LIFE Books has released a book called Heaven on Earth: The World’s Must See Destinations, and it is breathtaking.

Today we’re looking at Iguazu Falls which are located along the border of Brazil and Argentina in the Iguaza River.

The legend of the falls, according to Wikipedia, states that a god was going to marry a mortal woman, but before the wedding she fled with her lover via canoe. The god was so angry that he  broke the river, condemning the lovers to an eternity of falling. This backs up my long-standing theory that the gods must be crazy.

The site is made up of 275 separate waterfalls, half of which flow into the Devil’s Throat, a narrow chasm which sounds very hot.

Visitors on the Brazilian side of the falls can hike to the bottom of Devil’s Throat and take helicopter rides over the river. Argentina does not allow either due to their negative effects on the environment.

Please note, travel between Brazil and Argentina is an affair heavy with bureaucracy. Tourists are encouraged to research and acquire the proper paperwork and visas before crossing the river.

Photo: Iguacu Falls by Yann Arthus-Bertrand, courtesy of LIFE Books

Photos of Savannah, Georgia frequently feature stately buildings and elaborate wrought iron created by talented architects and artisans, but there’s plenty of natural beauty to be found in this small coastal city courtesy of Mother Nature.

Tourists may be most familiar with the live oaks that line the streets and squares of the National Historic District. These twisting giants draped in Spanish moss give the town its decidedly Southern charm and, as legend has it, have often served as much-needed bumpers for drunk drivers fresh from the city’s many bars and street festivals. Savannah is, after all, a city that prides itself on knowing how to throw a party, but not every guest over the centuries has been able to handle the liberal drinking laws responsibility. Many of the live oaks (and a few of the city’s statues) bear the resulting scars. Read More »

You could be here!

Navarre Beach along the Gulf of Mexico on the panhandle of Florida is full of white sand and relaxation. It can be yours if the price is right. And by right I mean free. It’s like winning both showcases!

The beautiful area of Santa Rosa, Florida, is known for its beaches and rivers and you could be on them! All of them! But not at once.

Enter to win a 4-night family vacation in a 2-bedroom, beachfront condo in Santa Rosa County by September 30, 2010, and you and yours can be living the dream at Relax At Navarre Beach. Winners of the contest will be drawn October 8th at the website linked.

The 6,000-foot Hells Canyon is not only the deepest river gorge in North America, but it’s also a part of a huge recreation area that includes over 650,000 acres of wilderness, three Wild and Scenic rivers, and 900 miles of hiking trails.

Beamers Jet Boats

The Hells Canyon National Recreation Area sits along the border of Oregon and Idaho.  It’s extremely remote, and mostly roadless.  I’ve been wanting to get a look at the canyon for twenty years, so I was as excited as anyone to board the Beamers Tours jet boat in Lewiston, Idaho, where Captain Dan waited to guide us down the Snake River and into this rugged land that has remained mostly untouched for thousands of years.

Right from the start we spotted osprey, eagles, antelope, bighorn sheep, and even some old guy panning for gold. The kids had a blast with Captain Dan swerving back and forth along the river at an exhilirating 45mph. Along the way he pointed out unusual geological formations and a few pioneer homesteads, and even stopped to let us all get a close-up view of ancient petroglyphs that dated back at least 2,500 years.

Cache Creek Ranch

The turnaround point for the half-day tour we took is Cache Creek Ranch, where we had an hour to eat, lay in the grass, and watch the kids play. The Forest Service runs the ranch now as an interpretive center. While we lazed around, Captain Dan was down at the river catching smallmouth bass right and left.  The river is a fisherman’s paradise.

Even though this trip was just a taste of what the canyon has to offer, the kids absolutely loved it. They had no idea that just a few hours south of where they live is such a massive, and totally unique, wilderness area. There’s so much more to see and explore.

Wet and wild jet boat

You can choose to see the canyon in several different ways.  Traveling by jet boat is the easiest, and quickest.  Most tour operators offer half-day, all-day, or multi-day tours.  Hiking in is another option, with three major trails designated as National Recreation Trails.

If you’re looking for a rugged and remote wilderness that doesn’t feel overcrowded like some of our national parks, look into spending some time in Hells Canyon.  It’s a surprisingly short and easy drive from the large population centers of Portland, Seattle, and Salt Lake City.

All photos by Phil Corless

Ancient petroglyphs

Snake River