Hi, friends, I hope you’re having a good week so far. Georgia is opening up more and we are starting to get out a little more now, which I’m glad about. We’ve had some stellar spring weather and I’ve been planting some new plants and spending a LOT of time on the new screen porch. Summer is right here on the brink and the temps will be heating up soon, so it’s nice to have a shady cool spot to relax.

Today’s Style Showcase has lots of inspiration from my friends and I as always, so I hope you’ll click around and enjoy all the posts.

The post Style Showcase 30 appeared first on Southern Hospitality.

Updated: 05/18/20 | May 18th, 2020 (Original post 3/9/15)

Years ago, the website Earth Porm reposted my article “The Ultimate Guide to Traveling When You’re Broke.”

Not long after, social media maven and actor George Takei shared the post with his millions of Facebook fans (as a huge Star Trek geek and sci-fi nerd, I did jump up and down a bit with joy).

As I went through the comments on George’s Facebook post, I was dismayed bt the mean and dismissive comments people shared as well their misconceptions about travel.

These comments made me realize that, despite all the detailed websites and books on how to make travel affordable and accessible, too many people still believe the notion that travel is expensive, unsafe, and impossible unless you are rich.

Too many say, “I can’t. It’s impossible” and become cynical about travel.

The notion that travel is expensive couldn’t be further from the truth (I wrote an entire book proving that very point)

In fact, it’s never been easier or cheaper to travel on a budget.

Yet people still have all kinds of misconceptions about budget travel and staying safe abroad.

To help combat the misinformation out there, I want to debunk 7 of the most common travel myths I’ve encountered over the years.
 

Myth #1: Travel is Expensive

Everything costs some money — and that includes travel. But the idea that travel is only about fancy tours, beach-side resorts, and luxurious villas is outdated. Traditionally, subtle marketing language made everyone believe that “a fun vacation is an expensive vacation.”

After decades of being bombarded by those insidious ad campaigns, our collective consciousness still equates travel with luxury. Heck, I used to believe this too.

But he fact of the matter is you don’t need a trust fund or a high-paying job to have an amazing trip.

You’ll need to learn how to plan a trip.

You’ll need to save money.

But you don’t need to be rich to travel. You just need to be creative and have the right priorities.

And it can even be done on minimum wage. Sure, it may take longer to save for your trip, and you may need to make sacrifices, but if you want to travel — whether for two weeks or two years — you can find a way to make it happen.

Here are some starting points that can help you lower your costs and travel on a budget:

• How to Use the Sharing Economy
• 61 Travel Tips to Make You the World’s Savviest Traveler
• How to Find Cheap Flights
• How to Change the “I’m Too Poor to Travel” Mindset
• How to Find Cheap Accommodation

Myth #2: Travel Credit Cards Will Ruin Your Credit Score

I can’t count the number of free flights and hotel stays I’ve had over the years. By collecting points and miles, I’ve been able to travel for a fraction of the price it would have cost otherwise, opening up tons of possibilities for budget travel.

You can do this too.

Travel hacking is the art of using travel credit cards to collect points and miles that can be then turned into free travel — all by using your regular spending. No extra purchases. No jumping through loopholes. Just earning free travel by putting your date nights, groceries, gas, and other regular expenses on a travel card.

While applying for credit cards will cause a temporary dip in your credit score, that dip gets corrected within two months if you keep paying off your bills. Unless you’re looking to make a huge purchase (like buying a house) in the near future, that minor dip will not affect you. Just space out the applications (if you’re applying for multiple cards) and you won’t see a sustained negative impact on your credit score.

I have over a dozen credit cards (though I only actively use three) and a credit score of 797 out of 850. As long as you pay your card off each month, you don’t need to worry.

I mean what’s the point of building up a credit score if you don’t use it?

Here are some additional resources on credit cards and ravel hacking to help you get started:

• How I Earn 1 Million Frequent Flier Miles Each Year
• Is Travel Hacking Really a Scam?
• How to Pick the Right Credit Card
• The Ultimate Guide to Travel Hacking

Myth #3: Couchsurfing is Unsafe

Couchsurfing is a sharing economy app that facilitates cultural exchange. Locals offer a free space in their home (sometimes just a couch) which travelers can use to then visit the city and learn about about the destination.

While staying in a stranger’s house might not be for everyone, it’s nevertheless a safe and fun way to travel (not to mention an affordable one). Much like Airbnb, Couchsurfing hosts have reviews and profiles you can read to make sure you’re staying with someone you feel you’d get along with. It’s really not much different than Airbnb (except it’s free!).

Of course, if you’re not ready to stay with a stranger you can also use to app to meet people for activities instead, such as a meal, coffee, or a museum visit. It’s a great way to benefit from the app without having to stay with someone.

As long as you use common sense, read reviews, and trust your gut, you’ll be able to use the app safely while saving money and having fun. There are families who host people, solo female hosts who only host women, as well as expats looking to connect with fellow foreigners.

Both the team and I have used the site dozens and dozens of times. It’s a vibrant community and one that’s completely safe. Because, contrary to what the news and media like to report, not everyone out there is a secret murderer looking for their next victim. Most people are good, kind people just looking to make friends and learn new things. Don’t let fear limit your opportunities.
 

Myth #4: Hitchhiking Will Get You Killed

Hitchhiking is a relatively common way to travel in many countries around the world. It was also a common (and safe) way to travel the US and Canada for a long while too.

The idea that hitchhiking is dangerous dates back to the 1950s when the FBI lead a scare campaign to get people to stop the practice, in part because civil rights activists were hitchhiking to rallies. The FBI’s campaign permanently embedded in the mind of people that hitchhiking is dangerous by claiming that most hitchhikers were murderers.

Combined with a narrative pushed by the media that the world is unsafe, hitchhiking continues to be perceived as a dangerous activity — even if it’s not.

My friend hitchhiked solo around the US.

Kristin from Be My Travel Muse hitchhiked around China

I’ve hitchhiked in Europe, the Caribbean, and Central America and met wonderful, interesting people in the process.

Hitchhiking, like Couchsurfing, is about using common sense. Make a note of license plates, have a phone in case of an emergency, and travel with a friend if you’re not comfortable going solo. And remember, you don’t have to get into any car that stops. Use your judgment and follow your instincts and you’ll be able to meet lots of interesting people while still staying safe.
 

Myth #5: Travel is Dangerous for Women

While both men and women face risks on the road, women often encounter additional hazards that require caution and awareness. But that doesn’t mean women need to stay home or only go to super-safe destinations.

The “if it bleeds, it leads” approach to reporting over the years has highlighted only the negative stories of female travelers. This style of reporting bolsters the perceptions that the world is so scary that solo female travel is very, very unsafe and should be avoided.

Fortunately, that’s not true at all. You have a higher chance of getting hit by a bus than you do of ending up like in the movie Taken.

But don’t just take my word for it. Here’s an excerpt from a post on women’s safety:

If I look back on the times when people have told me “Don’t go there!” or “You might die!” it’s mostly advice from people who have never been to those places and have never done any research on them. The press is hugely influential. I can’t tell you how many times I’ve read international press coverage that is flat-out wrong. You need to find trustworthy sources and advice from people who know what they’re talking about. I once mentioned to my parents that I had plans to go to Rwanda. My concerned father told me, “You’re not going.” He was obviously worried about Rwanda’s tumultuous past. Had he done his research, he would have known that Rwanda is the safest country in East Africa. Once he researched it, I never heard another word about it. The crime rates in your backyard can be just as bad as the destination you’re headed to, if not worse.

These days, there are tons of powerful, independent female creators traveling to all corners of the world — including off-the-beaten-path countries. Heck, many of them are more adventurous than I am!

You can check out their blogs for inspiration and proof women can travel alone:

• The Blonde Abroad
• Onieka the Traveller
• Never Ending Footsteps
• Be My Travel Muse
• Somto Seeks

Myth 6: Budget Travel is Only Possible If You are Young and Single

Too many people believe travel is something you can do only if you’re young or single. That couldn’t be further from the truth.

I understand that when you are older, you may want more luxury than a budget backpacker. And I know that family travel requires more planning than solo travel. But travel is not solely the purview of the young.

At the end of the day, age doesn’t matter. I’ve seen families and seniors backpacking around the world, staying in hostels, or driving RVs.

You don’t need to be limited by age or your relationship status. Here are some articles that prove both families and seniors can travel on a budget:

• Why Don and Allison Gave Up a Normal Retirement
• This 72-Year-Old is Backpacking the World
• How a Family of 4 Traveled the World on $130 a Day
• How Amanda Educates Her Kids from the Road

Myth #7: You Can’t Work Overseas.

We often think of working abroad as an challenging process not worth the effort. It’s something that requires interviews, visas, and a polished résumé.

For the kind of jobs that you’ll get as a traveler, that’s not true.

If you want to work and are flexible about what you’re willing to do, you can find employment almost anywhere. You can get a working holiday in countries like Australia or New Zealand, become an au pair, teach English, or even volunteer in exchange for room and board.

Sure, you might not get a fancy or well-paying job. But if your priority is travel then what does that matter?

Farms, schools, bars, restaurants, cafes, and the tourism industry are almost always looking for staff — especially in areas with a seasonal influx of tourists. You won’t get rich, but you will get to see the world.

If you want to learn more about your options, here are some blog posts to get you started:

• 15 Ways to Work Overseas
• The 9 Best Places to Teach English Overseas
• How to Travel and Work Around the World with WWOOF

***

These travel myths come from years of being indoctrinated with the belief that travel has to be expensive and the world is scary.

That couldn’t be further from the truth.

With a little research, you’ll discover that traveling the world is much safer — and much more affordable — than most people think.

The post 7 Common Travel Myths That are WRONG appeared first on Nomadic Matt's Travel Site.

Show producer Craig Elenor (pictured) uses a simple leading exercise for preparing a horse for in-hand showing by improving the walk and encouraging self-carriage

Aim

The walk is the most important gait for me and it’s vital that you have it in place before you start to trot. I like to see a horse with a nice swinging, relaxed walk. One of my pet hates is seeing a horse curled around the handler and not working straight.

If the horse is going on to a ridden career, it’s important the correct groundwork is put in place while they’re young. Straightness is vital for them to carry themselves correctly.

The walk is often overlooked in training — but it’s the first and last pace a judge sees. I use the following in-hand exercise on our long driveway, but a quiet road or forest track is also a good option.

The exercise

1. Find a suitable place to lead (as mentioned above). I tend to do this on a hard surface, not a manège, as it teaches the horse to walk properly. They are also less likely to bounce about on the hard, too. I start all my youngsters in a Parelli halter, with a bridle underneath. Once they have mastered the exercise and are walking correctly, I use a coupling straight to the bit but not before, as you don’t want to be pulling on their mouths — they need to be soft to your hand.

2. I position myself next to the horse’s shoulder on the nearside and use a fence or hedge to keep him straight. I hold the lead eight to 10 inches from the clip, loose with an open hand. I encourage the horse to walk at his natural pace, not hanging behind or too fast on his forehand — I want him to walk in natural self-carriage, not overbending, and I don’t like to do this exercise in side reins. The horse needs to learn to stretch and walk naturally. I ask him to walk in his own space, not pushing on to me, but if he does, I correct him instantly by nudging him on the shoulder to ask him to move back into his own space.

3. I walk to the end of the drive then ask the horse to turn, making sure he’s still in his relaxed walk — I ensure he keeps stepping under and tracking up. His head must stay straight and round so he is soft through his back with his hindleg engaged, so when you ask for trot the power is there.

4. The first few times I do this exercise I walk back. Once the horse has mastered this, I ask him to trot back once he has turned and walked a couple of straight, relaxed strides. The trot needs to follow all the rules of the walk, but I would hold them closer to the bit and steer with a finger on the coupling as you would with a rein. The trot shouldn’t be attempted until the walk is correct.

Continued below…

#SundaySchool: the showjumping ‘gym’ with Holly Smith

The international showjumper talks us through this multi-fence

#SundaySchool: how to improve control with Blyth Tait

The event rider’s exercise hones jumping with contained

6 issues of Horse & Hound delivered to your door for £6

If you want to keep up with the

Tips and pitfalls

• Make sure you alternate walking and trotting back after the turn, so that the horse doesn’t anticipate and shorten his walk.
• Try to apply this exercise in everyday life, such as when you are walking the horse to the paddock.
• Don’t over-practise. It’s important to keep the horse fresh and enjoying work.
• Handlers interfering with the horse’s mouth too much or being heavy with their hands can ruin a youngster’s walk. Ensure you are being soft.
• If you have a horse who curls round in front of you, I would do this exercise leading from the offside.

We continue to publish Horse & Hound magazine weekly during the coronavirus pandemic, as well as keeping horseandhound.co.uk up to date with all the breaking news, features and more. Click here for info about magazine subscriptions (six issues for £6) and access to our premium H&H Plus content online.

It was such a pleasure to share our new outdoor spaces with you all and you definitely had great things to say. Mark and I have really enjoyed fixing up our house in the last 3 years and making it the best it can be. Finishing up this screened room was the last thing to complete our patio living space and closing up this wall was the final project to do that. So today I’m going to share how we built a shutter wall from old shutters and a salvaged old window.

You can see what we started with here. This was taken after we put in the stairs our first spring in the house but before doing anything else to the patio or underdeck. It was a green mildewed mess back here and we definitely didn’t enjoy sitting under here. Not inspiring or pretty at all!

The post How To Build a Shutter Wall from Old Shutters & Salvaged Window appeared first on Southern Hospitality.

It’s another Saturday and weekend! They are all becoming a blur right now, aren’t they? We are still enjoying our outdoor space so much. I hope you all will visit all the links below and check out these posts from my friends and me. There’s something for everyone and you’re sure to be inspired! Have a good weekend. 

The post Home Style Saturday 190 appeared first on Southern Hospitality.

Since I shared Moss Mountain farmhouse tour last Friday, I wanted to share Part 2 of the house today. It’s definitely worth visiting again. This is a post from 2017.

****************************************************

I’m back today with Part 2 of P. Allen Smith’s beautiful Moss Mountain farmhouse.  I don’t even have to ask you all if you loved last week’s tour, Part 1, do I?  Wasn’t it beautiful?  I know you’ll love seeing the upper floors today including both porches. Those porches are a sight to behold and I could have just camped out there the whole time.  Those views, oh my!  I hope you’re not tired of seeing Moss Mountain farm yet, because I still have one more post to share of the gardens around the house.

The post Feature Friday: Moss Mountain Farmhouse, Part 2 appeared first on Southern Hospitality.

Norma Jean received a package a while back – during the time that Dodger passed away… so she wasn’t able to read them, until now.

WHAT A GREAT IDEA!

I think it would be great to teach little ones about the value of wonderful donkeys…  What better way than an easy to follow, engaging, picture book about a real-life donkey!

Meet Donkey Donk!  (Yes, I am partial to donkeys.  I have two – Norma Jean and Mo – and they are incredible beings… so smart, so emotional and so giving.  Donkeys are wonderful.

And, you will be able to see how wonderful donkeys are because the author, Ellen F. Feld, who owns Donkey Donk,  is able to dress her in all kinds of outfits, have her do all kinds of tricks, and takes her to all kinds of places!

THE BOOKS.

There are three Donkey Donk books.  (I’m sure Feld loves creating these!).

What can I do?       Horse Show!      and Take a Hike!

All of the books are real photography of the real donkey, Donkey Donk (they live on a Morgan Horse farm, which I love, of course!).  The photos are engaging, the print is big and pretty, and the learning messages are simple and true.

WHAT CAN I DO?

This book is about the poor little Donkey Donk who is growing up on a fancy horse show farm and wonders what she can do as well as all of the big show horses.

The first book from 2018. All real photos with a sweet message of a little donkey living on a show horse farm. Click image to go to the Amazon page

A very sweet message

Donkeys are very affectionate.

HORSE SHOW

In this book, Donkey Donk prepares for her first show!

Donkey Donk learns how to be a show donkey! Click image to go to Amazon

Fun, relatable photos!

Sweet.

A good message…

TAKE A HIKE

This story is really quite a feat!  Donkey Donk actually went on a major hike on Mt. Washington!  So awesome!

Click image to go to Amazon

Gorgeous photos.

A sweet message about accomplishing a goal.

I could not imagine doing this with either of my donkeys. Wow! Great job!

HOW CAN YOU PURCHASE THESE BOOKS?

All of the above titles have links to their Amazon page.  However, I noticed that you can get a ‘signed copy’ (by Donk or Feld, not sure…) by contacting willowbendpublishing.com.

More info!

The post NORMA JEAN RECEIVED A PACKAGE! Do you read picture books to little children?! Check out DONKEY DONK! (Donkeys are the BEST)! appeared first on Horse and Man.

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Posted: 05/14/20 | May 14th, 2020

As I landed in Helsinki, I didn’t really know what to expect. Out of all the capital cities in the area, Helsinki gets the least “buzz.” And, while small and not as “cool” as Stockholm or Copenhagen, Helsinki is a hip, modern capital home to a vibrant art and music scene. It’s bursting with museums, cafes, and green space.

I really enjoyed my time here. It’s a very relaxed place to visit.

And, best of all, it sees a fraction of the tourists that cities in the area do too!

Helsinki is a lot cooler than you imagine it to be and it’s a wonderful place for art lovers (Finns are really into the arts). To help you make the most of your visit, here of all the best things to do and see there (at least, according to me):
 

1. Take a Free Walking Tour

One of the best things to do when you arrive in a new destination is to take a free walking tour. You’ll get to see the main sights, learn about the history and culture, and have a local expert available to answer all your questions. It’s the first thing I do when I arrive in a new city.

Walking Tours Helsinki offers a free 1.5-2 hour tour that acts as a solid introduction to the city. Just be sure to tip your guides!
 

2. Visit the Post Museum

A museum about the postal service sounds absolutely boring but I found it surprisingly interesting. The museum highlights the history of the mail service in Finland, from ships and sleds in the 1600s to the modern-day service. There are tons of relics, galleries, and short films about how they made mail delivery work in such a sparsely populated and harsh environment.

It does an excellent job taking a boring subject and making it fun, accessible, and educational.

Alaverstaanraitti 5, +358 03 5656 6966, postimuseo.fi. Open Tuesday-Sunday from 10am-6pm. Admission is 13 EUR for adults and 6 EUR for children.
 

3. Relax in Sinebrychoff Park

This small city park used to be the private garden of a Russian businessman. Today, it’s a popular spot for picnics, relaxing, events, and sledding in the winter. There are lots of cafes nearby so grab a snack and come here to lounge and watch the day go by. It’s super popular with the locals in the summer.
 

4. Explore the National Museum of Finland

As a history buff, I always appreciate a good museum. I’ve been to more than my fair share of disappointing and under-funded museums over the years. Fortunately, this was not one of them.

Opened in 1916, the museum covers the history of Finland from the Stone Age to the present. It has a large collection of artifacts, provides lots of detail and creates a chronological narrative, and offers decent descriptions so you always know what you are looking at. For a small capital city, it’s a very, very impressive museum. Don’t miss it!

Mannerheimintie 34, +358 29 5336000, kansallismuseo.fi/en/kansallismuseo. Open daily from 11am-6pm (closed Mondays in the winter). Admission is 14 EUR.
 

5. Wander the Suomenlinna Fortress

Suomenlinna is a UNESCO World Heritage site constructed by Sweden in 1748 on an island just off the coast. Originally named “Sveaborg” (Castle of the Swedes), it was built as a deterrent against Russian expansionism. Eventually, it was renamed to “Suomenlinna” (Castle of Finland) in 1918 when the country gained independence. A visit here is a relaxing way to spend half a day as you can explore the fort, wander the island, or chill in one of the many parks.

There are also a lot of interesting buildings here (including six different museums) and some out-of-the-way beaches.

Admission to the fort is free, though each of the museums has its own admission fee.
 

6. Visit the Kiasma Museum of Contemporary Art

I’m not a fan of contemporary art. However, if you are, then be sure to visit. This museum opened in 1990 and is housed in a really unique modern building not far from the Post Museum. The collection consists of over 8,000 works (though I personally don’t recognize any of the names). Part of the Finnish National Gallery, Kiasma is Finnish for “chiasma” which is a term that describes the crossing of nerves or tendons.

Mannerheiminaukio 2, +358 29 450 0501, kiasma.fi/en. Open Tuesday from 10am-6pm, Wednesday-Friday from 10am-8:30pm, Saturdays from 10am-6pm, and Sundays from 10am-5pm. Admission is 15 EUR for adults and 13 EUR for students and seniors. For children under 18, admission is free. Admission is also free on the first Friday of the month.
 

7. See the Finnish Museum of Photography

This museum houses an awesome collection of photography from both Finnish and international artists. There are rotating exhibits as well as exhibits by new and emerging photographers. There’s always something interesting here so check the website to see what’s on display during your visit.

Tallberginkatu 1, +358 9 68663610, valokuvataiteenmuseo.fi. Open Tuesday-Sunday from 11am-6pm (8pm on Wednesdays). Admission is 10 EUR for adults and free for anyone under 18.
 

8. Marvel at the Helsinki Cathedral

This cathedral was built in the 19th century as a tribute to Czar Nicholas I. Located next to the Bank Museum, it towers over the city and is one of the most recognizable facets of the capital’s skyline. If you’ve visited a lot of cathedrals won’t likely walk away thinking this is one of the greatest cathedrals in Europe, but I think it’s one of the best in Scandinavia.

Unioninkatu 29, +358 9 23406120, helsinginseurakunnat.fi. Open daily from 9am-6pm. Admission is free.
 

9. Stroll Around the Central Market

For souvenir shopping, tasty local food, fresh produce (including lots of berries in the summer), and great people-watching be sure to head to the Central Market. It’s located near the harbor, which sits on the coast of the Baltic Sea. In October, the herring market begins which is a huge local event. The market has heated tents when it gets cold and there are plenty of restaurants and cafes around making it a fun place to visit any time of the year. While it is often swarming with tourists, I heard enough Finnish to know it isn’t a complete tourist trap.

Open daily from 8am-5pm. Admission is free.
 

10. Explore the Sinebrychoff Art Museum

This is the only museum in the city that focuses on older European paintings and portraits (from the 14th-19th centuries). Housed in a building built in 1842, there are around 4,000 items in the collection. Not only are there some incredible and historic works here but part of the museum is composed of the Sinebrychoff residence itself. You can walk through the old Sinebrychoff estate and see what life was like for the affluent in Helsinki in the 19th century.

Bulevardi 40, +358 29 4500460, sinebrychoffintaidemuseo.fi. Open Tuesday-Friday from 11am-6pm (8pm on Wednesdays) and 10am-5pm on weekends. Admission is 15 EUR and free for kids under 18.
 

11. Visit the Bank of Finland Museum

Admittedly, a bank museum sounds even more boring than a post museum but this museum was one of the coolest museums I’ve seen in a long time. First and foremost, it paints a clear and insightful picture of the history of money in Finland. They also host rotating exhibitions on all sorts of related topics (such as counterfeit money). But what I found the museum really did well was to explain the history of modern finance. It makes the topic so clear and concise that I really learned a lot during my visit.

Snellmaninkatu 2, +358 9 1832981, rahamuseo.fi/en.Open Tuesday-Friday from 11am-5pm (12pm-5pm on Wednesdays) and 11am-4pm on the weekend. Admission is free.
 

12. Relax in Esplanade Park

This park, known as Espa to the locals, is a popular place to spend an afternoon when the weather is nice. In the warmer summer months, there are street musicians and performers around as well as lots of green space and benches for anyone looking to lounge with a book or a picnic. Opened in 1818, the park also has some walking and jogging trails too. It’s just a nice place to relax and soak in the city.
 

13. See Uspenski Cathedral

This large red cathedral is hard to miss. It’s an Eastern Orthodox church with large domes and gold crosses and definitely has a very Russian feel to it. Consecrated in 1868, it’s actually the largest Eastern Orthodox church in all of Western Europe. The interior is lavishly decorated too, with a large vaulted ceiling and lots of Eastern Orthodox icons (though some of the most famous icons have actually been stolen in recent years).

Kanavakatu 1, +358 9 85646100. Open Tuesday-Friday from 9:30am-7pm, Saturday from 10am-3pm, and Sunday from 12pm-3pm. Closed during ceremonies. Admission is free.
 

14. Take a Food Tour

If you’re a foodie like me, you have to take a food tour. They’re the best way to sample the local delicacies. From fresh fish to craft beer to Finnish porridge, you’ll be able to sample many traditional foods. Heather’s Helsinki offers a tasty tour of the city that lasts 4-5 hours and includes 9 different stops around the city for just 85 EUR per person.
 

15. Visit the Helsinki City Museum

Opened in 1911, this is an excellent city museum with plenty of descriptions and top-notch exhibits and photos. It’s actually the third-best city museum I’ve come across in Europe (after the Amsterdam and Barcelona museums). Do not miss it. You’ll learn a lot about the city and learn about how it has changed and evolved over the centuries.

Aleksanterinkatu 16, +358 9 31036630, helsinginkaupunginmuseo.fi. Open weekdays from 11am-5pm and weekends from 11am-5pm. Admission is free.
 

16. Chill out in Kaivopuisto Park

This huge park is tucked away in the southeast corner of Helsinki. During the winter, tobogganing is popular here. Lots of events held here as well, such as Vappu Day (May 1st) celebrations. The park overflows with thousands of locals who come to picnic, listen to music, and drink away the day. Since it’s so out of the way, you hardly ever see tourists here.
 

17. Hit the Sauna

You can’t visit Finland without going to a sauna. The word itself is Finnish and there are over 3 million in the country (which is a lot since there are only 5.5 million people in Finland). There are plenty of public saunas in Helsinki, most of which ost around 10 EUR and have separate sections for men and women. You can usually rent towels as well, and while going nude is the traditional method there’s no shame in wearing a towel either.

Some of the best saunas in the city are:

• Kotiharjun Sauna
• Sauna Hermanni
• Allas Sea Pool

18. Explore Seurasaari Island

This island just north of the city is home to an open-air museum featuring traditional style Finnish buildings. Guided tours are offered daily in the summer and will take you around the buildings and shed light on how Finns lived from the 17th-19th centuries. The museum, which opened in 1909, collected the buildings from all around the country so you aren’t seeing replicas here.

Meilahti, +358 295 33 6912, kansallismuseo.fi/en/seurasaarenulkomuseo. Open from May-September. Check website for specific hours. Admission 8 EUR in May and October and 10 EUR from June-August.

***

Helsinki is a city that deserves more praise than it gets. Fortunately for you, since it often overlooked, you’ll be able to visit without dealing with the crowds that so many other European capitals are plagued with.

Get Your In-Depth Budget Guide to Europe!

My detailed, 200+ page guidebook is made for budget travelers like you! It cuts out the fluff found in other guidebooks and gets straight to the practical information you need to travel and save money while backpacking around Europe. You’ll find suggested itineraries, budgets, ways to save money, on and off the beaten path things to see and do, non-touristy restaurants, markets, and bars, and much more! Click here to learn more and get started!
 

Photo credit: 3 – Mahlum, 5 – Tomi Lattu, 7 – Finnish National Gallery, 8 – Antonio Caiazzo, 10 – Olga1969

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What is it about wind and horses?

I know that I always think twice when considering riding on a windy day.  I think the horse does, too.

What is it about wind that makes a horse … uh… go on the fritz, as my Dad would say.  It is as if on windy days, their brains short circuit.

Of course, wild ponies, who grew up in windy areas, are just fine with wind.

WIND AND THE DOMESTIC HORSE

I am sure there are many horses who are old souls or were trained in windy days or are from the Dakotas…   But most horses that I’ve ever known usually totally freak out in the wind.

Horse:  WIND!!!  Agggghhh, gasp!  I cannot hear or smell or THINK!  RED ALERT RED ALERT!  RUUUUUUUUN with your head REALLY HIGHHHHH AND SWING IT FROM SIDE TO SIDE.

Mustangs seem to be fine with wind, although I am sure they are on high alert on windy days.

AGE, GENDER AND WIND.

Today is an incredibly windy day here on top of the ridge in San Miguel, CA.

Now, if I was honest with myself,  I’d look out over my herd and say, well, the boys are going crazy… but the girls are handling it.

Hmmmm.  Is this just my herd?  A false generalization?  A reality?  Dunno.  But Wrigley, Finn and Mo are spinning around making themselves all sweaty… and the girls are just hanging out in the shelter.

Looking out over the herd, I would also say that the older horses are much more calm about this than the younger horses.  That is probably a very basic conclusion.  However, Finn is getting up there in age yet he is still freaking out right now.  So that theory is a bit blown.

But, Gwen and Norma are acting as if it is just another afternoon.  They are in their 20s/30s.  Been there, done that.

Another wild one.

NO SENSES

People have said that since horses are prey animals and they rely on their senses, when wind interrupts their senses of sight and smell, they feel very insecure/vulnerable.

Sounds about right.

They look so beautiful in the wind!

JUST SO IRRITATING

Or is it that wind is just so irritating?  It blows sand in your eyes… it blows your hair all around and the static electricity is very annoying.

I can’t even touch my cats right now… we all end up getting shocked.

This is me, today.

IN CONCLUSION

My only solid conclusion is that I must be very aware when working around or riding my particular horses on windy days.  And even if I am hanging out with my older mares, a huge thing might break off from a tree or come rolling around or blowing about at any moment – which will cause some immediate and frantic hoof action, so best to be inside…

The post HORSES and WIND. Not a love story. appeared first on Horse and Man.

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I thought I had enough halters to last for the rest of my life!   But then I tried to find a nice, not chewed, leather halter around here for Dalton.

Now, you’d think he would wear a horse-sized halter since he does have, well, he is a mustang after all and they have those larger heads… so I just figured that one of Finn’s leather halters would fit him… or maybe one of my older show halters from my Morgan show days.

But alas, Dalton is a Cobb.  Who knew?!  Finn’s halters were too big.  My show Morgan halters were too worn… so I decided to get Dalton a new halter of his own.  And, since I love nice leather halters (breakable), I ordered his halter just a few days ago, and it arrived already!

I’m very impressed with this company (Tack Shack of Ocala).  I had never purchased from them previously and the halter is beautiful and very well made.

The halter is beautiful and very well made. Triple stitching and very soft, lovely harness leather.  (tackshackocala.com)

DALTON, KING OF ALL

Here he is… surveying his landscape (and helping me with weed abatement).

I totally should NOT have gotten him a new halter since he destroyed my hat yesterday, but clearly, I’m a pushover.

Here is the King, helping me with weed abatement and surveying his kingdom.

This photo was taken in the moments before he destroyed my hat and pulled the hose into his paddock and ate it.

SO THE HALTER NAME PLATE FITS…

I don’t think he liked that I was giggling as I took this photo!

He was a little peeved that I was giggling as I took this photo… but the nameplate fits him for sure.

YOU CAN GET ONE, TOO, with anything you want printed on it – (NO AFFILIATION)

I showed Dalton’s new halter to Lorelei, who has Annie, and she is going to get one for Annie.  Her nameplate will be “Princess Annie”.

You can put whatever you’d like on the plate and I think you can use up to three rows.  I only used one row.

Anyway, I have no affiliation with these folks, I just thought they were very professional, the halter is of very fine quality and the name plate is FUN.  Also, they shipped really fast!

I have no affiliation but I do think this is a terrific quality halter, triple stitching, fine harness leather, well oiled and a fun nameplate with very fast shipping!

The post SIR DALTON, THE KING OF ALL and other ranch goingson. appeared first on Horse and Man.

HORSE AND MAN is a blog in growth… if you like this, please pass it around!

Your purchase with R.W. through this link helps the Bucket Fund!

When you shop @AmazonSmile, Amazon will make a donation to Horse And Man Inc.



Supporting The Bucket Fund through Amazon Smile is HUGE for the horses. Please choose HORSE AND MAN when you make your Amazon purchase through this link. THANK YOU!