This week´s website is “New7Wonders”, and the address is http://www.vote7.com/.

The New7Wonders Foundation is a Swiss-based, government controlled organisation, which was set up in 2001.

The Foundation (and I quote) ‘has the express aim of undertaking documentation and conservation works of monuments worldwide, under the motto : “Our Heritage is Our Future.”’

The Foundation’s first project was to organise a world-wide poll to select the seven man-made wonders of the world.

Over 100 million people voted, and the results, announced in Lisbon in July 2007, were:

(Note, these are not in any particular order)

• Chichen Itza, in Mexico
• Christ, the Redeemer, Rio de Janeiro
• Colosseum, Rome
• Great Wall of China
• Machu Picchu, Peru
• Taj Mahal, India
• Petra, Jordan

The present campaign is to select the “New7 Wonders of Nature.”

On the Home Page, click on “New7wonders” at the top.

Then click on “New7Wonders of Nature”, and you see a list of the candidates for election, which include:

• River Amazon
• Angel Falls
• Dead Sea
• Vesuvius
• Etc.

You need to register, in order to vote, but it’s free.

After you register, you can also propose your own candidates.

There are lots of other voting campaigns running at the moment, and you dont need to register to view them.

Click on “Vote7Campaigns” at the top of the page.

Now you see a list of the top campaigns running right now, which include:

• Most impressive natural phenomena
• Things that should be free
• Which country has the capability to lead the whole world?

Click on any one of these, and you get:

• A summary of the campaign
• A forum
• An indication of the present status of the voting

It turns out that the 7 most famous food nations on earth, as voted so far, are:

• Italy
• France
• Mexico
• Indonesia
• Japan
• China
• India

Though 6 of them have been proposed by the same guy! Maybe its early days yet.

On behalf of the Illinois Bureau of Tourism, I want to extend a huge thank you to everyone who participated in our first photo contest! We received so many beautiful images and I can’t thank you enough for sharing your unique perspective of each of the Seven Wonders of Illinois. Over the past week, the contest received more than 1,890 votes from people across the country, and today we are delighted to announce Jim Pearson the winner for his photo of  Black Hawk State Historic Site. Congratulations, Jim!

Photo by Jim Pearson

Jim will receive a SONY Cyber-shot – DSC-W180 digital still camera, kindly donated by Abt Electronics.

To learn more about the Seven Wonders of Illinois, head over to our website.

Keep your camera ready and stay tuned for future contests.

- Jan Kostner

We want to extend a huge thanks to everyone who shared their amazing photography with us for the Seven Wonders of Illinois photo contest! After more than 90 submissions, our judges have decided on seven finalists. Vote for your favorite photo today – the winner will receive a Sony Cyber-shot digital camera from Abt Electronics!

All votes must be in by November 17 and our contest winner will be announced on November 18.

- The Enjoy Illinois Team

Wrigley Field: The Heart of Chicago

Photo by Aaron Brown

Baha’i Temple: Violet Hour at the House of Worship

Photo by Justin Kern

Starved Rock State Park: LaSalle Canyon

Photo by Jim Watkins

Allerton Park: Robert Allerton Mansion

Photo by Keenan Adams

Black Hawk State Historic Site: Black Hawk Under a Cloud-Filtered Moon

Photo by Jim Pearson

Rend Lake

Photo by Tyler Neu

Meeting of the Great Rivers Scenic Byway: Looking Up River from the Top

Photo by Robert Cope

*Today’s post is part of a series of weekly posts focusing on the Seven Wonders of Illinois. As a reminder, be sure to take part in our Seven Wonders Photo Contest.

Based on visitor comments and our own travel trips, we truly believe that the Meeting of the Great Rivers National Scenic Byway offers visitors the best combined scenic, natural, historic and cultural experience on the entire length of the Great River Road from Canada to the Gulf of Mexico.

It’s rare to find a spot where America’s Great Rivers (in this case the Mississippi, Illinois and Missouri) converge at a point where you can drive along with the mighty river on one side and the majestic limestone bluffs formed by the ice age on the other. Add all of the watchable wildlife, hiking and biking opportunities and quaint river towns, and the Byway becomes a must-see destination.

The region is filled with longstanding seasonal festivals, tremendous lodging choices from the not-so-ordinary B&Bs and hotels, to the mighty lodge nestled within Illinois’ largest state park (Pere Marquette). It’s easy to lose yourself in our nation’s storied history, too.  National Trail Site #1 (the point of departure for Lewis & Clark’s expedition) is one historic site you’ll find.  You can also unravel the rich Lincoln and Civil War stories that took place on the banks of the Mississippi in Alton.

Bottom line, within a mere 33 miles from Hartford to Alton to Grafton, it’s easy to fill a solid three days of adventure. Step back in time, become one with the river and indulge in the many culinary treats and antique treasures waiting for your arrival. The Meeting of the Great Rivers National Scenic Byway is calling for you.

*Today’s post is part of a series of weekly posts focusing on the Seven Wonders of Illinois. As a reminder, be sure to take part in our Seven Wonders Photo Contest.

The confident swoosh of a driver sending a golf ball down a bunker lined, pristine fairway or the splash of your favorite lure hitting the surface of the calm and cool waters of Illinois’ second largest man-made lake are just some of the sounds you will enjoy at Rend Lake, one of the Seven Wonders of Illinois.

Outdoor enthusiasts will find a haven of recreational activities at Rend Lake. With 18,900 acres of water and more than 20,000 acres of land in Jefferson and Franklin counties, Rend Lake provides ample opportunities for outdoor activities. Overnight visitors can camp at the Wayne Fitzgerrell State Park, and for those who prefer a softer bed, the Rend Lake Resort offers beautiful waterside rooms and marina facilities. For both the sport and commercial fisherman, an abundance of fish can be found here, including striped bass, flathead catfish, crappie and channel catfish. And finally, a championship 18-hole golf course offers stunning views of the area.

But Rend Lake is more than a sportsman’s paradise. It is what you will find all over Southern Illinois – the arts, culture, bike trails, antiques, golf and more. From Rend Lake you are just a stone’s throw from the Southern Illinois Art and Artisans Center, downtown Benton’s antique district and a number of museums and wineries.

So whether you want to experience the trails on horseback or on a bike, love to find a hidden treasure in a quaint antique store or dine on our special Southern Illinois cuisine, this one of the Seven Wonders is for you.

*Today’s post is part of a series of weekly posts focusing on the Seven Wonders of Illinois. As a reminder, be sure to take part in our Seven Wonders Photo Contest.

While walking on the quiet forest trails of Black Hawk State Historic Site, you can imagine members of the Sauk and Mesqwaki tribes moving throughout the trees on their way to the river or back to their village home.

The Black Hawk site was first occupied by Native Americans as long as 12,000 years ago and still remains one of the least-disturbed forests in Illinois. This naturally wooded area with beautifully changing fall colors also provides habitat for a variety of wildlife which is perfect for pictures. Nearly 175 species of birds can be observed during the year including bald eagles during the winter months and more than 30 species of wildflowers.

While at Black Hawk, come inside the free Hauberg Indian Museum in the Watch Tower Lodge for a look at how the Sauk Nation lived during each of the four seasons and their jewelry, arrowheads, tools and other items.

Also at the museum, visit the exhibit telling the story of the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) work at Black Hawk from 1933 to 1935 developing many of the features that are enjoyed by visitors to the site today. Among many projects at the site, the CCC constructed several miles of hiking trails, picnic shelters, parking areas, and the Watch Tower Lodge built of native limestone and timber.

Guarantee departures with 04 pax minimum: 10, 17, and 24 of November & 01 and 08 of December.

Live a different Mexico through its contrasts with this wonderful 8 day program. Mexico City, the metropolis with Aztec heritage; Veracruz, picturesque port surrounded by the sounds of “danzón”; Catemaco, place of magic and wizards; Palenque, home of Pakal, the ancient Mayan king who ruled the jungle; Merida, colonial jewel of the rich Yucatan Peninsula; the breathtaking Chichen-Itza; Cancun, with its fancy hotels.

 Professional English speaking driver guide.
Small groups of 12 customers maximum.
Modern air-conditioned minibus.
Accommodation at comfortable 4 star hotels. Breakfast Included.

DAY 01: Arrival Mexico City
One of the world’s largest metropolis, Mexico City is also the oldest urban centre in the Western Hemisphere. Mexico City is huge and hectic, and incredibly rich in both indigenous and colonial history. It is also the oldest capital of the New World, when it was called Tenochtitlan. Transfer airport – hotel
DAY 02: Full-day Teotihuacan pyramids & Guadalupe shrine (private service)
We will drive to the impressive archaeological site of Teotihuacan, located 50km northeast of Mexico City. On the way we make a stop at the Plaza de las Tres Culturas, where three cultures converge: Aztec, Spanish, and contemporary Mexican. We continue to the Basilica de Guadalupe, Latin America’s most revered religious shrine.
DAY 03: To Veracruz
Where do Mexicans like to vacation? That is one of Mexico’s best kept secrets, and the answer is Veracruz! Miles and miles of coastline, fresh seafood prepared in myriad ways, beautiful beaches and coral reefs, jungle rivers, a year-round festive atmosphere, and an unparalleled variety of activities, from archaeological exploration to white-water rafting, are all part of the secret.
Visit Puebla en route to Veracruz
World Heritage Site of Puebla, located 130km southeast of Mexico City.
DAY 04:To Catemaco
DAY 05:To Palenque
In the foothills of the Tumbala mountains, the ancient Maya site of Palenque sits on a ledge overlooking the swampy plains that stretch northward all the way to the Gulf coast. Palenque was at its height between 500 and 700 A.D., when its influence extended throughout the basin of the Usumacinta river.
Visit of Palenque archaeological site
We will visit the archaeological site of Palenque, a World Heritage Site, located 7km outside of the town of Palenque. Palenque flourished between AD600 and 800, when its influence extended throughout the basin of the Usumacinta River. The site is surrounded by rainforest where toucans and howler monkeys live.
DAY 06: To Merida
Built more than 450 years ago on the site of T’ho, an ancient Mayan city, Merida is the social and economic center, as well as the capital, of the state of Yucatan. It makes a good base from which to explore the Mayan archaeological sites of Chichen-Itza and Uxmal. Pink flamingo sanctuaries and swimmable crystal-clear cenotes (sinkholes) are some of the natural attractions of the Yucatan Peninsula that are easily accessible from Merida.
DAY 07: To Cancun
Over 40 years ago Cancun was no more than a sand bar, clinging to Mexico’s Caribbean coast. Only in the 70s the government saw the appeal of the area’s shimmering turquoise waters and sparkling white sand, largely untouched since the mysterious decline of the Mayan Empire around the 13th century. Today, Cancun is an exciting beach destination and gateway to the Mundo Maya, or Maya World. Enjoy the magnificent beaches, crystal to clear waters and elegant hotels, as well as the breathtaking nearby Mayan ruins, exotic wildlife, and colonial towns. And some of the best diving and snorkeling can be found here!
Visit Chichen Itza en route to Cancun
We will drive to the archaeological site of Chichen Itza, located 120km east of Merida. Chichen Itza – one of the New 7 Wonders of the World – is the best restored of Yucatan’s Mayan sites.
DAY 08: Departure Cancun
Transfer airport – hotel or v.v. (private service)
USD 740 per person in DBL

Request your itinerary to  info@m-rtours.com or  +54 1149515968     

 www.m-rtours.com
“Communicating with the passion of artists”
We´re Social

Guarantee departures with 04 pax minimum: 4, 11, and 25 of November 2009.
 Chichen-Itza, one of the New Seven Wonders, charming magic towns, legendary Mayans and Aztecs, influences of the “New Spain” colony are only some of the highlights in this wonderful 11 day seat-in itinerary.

Professional English speaking driver guide.
Small groups of 12 customers maximum.
Modern air-conditioned minibus.
Accommodation at comfortable 4 star hotels. Breakfast Included.

DAY 01: Arrival Mexico City
Mexico City is huge and hectic, and incredibly rich in both indigenous and colonial history. It is also the oldest capital of the New World, when it was called Tenochtitlan. Transfer airport – hotel.
DAY 02: Half-day Mexico City city-tour and Teotihuacan pyramids
We will explore magnificent Mexico City. Zocalo, Catedral Metropolitana, Palacio Nacional which hosts Diego Rivera’s murals depicting the history of Mexico, the famous boulevard Paseo de la Reforma, the archaeological site of Teotihuacan one of the most impressive cities of the ancient world.
DAY 03: To Oaxaca
Oaxaca, located in a valley surrounded by the Sierra Madre del Sur, was once the center of the Mixtec and Zapotec civilizations.
Visit Puebla en route to Oaxaca
World Heritage Site of Puebla, located 130km southeast of Mexico City.
DAY 04: Half-day Monte Alban archaeological site & Oaxaca city tour
Monte Alban – a World Heritage Site – spectacularly situated on a mountain 400 meters above the Oaxaca Valley, the Gran Plaza, the Ball Court, the Observatory, and the Palace.
DAY 05: To San Cristobal de las Casas
San Cristobal de las Casas is a characteristically indigenous Chiapaneca town nestled in the heart of the jungle highlands. The only way to reach San Cristobal is via a two-hour drive from Tuxtla Gutierrez.
Half-day Sumidero Canyon, incl. boat ride
We will drive to the town of Chiapa de Corzo, located 70km west of San Cristobal, on the Grijalva river. From here a motorboat will take us through the magnificent Sumidero Canyon, nearly a kilometer deep and 14km long, carved out by the Grijalva River over millions of years.   
DAY 06: Half-day City tour and Indian villages (San Juan Chamula & Zinacantan) We will explore on foot the colonial city center of San Cristobal de las Casas, visiting the cathedral, the impressive 16th-century Dominican church Templo de Santo Domingo, the handicraft market. We then drive 10km into the Chiapas highlands, to the Tzotzil Indian villages of San Juan Chamula and Zinacantan. Return to San Cristobal.   
DAY 07: To Palenque
In the foothills of the Tumbala mountains, the ancient Maya site of Palenque sits on a ledge overlooking the swampy plains that stretch northward all the way to the Gulf coast. Palenque was at its height between 500 and 700 A.D., when its influence extended throughout the basin of the Usumacinta river.
Full-day Agua Azul waterfall and Palenque archaeological site
We will visit Agua Azul, where over 500 cascades thunder into turquoise pools surrounded by jungle.
DAY 08: To Campeche
Campeche, located on the Gulf of Mexico, was the principal sea port on the Yucatán Peninsula from the 16th to the 18th centuries, and subsequently a major target of pirates.
Visit of Palenque archaeological site
We will visit the archaeological site of Palenque, a World Heritage Site, located 7km outside of the town of Palenque. Palenque flourished between AD600 and 800, when its influence extended throughout the basin of the Usumacinta River. The site is surrounded by rainforest where toucans and howler monkeys live.
DAY 09: To Merida
Built more than 450 years ago on the site of T’ho, an ancient Mayan city, Merida is the social and economic center, as well as the capital, of the state of Yucatan.It makes a good base from which to explore the Mayan archaeological sites of Chichen-Itza and Uxmal. Pink flamingo sanctuaries and swimmable crystal-clear cenotes (sinkholes) are some of the natural attractions of the Yucatan Peninsula that are easily accessible from Merida.
Full-day Uxmal archaeological site
We will visit the archaeological site of Uxmal, a World Heritage Site, located 80km south of Merida. Its architecture is characterized by low horizontal palaces set around courtyards.
DAY 10: To Cancun
Cancun is an exciting beach destination and gateway to the Maya World. Enjoy the magnificent beaches, crystal-clear waters and elegant hotels, as well as the breathtaking nearby Mayan ruins, exotic wildlife, and colonial towns.
Full-day Chichen-Itza archaeological site
We will drive to the archaeological site of Chichen Itza, located 120km east of Merida. Chichen Itza – one of the New 7 Wonders of the World – is the best restored of Yucatan’s Mayan sites.
DAY 11: Departure Cancun Transfer hotel – airport.
USD 1130 per person in DBL Room.

Request your itinerary to  info@m-rtours.com or  +54 1149515968              

 www.m-rtours.com
“Communicating with the passion of artists”
We´re Social

Ah, the Seven Wonders of the World …

1. Year One – starring the One
2. Scarlett Johansson’s inner thighs
3. The horseshoes stuck in my triceps
4. The F.U.P.A
5. Da B’s
6. A Ford F-150
7. The Taj Mahal

I saw two of these today – pictured below

What's he smugglin' in that thing?

Taj Mahal

By the end of my 18 hour journey to the Taj Mahal, I had grown very fond of my newfound friends I met while traveling. They included an Egyptian ophthalmologist, a German strategic marketer, a south Indian actress and two Londoners. All of whom were quirky, full of random knowledge and became my greatest of friends.

The Taj Mahal is truly a beautiful piece of work, it’s presence rivals that of the above mentioned FUPA. Kinda like the way one can become possessed by a FUPA (similar to Frodo’s ring … LOTR) the Taj Mahal grabs your testicles and doesn’t let go. While dozens of people push miniature Taj models and postcards in your face and while others attempt to pickpocket you, one can’t help but to ignore their pathetic pitches and stare blindly at this massive burial site.

Surrounding the base of the Taj, carved out of white marble, are decorative flowers which individually each took roughly 18 hours to complete. There are thousands of these flowers all throughout the Taj … do the math.

Some poor asshole spent more than two weeks carving this

Costing around 22 crores over 350 years ago, like a trillion dollars now, the Taj Mahal is perfectly symmetrical. It is decorated from top to bottom with floral designs/patterns which display a wide variety of color, but instead of these colors originating from paint they are semi-precious and precious stones. This fact was recited over 15 times from the most incomprehensible, worst conversational English speaking tour guide alive. This was one of the only facts I gathered from him, the rest was mumbled Hinglish. Regardless of the useless tour guide the Taj Mahal is something everyone should see or at least pretend that they have seen. The amount of time, money and engineering put into this building in unfathomable, today over 6,000 people visit the Taj daily and I was one of them.

Slave monkey that danced

*Today’s post is part of a series of weekly posts focusing on the Seven Wonders of Illinois. As a reminder, be sure to take part in our Seven Wonders Photo Contest.

The Sunken Garden at Allerton Park

From recreation to education to celebration, you’re invited to explore, discover, and enjoy 1,500 acres of beautiful outdoor scenery at Allerton Park, including:

• Extensive formal gardens
• More than 100 outdoor sculptures and garden ornaments
• Natural areas including the Sangamon River, floodplains, lowland and upland forests, a meadow and a 30-acre demonstration prairie
• 14 miles of interpretive hiking trails
• A century-old, Georgian-style mansion with reflecting pond

In addition to being voted one of the Seven Wonders of Illinois, Allerton is a National Natural Landmark, and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places and American Institute of Architects’ List of 150 Great Places in Illinois.

An ideal place for public enjoyment and outdoor recreation, Allerton is also a truly distinctive venue for unforgettable weddings and special events…as well as the perfect place for meetings, conferences and retreats.

With unrivaled outdoor settings and luxurious indoor surroundings, Allerton is a destination unlike any other. Be sure to visit soon—it’s a simple excursion from Chicago, Indianapolis, St. Louis or the Quad Cities. We welcome you to learn more here.

compliments of funonthenet.in

Niagara Falls which is located between the border of Ontario, Canada and New York is listed as one of the top seven wonders of Canada. At the Niagara Falls State Park there are different ways for visitors to check out the falls. A lof of people choose to view the falls by boat, Maid of the Mist. Or you can get really up close and personal to the falls and walk out to the hurricane deck where you literally are underneath the waterfalls. Or for the not so adventurous people you can simply stand off to the side and just view the falls from a safe distance.

At night they light up the falls for the visitors in a rainbow of colors pictured below. And on certain weekends or special occasions they light fireworks over the falls.

compliments of niagrafallscanadapics.net

Although most people choose to go to the falls when the weather is nice, the waterfalls actually never fully freeze so you can visit them in the winter as well!

You can learn more about the falls and check out more pictures at: http://www.infoniagara.com/

*Today’s post is part of a series of weekly posts focusing on the Seven Wonders of Illinois. As a reminder, be sure to take part in our Seven Wonders Photo Contest.

Kaskaskia Canyon

Starved Rock was named one of the Seven Wonders of Illinois in 2007, and I’m happy to hear that this program is being revived.

So why is Starved Rock so awesome?  Well, for one, the multitude of canyons and waterfalls is breathtaking. Not to mention the history is rich and interesting.

When you go, make sure to check out the free museum and videos at the Visitor Center. For me, one of the most fascinating stories is how humans have lived there for more than 4,000 years!

The architectural wonder that is the Starved Rock Lodge is also worth a visit. The pine logs in the Great Hall were recycled from train trestles that were taken apart in the 1930s, and the two-sided stone fireplace is the largest in Illinois.

All-in-all, this place is a photographer’s dream. The sights will leave you awe-struck, which usually means just about every photo you snap will be a beautiful capture.  But whether you’re a photographer or not, you need to see this place.  It truly is one of the Seven Wonders of Illinois.

To see the photo entries for Starved Rock, click here. Have a great picture of Starved Rock? You can learn more about submitting a photo here.

Based on the popularity of my “10 Things to do In Kenora” post, I’ve decided to make it a series! And my adopted hometown of Almonte Ontario is next on the shopping block. (Har dee har.) So here we go!

10 THINGS TO DO IN ALMONTE ONTARIO (By a proud Almonte resident of  nearly one year!)

1. The Almonte Riverwalk

The Almonte Riverwalk is actually pretty spectacular. At the top of the hill is a bench they made from an old millstone (yes, its a mill town!) In the summer there is a little ice cream shop at the end of it, a reward for your trek. (Your 2 block trek!)  Best to start at the Old Town Hall, and head down along the river, as then you have gravity on your side. There’s a boardwalk and series of bridges that lead along the various sets of falls. The water is shallow and you can see little fish and fun condos from the back. Grab a root beer float from the ice cream shop (Waterfall Delights!), then continue down Mill Street and across Almonte Street and down to the boat launch, which has a pretty great view at sunset.

2.Mill Street Shops!

If you have time, turn it into a shopping expedition! There are loads of cute shops, but check out some of my favourites:

• Find fun vintage clothes and housewares at Vintage Wear/Ware
• Browse books and games at the Miller’s Tale
• Stock up on gourmet condiments and chocolates at Foodies Fine Foods
• Blackbird and Design by Destination have uber cute gifts, notably gorgeous housewares at the former and fantastic import scarves at the latter!
• Then run one of my favourite errands: Buy a birthday card from Robin’s Paper Thin, head over to the Groundz Cafe for a coffee and panini, and write your birthday wishes from Almonte! The post office is just across the street. Buy a fancy stamp – those always make people’s days.

3. Festivals!

North Lanark Highland Games - Almonte Fairgrounds 2009

Almonte takes it’s festivals pretty seriously. Really – there’s one about every two weeks. So chances are, if you’re by in peak season, there will be a festival to check out! The ones I can think of:

• North Lanark Highland Games (August)
• Herbfest (July)
• Art of Being Green (July)
• FiberFest (September)
• Almonte Fair (July)
• Celtfest (July)
• Puppets Up! (August)
• YogaFest (July!)
• Light up the Night! (Pre Christmas light launching party!)
• Bicycle Month doesn’t really count as a festival, but it was pretty epic this year.

Surely I am missing some… They are nonstop! But this should give you a good start! Check the Calendar at missisippimills.ca before you come. Also there are ongoing events like:

• The Almonte Lecture Series
• Family Movie Night!
• The Almonte Concert Series

And so on and so forth. The days are just packed! Check it out!

4. Take a bike ride!

Bicycle Month Sign

Almonte people like to bike. Take a scenic (or challenging!) ride around the country roads – here is a handy map of some different routes that they put together during Mississippi Mills  Bicycle Month! You can check out bridges, an alvar area, a handful of cemeteries. I recommend working an iced coffee  from Equator Coffee Roasters into your route! Its on Houston drive, down the street from the Independent Grocer’s.

5. Cross country skiing at Mill of Kintail (Or hiking in summer!)

There is a network of great trails all around a beautiful creek and this old building, which was once the studio of Dr. R. Tait McKenzie, and is now a museum with his works. Its a beautiful piece of land - people get married there! There’s nowhere in Almonte (that I know of?) to rent skis, but you can rent them from Bushtukah or MEC. Then, maybe a hot chocolate at the Groundz Cafe?

6. Take a pottery class at Almonte Pottery Guild! I haven’t actually done this yet, but once I finish upholstery at My Upholstery Shop, I will! Almonte has a great community of artisans (check some of them out during the fall Crown and Pumpkin studio tour!) and there are loads of classes. This one I am excited about, because I find pottery to be pretty much like therapy – its so relaxing. You could also try jewelry classes from Kehla Design or fine woodworking at the Rosewood Studio.

7. Saturday Morning – Breakfast and a Farmer’s Market

If you can make it out early enough, some Saturdays the Almonte Legion hosts an egg and bacon breakfast for $5. It is pretty much the best deal around! You get eggs, bacon AND sausage, pancakes, homefries, and coffee and juice! The best way to tell if its going to be on is to check the sign out front on a Friday, or I guess you could call them. : )  It runs from 8-11AM usually. More importantly, every Saturday morning in the library parking lot, there is a small but spectacular Almonte Farmer’s Market! Check it out for delicious baked goods, local produce, meat and eggs, and bedding plants and cut flowers. It is my new favourite farmer’s market

8. Lunch at the Barley Mow Pub during High Water

This is one of my favourite places to bring visitors, just because it has a great view and a very relaxed atmosphere. The serve brunch on Saturdays and Sundays, and it is pretty good! Also there is loads of patio space in the summer, so lots of room to while away a summer evening with a pint. More importantly, if you come in the spring, the water rushes past the windows in the hall where you walk to the back room, and it makes you feel like you’re in a boat heading upstream. Its a very cool location! And last time I was there the waitresses were super nice.

9. Visit a SugarBush! And Pakenham!

There are several sugar bushes around Almonte (did you know Lanark County is the Maple Syrup Capital of Ontario? It IS!) but the closest one is Fulton’s Pancake House. Its actually closer to Pakenham, but hey, we’re amalgamated now! They are open all year, and have pancake breakfasts throughout the winter. The day we went, there was live music, which was fun to eat panckaes to. There’s a gift shop, a maple taffy stand and sleigh rides. All the maple goodness!

While you are in Pakenham, stroll over the 5 span bridge (one of Lanark’s Seven Wonders!) and go to the General Store. I have also heard great things about the Copper Kettle, which is a little restaurant run by a Hungarian (I think) couple. Call ahead, but it sounds pretty amazing. The same friends also run Riverbend Campground in Pakenham if you want a scenic place to pitch your tent (or RV?). Play a round of horseshoes on the banks of the Mississippi!

10. Play in Blakeney falls

Probably you won’t want to play in the falls when it looks like this, but in the summer, its very fun to hop along the rocks and try not to soak yourself. There is a short trail and some bridges, as well as a grassy picnic area. To get to the falls from Almonte, you take Martin Street West to Blakeney Road (South).

Well that should give you a start on getting to know my little town! I hope you like it as much as I do.

*Today’s post is part of a series of weekly posts focusing on the Seven Wonders of Illinois. As a reminder, be sure to take part in our Seven Wonders Photo Contest.

Baha'i Temple - Wilmette, IL

I’ll never forget the first time I saw the Baha’i House of Worship in Wilmette. I had seen many photos of the beautiful Temple and was looking forward to seeing it in person. As the car wound its way along Sheridan Road I was surprised when the bright white structure suddenly appeared alongside lovely homes and an abundance of trees – wow – it’s just magnificent.

If you’re a photo buff you’ll love this place, where you can hardly take a bad photo–they all look great! (I took this photo with my little cell phone a few days ago.) But pictures don’t do it justice. The www.bahaitemple.org website has a link to a 360-degree virtual tour of the interior and exterior. But even the virtual tour doesn’t give you a true sense of the beauty and peacefulness you’ll find.

The auditorium (worship area) of the Baha’i House of Worship and gardens are open every day from 6:00 a.m. until 10:00 p.m. and the visitors center and bookstore (downstairs) are open from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Monday through Friday and 11:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday.

Brief prayer services,known as devotional programs, are held in the auditorium daily at 12:30 p.m. They only last about 15 minutes or up to 30 minutes on Sundays when the choir sings. There’s no clergy in the Baha’i Faith and the prayers and readings for the devotional programs are chosen from the Sacred Texts of the major world religions, including those from the Baha’i Faith, and read by volunteers. If you want to be a reader, call the staff at the Temple at: 847-853-2300 and ask to talk with Bridgette.

There’s a sign on the spacious lawn that says, “All are welcome” and this isn’t just a passing phrase – it’s true! There’s no congregation associated with the Temple. It was actually built by the Baha’is as a place of worship and private meditation for everyone in the community – not just members of the Baha’i Faith.

Once you visit, you’ll know why this sacred space was chosen as one of the Seven Wonders of Illinois. As described in the ABC-7 News report when the designation was announced in 2007, “The Baha’i House of Worship is an architectural gem glistening white against blue skies.”

Whether you come for the architectural beauty, the photo opportunities, or to find peace and tranquility, you won’t be disappointed.

~Ellen
Associate Director, Baha’i Temple

TAJ MAHAL CAN BE CONSIDERED AS A Sheer poetry in marble.

Majesty, Beauty and magnificence, unrivalled, the Taj Mahal supposed to be the only one of its kind across the world. It is the monumental labour of love from Shahjahan (a great ruler) for his beloved queen Noorjahan.

Its The ultimate realisation of Emperor Shahjahan’s dream. One of the wonders of the world.

An estimated of about 20,000 people worked to complete the enchanting mausoleum, on the banks of the Yamuna, from 1631 A.D., it took 22 years in its making.

For a breathtaking beauty and a beautiful view of the Taj Mahal, one has to see it by moonlight.

*Today’s post is part of a series of weekly posts focusing on the Seven Wonders of Illinois. As a reminder, be sure to take part in our Seven Wonders Photo Contest that starts today.

Wrigley Field, Chicago, Photo by Clint McMahon

A couple of weeks ago I caught a Cubs game with some friends at Wrigley Field.  We had bleacher seats out in right center field. We showed up early to the ball park and were able to catch the Cincinnati Red’s batting practice. One lone kid, about five years old, was decked out in a Brandon Phillips jersey (Reds’ current 2^nd baseman) and approached the front of the bleachers with his dad.

While batting practice ensued, he waited anxiously to catch a ball. A group of relief pitchers from the bullpen were fielding balls in right field. Occasionally, they would throw a ball hit to them up to the crowd in the bleachers. Some Cubs fans noticed this kid and worked to have one of the players throw him a ball since he was the only Reds fan around. After about 20 minutes, a Reds player finally realized what was happening and threw a ball over to the kid. He earned his souvenir for the game.

I share this story because a friend of mine asked me to share a personal experience at Wrigley Field. I spent the afternoon reflecting on my first trip to this beloved baseball icon. The year was 1991 and I was nine years old. I took a train from Indiana with a friend from school and his family. The whole experience was surreal as I was able to see my childhood heroes Andre Dawson, Mark Grace and my all-time favorite 2^nd baseman, Ryne Sandberg.

Though I can’t remember the score or who won the game that day, I do remember the green ivy, the cool breeze off the lake and the nervous anticipation of seeing my favorite players up close. These are the Wrigley Field experiences that stand out in my mind. Like the kid in the Phillips jersey, I was able to root for my favorite second baseman in my youth as well in this same exact place.

Almost two decades later, I’m still enjoying my favorite ball club at my favorite venue. If you haven’t had the chance, take part in a piece of history and catch a game at Wrigley Field as there are very few places like it that are left in the world. A 95-year-old stadium, it is unknown how long a gem like Wrigley will last. I know I will continue to enjoy as many experiences there as I can.  I hope you do too.

- Matty O’Brien

We’re excited to announce that tomorrow kicks off our Seven Wonders of Illinois photo contest!

For anyone that is not familiar, two years ago we asked you all to help us determine the official Seven Wonders of Illinois by nominating beautiful, interesting or quirky locations around the state. After weeks of nominations and voting, the winning attractions resulted in: Wrigley Field , Baha’i Temple, Starved Rock State Park, Allerton Park, Black Hawk State Historic Site, Rend Lake and Meeting of the Great Rivers Scenic Byway.

It’s incredibly simple to participate. From September 24 through November 6, we’re accepting photo submissions of any of the Seven Wonders to enjoyillinois@gmail.com. At the close of the submission period, a panel including three of our great photo bloggers here on the Enjoy blog will narrow down to the best photo for each attraction. Then we want all of YOU to vote for the best overall photo.

What will be the grand prize??? Hop over to the contest page to learn more details.

Good luck everyone!

-Jan

I was trolling through various quotes and things and stumbled across this little story. 

What are the Seven Wonders of the World?
By: Author Unknown

A group of students was asked to list what they thought
were the present “Seven Wonders of the World.” Though there
were some disagreements, the following received the most
votes:

1. Egypt’s Great Pyramids
2. Taj Mahal
3. Grand Canyon
4. Panama Canal
5. Empire State Building
6. Saint Peter’s Basilica
7. China’s Great Wall

While gathering the votes, the teacher noticed that one
quiet student hadn’t turned in her paper yet. So she asked
the girl if she was having trouble with her list. The girl
replied, “Yes, a little. I couldn’t quite make up my mind
because there were so many.”

The teacher said, “Well, tell us what you have, and maybe
we can help.”

The girl hesitated, then read, “I think the ‘Seven Wonders
of the World’ are:

1. to see
2. to hear
3. to touch
4. to taste
5. to feel
6. to laugh
7. and to love.”

The room was so quiet you could have heard a pin drop.

I share this as a reminder to take stock of everything you have in your life and let it be your muse – your source of inspiration!

Happy writing (or reading…).

For my very first post ever, I’m just going to dive right in and start spreading some knowledge.

So, the 7 Wonders of the World. It’s a tough subject, mainly because there are actually several lists. We’ve got the 7 Wonders of the Ancient World with greats including the Pyramid of Giza and the Hanging Gardens. There’s the 7 Wonders of the Medieval World holding its own with the Great Wall of China and Stonehenge, among others. Even still there is the 7 Wonders of the Modern World which has the Golden Gate Bridge and the Chunnel. And the last I’ll mention is the 7 Natural Wonders of the world with unbelievable beauties that include Aurora Borealis and the Grand Canyon.

I’ve discussed the 7 Wonders with friends and family over the years and with that small test pool, I think there are some major misconceptions that float around about the 7 Wonders. I’ve heard everything from “All the 7 wonders are Greek” to “The 7 wonders are all the things you can see from space.”

While the “They’re all Greek” statement is a little more reasonable, the “seen from space” is way out there, considering the first lists are thought to have originated some 450 – 250 B.C. But the first lists originated from Greek historians, however several fo the Ancient wonders aren’t Greek. Today, I will cover the 7 Ancient Wonders of the World, if there is enough interest, I will do the others as well. So, here they are.

Hanging Gardens of Babylon

Colossus of Rhodes

Statue of Zeus at Olympia

Great Pyramid of Giza

Mausoleum of Maussollos at Halicarnassus

Lighthouse of Alexandria

and

Temple of Artemus

As I stated in my About page, I’m not here to write peoples term papers. So to round out this first post I’m just going to give a couple paragraphs of some of the most interesting things I’ve found about the 7 Ancient Wonders.

First, the Lighthouse of Alexandria didn’t even show up on the early lists, in its place was the Ishtar Gate that was constructed as one of the gates to the inner city of Babylon. Also, the Lighthouse of Alexandria is thought to have been the 3rd tallest manmade structure of its time, which is impressive on its own, however when you look at the 2 tallest, the Pyramids of Khufu and Khafra, it becomes even more impressive. Pyramids are inherently stable structures, large base, small tip. However the Lighthouse of Alexandria was a free standing, rectangular structure standing an estimated 400ft, that’s roughly a 40 story building, keep in mind, it was built around 250 B.C.

I mentioned that the Lighthouse of Alexandria was the third tallest. The first, another on the list, was The Great Pyramid of Giza, Khufu or Cheops, whichever you prefer. Which didn’t stand all that much taller, I believe 50 or so feet. However, the Great Pyramid of Giza was the tallest, man made structure for roughly 3800 years. To finally be beat by the french in 1889 when they completed construction of the Eiffel Tower.

For more information on the 7 Wonders, I’ve found that Wikipedia has a great breadth of information on the subject. While I never rely on Wikipedia for any research I do, I have seen their pages on these particular subjects and have not seen any errors, they also have some great visual references.

7 Wonders of the World

The fires in So Cal recently have reminded me of how bad the air quality was in India.  We only experience air quality this bad once in a long while however the air is bad constantly in India.  We were in New Delhi, where the air quality is especially bad because of all the pollution.  India is an amazing place and in takes months to adequately visit the country.  The only place that had decent air quality in India was when we visited the Taj Mahal.

The Taj Mahal, one of the world wonders of the world was amazing.  I thought it was smaller than what I imagined but it was a work of art.  The area surrounding the Taj Mahal is a “clean” zone, no air polluting vehicles or factories operate near the Taj Mahal.  Only electric vehicles are allowed into the surrounding areas.  They don’t even let you wear shoes on the grounds of the Taj Mahal.  It kind of got me started on a quest to see all the world wonders of the world, man made and natural.

The series of my own Seven Wonders of the World has fallen into coma. There are three left to describe but here I choose to describe a monument that almost made it to my list. My wife and I awaited the Y2K event on the Andaman Islands. Not really, but we happened to be there when 1999 became 2000. Before we made it out to the Andaman Islands we travelled around in Tamil Nadu and Karnataka in south India. Ever since my trip to Rajasthan in 1991/1992 I have been interested in Jain architecture and art. Back then I visited Ranakpur and Mount Abu.  

Jainism is a dharmic religion (which also includes Hinduism, Buddhism, and Sikhism). It is widely known for prescribing non-violence against any living being. Every living soul is potentially divine. A Jain follow the Jinas (conquerors) who rediscover the dharma (one’s righteous duty or virtuous path) before becoming completely liberated and teach others the spiritual path. There are 24 special Jinas who are called Tirthankaras. The most recent of these is Shri Mahavir who lived 599-527 BC. All others lived in what we perhaps could call a mythic past.

Jain ritual at Shravanabelagola

158 km west of Bangalore we find the important Jain pilgrim centre of Shravanabelagola. There are two hills at the site where king Chandragupta (c. 320-298 BC), the founder of the Maurya dynasty who defeated Alexander the Great’s armies, is believed to have been meditating. After conquering almost the whole Indian subcontinent Chandragupta gave up his throne and became an ascetic follower of a Jain monk. Within a cave at Shravanabelagola he ended his life in sallakhana which is the religious ritual of voluntary death by fasting.

The way up to Vindyagiri hill

On top of the hill called Vindyagiri stands the 17.38 m tall monolithic statue of Bhagavan Gomateshwara Bahubali. Lord Bahubali was the second of the one hundred sons of the first Tirthankara, Lord Rishabha who is believed to have lived several thousand years ago. Gomateshwara is the world’s largest monolithic stone statue. It was erected by Chamundaraya (AD 940-989), a military commander, poet and a minister in the court of king Rachamalla of the Western Ganga Dynasty (AD 350-1000). On the base of the statue are inscriptions in written Marathi that dates to AD 981. The statue was erected for the general’s mother and can be seen from a distance of 30 km. Every twelve year thousands of Jains congregate to perform a ceremony in which the statue is covered with milk, curd, ghee, saffron and gold coins.

Statue of Bhagavan Gomateshwara Bahubali

In a recent poll, half of the Indians voted Shravanabelagola as the top Seventh Wonder of India. Taj Mahal only came in third place on the national list.

What? Friday already? Say it ain’t so… apologies for the lack of postage this week, it’s been busy. I might as well see if I can get a whole set of seven posts with a day of the week as the title, so welcome to Friday.

There’s not actually much to report on my front this week – my superhero novel Seven Wonders hit 102,000 words this morning. Although I’m not done, it was still a buzz to cross the 100k mark. I can remember when I did it with my first novel, Dark Heart. The feeling was rather exhilirating, because if nothing else I at least proved to myself that I could write a novel-length work of fiction. Dark Heart ended at about 124,000 words. I think Seven Wonders will be about the same, and I’ve given myself until next Monday to finish it up. Then I’ll print up a trade paperback on Lulu as a personal edit copy and stick it on the shelf for a few months while I take down the ominous black tome that is Dark Heart and get cracking on the second draft. That’s September taken care of. Then once Dark Heart is edited/redrafted, I’ll be starting its sequel in October. I honestly can’t wait to get started, not only because it’s a story I’ve had outlined and plotted for literally years, but because the title popped into my head a few weeks ago, and every time I say it, I positively tingle with anticipation. That title is Dreamweapon. You heard it here first, folks. Tell your friends, tell your family. And yes, it is the name of an album by Spacemen 3. Talent borrows, genius frickn’ steals.

My personal week may have been unremarkable, but not so in the world of teh awesome writers and publishers. Our FDO Scott Sigler, whom I interviewed for a special Writing Habits podcast episode the other week, is now busy signing, numbering, and shipping the initial batch of The Rookie from his secret Warehouse of Doom in San Francisco. The book looks terrific – check out Scott’s own personal unboxing video here. Incidentally, my interview with Scott can still be found on iTunes, and for those who have been asking for it, you can download the original mp3 of the podcast here.

The Rookie also represents the first book from Dark Overlord Media, a new venture officially launched by Scott and business partner A Kovacs. The full press release can be found here, but suffice to say, publishing will never be the same again.

Two words. “Kick” and “Ass”.

It’s Thursday, that time of the week that (like Arthur Dent) I could never get the hang of, so I’ll keep it brief. I’ll even itemise things.

The Devil in Chains
Somebody added my 2008 novella to Good Reads (although apparently it doesn’t recognise the cover), and even reviewed it! I’m rather flattered, and quite frankly to have someone tell me that in one scene,

An ordinary exploration of an empty room suddenly becomes an exercise in exquisite grotesquerie.

… makes me all sorts of happy inside.

What also makes my head spin is a review in the form of a Shakespearean sonnet. This goes beyond flattery and into the surreal realms of honour. I think a w00t is called for. Thanks to Kate for her devotion to the cause!

Speaking of The Devil in Chains, I need to get cracking on reformatting the PDF properly for the Sony eBook reader. This website will also undergo a bit of a redesign when Seven Wonders is done, which will make it easier to keep track of projects and also easier for people to find stuff to read. For the moment, you can grab The Devil in Chains here as a PDF, or here as an eBook for the iPhone/iPod touch.

Seven Wonders
The book that never ends! Actually that sounds a bit harsh. The draft of this superhero novel is at about 95,000 words, and I’m slowly in-filling the middle bit. I’m giving myself to the end of August for this, and I think I’m on track. It’s actually a lot of fun writing about Tony and Jeannie and Sam and Joe and SMART, as not only do I know what happens to them at the end, I’ve already written it. Going back in time a few weeks and seeing what they were up to before everything went wrong is really interesting as a writer.

Master project list
Something else for the website is a proper tracker of projects, but I’ve yet to find the right funky progress bar widget. However, having discovered the wonder of VoodooPad (basically your own personal off-line wiki), I’ve started transferring dozens of separate documents of notes and ideas into one repository, which means I’ve also created a master index of novels, plotting out a sort of schedule well into 2010 and beyond. VoodooPad is a work of genius, and now joins Scrivener on my list of essential writing tools.

Which means nothing until I actually show you guys something, but it did surprise me (pleasantly, I should add), that I’ve got no fewer than 11 novels planned so far. Which is good, because to make it as a writer you need, firstly, to keep writing and writing and writing, and then when hopefully something is picked up, if you want to make a living out of it you have to be working on the next book, and then the next, and then the next.

So a list of 11 books is easy. It’s just a list and a few notes for each. Ideas are cheap and the imagination is limitless. Sitting down and writing is hard, but at least I know where I am aiming.

The Colosseum is one of the things that I really want to see some day but the chances of that really happening are one in a fuckin million. So the next best thing is to see it inn a cool way and close up so that why I had to post this cuz it shows just how amazing the Colosseum really looks. So check it out here is the link http://www.360cities.net/image/colosseum-at-dusk-rome