The idea of glowing clouds moving across the sky at night isn't something you see every day.
An article on Wired.com reports that sky watchers across the globe have been capturing images of the strange phenomenon. It may be a natural occurrence by the sun's rays or something more concerning. Noctilucent ("night shining") clouds moving across the night sky were first documented by an amateur astronomer in 1885. The clouds are made from polar ice crystals in the air that are illuminated by the position of sunlight when the sun is below the horizon. Some believe it could be man-made due to global warming.
Tuesday, July 21, 2009
Wednesday, July 15, 2009
Sleepy Hollow and the Haunted Hudson Valley - Part 3
Everything in this picturesque village, from street signs and public service images, embrace the visage of the Headless Horseman and the rich lore created by Washington Irving.
Here are some more images of the village and surrounding area!
If you are looking for lodging while visiting Sleepy Hollow, I highly recommend Tarrytown House, which I consider to be the best lodging experience I have ever had -- in any part of the world!
At Tarrytown House, I found the staff to be very courteous and friendly. The grounds were impeccably manicured, the rooms were absolutely huge, and the food was wonderful! There is also a Tennis court, indoor swimming pool (though not heated when I was there in the winter), sauna, hot tub, pool, and Foosball tables!
Cellar 49 (formerly Sleepy Hollow Pub), the resident tavern is also not to be missed. Images(directly above) are from Tarrytown House and grounds. The Parlor at Tarrytown and Sleepy Hollow Pub (images below).
Here are some more images of the village and surrounding area!
(Washington Irving's Sunnyside, above. Funeral Parlour and Post Office, below).
And, of course, no visit is complete without a sighting of the legendary Headless Horseman (image above)!
Be sure to check back later in the week for part 4 of our Sleepy Hollow/Hudson Valley review: Sleepy Hollow Cemetery and the The Old Dutch Church of Sleepy Hollow!
Saturday, July 11, 2009
Ghostbusters Game Review
Who ya gonna call? Your local game store.
Ghostbusters has everything and more for the Ghostbusters fan in everyone. Even the voices are played by the original cast of the films including but not limited to Dan Aykroyd, Ernie Hudson, Bill Murray, Harold Ramis and the secretary Janine played by Annie Potts. The only voices missing are Sigourney Weaver and the nerdy apartment tenant Rick Moranis.
As the story goes, you are selected as the new recruit of the Ghostbusters team and used as a guinea pig on all the latest gadgets and equipment. Ray Stantz walks you through the tutorial in the first level explaining how the equipment works and it's very thorough. Ghostbusting equipment is upgradable as the recruit discovers cursed artifacts hidden in the levels by using the PKE meter and collecting samples of ghosts for Ray Stantz's research. One added perk for collecting artifacts is that they later appear as household items in the fire house.
For game quality, at times it does seem like the player is being led through the game with limited free roam. But there are moments of massive game play when fighting the Stay Puft Marshmallow man and roaming the cemetery while fighting ghostly terrors.
Ghostbusters will bring back memories of the films and introduce new fans into the world of ghostbusting until the next film in 2012. Unless the world comes to an end based on the Mayan calendar, then you should get this game as soon as possible.
Ghostbusters has everything and more for the Ghostbusters fan in everyone. Even the voices are played by the original cast of the films including but not limited to Dan Aykroyd, Ernie Hudson, Bill Murray, Harold Ramis and the secretary Janine played by Annie Potts. The only voices missing are Sigourney Weaver and the nerdy apartment tenant Rick Moranis.
As the story goes, you are selected as the new recruit of the Ghostbusters team and used as a guinea pig on all the latest gadgets and equipment. Ray Stantz walks you through the tutorial in the first level explaining how the equipment works and it's very thorough. Ghostbusting equipment is upgradable as the recruit discovers cursed artifacts hidden in the levels by using the PKE meter and collecting samples of ghosts for Ray Stantz's research. One added perk for collecting artifacts is that they later appear as household items in the fire house.
For game quality, at times it does seem like the player is being led through the game with limited free roam. But there are moments of massive game play when fighting the Stay Puft Marshmallow man and roaming the cemetery while fighting ghostly terrors.
Ghostbusters will bring back memories of the films and introduce new fans into the world of ghostbusting until the next film in 2012. Unless the world comes to an end based on the Mayan calendar, then you should get this game as soon as possible.
Wednesday, July 8, 2009
Sleepy Hollow and the Haunted Hudson Valley - Part 2
Sleepy Hollow and the Hudson Valley are wonderful destinations any time of year, but we highly recommend visiting during the month of October as there are many spooky attractions for the Halloween loving individuals we all are.
The most popular of these attractions, The Great Jack O'Lantern Blaze (running October 3-4, 10-12, 16-18, 22-25, 28-Nov. 1, 2009 at the Van Cortlandt Manor ) "features more than 4,000 individually hand-carved, illuminated pumpkins! Meander through a riverside landscape and discover a breathtaking display: snakes, a giant spider web, an undersea aquarium, super-sized dinosaurs, even a colossal Stonehenge…all made of pumpkins!"
Click here for a video of this event.
The most popular of these attractions, The Great Jack O'Lantern Blaze (running October 3-4, 10-12, 16-18, 22-25, 28-Nov. 1, 2009 at the Van Cortlandt Manor ) "features more than 4,000 individually hand-carved, illuminated pumpkins! Meander through a riverside landscape and discover a breathtaking display: snakes, a giant spider web, an undersea aquarium, super-sized dinosaurs, even a colossal Stonehenge…all made of pumpkins!"
Click here for a video of this event.
Other events include Legend Weekend Days (October 17-18, 24 -25, 2009) at Washington Irving's Sunnyside and Philipsburg Manor where you can hear Irish Ghost stories, see puppet and magic shows, play games, pumpkin carving, open hearth cooking and other child friend Halloween Events.
Legend Weekend Nights (October 17-18, 24-25, 2009) at Philipsburg Manor where The Legend of Sleepy Hollow to comes to life by candlelight, lantern and bonfire! You can Wander through haunted landscapes filled with ghosts and goblins of the Hudson Valley folklore.
For detailed information on each of these attractions and events, to book reservations, or for directions please visit the office site of the Hudson Valley.
Be sure to check back later in the week for part 3 of our Sleepy Hollow/Hudson Valley review: Around the Hudson!
For detailed information on each of these attractions and events, to book reservations, or for directions please visit the office site of the Hudson Valley.
Be sure to check back later in the week for part 3 of our Sleepy Hollow/Hudson Valley review: Around the Hudson!
Monday, July 6, 2009
Sleepy Hollow and the Haunted Hudson Valley - Part 1
“From the listless repose of the place, and the peculiar character of its inhabitants, who are descendants from the original Dutch settlers, this sequestered glen has long been known by the name of Sleepy Hollow. . . ”
-Washington Irving, The Legend of Sleepy Hollow
For Halloween 2007, Cemetery Gates had the great pleasure of traveling from California to the little village of Sleepy Hollow, made popular by the immortal tale "The Legend of Sleepy Hollow" (first published in 1820) written by author Washington Irving (April 3,1783- November 28 1859).
Sleepy Hollow is located on the eastern bank of the Hudson River, about 30 miles north of Manhattan, NY. From the end of the American Revolution until its incorporation the area was a hamlet called Beekmantown. The town incorporated in 1874 as "North Tarrytown," and then officially changed its name to "Sleepy Hollow" in March 1997 in honor of the story, "The Legend of Sleepy Hollow."
The village is the location of the infamous Sleepy Hollow Cemetery (please see Part 4 of our story in coming days) as well as many other fantastic attractions found throughout the historic Hudson Valley. Please see the list below.
-Washington Irving, The Legend of Sleepy Hollow
For Halloween 2007, Cemetery Gates had the great pleasure of traveling from California to the little village of Sleepy Hollow, made popular by the immortal tale "The Legend of Sleepy Hollow" (first published in 1820) written by author Washington Irving (April 3,1783- November 28 1859).
Sleepy Hollow is located on the eastern bank of the Hudson River, about 30 miles north of Manhattan, NY. From the end of the American Revolution until its incorporation the area was a hamlet called Beekmantown. The town incorporated in 1874 as "North Tarrytown," and then officially changed its name to "Sleepy Hollow" in March 1997 in honor of the story, "The Legend of Sleepy Hollow."
The village is the location of the infamous Sleepy Hollow Cemetery (please see Part 4 of our story in coming days) as well as many other fantastic attractions found throughout the historic Hudson Valley. Please see the list below.
- Philipsburg Manor
- The Old Dutch Church of Sleepy Hollow
- Kykuit, The Rockefeller Estate
- Van Cortlandt Manor
- Washington Irving's Sunnyside
- The Union Church of Pocantico Hills
- Montgomery Place Historic Estate
- Lyndhurst
Be sure to check back later in the week for Part 2 of our Sleepy Hollow / Hudson Valley review: Sleepy Hollow in October!
Sunday, July 5, 2009
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