Bell Mountain Green

Enjoy a date with the Alps at Mt. Pilatus

Arriving at Switzerland is itself romantic. The greener pastures, grazing cattle, unending landscapes that blurs into horizon and many more such picturesque spots take you by awe. And of course, Switzerland cannot be described without the mention of the beautiful Alps. Now picture this – climbing across the rocky mountain in Switzerland on a Cogwheel, with loveliest brown Swiss cows flaunting the famous Swiss cow bells, magnificent green slopes and huge hill tops that stretch till the blue skies, in the backdrop. Well, all that is possible while visiting Mount Pilatus near Lucerne, a north-central city in Switzerland. In fact, a visit to Mt. Pilatus gives you the wholesome enjoyment of rides on a cogwheel, toboggan (an open sled carrying people down the slope), cable car, aerial gondolas and even a boat ride in Lake Lucerne.

Journey to Mt. Pilatus begins from Lucerne, which lies on the shores of Lake Lucerne and is well connected by train or bus from all the major cities in Europe. From Lucerne, you can either board a bus or train or choose to cruise across Lake Lucerne to reach Alpnachstad, from where the world's steepest cogwheel train chugs up the Pilatus Mountain. Reaching Alpnachstad by train or road should take you an hour while by lake it takes double the time. But reaching by Lake Lucerne is recommended the most for you to enjoy the serenity of turquoise waters of the lake while soaking in the beauty of Mt. Pilatus in sight. All you need is to take a day's time out for Pilatus expedition; otherwise it's a half-day excursion.

The enthralling surrounding enamors as one goes up on the cogwheel train. Glimpse of Alps moving up and down our eye-sight every time the train crosses through a tunnel take passengers in surprise. It's a magical moment that fleets away before you prepare your camera for a quick click. As the cogwheel creeps further, you feel being in the lap of the great Alps that stands magnificently looking over Lake Lucerne. Ecstatic is the word to describe the view from top.

On top of a mountain is always a heavenly experience where sun, sky and the mountains all around never let one realize that another world too existed beyond. On top of Mt. Pilatus, in Swiss Alps, at 7000 feet (2132 meters) above sea level, imparts similar thoughts. Take a stately walk around the mountain on top that turns out to be more awe-inspiring at every twirl. There could be some narrow, snow-clad passages; so watch your steps. What follows next is the extreme of adventure.

There are two options to get back – on a cable car or aerial gondola and on the toboggan, if you are that adventure-freak. Pilatus toboggan track is the longest in Switzerland. As you get down, a leisurely five- minute walk takes you to Alpnachstad bus stand and from there 15-minute ride back to the Lucerne train station. In fact, the whole round trip from boat rides on Lake Lucerne to cogwheel to cable car/toboggan and finally from bus ride to the Lucerne station is popular as "Golden Round Trip" among tourists. Tickets for the same are available on Lucerne station as well as on the Lake Steamer section. Even though the period between May to October is considered best for visiting the place, carrying warm clothes is a must any time. To see the beauty of Alps at the confluence of fall and winter when the rocky mountain boasts of both greeneries and the white snow, visit there in October.

The breathtaking mountainous panorama, the pristinely serene Lake Lucerne, the thrilling ascent on the steepest cogwheel, the freaking descend down Mt. Pilatus and more excitements notwithstanding will have you craving for more. And forgetting to buy some tiny Swiss cow bells is a strict no-no.

About the Author

Sanskrity Sinha is a travel journalist and lifestyle writer. She works with International Business Times as Travel Correspondent.

 This report has been submitted by Sanskrity Sinha for IBTimes.

Branson Missouri - Hillbilly Shows And So Much More

Have you heard where Silver Dollar City, Swiss Villa Amphitheatre or Black Oak Mountain Amphitheatre? You happen to be right. These places are located in Branson, Missouri.

Nearly 130 years ago, in a small county of Taney in Missouri, a general store and post office manager named Reuben Branson created the business district in that area. The site was afterwards named after him and was incorporated in 1912. Throughout its early times around 1880's, settlers began to relocate to the city, and one of them is William Henry Lynch.

Lynch purchased the Marble Cave in 1894 which was later on called The Marvel Cave and started the local tourism enterprise. A tourist to the cave is required to pay out an extremely minimal payment to view it. During the1950's, the Herschends leased the cave and made several enhancements to the facility for instance cemented stairways and installing an electrical source, and in 1960, the Silver Dollar City was born.

During the 1890's, several fresh shops such as hotels, banks and resorts emerged in the city as a result of high number of local travelers. The sheer numbers of customers ballooned when "Shepherd of the Hills", a bestselling story by Harold Bell Wright in 1907 became one of the most well-known outdoor plays featured in Branson City. The pioneer show ever played in Branson is the "Baldknobbers Jamboree" in 1959 and still performing up to this date.  The Presleys are those who first put up a show along Highway 76 in 1967 and then The Bladknobbers Jamboree, who relocated their show in 1968. A lot more shows opened down the highway and the location was eventually known nowadays as “The Strip”. Immediately after that incredible achievement, more shows and personalities being showcased and performed in the city, thus, attained its present moniker as the "live music show capital of the world", at the same time became one of the prime places for family vacations in the United States.

Right now, the city of a little over 7,000 citizens is the place of more than 22,000 hotels and lodging cabins providing wide range of accommodations and vacation packages. From its simple hillbilly shows and beginnings,  Branson Hotels are embedded in the center of a historical downtown district, fifty live music performance concert halls, twelve fabulous golf courses, dozens galleries, shopping center, a wide choices of dining places and bars which probably can make the holiday or gathering a one of kind experience that will certainly be memorable. Including the Silver Dollar City, one of the most renowned international theme parks in the US; and the original "Shepherd of the Hills" outdoor drama, playing its more than 5,000th live performance. The majority of businesses are found along "The Strip".

In choosing hotel accommodation, it is advised} that in addition to being a first class and outstanding establishment, the hotel needs to be eco-friendly or should we call it "Green Hotels" as described by iStayGreen.org. Let us give Mother earth what is deserving} for her in exchange of giving us a wonderful location such as Branson.

iStayGreen.org - the internet based listing of eco friendly hotels, is operated and ran by a network of enviroment conscious travelers, for the main objective of educating and sharing with regular tourists as well as the web network relating to a much more responsible lodging industry. One of their main undertakings is the "Green Hotels" which examines and rates many green friendly hotels and lodging shops all around the world. Based on the iStayGreen.org website, over 80 of Branson hotels are under review to meet the criteria as Green Hotels with rates ranging from $36 to $221.

Right here is the simple information concerning how to achieve an Eco- Green Leaf Rating.

Generally, hotels and other lodging companies are recommended to complete a thorough 70-point survey which would assess their eco-friendliness of their companies with regards to water and energy resource efficiency, operation sustainability, carbon pollution and other greenhouse gases, garbage and waste materials recycling, and other environmental details dissemination.

Currently, two of these Branson hotels and lodging shops have been granted the Green Hotel classification.  These Branson Green Hotels obtained a rating of not less than one eco-green leaf rating. The ratings and critiques were submitted by the real tourists and guests of the said hotels. They share their experiences and remark via iStayGreen.org. The rates of these Branson Green Hotels vary from $50 to $129 per night, they also offer wide selection of facilities such as spa, gym, resorts, fun and games for the whole family, acquaintances and associates.

So next time you take a trip to Branson, you already know where to lodge} and what to do. Apart from enjoying the great shows and sceneries Branson has to offer, you are at the same time giving the natural environment its decent share by picking "Green Hotels".

 

What is the track listing for the 80's gospel compilation record "Rough Side Of The Mountain"? or get a copy?

I want to know the songs, or if anyone can locate a copy of the original tape or record. It was on TV advertised back in the 1980's.. and the internet search engines can't locate anything close... it had the Clark sisters, The Winans, Al Green and Aretha Franklin to name some on it... ring a bell anyone?

Could you be referring to the following?

Gospel's Top 20 Songs Of The Century CD - track listing
DISC 1:
1. Glory To Glory - Fred Hammond & Radical For Christ
2. He's An On Time God - Dottie Peoples
3. Your Grace And Mercy - Mississippi Mass Choir
4. Precious Lord - Al Green
5. Order My Steps - GMWA Women Of Worship
6. Speak To My Heart - New York Restoration Choir/Donnie McClurkin
7. Center Of My Joy - Richard Smallwood
8. It's Gonna Rain - Rev. Milton Brunson & The Thompson Community Choir
9. You Brought The Sunshine - The Clark Sisters
10. Be Encouraged - William Becton
DISC 2:
1. No Charge - Shirley Caesar
2. Amazing Grace - Aretha Franklin
3. Oh Happy Day - Edwin Hawkins Singers
4. Rough Side Of The Mountain - Rev. F.C. Barnes/Rev. Janice Brown
5. Goin' Up Yonder - Walter Hawkins & The Love Center Choir
6. Yes, God Is Real - Albertina Walker
7. Lord Don't Move That Mountain - Inez Andrews
8. Peace Be Still - Reverend James Cleveland
9. Upper Room - Mahalia Jackson
10. My Tribute - Andrae Crouch

Green Mountain Falls Off A Cliff: Misses Estimates, Doesn't Respond To Einhorn (forbes)

Green Mountain Coffee posted fourth quarter earnings after the bell on
Wednesday, missing EPS estimates by a penny and coming short on revenue as
well. The stock plummeted immediately after the release, falling nearly 36%
within minutes. The stock has taken heavy fire since hedge fund manager David
Einhorn presented his case for shorting in a few weeks ago.

forbes

Disney Series: Tinker Bell Inspired feat. Glamour Doll Eyes [Requested]