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What a difference a few decades make! The images of New York City were taken in 1970 (Bernard Gotfryd, Library of Congress) and in 2018 by Afif Ramdhasuma (from pexels.com). Earth Day has been celebrated on April 22 since it was established through grassroots efforts in 1970. It was a response to increasing concerns caused by smog (intense air pollution caused mainly by exhaust fumes), Great Lakes at risk of dying from pesticide runoff and waste dumping, and rivers that caught on fire (the Cuyahoga River in Ohio famously caught fire in June of 1969). It was also the year when monumental legislation was enacted to address all kinds of environmental concerns. ...read more
At Home | Inspiration
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If it’s true, as they say, that seeing is believing, then we at Mast Store would like to propose another entry to your quip collection: Doing is moving. “Doing” not only requires movement - “doing” moves you both physically and emotionally. ...read more
Local Flavor | Mast Family Favorites | Travel
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What is a library? It’s a big building with lots of books in it. But wait, it’s so much more. The library is a gateway to your wildest dreams, a place to learn, a place to imagine, a place to make friends. Today’s libraries are repositories of books, but they also are places to get help to learn to read or improve your reading, to improve your math skills, to listen to a performance by a string quartet, to watch a movie, to refine your crafting skills, and to gather with fellow writers. Yes, libraries are SO much more. ...read more
Adventure | Inspiration | Mast Family Favorites
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... Our favorite foods! Food is universal because everybody’s got ta eat! And the last two months of the year are filled with more than their fair share of family meals, work gatherings, special outings to favorite restaurants, tins filled with homemade cookies and fudge, and the anticipation of food traditions handed down from generation to generation ...read more
At Home | Recipes
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Even before we bought the Mast General Store, we were taken by the beauty of Valle Crucis. We’ve heard people describe the drive out Broadstone Road as traveling through a time portal. In the 1970s, fields in the river bottoms would be filled with tobacco, cabbage, or high with hay to feed cattle that were grazing in the summer pasture. ...read more
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The lucky few who have seen the Earth from a different perspective – astronauts - all echo the same viewpoint upon their return. Yuri Gagarin, a Russian cosmonaut and the first human to go to space, commented, “Orbiting Earth in the spaceship, I saw how beautiful our planet is. People, let us preserve and increase this beauty, not destroy it.”
Behind the Scenes | Inspiration
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I honestly cannot say what would be my favorite National Park because they’re all wonderfully diverse treasures. I had the unique experience of living on the U.S. Virgin Island of St. John. Did you know that more than half of this stunning island is part of the Virgin Islands National Park?
The Rockefeller family donated a large portion of land to St. John and 60% of the island became part of the National Park Service in 1956. Its pristine clear waters, soft sandy beaches, and tropical breezes are a dream come true. And that’s just the beginning! St. John offers underwater trails, one of which leads to a fresh water swimming pool where petroglyphs are carved into the rocks. There are ruins of plantations, windmills, schools, and distilleries.
In addition to the fragrant bay leaf trees, blooming frangipanis, palms, and orchids, one of my favorite parts of St. John is located in the southeastern corner of the island. This area has a drier and more formidable landscape. From the crystal clear waters of the Salt Pond Bay to Ram’s Head Point, a rocky bluff looking over the Caribbean Sea, this part of the island has a stunning landscape.
We often anchored in Salt Pond Bay, snorkeling and enjoying sea turtles, sea fans, and searching for flamingo tongues. We hiked in the early mornings in order to avoid the afternoon heat. There’s a parking area within walking distance of the Bay for people without water access. Walking the short trail, you’ll come upon an idyllic soft, sandy, protected beach touched gently by wavelets.
The trailhead starts at the southeastern side of the beach and heads up through some brush, opening to an area with more rocks and many barrel cacti. We enjoyed eating the cactus’ tart fruit and photographing spectacular flowering century plants. When exploring the rocky nooks and crannies, be sure to watch your step. You can climb to the top and marvel at the sea’s powerful waves crashing into the rocky cliffs.
Heading back down, take some time to enjoy Blue Cobblestone Beach which is covered with smooth blue rocks. After the hike, it’s a treat to lie down and place the warm rocks on your back. It’s the perfect way to relax before returning to the Salt Pond.
I’m very fortunate to have visited some of our wonderful National Parks. Now, residing in North Carolina, I enjoy her many wonderful treasures as well. I’m grateful for the many conservation efforts of people like John Muir, Theodore Roosevelt, and John Rockefeller. These men, and many others like them, have helped countless people “keep nature close to our hearts and wash our spirits clean.” And in doing so, we grow to become better human beings.
- Jody, Mast Store Boone