84767, USA

Located a quarter-mile from the south entrance of Zion National Park in Utah, Watchman Campground is surrounded by hug sandstone cliffs, tall rocky peaks and pines. There is the Virgin River near the campgrounds, allowing campers access to bike trails along the riverbank plus hiking to a nearby archeological (考古学的) site.

Hidden Valley Campground, Joshua Tree National Park, California

Address: California 92277, USA

For campers wanting to enjoy a unique experience in the desert, sleeping under the starry skies and surrounded by cacti and rock formations, Joshua Tree National Park is the answer. The campgrounds and park become even more breathtaking at sunset when the colors of the sky are noticeable against the vast ground.