I’m one of the writers for Only Positive News, and just a few hours ago, we experienced an earthquake. Relatively minor. 3.2 by the time it reached us. (The epicenter was in Virginia, I live at the Jersey shore.) Everything was fine here, but what a reality check! You generally expect the ground to stay put! But nothing is certain.

That may frighten us, but that uncertainty might be a reminder to let go, to stop trying control the “earthquakes” that happen every day, in one form or the answer. We don’t have control of everything. And instead of it frightening us, what if we embraced it?

How do we embrace our natural disasters, whether internal or external?

1. Get used to danger. When was the last time you did something a little physically risky? Or even mentally challenging? Or socially risky, such as public speaking? The more we stretch our ability to tolerate danger, the more we can handle the small stuff. Or the big stuff.

2. Ride the unpredictable like a wave. Just as every one of us may have an inner child, perhaps we each possess a rebellious, wild teenager waiting to leap and jump off a bridge. Instead of the fear and anxiety you normally feel, try to change your mindset and think of our daily ups and downs as a thrill, a ride, a natural high.

3. Remember nature as a metaphor. All natural occurrences have some sort of personal, relatable metaphor. What was the last earthquake you experienced? Lightning storm? Can you make yourself feel like a tornado on command? Try it. Take a deep breath and bring your energy upward, spiraling through your center. Feel your strength, your power, grow.

And always, always remember, we are interconnected - these natural disasters, the planets, the moon, the air, the water. Be grateful of this amazing connection we have to Mother Nature. She is, after all, BOSS.

Well Red: 10 Amazing Red Animals

Red animals are rarely retiring - their brilliant crimson, scarlet and vermillion hues dare others to notice them and often remind them to keep their distance.
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Blowing Off Steam: The World’s 10 Most Amazing Geysers

[ By Steve in 7 Wonders Series & Geography & Travel & Nature & Ecosystems. ]

Geysers have entranced observers from time immemorial with their sudden yet often predictable appearances, explosive power and the ability to conjure up rainbows on a cloudless day. Though the mechanics of geysers is better understood these days, their unique beauty remains one of Mother Nature’s most wondrous phenomena.

The Great Geysir, Iceland

(images via: Nations Online, CuboImages and Tree Peeps)

The Great Geysir, located in west-central Iceland’s Haukadalur valley, appropriately leads off this tribute to geysers as it was the first such phenomenon described in print. Though the earliest reports date from the 18th century, geologists estimate the Great Geysir has been active for up to 10,000 years.

(image via: Dadu1207)

The power and frequency of the Great Geysir have varied over time and seem to be affected by earthquakes and volcanism in the region – frequent occurrences in their own right. Since 2003, the Great Geysir has erupted thrice daily in spectacular fashion, with jets of boiling water shooting 70 meters high or more.

Fly Geyser, Nevada, USA

(images via: Atlas Obscura, BlackRockDesert.org and Nevada Magazine)

Located on privately-owned land in Nevada’s Black Rock Desert, the Fly Geyser is a rare example of human meddling with nature resulting in something uniquely beautiful. A well drilled in 1916 provided convenient egress for superheated water from deep within the Earth, rendering the well useless for irrigation purposes.

(image via: Dallas News)

As time passed, the constant flow of mineral-rich water built up a series of miniature mountain-like cones and below them, and extensive field of terraces and pools. Here’s a video of the Fly Geyser:

Fly Geyser, via Tobeable

The geyser owes its brilliant contrasting colors to both the minerals in the water and several species of Thermophile and Hyperthermophile (heat-loving) bacteria that live in it.

(images via: Stephen Oachs, John Coppinger and Dallas News)

The Fly Geyser is growing both in size and in prominence: organizers of the annual Burning Man Festival held nearby are attempting to purchase the part of the Fly Ranch containing the geyser, which would certainly provide greater access though at a questionable cost.

Waimangu Geyser, New Zealand

(images via: David Robinson, Rotorua and Matapihi)

Waimangu Geyser wasn’t just the biggest geyser in the Taupo Volcanic Zone on New Zealand’s North Island, it was the highest geyser in the whole world… for a very short time, at least. Waimangu Geyser‘s eruptions were so powerful, the explosive bursts of hot water blasted mud and rocks along with it, at up to 450 meters (almost 1,500 ft) in height! “Live fast, die young” was Waimangu Geyser’s motto, however, and although its prodigious blasts boosted into legendary status, it was only active between 1900 and 1904.

(image via: Te Ara)

Eyewitnesses to Waimangu (Maori for “black water”) Geyser were stunned by its power; in 1903 four tourists were killed by a sudden giant eruption. The wife of scientist Humphrey Haines described a January 1901 eruption as follows: “There was a small burst, followed by a gigantic explosion, far exceeding in magnitude anything previously witnessed. A vast column of black water was projected upwards, rising in an apparently solid body … Then for a moment it seemed to pause, but in another instant its apex burst outwards and a torrent of inky water streaked downwards to meet and lose itself in the snowy billows which rolled majestically upwards.”

Castle Geyser, Wyoming, USA

(images via: Science News for Kids, Ian Plant Dreamscapes and Chest of Books)

Of the roughly one thousand known geysers around the world, approximately 500 can be found in Yellowstone National Park. One of the most distinctive is Castle Geyser, named (in 1870) for its turreted, crenelated cone. Once thought to be as much as 15,000 years old, recent testing has indicated Castle Geyser’s first eruption took place roughly 1,000 years ago.

(image via: Hamari Fine Art)

Castle Geyser is a semi-regular geyser with a 10 to 12 hour eruption cycle. In a typical eruption, the geyser spurts boiling hot water up to 90 feet (27 m) high for about 20 minutes. This is followed by a pure steam eruption that can last up to 40 minutes and which is said to be very noisy!

Velikan Geyser, Russia

(images via: Igor Shpilenok and ValleyOfGeysers.com)

One of continental Eurasia’s only two geyser fields, the Valley of Geysers (“Dolina Geiserov”) located on Russia’s Kamchatka Peninsula boasts the second largest concentration of geysers in the world after Yellowstone Park. The Velikan (“giant”) Geyser is one of the field’s 30 named geysers. Erupting regularly every 6 to 8 hours but for only about a minute each time, the Velikan Geyser blasts superheated water over 25 meters (over 80 ft) into the air.

(image via: National Geographic)

In June of 2007, a massive mudslide triggered by an earthquake buried two-thirds of the Valley of Geysers beneath tons of rock, soil and rubble. Many of the valley’s curious diagonal geysers were lost but the Velikan Geyser was unscathed.

Geysir Andernach, Germany

(images via: Andernach.net, Stephan200659 and Alexanders Magazine)

Geysers aren’t usually family-friendly but Geysir Andernach isn’t your usual geyser: it’s cold! Even better, it’s carbonated – bring your own schnapps. The world’s highest cold water geyser is the centerpiece of the Namedyer Werth Nature Reserve, located near the city of Andernach in the western German state of Rhineland-Palatinate.

(image via: N24)

Cold geysers are powered by dissolved Carbon Dioxide. When a well or other outlet is provided, the pressurized water bursts upwards much like the contents of a shaken bottle of soda. This video features Geysir Andernach doing what geysers do, accompanied by some annoying Euro-techno-disco music (consider yourself warned):

Kaltwasser-Geysir in Andernach, via Noffycws

Strokkur Geyser, Iceland

(images via: Olis Olois, TrekEarth and Photoguide.cz)

Strokkur Geyser is the poster child for Icelandic geysers, erupting copiously and frequently: as often as every 4 to 8 minutes. It’s also one of the country’s highest geysers, a significant attribute for a wide-based fountain geyser.

(image via: JPGfotos)

Strokkur Geyser’s history has been dependent on earthquakes and local volcanic conditions. The geyser was first noted in 1789 when an earthquake opened its throat. In 1963, Iceland’s Geysir Committee (yes, they have such a body) advised unblocking the geyser’s conduit from beneath – the “operation” was successful and Strokkur Geyser has been performing regularly ever since.

El Tatio, Chile

(images via: Wayfaring, AllPosters and Pato Rojas)

El Tatio (“The Grandfather”) is located in northern Chile and at 4,200 meters (13,780 ft) above sea level is one of the world’s highest geyser fields. Though few of El Tatio’s individual geysers spurt more than a few feet high (the steam rises much higher), the overall effect of the field in full blast mode, backdropped by stunning Andes mountain scenery, is both ethereal and otherworldly.

(image via: Kangury.net)

The Chilean government has attempted on several occasions to build a geothermal power plant on the site of El Tatio but resistance from the public and from local businesses dependent on the tourist trade have scuttled such efforts time and time again.

Lady Knox Geyser, New Zealand

(images via: Road Less Traveled Blog, TripAdvisor and Cutcaster)

The Lady Knox Geyser, located in New Zealand’s Taupo Volcanic Zone, is one of the country’s few geological features that doesn’t have a Maori name due to it’s not being discovered until the early 20th century. Prisoners held at a nearby jail accidentally induced the geyser to erupt after adding soap to the natural hot water source in order to wash their clothes.

(image via: Wikipedia)

Soap is a surfactant that lowers the surface tension of water, a property that continues to be used to coax the Lady Knox Geyser into action. Here’s a video of the Lady doing her thing, right on schedule:

Lady Knox Geyser – New Zealand, via AdamZielonkowski

“Performances” are held daily at 10:15am and the geyser obligingly spurts upwards to a height of 20 meters (65+ ft) for up to an hour.

Old Faithful, Wyoming, USA

(images via: CPT12, Indospectrum and Stamp Collector’s Corner)

What, you thought we’d leave out the world’s most famous geyser, Old Faithful? Oh ye of little faith! Yellowstone Park’s star attraction is a sight to see, though beware of the common misconception that it erupts every hour, on the hour. The geyser’s eruptions can be predicted with a fair amount of accuracy but one must consider the length of the previous eruption: the greater the duration of the eruption, the longer the interval before the next one. Intervals between eruptions can last as long as 2 hours and as short as 35 minutes.

(image via: WyoFile/Yathin)

Old Faithful jets to maximum height ranging from 90 to 184 feet, though in long eruptions its height can be much lower over the final few minutes. Here’s a video of Old Faithful keeping the faith, as it were:

Old Faithful – Yellowstone, via Cathystratton

Odds are, if someone is going see one geyser in their lifetime and don’t happen to live near one, Old Faithful is the geyser they’ll see. It’s location in one of America’s oldest and most popular national parks means that extensive infrastructure has been established to serve generations of geyser-watchers. Old Faithful may not be off the beaten track – anything but – but it’s never failed to please its many admirers.

(image via: NASA/APOD)

Of course, Old Faithful never sleeps as tourists must, so one way to observe the geyser in an uncrowded setting is to go very late at night or very early in the morning. An added bonus is the spectacular night sky unhindered by city lights.

(image via: SOTT.net)

Geysers are among the Earth’s most fascinating natural phenomena, but don’t assume they’re strictly Earthly. NASA’s Voyager spacecraft captured an astonishing sight during their flyby of Triton, the planet Neptune’s largest moon, in 1989: towering geysers of Nitrogen gas tinted dark with dust, rising high into the moon’s threadbare atmosphere. Wondrous indeed and best of all, there’s no need to add soap!

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Eons of action by wind and water have conspired to create an abundance of amazing stone arches but these same forces will, in time, sweep them all away.
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Filed Under: Green Things
Tagged: america, city, facebook, faith, geysers, moon, travel, water

Marcel Gleffe Saves Lives during Norway Massacre

August 9, 2011 by thegreenchildrenfoundation · View Comments 

On Friday, a gunman took the lives of 86 people on Norway’s Utoya Island. It’s an unspeakable tragedy—yet the damage may have been far worse if not for the heroic acts of Marcel Gleffe, a German tourist who was camping on the mainland nearby when the shots began to ring out.

At first, he thought the sounds might have been fireworks—but when he saw the plumes of smoke from the gunfire, he knew that the situation was deadly. Even so, he didn’t hesitate to get involved.

Gleffe raced his motorboat over to the island, where he found a group of people in the water. Some of them had already been shot, and were in serious condition. He threw out life jackets, and helped as many of them as possible climb into his boat to return to the mainland, taking those with the worst injuries first.

Police hadn’t responded yet, so Gleffe was the first rescuer on the scene. He made four or five trips before the police arrived and told him they no longer required assistance.

Gleffe knew that the gunman was still roaming the island when he made his rescue missions, but he was prepared to risk his own life to save as many people as he could. Altogether, he rescued 30 people.

“I just did it on instinct,” he told the Telegraph. “You don’t get scared in a situation like that, you just do what it takes. I know the difference between fireworks and gunfire. I knew what it was about, and that it wasn’t just nonsense.”

Source: Gimundo

Beth

Filed Under: Positive News
Tagged: difference, german, longer-required, marcel-gleffe, news, police, situation, threw-out-life, took-the-lives, water

Green Pet Products: 12 Eco Essentials for Dogs

August 8, 2011 by thegreenchildrenfoundation · View Comments 

[ By Steph in Animals & Habitats. ]

Kind-hearted and loyal, our dogs are faithful companions that help us enjoy the simple pleasures in life, like luxuriating in a patch of sun or wading in a cool creek. So why not protect them from pesticides and other toxins, and keep their paw prints from making too deep of an impression upon the earth? These 12 green pet products including toys, treats, collars and beds are recycled, sustainable, natural and healthy to dogs, humans and the planet.

Stainless Steel Portable Water Bottle

(images via: olive green dog)

It’s always a great idea to bring along some water for your dog when you’re out, especially if you’re engaging in physical activity like frisbee or a hike. The H2O4K9 water bottle is made of food-grade stainless steel with a polypropylene lid that doubles as a drinking bowl. The bottle holds 25 fluid ounces, is fully recyclable and free of BPA and other toxins.

Planet Dog Wood Chuck with Orbee-Tuff RecycleBall

(image via: planet dog)

Not only is this a great design to lob balls long distances for your dog to fetch, it’s also made from eco-friendly materials – and a lot more attractive than similar neon-colored plastic versions. Planet Dog’s Wood Chuck thrower is made of renewable bamboo with an ergonomic handle made of recycled cork scraps. The accompanying Orbee-Tuff RecycleBall is made of 100% recycled materials and is super-strong, holding up to even the most enthusiastic of chewers.

Eco Pick-Up Dog Waste Kit

(images via: fetchdog)

Be a responsible dog owner – always pick up after your pet when you’re taking a walk, whether it’s on a downtown street or at the park. Biodegradable bags are thought to be an even better option that reusing plastic shopping bags, because they at least have a chance of breaking down in a reasonable amount of time. The Eco-Pick Up Dog Waste Kit is just one of many similar dispensers for these bags that are compact and easy to carry – you simply clip it onto the dog’s leash.

Doggie Dooley In-Ground Waste Digester System

(image via: drs foster & smith)

At home, when you clear the yard of land mines left behind by your dog, don’t toss them in the trash. Consider an in-ground waste digester system like the Doggie Dooley. This bucket-sized container works like a septic system, using environmentally friendly enzymes and bacteria to turn dog waste into a liquid that’s absorbed by the ground.

Organic Bumper Bed by West Paw Design

(image via: green dog love)

You’re careful about purchasing bedding for yourself that’s free of toxic chemicals – extend the same care to your pooch. An organic bed is simply healthier for your pet than one that has been treated with pesticides or other harmful substances. The Organic Bumper Bed by West Paw Design is comfy and cozy, and you can customize the colors.

Freezy Pups Kit Dog Treats

(image via: only natural pet)

Make your own organic frozen dog treats using this simple kit, which consists of a tray of bone-shaped molds and a set of four flavored treat mix packets. Each packet makes 14 treat in white cheddar cheese, juicy apple, sweet potato n’ maple or chicken soup flavors. Of course, with a little imagination, you can DIY this – just use an ice tray and fresh, natural pureed foods.

Earth Dog Decorative Hemp Dog Collar

(image via: olivegreendog)

Available in solid colors and cheerful modern prints, the Earth Dog Decorative Hemp collar features a triple-layer, 100% hemp canvas construction. Choose from adjustable quick-release or martingale belt-style. These hypoallergenic collars are hand-made in the USA; matching harnesses and leashes are also available.

Ark Naturals Neem Protect Spray

(image via: vitacost)

Protect your pet from fleas and ticks naturally, and keep them smelling fresh along the way. The insect-repelling essential oils citronella and neem are far healthier for your pets and for you than common pesticides like pyrethrin. Neem oil can also help heal existing bites and soothe itching.

Recycled Doggie Tee

(image via: fromscratch)

Profess your eco-friendly inclinations with a recycled message tee for your dog. Eco tees by ‘From Scratch’ are made from 100% recycled ring-spun cotton/poly jersey reclaimed from cotton waste and plastic bottles. Design choices include ‘Treehugger’, ‘The Green Apple’, ‘Love the Planet’, ‘Paper or Plastic?’ and ‘I’m All Natural’.

New Age Pet Eco-Concepts Bunkhouse Dog House

(image via: petco)

If your pet spends a lot of time outdoors, you’ll want to get her a comfortable dog house to shelter her from the elements. The New Age Pet Eco-Concepts Bunkhouse is made of 100% recycled plastics and recycled wood products, and features a weatherproof interior and exterior. This dog house has a raised floor for ventilation, a double-wall design that provides extra insulation from harsh temperatures, and a removable roof for easy cleaning. It can be painted with any exterior latex paint to match your house.

Super-Tough Chew Toys from Planet Dog

(images via: planet dog)

Encourage your dog to chew on designated toys, not your shoes! Planet Dog rates its chew toys from 1-5 ‘chompers’ to tell you how well it will hold up to dogs with a strong urge to chew. The Slobber-Wick Squeak Bone is great for dogs that won’t do too much damage, and the Orbee-Tuff Recycle Bone, made of scraps from other products that would otherwise by discarded, are somewhere in between. Got the kind of dog that could chew through a wall if left unattended for too long? Try the Orbee-Tuff Diamond Plate Ball, which is practically impossible to destroy.

Castor & Pollux Organix Dog Food

(image via: petco)

While fresh, raw food may be the ideal choice of nourishment for dogs, many people still prefer pelletized dry food. One of the best brands available is Castor & Pollux Organix, which is made of human-grade chicken meat. Also containing fresh organic apples,  broccoli, carrots, pumpkin and pears as well as millet and quinoa, this natural organic dog food does not contain corn, wheat, soy or by-products.

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Filed Under: Green Things
Tagged: animals & habitats, awesome-avian, birds, dogs, facebook, green, kitchen-makes, park, recycle, recycled, usa, water

Airy Architecture: 13 Homes Open to Nature

August 5, 2011 by admin · View Comments 

[ By Steph in Art & Design & Home & Garden. ]

Imagine being able to temporarily remove an entire wall of your home – or maybe every wall – to let in cool, fresh air in the heat of summer. That’s the idea behind these 13 open-air houses, which utilize either sliding panels, garage doors or permanently perforated screens to take advantage of natural ventilation and cooling. These airy designs not only lower energy bills, but foster a connection to the outdoors.

The Paraty House by Marcio Kogan Architects

(images via: contemporist)

Truly blurring the lines between indoors and out, this incredible beach house in Paraty, Brazil features massive sliding windows that completely open the interior spaces to an infinity pool and the shore beyond it. The home is made up of two cantilevered concrete volumes which jut out of a mountainside; residents arrive by boat.

Kokopo House, Papua New Guinea

(images via: world architecture news)

With a form inspired by the flow of volcanic lava, the Kokopo House in Papua New Guinea is bold, futuristic and luxurious. Totally off-grid and open to the elements, the home contains no windows and has walls designed to encourage air flow. It also features rainwater collection, solar water heaters and low-wattage LED lights, and was made using local materials.

Fish House by Guz Architects

(images via: best of remodeling)

Mimicking the way the gills of a fish allow oxygen into its body, the Fish House by Guz Architects has openings in its layered roof to usher in fresh ocean air. Numerous large opening windows further open up the inside of the home, and the architects extended the living space into the outdoors with covered poolside pavilions and glassed-in cantilevered living spaces.

Minimalist White Home by Iwan Baan

(images via: iwan.com)

Japanese architect Iwan Baan does away with glass altogether in this minimalist white home, at least when it comes to the exterior volume. A white sheath extending all the way to the property line, punctuated with rectilinear openings that let in air and light. This provides a protected garden space between the outer volume and the interior space.

Leaf House, Rio de Janeiro

(images via: world architecture news)

Leaf-like coverings protect a maze of enclosed and open spaces in this luxury Rio de Janeiro home. Mareines + Patalano architects took inspiration from traditional Indian structures in Brazil, leaving much of the house open to trade winds from the sea which provide natural ventilation and passive cooling.

Costa Rican Home Made of Bamboo

(images vía: benjamín garcia saxe)

Made entirely of bamboo, this beautiful home in the jungle of Costa Rica was made by architect Benjamin Garcia Saxe for his mother. The angled bamboo lets in fresh air and cooling breezes without allowing water to drip inside.

Residencia RR, Sao Paulo

(images via: andrademorettin.com)

At Residencia RR in Sao Paulo, Brazil, massive windows are paired with sliding screens to allow plentiful ventilation and light without welcoming insects, snakes and other jungle creatures into the interior space. The home is contained within a primary ‘shell’ which shields it from the elements and provides shade.

The Bahia House by Marcio Kogan

(images via: archdaily)

Yet another home inspired by the traditional architecture of Brazil is the Bahia House by Marcio Kogan architects. The floor plan of this tropical home is organized around a central patio and the exterior walls are actually perforated wooden screens, which take advantage of north winds off the sea. This keeps the interior cool despite blazing hot summer temperatures.

Elm & Willow House by Architects EAT

(images via: dezeen)

This U-shaped extension to a home in Canterbury, Australia encloses new rooms in a sliding glass ‘skin’ that can open them up entirely to the outdoors. Built on steel columns, the addition is suspended to avoid damaging the roots of mature elm and willow trees around which the extensions are placed to create a courtyard. Opening both rooms creates two separate outdoor pavilions that keep the addition from crowding the yard.

Chicken Point Cabin in Idaho

(images via: olsonkundingarchitects.com)

“The idea for the cabin is that of a lakeside shelter in the woods―a little box with a big window that opens to the surrounding landscape,” says architecture firm Olson Kundig Architects of Chicken Point Cabin in Northern Idaho. The cabin has a massive wall of windows measuring 30 by 20 feet that opens like a garage door, exposing the living space to the wilderness. The chosen materials, including plywood, concrete and steel, were left unfinished to age naturally “and acquire a patina that fits in with the natural setting.”

The Green Village by Ibuku, Bali

(images via: green village bali)

Like many other jungle climates, Bali is warm and humid with cooling breezes that come in off the water. Local architecture takes advantage of these breezes with open-air designs that let residents luxuriate in the temperate climate. The Green Village, a collection of bamboo homes by Balinese firm Ibuku, is a prime example of the beauty of this approach.

Open-Air Outdoor Kitchen

(image via: kbculture)

Showcasing the ideal compromise between a space that’s open to the wind yet protected from the rain, this outdoor kitchen by McInturff Architects is covered by a slanted roof and walled in on three sides, but large openings retain the connection to its natural surroundings.

Open-Air Library by Karo

(images via: dezeen.com)

The only structure on this list that isn’t a home, this open-air building by KARO deserves a mention just for the stark rarity of the design: it’s a library. It may seem illogical to open a collection of damage-prone paper to the elements, but this ventilated design in Magdeburg, Germany actually keeps the books in protected niches, leaving the open spaces for browsers to sit and relax. The library was made from wood, salvaged materials from a former warehouse and hundreds of beer crates.

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Filed Under: Green Things
Tagged: art & design, beauty, design, home & garden, house, interior, luxury, water

Blue Holes to Infinity Falls: 13 Natural Swimming Pools

June 6, 2011 by thegreenchildrenfoundation · View Comments 

[ By Steph in Geography & Travel & Nature & Ecosystems. ]

As the mercury rises it’s hard not to daydream about taking a dip in the cool, crystal-clear blue-green waters of some imagined paradise. These photos of 13 absolutely incredible natural swimming spots around the world, from a deadly pool atop 360-foot falls to a mirage-like oasis in the desert of Arizona, will have you booking a flight or at least searching for a cool swimming hole close to home.

Devil’s Pool, Victoria Falls, Zambia

(images via: oddity central)

Is the Devil’s Pool the most dangerous pool in the world? Some say yes, considering that it lies on the edge of Victoria Falls – and if you accidentally went over the side, there would be a long 360-foot drop before you reached the rocky base of the falls. That doesn’t stop people from swimming there – or parents from bringing their young children to catch a glimpse of the view from the cool waters. The images are so fantastic, people tend to think they’re faked. Swimming is only possible from September to December, when the river is low enough not to sweep people right over the falls, but at least one person does die every year.

Tat Kuang Si Waterfall, Luang Prabang, Laos

(images via: manymoonhoneymoon, yeowatzup)

Clear and beautifully blue-green, the waters of the Tat Kuang Si Waterfall in Luang Prabang, Laos are enticing, especially in the Laotian heat. You can either swim at the base or climb to the top and lounge in a swimming hole between tiers of the falls. The Tat Kuant Si Waterfall is located in a national park along the Mekong River,

Dean’s Blue Hole, Bahamas

(images via: national geographic, discover-eleuthera-bahamas.com)

Is this 1,000-foot-wide, almost perfectly round ‘blue hole’ in the Caribbean astounding or what? Especially when you learn that it’s 400 feet deep. Dean’s Blue Hole, located about 60 miles from Belize City, is the opening to what was once a dry cave during the Ice Age, which flooded when the ice melted and the sea level rose. It’s a favored spot for free divers, who plunge to great depths with no more equipment than their own two lungs.

Blue Lagoon, Iceland

(images via: wikimedia commons)

Pleasantly warm at temperatures between 98 and 102 degrees Fahrenheit, Iceland’s Blue Lagoon, a geothermal spring, attracts thousands of bathers every year. The water is rich in minerals like silica and sulfur, reputed to help some skin ailments. The lagoon is actually fed by a nearby geothermal power plant; the water comes up from the ground near a lava flow and is used to power turbines before it ends up in the pool.

Ginnie Springs, Florida

(images via: city-data.com, oceansportsinternational.com)

Stunningly clear, refreshingly cold and full of vast underwater cave systems, Ginnie Springs is one of the most visually spectacular natural swimming spots in Florida. Found in a privately-owned park along the Santa Fe River in the town of High Springs, this collection of seven springs offers activities like tubing, snorkeling, scuba diving and cave diving. Jacques Cousteau reportedly called the water deep in the springs the clearest in the world. This spot is definitely bustling with visitors practically year-round, and it’s easy to see why.

Yangbajain Hot Springs, Tibet

(images via: j2trip.com, supertightstuff.com)

Even in the middle of winter, the water at Yangbajain Hot Springs in Tibet is 70 degrees. Just like Iceland’s Blue Lagoon, this pool is fed by natural hot springs which are harnessed to produce geothermal power, which provides much of the energy used by the capital city Lhasa.

Little River Canyon, Alabama

(images via: swimmingholes.org)

Within the deepest canyon east of the Mississippi River is the Little River, which plunges into the canyon and then meanders through it for 12 miles, offering up a number of beautiful swimming holes that are popular with locals in the heat of summer. Swimmers jump off sandstone rocks into the water both at the base of the falls and an area on the canyon floor known as ‘Hippie Hole’.

Havasu Falls, Supai, Arizona

(images via: wikimedia commons)

This is definitely an oasis in the desert, and if you were lost enough to stumble upon it and think it were a mirage, you’d have well earned a dip in the aqua waters of Arizona’s Havasu Falls. Located on the Havasupai Indian Reservation just south of the Grand Canyon National Park, Havasu Falls is only accessible by helicopter or a ten-mile hike attended by pack mules. Havasu Creek is fed by a spring, so the water remains at a steady level and is 70 degrees year-round.

Mabinay Spring, Negros Oriental, Philippines

(images via: waysabel, luis llanera)

On the island of Negros Oriental in the Philippines is Mabinay Spring, a shady spring-fed lake surrounded by ancient trees. With free admission and easy accessibility, the cool spring is understandably popular with local residents and visitors alike.

Sliding Rock, Brevard, North Carolina

(images via: parke ladd, mountain moose)

Zoom down 60 feet of smooth rock into an icy-cold mountain-fed swimming hole at Sliding Rock, located off the Blue Ridge Parkway in Brevard, North Carolina. A long-popular ‘natural water park’ for locals, stairs and a handrail leading to the top have been added in recent years and lifeguards keep watch during the summer for safety. The pool at the bottom is 6-7 feet deep.

Natural Saltwater Swimming Pools, Azores

(images via: wicked good travel tips, panaramio, azores whales, holiday-rentals.co.uk)

Hemmed in by rocks, natural saltwater swimming pools have formed all along the coasts of the Azores archipelago in the Atlantic Ocean. Some of the pools are nothing more than that, while others have been given concrete walls, steps and handrails to make them official. The pools allow all the joys of swimming in the ocean, but none of the violent waves that can make laying back and relaxing a little difficult.

Jellyfish Lake, Palau

(images via: echeng, Sky Chick Adventures, National Geographic, meremail, National Geographic, National Geographic)

Over 12,000 years ago in the island nation of Palau, jellyfish were trapped inside a cove when a rock island joined with the mainland, and over time, the body of water became a marine lake. This lake basically turned into jellyfish heaven, a safe place with few predators where the marine creatures could multiply freely – and that they most certainly did. More than 10 million of them occupy Jellyfish Lake, and the best part (for us, at least) is that their ability to sting went away as it was unneeded, so humans can safely swim among them.

Zacaton Cenote, Mexico

(images via: geology.com, flatrock.org.nz)

The world’s deepest water-filled sinkhole reaches an amazing 1,112 feet into the earth. Fed by a freshwater thermal spring, Zacatón Cenote measures over 328 feet across and is a notable diving site and was explored robotically by NASA to determine the depth. It’s unclear whether it’s actually possible to get to this epic swimming hole and take a dip, but we can dream, can’t we?

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Filed Under: Green Things
Tagged: alabama, cool, energy, florida, geography & travel, ocean, swimming pools, water, waterfalls, zambia

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