Category: Lifestyle

For most people, the idea of fun doesn’t typically involve sitting in a train car for hours on end and staring at the wall or ceiling. Some train rides are quick and easy, but even then, you’ll want to find something to occupy your time because it can be uncomfortable if you don’t. Thankfully, there are plenty of ways to make a train journey more fun whether your trip is 30 minutes or over the course of several days.

From gathering the sights and sounds that surround each stop of your trip to simple time-wasters, there are plenty of ways to inject a train ride with a lot of fun. Here are our favorite ways to do just that, making sure that your next train journey is a memorable one.

Music, Podcasts, Shows

Long trips can be exciting, but sometimes there might be a lull in the feeling of adventure and you’ll want to relax or do something fun to pass the time. Listen to music, podcasts, and comedy shows. You can watch an entertaining television series or a movie you’ve been dying to make time to watch. 

It makes for a great escape for the times traveling might get exhausting, or you need some time to yourself on a crowded train. Download the media beforehand so you’ll have nothing in your way of watching it like relying on an internet connection. 

Socialize

When traveling, getting to know the people around you can make for a great way to pass the time until you get to your destination. The people around you are full of stories and unique life experiences. Some people are more than happy to share and engage in conversations during trips, but some aren’t. 

So make sure to ask beforehand if they’re up for a friendly conversation. If you have friends, or family with you on the trip it’s a great opportunity to talk about interesting subjects you might not typically have time for. 

Take Pictures and Videos

Taking pictures and videos of your trip, even while you’re on the train to your destination, is a great way to pass time and focus on something fun you can look at later on to remind you of your trip. 

There are a lot of cool settings you can take advantage of on your phone’s camera or a professional camera that will enhance your photos and videos and make them more interesting to create. Try taking slow motion videos, and photos with different filters, or even create a vlog to share online with friends and family. 

Play Games and Brain Teasers 

If you want to pass the time in a fun way that can also sharpen your mind, try playing a variety of games. There’s a ton of free and paid games you have access to on your phone, tablet, handheld gaming system, or even a booklet. There are fun games that require little to no effort that pass the time mindlessly. 

If you’re looking for a challenge, try brain teasers, word games, sudoku, or video games that require more effort and brain power. It’ll keep you entertained and sharpen your focus, so you’ll be at your best when you get to your destination. 

Snacks 

Yummy snacks and meals are a wonderful addition to a long trip. If the train you’re on doesn’t offer meal services, or maybe doesn’t offer the best options, prepare and bring homemade meals, or a tasty snack from a restaurant nearby the station. 

Packing fun drinks and snacks is a comforting way to nourish yourself throughout the duration of your train ride. Be mindful of what you bring. Try to stay away from stinky foods, or ones that make a huge and inconvenient mess. Bring plenty to share with fellow riders, or friends if you’re feeling generous. 

Havre is one of the hidden jewels in all of Montana with a population of just around 10,000 and is located in the eastern part of the state. Havre was incorporated in the final years of the 19th century, and since the late 1950s has remained just around the same size in terms of population. Havre has a lot of history, and while there might not be a lot of people that live in the city, there are plenty of reasons to live there.

Here are the five best things about living in Havre that will make you either want to stay for good or move from out of your current town to see what Havre is all about.

1. The Mountain Scenery

You’ll notice the surrounding scenery right away when in Havre, showing that it’s truly Big Sky Country in Montana. Havre is just north of the Bears Paw Mountains, with a quick 10-mile trip to see them. Of course, you can see the mountains from the city, including the peak of Baldy Mountain which is nearly 7,000 feet above sea level.

No matter what season, the scenery is beautiful in Havre. In the summer, you can hike around Beaver Creek Park and in the winter check out the snow-capped mountains from the comfort of your own home. Havre is especially scenic in Autumn when the leaves are changing colors, making the town a landscape of a wide range of colors.

2. The Small-Town Feel

Anyone that’s lived in a big city knows just how rushed everything can feel. From unexpected traffic to skyscrapers and the constant honking, city life can get to a person’s psyche. That’s not the case in Havre where things are laidback and everyone moves at a nice slow pace and just enjoys life as it comes.

That doesn’t mean that Havre has nothing to do, though. The downtown area of Havre has plenty to offer, meaning that you get the best of both worlds. Nothing’s too far away, but Havre isn’t so busy that you feel stressed out just from driving to work. Plus the air quality is much better than in the city, so don’t be afraid to take a deep breath and enjoy life.

3. The Food and Drinks

No matter what your tastes are, Havre has plenty of dining options that will make any local or visitor happy. Nalivka’s Original Pizza Kitchen comes to mind, and it’s consistently given perfect ratings by out-of-towners all the way from New York to Chicago to Los Angeles. There’s also great Mexican food at restaurants like Guadalajara and classic American fare at Wolfer’s Diner.

If you’re looking to grab a drink, there are plenty of watering holes to whet your whistle. This includes Murphy’s Pub, Palace Bar, and the Oxford Sports Bar. For any craving that you have, Havre has got exactly what you need.

4. The Archaeological Site

Even if you’ve lived in Havre your entire life, it’s still a great time to visit the Wahkpa Chu’gn site, which is also called the Too Close for Comfort Site. The archaeological site right off of the Milk River was settled centuries ago by different Native American groups and was then re-discovered in the 1960s by archaeologist John Brumley.

The site has been excavated multiple times and is now open to the public, and has had some memorable moments over the years. It costs about $10 to $15 depending on your age to go through the site, and tours are available for large groups. If it’s your first time or the 100th time, it’s still a blast.

5. The Havre Underground

Back in the early days of Havre, many of the local businesses operated underground. While these businesses are no longer operating, the underground still serves as a mall of sorts to help remember the past when cowboys were gambling and drinking without worrying about the law coming to get them.

Now open to the public, the Havre Underground is about $10 for children and $20 for adults to visit, becoming a local favorite. Some of the spots in the underground have been repurposed to be stores for selling souvenirs and general goods.

When people from outside of New Mexico think about the state, their minds tend to go to Albuquerque, Santa Fe, aliens, or “Breaking Bad”. Only one of those has to deal with the eastern part of the state, but there’s much more to the Land of Enchantment than that. East New Mexico offers a lot of great cities, many of which people would be happy to call home. Here are the five best cities to live in throughout East New Mexico.

5. Las Vegas

The city that has confused many travelers on their way through New Mexico, Las Vegas used to be two towns but merged into one and now boasts a population of over 13,000 people. Las Vegas has a rich history that was brought on by the railroad making it an important stop. That history includes many tales of outlaws and gamblers, but the Las Vegas you see today much more resembles small-town American instead of the other Las Vegas.

Home to New Mexico Highlands University, Las Vegas is home to memorable historic sites including the Castaneda Hotel and Carnegie Library. There are two major high schools in Las Vegas to cover each school district, and you’ll often spot movies and TV shows being filmed when studios need a perfect desert town to capture on camera.

4. Carlsbad

More than twice the size of Las Vegas is Carlsbad, New Mexico, though the two aren’t exactly close to each other with Carlsbad being in the southern half and only about an hour away from the Mexico border. The development of southeast New Mexico was highly emphasized during the late 1800s, and Carlsbad received more attention than most regions at the time.

Founded as a town named Eddy in 1888, Carlsbad officially got its name in 1899 due to the Carlsbad Caverns being rediscovered. The mining industry is a big one in Carlsbad, though the city offers many places to work. With multiple high schools and a branch of New Mexico State University, as well, Carlsbad has several educational options. 

3. Clovis

Clovis is another one of those East New Mexico cities that became a railway hub in the late 19th century and has ended up steadily growing ever since its founding. Clovis is around the same size as Carlsbad, and is home to the Cannon Air Force Base. Fans of classic architecture will love the city, especially the Hotel Clovis and multiple movie theaters that look like they were taken straight from early 20th century.

Situated on the Texas border, Clovis is known to have some hot summers, though they’re much more manageable than a lot of the state. The winters are also mild, making Clovis a great place to live year-round. Eastern New Mexico State is a close trip for Clovis residents, and having just one high school makes the city feel like a tight-knit community.

2. Hobbs

Tucked away in the southeaster corner of New Mexico is Hobbs, which boasts a majority of the population in Lea County. Hobbs was founded in 1907 and has seen its population grow to over 40,000 people thanks to the oilfields and Hobbs Army Airfrield. The opening of the University of the Southwest helped to increase the population in the mid 20th century, establishing Hobbs as a college town.

Much of Hobbs’ economy is still based on oil and mining, though there’s plenty to do in the city. Hobbs boasts one the largest casino/resorts in the state with the Zia Park Casinoo operating a racetrack. The city is also home to the Soaring Society of America with United Airlines offering flights to Denver and Houston.

1. Roswell

Of course, you can’t mention East New Mexico without mentioning perhaps the most famous city in the state: Roswell. Roswell is the largest city on the list with a population that hovers around 50,000 and is obviously known for its history with with rumored UFOs and the Roswell Army Air Field. Outside of that, though, Roswell is a fantastic city to live for a long list of reasons.

Roswell has some of the best food that you can find to go along with tremendous educational and employment opportunities. The city has been given the award of All-America City by the National Civic League on three occasions, and has a big city feel without having too many people. Sports fans will feel at home in Roswell, too, as the local pro baseball team (the Invaders) play at Joe Bauman Ballpark.

If you were to ask someone in the United States to name the first road to come to mind, it would almost undoubtedly be Route 66. The highway which stretches all the way from the Chicago, Illinois area to Santa Monica, California has had songs written about it and plenty of movies and television shows filmed on it, as well.

Though it’s no longer the only major way to get from the central part of the country toward the west coast thanks to the advent of the Interstate Highway System, Route 66 remains a piece of Americana that many travel from around the world to see for themselves. If you’re making the trip and want to get your kicks along Route 66, here are the five best attractions to see along the way.

1. Cadillac Ranch 

In Amarillo Texas, along the 2,448-mile stretch of road that makes up Route 66, lies an intriguing art installation called Cadillac Ranch. Artists Hudson Marquez, Chip Lord, and Doug Michels formed a group they named Ant Farm in 1974. 

The group of artists took ten Cadillacs, splattered with an array of colors, buried front-first in the ground in a line reminiscent of the pyramids of Giza. Tourists and artists alike stop and take in the view of the interesting piece of art while on their way down the historic highway. 

2. Wigwam Motel

The historic Wigwam Motel along Route 66 is listed as being located in Rialto California, although its physical address is in the bordering city of Rialto California. The motel chain was constructed between the 1930s and 1940s, made to look like a group of tipis, tents often used by indigenous people many years ago. 

Although referred to as the Wigwam Motel, wigwams are mostly wooden structures built in a dome shape. The motels underwent renovations in the early 2000s and are a popular destination for tourists. In 2012 they were listed under the National Register of Historic Places.

3. Santa Monica Pier 

Santa Monica California is the last stop or commonly referred to as the “end of the trail”, on the western side of the historic Route 66. There lies the Santa Monica Pier, along the coast of the Pacific Ocean. The pier is a wonderful spot to end your trip or to take a break before making your way back East. 

There’s a small attraction, Pacific Park, within the pier, with a carousel, arcade, solar-powered Ferris wheel, and a roller coaster. There are also food vendors, places to fish, the Santa Monica Pier Aquarium, and much more to provide entertainment and fun while you’re traveling the iconic highway. 

4. Seligman

The tiny town of Seligman has a lot of history behind it. It also just so happens to be the inspiration behind Pixar’s animated film, Cars. In the heart of Route 66 is the barbershop owned by the man who founded the Historic Route 66 Association of Arizona, of which Seligman was the first to become a part. 

The following year, the rest of Route 66 joined.  Angel Delgadillo is the barber whose foundation and stories became the inspiration for Cars creator John Lasseter. The stretch of road is adorned with the old barber shop turned gift shop and is a must-see for those passing through.  

5. Oklahoma Route 66 Museum 

The Oklahoma Route 66 Museum, located in the city of Clinton, is one of many museums along the stretch of highway that is dedicated to its history. The museum is open Monday through Saturday from 9 am to 5 pm and charges a small entry fee. 

The museum has a retro look and feels to it, transporting you to the days when the highway was first hailed as the “Mother Road” and scattered with attractions. It’s THE place to get your fill of knowledge and come as close to the retro experience as possible. 

Canada is a permanent staple of the world’s top ten in terms of countries where immigrants are heading to and applying for citizenship. With around 8 million people coming to Canada each year, the path to citizenship can be a difficult one with a lot of hoops to jump through.

One aspect of obtaining Canadian citizenship is to pass the test administered by the Canadian government. Many assume that the Canadian test is lengthy due to its neighbor, the United States, having over 125 questions on the test. However, the Canadian test is only 20 questions. That still doesn’t make it easy, though. Here are five tips to consider when preparing to ace those 20 important questions.

1. Learn Canada’s History

Canada has a rich history and was founded as a country on July 1, 1867. That gives potential new citizens a lot of ground to cover when studying for the test. The citizenship test includes many questions about Canada’s history, including who the Acadians descended from, who the Anglophones were, and how many Canadian soldiers served in World War II just to name a few.

The Canadian government has a PDF document that can be downloaded to study, as well as a booklet that can be sent or picked up from local offices. With the test being only 20 questions, you don’t need to know everything that’s in the guide, but it’s best to learn as much as you can before testing time.

2. Take Practice Tests

The best thing that you can do in any test situation, no matter how major or minor, is to take any available practice test that’s offered. Thankfully, there are plenty of online practice tests where you can get some of the questions that could be included on the citizenship test. 

Though they aren’t official, you’ll still get a good idea of what to expect. Another trick you can use is to take some of the highlights from the official study guide. Write questions down on flashcards and have someone quiz you. 

3. Know English and/or French

Most countries will have one official language (or even zero), but Canada has two. The citizenship test is administered only in English or French, so you’ll have to know one of them to obtain citizenship. There are some that may learn enough of either language to simply get through the test, but there’s more to it than that. 

Following the test, there’s an interview period, so making sure that you can communicate in the interview is just as important as being able to read and write in English or French. 

4. Study Canada’s Geography

Just like it is with any other country that administers a citizenship test, you’ll be required to know a lot about the geography of Canada. The main part that you need to know is that there are 10 provinces and three territories that make up Canada. You may be required to know the capitals of these areas, as well. Here’s a quick rundown of those provinces, territories, and their capitals:

Provinces

• Alberta (Edmonton)
• British Columbia (Victoria)
• Manitoba (Winnipeg)
• New Brunswick (Fredericton)
• Newfoundland and Labrador (St. John’s)
• Nova Scotia (Halifax)
• Ontario (Toronto)
• Prince Edward Island (Charlottetown)
• Quebec (Quebec City)
• Saskatchewan (Regina)

Territories

• Northwest Territories (Yellowknife)
• Nunavut (Iqaluit)
• Yukon (Whitehorse)

Keep in mind that Ottawa is the capital of the entirety of Canada. Ottawa is in Ontario on the border of Quebec.

5. Government, Laws, and Economy

After you’ve learned all about Canada’s past and its geography, you’ll have to know about how to be an active citizen. Because of this, it’s important to make sure that you have a full understanding of how the government works, the laws of Canada, and the economy. 

These will be questions not only on the written test, but will also come up during the interview. This includes knowing about how taxes work, the branches of the government, and more. Those that have a good handle on things will get through the interview process easily.

Though it might not be the biggest county around, Clarion County still has a lot to offer. Not too far from Pittsburgh, Clarion County is home to some great boroughs that include Knox, New Bethlehem, Rimersburg, and more. Clarion County also has a lot of attractions that people from all walks of life in Pennsylvania come to visit. Next time that you find yourself in Clarion County (or you’re a resident looking for something new to discover), check out one of these five top attractions in the county.

5. Clarion Mall

While malls in the United States are becoming a lost cultural icon due to the increase in online shopping, there are still plenty of places where they are alive and well. In Clarion County, you’ll find the Clarion Mall which boasts nearly two dozen stores in total. Among them are Maurices, Sally Beauty, and Q Nails & Spa.

The biggest attraction at the Clarion Mall, though, is the movie theater. AMC has set up shop at the mall, with the AMC Classic Clarion 7 showing the latest movies. Not only that, but AMC shows operas, sporting events, and has private screenings available to rent.

4. Clarion County Park

If you’re looking to spend a day just taking in nature or getting active outdoors, Clarion County Park has a little something for everyone. This park, which is open most days between 8 am and 9 pm, is a sports haven for the community. Not only is there room for horseshoes and archery, but more traditional sports have areas at the ready with baseball, basketball, tennis, soccer, and volleyball.

If you’re not into sports, then simply walking around or taking the kids to the playground is also a great way to spend the day. With multiple pavilions and picnic areas, you could spend sunrise to sunset at Clarion Park and it would feel like no time passed at all.

3. Clarion Model Railroad Club

Located on Main Street, the Clarion Model Railroad Club is home to some of the most impressive model railroads in the country. The club meets each Wednesday night and has models on display for the public to see. 

Businesses from all around Pennsylvania tab the CMRC to come up with custom train cars, so if you see one across the many businesses of Western Pennsylvania, you’ll likely know where it came from.

2. Cook Forest Trails

If you’ve always wanted to ride a horse but don’t know where to go as a beginner, then the Cook Forest Scenic Trailride is the place for you. This dude ranch is a horse lover’s dream and is open from around Memorial Day week each year until around Halloween. People can bring their own horse or rent one from the ranch to go through the scenic Cook Forest trails that cover some of the more remote areas of the region so you don’t have to go on foot.

The trailride is one that you’ll want to do more than once. That’s because the route that’s taken is never the same twice in a row. You can expect to see a lot of different wildlife when on the trials, including turkey and deer. There are over 200 miles of trails in total, so everyone will keep coming back for more.

1. 9 Worlds Axe Throwing

Axe throwing is becoming increasingly popular in bars across the United States, and Clarion County has caught the fever at 9 Worlds Axe Throwing on Main Street. 9 Worlds focuses more on the axe throwing itself, though, rather than being a bar since patrons can bring their own food and drinks. 

At $10 per person, people ages 13 and up can try out tossing an axe for points to take down their competitors. For those that are a little more experienced, 9 Worlds also offers leagues that run over the course of eight weeks and cost just $99 with discounts for a pair.