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Nepal souvenirs: the best-buys in the Himalayas
Nepal ranks high on most adventurers' bucket lists, and with good reason. Home to the magnificent Himalayas, Nepal reigns supreme when it comes to landscapes…
The ANNAPURNA REGION's popularity is well deserved: nowhere else do you get such a varied feast of scenery and hill culture and the logistics are relatively simple. Treks can all start or finish close to Pokhara, which is a relaxing place to end a trek and a handy place to start one, with its clued-up guesthouses, equipment-rental shops and easy transportation to trailheads. With great views just two days up the trail, short treks in the Annapurnas are particularly feasible, and good communications mean the region is also fairly safe, from the point of view of medical emergencies. Tourism is relatively sustainable, too, thanks to ACAP, the Annapurna Conservation Area Project. The inevitable consequence is commercialization. The popular treks in this region are on a well-beaten track, and unless you step aside from them you're more likely to be ordering bottled beer from a laminated menu than drinking homebrew with locals.
The Annapurna Himal faces Pokhara like an icy, crenellated wall, 40km across, with nine peaks over 7000m spurring from its ramparts and Annapurna I reigning above them all at 8091m. It's a region of stunning diversity, ranging from the sodden bamboo forests of the southern slopes (Lumle, northwest of Pokhara, is the wettest village in Nepal) to windswept desert (Jomosom, in the northern rain shadow, is the driest).
The himal and adjacent hill areas are protected within the Annapurna Conservation Area Project (ACAP). A quasi-park administered by a non-governmental trust, ACAP aims are to protect the area's natural and cultural heritage and ensure sustainable benefit for local people. To take the pressure off local forests, the project has set up kerosene depots and installed microhydroelectric generators, and supports reforestation efforts. Lodge owners benefit from training and low-interest loans, enabling them to invest in things like solar water heaters and efficient stoves. Safe drinking-water stations (bottled water is banned), rubbish pits, latrines, health posts and a telephone service have all been established on the proceeds of park entry fees. ACAP also sets fixed lodge prices, and agrees menu prices (which vary by area), to prevent undercutting and price wars; these prices should be respected rather than negotiated – though the system does seem to be breaking down, and lodge owners get around it by putting "special items" on their menus.
The ANNAPURNA SANCTUARY is the most intensely scenic short trek in Nepal, and one of the most well-trodden – there are lodges and tea stops at hourly intervals or less, until the highest sections at least. The trail takes you into the very heart of the Annapurna range, passing through huge hills in Gurung country with ever-improving views of the mountains ahead, then following the short, steep Modi Khola, before you pass into the most magnificent mountain cirque: the Sanctuary. Wherever you stand, the 360-degree views are unspeakably beautiful, and although clouds roll in early, the curtain often parts at sunset to reveal radiant, molten peaks.
The Sanctuary is usually an eight- to twelve-day round trip from Pokhara. The actual distance covered isn't great, but altitude, weather and trail conditions all tend to slow you down. The trail gains more than 2000m from Ghandruk to the top, at 4100m, so you'd be wise to spread the climb over three or four days – and dress for snow. Frequent precipitation makes the higher trail slippery at the best of times, and in winter it can be impassable due to snow or avalanche danger.
There are two main approaches, both converging on the major village of Chhomrong after two or three days' walk (though hardy types have made it in one exhausting day). At the time of writing, however, new roads were being built towards the largest villages, Ghorepani and Ghandruk, which will reduce the walk-in – though it may take some time for regular bus or jeep services to become established, and longer still for this area to become a tourist rather than a trekking destination.
The Phedi approach
Arguably the most satisfying approach route begins at Phedi (1160m), a mere twenty-minute taxi drive west of Pokhara. From here the trail ascends the wooded Dhampus ridge, climbing steeply up the last hour to Pothana (1900m), where you're rewarded with fine views of the mountains, including Machapuchare, the "Fish Tail" mountain. From the col at Bhichok Deurali (2080m), a well-paved trail descends again through thicker rhododendron forest, then contours and gently switchbacks through cultivated hillsides around the village of Tolka (1700m) before reaching Landruk, a substantial Gurung village with wonderful views of Annapurna South. From here the trail follows the Modi Khola upwards, crossing the river at New Bridge (1340m) and climbing very steeply above Jhinu Danda (near which there are good hot springs) to Chhomrong.
The Nayapul alternative
A slightly more direct approach leaves the Jomosom road at the Nayapul bridge, sloping down to the lively town of Birethanti (1050m), where you enter the Annapurna Conservation Area – sign in at the gate. From here, the trail pushes up the steep, terraced west bank of the Modi Khola. (A road already runs towards Ghandruk as far as Syauli Bazaar and Chane, though there was very little traffic on it at the time of writing; permission to build a dam near New Bridge has been given, however, so expect more road-building and disruption.) You can either climb to the major settlement of Ghandruk (1940m) – given those 900m of ascent, this is likely to be enough for one day – or for a still more direct approach stay low in the Modi Khola valley, leaving the main road-cum-trail at Syauli Bazaar and bypassing Ghandruk on the way up to New Bridge and Jhinu Danda via Siwai. Leaving Ghandruk, the usual trail detours west to the crest of the fine Komrong Danda (2654m), joining the Ghorepani trail at Tadapani (2630m) before descending to Kimrong (1890m), then contouring up to Chhomrong (2170m), with its distinctly upmarket lodges and its viewpoint at Gurung Hill, two hours above.
From Chhomrong to the Sanctuary
The ACAP post at Chhomrong can inform you about weather and avalanche conditions higher up the trail. They'll also clue you up about altitude, which poses real danger from here on up – not least the danger that you won't reach the Sanctuary if you go too fast. Actual walking time from Chhomrong to the Sanctuary is in the region of twelve hours, but you should plan to spread the trip over three or four days. Be aware that in the autumn peak season, lodges can fill early, especially higher up, and trekkers often end up sleeping on the dining-room floor; make sure you have a warm sleeping bag.
The route above Chhomrong is simple and spectacular. After a difficult descent and re-ascent, and then another descent after Sinuwa on a three-hundred-step stone staircase (which gets very slippery in the wet or snow), you start steadily ascending the west side of the deep and forested Modi Khola valley making for a narrow notch between the sheer lower flanks of Machapuchare and Hiunchuli. There are no real villages past Sinuwa, so you ascend past regularly spaced (every two hours or so) clusters of cottagey lodges at Sinuwa (2360m), Bambu (2310m), Dobhan (2600m) and Himalaya (2920m). Bamboo thickets give way to oak and rhododendron, then to birch, and Annapurna III and Gangapurna loom at the head of the gorge. Note that there are no settlements or lodges at Kuldhigar or Bagar, as suggested on many maps.
Just short of the Hinku Cave (3170m), an overhanging rock where langur monkeys sometimes congregate, there's a small shrine in the middle of the path to a local Gurung guardian deity, Pojo Nim Baraha; the tradition is that meat should not be brought above here. The tree cover thins out substantially at this point, and the avalanche risk from the steep slopes above is at its worst – especially in the areas immediately below the cave and above and below Deurali (3239m), though for the most part avalanches are only something to really worry about after heavy snows (typically Jan to Feb), or during the spring melt (March and April). If conditions are dangerous, the trail may be diverted to the opposite bank or shut altogether – ask before proceeding up. Once beyond this sanctuary "gate", you reach high pasture and Machapuchare Base Camp (3700m). A good tip is to sleep at the more comfortable, larger lodges here and do the final ascent and descent (alongside the glacial moraine) in one long day, thus avoiding an uncomfortable high-altitude night at Annapurna Base Camp (4100m). Note too that lodges at both get impossibly crowded in peak season, and shut altogether after heavy snowfall, especially from early December.
Descending is astonishingly fast, compared to going up – it's one fast or two leisurely days down to Chhomrong. It makes sense to return along the alternative approach route, or you can make a longer loop via Ghorepani and Poon Hill.
The Himalayan viewpoint of POON HILL (3193m) provides a tempting destination amid the steep, lush hill country between Pokhara and the Kali Gandaki. This trek doesn't take you right in among the mountains but, weather permitting, there are outstanding vistas and handsome Gurung and Magar villages. The trails are wide and well maintained (though steep in places), the lodges are large and comfortable, and the altitude shouldn't present any problems – though you will need warm clothes at night. Rain gear is advisable.
Most people do Poon Hill as a loop from Pokhara, starting at Birethanti (1050m), just below the roadside settlement of Nayapul. A road is being built up the Bhurungdi Khola valley towards Ghorepani (and at the time of writing had already reached Tikhedunga), but there's little traffic, and for most people it's still two shortish but relentlessly uphill days on foot via the handsome Magar village of Ulleri (1960m) and some fine rhododendron forest to Ghorepani (2860m) or, a little higher up, the thrumming cluster of lodges at Ghorepani Deurali. There's no need to set your alarm at either, as you'll be awakened at 4am by the daily stampede of Poon Hill sunrise-seekers. If clouds block your view, as they often do, it's worth hanging on for an extra day for the sight of Annapurna South apparently looming over Annapurna I, and the hump-shouldered pyramid of Dhaulagiri.
Beyond Ghorepani Deurali, the trail descends the thriving, terraced valley of the Ghar Khola (and there's a road being built here too; coming down, you'll meet it near Shikha, though the trail stays off it and there's next to no traffic). It finally plunges down to cross the Kali Gandaki on a splendid suspension bridge and arrive at the busy townlet of Tatopani (1190m), a fairly demanding day's walk from Ghorepani. At Tatopani, there are banks (no ATMs as yet), restaurants, a health post and all the other facilities you might need, as well as the well-maintained hot springs beside the river, from which the town gets its name (it means "hot water" in Nepali). Frequent buses and jeeps head down to Beni and Pokhara.
For a slower return to Pokhara, head east from the old, lower village of Ghorepani, making for Ghandruk – one long or two short days' walk. The first section to the lonely little cluster of basic lodges at Deurali (not to be confused with the Deurali above/north of Ghorepani) is a fine ridge walk through rhododendron forest, with great views of Dhaulagiri and Machapuchare, especially from the lodges perched at Ban Thanti (3180m); the descent to Tadapani (2630m) is steep and slippery. At Tadapani you join the Ghandruk route described under the Nayapul approach to the Annapurna Sanctuary, but you could easily make a longer loop, crossing to the east bank of the Modi Khola to rejoin the road at Phedi.
The trek up (or down) the Kali Gandaki gorge from the pilgrim site of Muktinath and the Wild-West-style regional capital of JOMOSOM was for many years the classic Himalayan sampler, and the most developed stretch of trail in Nepal, with food and lodging closer to what you'd find in Thamel than the usual hill fare. Since the construction of an 83km road from Beni to Jomosom, on the west bank of the Kali Gandaki, many would-be trekkers are going elsewhere, though Indian pilgrims are replacing them (especially during festivals during auspicious seasons, notably April to June, and mid-August to mid-September – during the latter season, especially, guesthouses are full to bursting with tour groups). It's still perfectly possible to do the trek, however, following new trails on the steeper eastern side of the valley or paths that weave on and off the road. Guides can show you some fantastic day hikes and overnight trips up from the valley floor, too: little-trekked trails lead to North Annapurna Base Camp, the Dhaulagiri Icefall (way out west of Larjung) and the high-level Dhampus Pass (5182m), the key to Dolpo.
Many trekkers fly to Jomosom and walk up to Muktinath, then down again, but you'll have more sense of arrival (and acclimatize better) if you do the trek the hard way. The best approach route on foot is now from Nayapul to Tatopani via Poon Hill.
Tatopani to Jomosom
From Tatopani to Jomosom is typically three or four days' walk – or a tough, scary day in buses and/or jeeps. It's possible to avoid the road most or all of the way by following the eastern bank. That said, landslides are a perennial problem, meaning that the east-bank trails can be tricky or impassable in places – and information about the state of the route can be hard to come by. The main settlements (and most of the trekking lodges) are on the western side, and people there aren't exactly keen to see the foot traffic pass them by. Path maintenance on the eastern side isn't exactly a priority, for the same reason. Temporary wooden bridges make crisscrossing relatively simple in the dry season, but when the river is high, you may have to make strategic crossings at the permanent suspension bridges and resign yourself to walking on the road for longer stretches. Taking a guide who has walked the route recently would ease the logistics considerably.
Above Tatopani (1190m), where the trail from Poon Hill joins the road up from Beni, the route passes into the world's deepest gorge, the Kali Gandaki, with the 8000m hulks of Dhaulagiri and Annapurna towering on either side. Above Tatopani, you often have to stick to the west bank, and near the old Magar village of Dana, you enter the steepest, sheerest part of the gorge; there's a lookout point below the waterfall of Rupse Chhahara. The east bank trail from Kopchepani, just above and opposite the falls, up to Ghasa (2010m) is relatively good.
At Ghasa, you enter Lower Mustang district and the homeland of the Buddhist Thakali people – from here on up, the river is known locally as the Thak Khola, and subtropical greenery starts to give way to Alpine trees and shrubs. You usually have to stick to the west bank from Ghasa to the village of Chhyo, opposite Lete (2480m), but from there a good east-bank trail climbs up to Kunjo and the little lake of Titi Tal before dropping down, partly on a rough road, to the well-established trekking village of Kokhetanti (2545m), where you are usually forced to re-cross the river to Larjung, on the west bank – the east-bank route up to Tukuche via Sirkung and Sauru is particularly prone to landslides. The relatively large and prosperous village of Tukuche (2590m) is the place to cross back onto the east bank, heading up via Chimang, with its lovely Dhaulagiri views, and Chairo, a Tibetan settlement. It's usually possible to continue up the east bank directly to Thini, but it would be a pity not to cross over short of Dhumba to handsome, stony Marpha (2670m), which sits amid apricot and apple orchards – the cider and brandy are famous. The administrative centre of Jomosom (2720m), with its busy airstrip, looks like a stony Wild West settlement, but is useful for supplies, doctors, banks, police and so on, and great for those seeking respite – it has plenty of relatively fancy hotels.
Jomosom to Muktinath
Above Jomosom, the valley starts to level out, and you enter a dry and powerfully Tibetan-flavoured highland region. A few motorbikes and jeeps plug dustily up the rough road, though paths are easy enough to find, often on the stones of the valley floor. Beware the extraordinary late-morning and afternoon katabatic winds, however, which tear up from the south after about 11am, rushing to fill the void left by the hot air rising from the highlands above. The winds carry enormous amounts of grit and dust from the riverbed – and, nowadays, vehicle dust too – meaning that a scarf as a mask, a hat and sunglasses are vital. If you're heading into the wind, coming down, walking can be anything from severely trying to almost impossible.
At the romantic fortress town of KAGBENI, with its medieval buildings and terracotta Buddhist figures, you're on the very edge of the Tibetan plateau, and can gaze north into Upper Mustang. What with the expensive permit that's necessary to visit (see The TIMS card), this really is a forbidden kingdom. Eastwards, however, it's an open-access, 1000m climb towards Muktinath, up a delightful, open side valley dotted with orchards and lined with dry-stone walls. The trail crisscrosses the road, and takes you through the impressive village of Jharkot (3550m), where there's a fine gompa. Jeeps can take you as far as Rani Pauwa (3710m), where dozens of hotels cater to the Indian pilgrim trade; from there you'd have to walk the last twenty breathless minutes to Muktinath, or buy a seat on the "Muktinath Express" – which means riding pillion on a motorcycle.
The Mahabharata mentions poplar-shaded MUKTINATH (3760m) as the source of mystic shaligrams, stone ammonite fossils found in the Kali Gandaki gorge. It is one of the most important religious sites in the Himalayas – and ever since the arrival of the road, a pilgrim boomtown. A priest will show you around the Vishnu temple, with its 108 waterspouts (where pilgrims bathe in the freezing water) and its shrine sheltering a tiny perpetual natural-gas flame hidden half-underground beside a little spring – a particularly holy combination of earth, air, fire and water. Yartung, a madly exotic festival of horseriding, is held at Muktinath around the full moon of August–September.
If you're returning to Jomosom, it's possible to take a dramatic, high-level side route over the shoulder of the hills to the southeast of Ranipauwa, descending on precipitous paths (and crossing the Panda Khola on temporary bridges – so ask before setting out) via the old-world Thakali village of Lupra. If you're heading up over the Thorung La to follow the Annapurna Circuit towards Manang, bear in mind that there are a couple of basic high-season-only teahouse lodges at Chabarbuk (4200m), also known as Phedi, just before the zigzagging, four-hour climb up the pass begins; sleeping here would get you an hour's head start in the morning.
The MARSYANGDI VALLEY, which curls around the east side of the Annapurna range, was once the less commercialized half of the Annapurna Circuit, trekked only by the hardcore few intending to cross the 5415m pass of the Thorung La and descend towards Jomosom. With the opening of a new road, it is eclipsing its cousin as a destination in itself and the base for some stunning side treks. At the time of writing you could drive all the way to Manang – subject to landslides and the usual roughness of road – except for one short section between Tal and Karte, which was still under construction. Expect this section to be completed, but other sections to be periodically buried and rebuilt.
The main trailhead is at Besisahar, but in good conditions jeeps penetrate the valley as far as Syange. With a guide, you could also walk in two to three days from Begnas Tal, via Nalma Phedi and Baglungpani, to Khudi, just north of Besisahar.
The Upper Marsyangdi to Manang and the Thorung La
Above the riverside settlement of Syange, the road is (or was at the time of writing) left behind, and the trail passes from terraced farmland into the gorge of the Upper Marsyangdi; and it's three or four marvellous days' walk up to Manang, mostly through Buddhist country. The trail crosses astonishing suspension footbridges and passes along dramatic walkways blasted into the rock, all the time climbing through successive climatic zones: temperate forest, coniferous forest, alpine meadows and finally the arid steppes of the rain shadow. The walk from Chame to MANANG – the high route via Upper Pisang avoids the bizarre stretch of unconnected road below – is spectacular and shouldn't be rushed. The sight of the huge, glacier-dolloped Annapurnas towering almost 5000m above the valley will stay with you forever. Manang's architecture, like that of all the older villages here, is strongly Tibetan.
The Thorung La (5416m) is iffy to impossible from late December till early March, while the lower parts of the trek are uncomfortably warm from April onwards. Snow can block the pass at any time of year, so be prepared to wait it out or go back down the way you came. If you're going for it, you'll need proper boots, gloves, very warm clothes and a three- or, better, four-season sleeping bag; visit Manang's Himalayan Rescue Association post for information on weather conditions, AMS and suggested pacing of the route. It's only six or seven hours to Thorung Phedi (4450m), the last cluster of lodges before the pass, but you should spread the ascent over at least two days – perhaps making day-trips from Manang. Thorung Phedi and the worryingly high Thorung High Camp (4925m) are grotty places where you'll be woken up at 3am by trekkers who've been told (wrongly) that they have to clear the pass by 8am. Afternoons do get very windy, though, so an early start is advisable. The climb up the pass (where there's sometimes a teashop in high season), and the knee-killing 1600m descent down the other side to Muktinath is a tough but exhilarating day.
Short side trips from Manang
Manang makes a fine base for exploratory day hikes around the Upper Marsyangdi valley – ideal for acclimatizing if you're crossing the Thorung La, and worthy as destinations in their own right. The gompa at Manang, Bojo and Braga, all within half an hour of each other, are well worth visiting, and you could add on a short stroll from Manang to Gangapurna Lake and the fine viewpoint two hours above. Kicho Tal (4950m), an icy lake where bharal (blue sheep) have been sighted, makes a fine day hike.
The most enticing destination west of Manang is TILICHO (sometimes called Tilicho Tal or Tilicho Lake), not the highest lake in the world, as is often said, but beautiful and remarkable nonetheless. Getting there is two or three days' hard work: paths are scree-ridden and dicey, routes may be hard to find and lodges are often shut out of season. Take advice and, if possible, a guide.
Two tricky hours west of Manang, Khangsar (3734m) is the highest permanent village in the Marsyangdi valley; it has a few lodges. From here the trail doesn't follow the landslide-prone Marsyangdi valley, but a higher northern route passing Kharka (also known as Srikharka or Shreechaur; there's a good guesthouse here) and a high col (4920m), descending to Tilicho Base Camp (4150m), some five hours from Khangsar. A second overnight at one of the two icy lodges at Tilicho Base Camp would make possible a steep day-trip the next day towards the astounding, often iced-over lake, Tilicho (4920m), a further three hours up (on snow, in parts, between November and May). There is currently just one very basic, seasonal teahouse (dorm room only) beside the lake, on the Manang side, but check if it's open before you head up without camping gear. Most people visit the lake as a day's round-trip from Tilicho Base Camp, but the hardy return to Khangsar (or even Manang) in one long day.
Tilicho is not a trip for the inexperienced; still less is the high, snowy, dangerous route through to Jomosom (or Marpha). The lakeshore can't be circumnavigated (whatever maps may show), so the route demands either a roped-up crossing of the frozen lake (very roughly Nov or Dec–April, but make sure), or a high detour to the north across the Eastern Pass (5340m). After that you have to cross the watershed range, usually via the perilous MESOKANTO LA (5121m), sometimes called the Middle Pass (as there is a higher but supposedly easier one to the north). Only very strong walkers should expect to make it down to Jomosom (or even Thini) in one day from Tilicho Lake; ten hours would be fast, so it's better to camp at one of the two sites along the way.
The following four treks have little in common with the well-serviced routes described above. You'll typically find only Nepali food and lodging, or will need to camp – and possibly stay in people's homes for at least some nights. If you're not trekking with an agency, you'll probably want to go with a guide.
Of course, there are scores of possibilities beyond the treks described here. The Khopra Lake trek, on the shoulder of Annapurna South above Ghorepani and Tadapani, could one day rival Poon Hill in popularity, with its stunning views towards Dhaulagiri, and high point at the small, sacred Khayar Lake (4880m). There's no lodge at Khopra, but in 2012 a guesthouse was being built at Dharamdanda, halfway between Tadapani and Khopra Danda; you can also stay at Swanta, above Chitre. Increasing numbers of trekkers are exploring west of the Kali Gandaki towards the Dhaulagiri massif and the little-visited Dhorpatan Hunting Reserve; beyond that, of course, there's Dolpo.
The Machhapuchhare trek
One of the newer routes in the region takes a loop north of Pokhara, towards the south faces of Mardi Himal and MACCHAPUCHHARE, with fine views of the Annapurna wall. The usual approach route heads up the upper valleys of the Seti Khola, leaving a spur road just above Hyangja (20min by taxi from Pokhara), and passing through lush, terraced farmland around the Gurung villages of Ghachok and Diprang (1440m), where there's a community lodge and a natural hot spring nearby. A choice of steep paths lead up through forest (one passes Pipar Lake, prime pheasant habitat with a stunning view of Machapuchare, looming just to the north) to a high ridge dripping with rhododendrons and alive with birds, which you can follow up to the minor peak at Korchon (3682m), and potentially on up in the direction of Mardi Himal Base Camp (4120m). Most treks descend the ridge before dropping to the Mardi Khola at the village of Ribang. The trek takes five to seven days, and requires camping and supplies.
Mardi Himal trek
One ridge to the west of the Macchapuchhare trek is another fine camping route, the MARDI HIMAL TREK. The usual starting places are at Phedi or Kande, both on the road to Nayapul. From either, you climb on well-made trails to the villages of Pothana (1890m) and Bhichok Deurali (2100m). From here, you ascend the incredible ridge that drops south from Mardi Himal (5553m) between the Mardi and Modi Kholas. There are stunning views from the ridgetop, while rhododendron forests drop away on either side, and campsites appear every four hours or so: at Kokar (2550m), Low Camp (3050m) and High Camp (3900m). From High Camp, you can continue on up the ridge as high as you dare – it's snowy from around November. From Low Camp, a good, steep trail drops east through the forest towards Sidhing, on the Macchapuchhare Model Trek.
The Royal trek
The so-called ROYAL TREK, an undemanding if somewhat unexciting amble through lush countryside, gets its name from Prince Charles's visit in 1981. It was more enticing then, before the road was build east from Pokhara to Kalikasthan, and concrete houses started replacing traditional homes in places. It's usually done over three (sometimes four) days, staying in homestay-style lodges. The first day follows gradual ups and downs as you head eastwards from Kalikasthan to Lipeyani; the second takes you up to ridgetop Chisopani (the last section is steep, but never scarily so), where there are fine views of the mountains; the third takes you back to Rupa Tal, from where you can pick up a bus to Pokhara.
The Siklis trek
The SIKLIS TREK probes an uncrowded corner of the Annapurna Conservation Area under the shadows of Lamjung Himal and Annapurnas II and IV – though you'll see more terraced fields than mountains and forests. The usual itinerary takes about a week, starting at Begnas Tal and heading north to Kalikasthan (first night) then following the river's west bank to Taprang (second night) and on up to well-preserved Siklis (1980m), Nepal's biggest Gurung village. The fourth day is hard work: you strike westwards over the thickly forested ridge that separates the Madi and Seti drainages to Tara Hill, where a small teahouse offers incredible views of Macchapuchhare; you then descend via Ghalekharka and the Sardikhola to the Seti Khola, returning towards Hyangja via Ghachok. Many other variations are possible, including making a detour up the Seti Nadi from Ghachok to the hot springs at Diprang. It's now possible to make this trek without camping or staying in local homes, but the lodges are still pretty basic.
There's only one trek of note in the region east of the Annapurnas and north of Gorkha: the MANASLU CIRCUIT. It's some trek, however, passing through relatively unspoiled and hugely varied countryside, from rice terraces to spare Tibetan villages, and from rich forest to a 5100m pass. It takes two weeks (13–18 days) to walk the challenging route, and it's well worth considering if you were thinking of doing the Annapurna Circuit and were put off by the new road or the increased commercialization.
It is now possible to trek the Manaslu Circuit by staying in lodges, without taking camping equipment, but the facilities are, for the most part, quite basic. Things are changing fast (w manaslucircuittrek.com is a good place to seek traveller reports and updates), but this is still daal bhaat and shared dormitories territory.
The trek traditionally starts in Gorkha, passing right next to the royal palace and then through some very scenic and culturally rich country. Many people now shave off the first three days or so, however, by beginning at Arughat. Direct buses run from Kathmandu to Arughat (2 daily; 7hr), or you can get off the Prithvi Highway between Kathmandu and Pokhara at Malekhu, and catch frequent local buses or jeeps from there up the paved road to Dhading, a busy administrative centre, and then on up the rough road that continues to Arughat (and indeed beyond, as far as Arkhet or Sozti Khola).
The Manaslu Circuit route
From Arughat (530m), the first eight days or so climb steadily up the wooded, peaceful Burhi Gandaki valley. You're passing through deep Gurung country, where local women wear heavy gold jewellery, and working men carry the distinctive Gurung bhangro, a heavy, cream-coloured rough woollen cloak which is cross-tied around the waist and shoulders and doubles as a bag.
After three or, more likely, four days, you pass into the Manaslu Conservation Area at Jagat (1340m), where there's a checkpost, and the scenery becomes ever more spectacular. (A fascinating side trip would be east of Philim up to the stunning, forested and intensely Buddhist Tsum valley, which penetrates behind the 7000m peaks of Ganesh Himal.) Beyond Deng (1800m), one long or two short days above Jagat, the valley starts to turn west and you enter the high, strongly Tibetan-flavoured country of Nupri; it's three or, more sensibly, four days up through increasingly lofty, Buddhist country to the town of Samdo (3870m). It's worth taking your time to acclimatize, and Samdo, with its cluster of relatively comfortable lodges, and possibility of a side trip towards the Lajyung La (which leads into Tibet), is a good place to take a rest day. If need be, porters can be hired here – at a price.
It's inadvisable, on acclimatization grounds as well as those of fatigue, to try to do one huge, 10hr day from Samdo all the way over the pass of the Larkya La (5135m) and down to the lodges at Bimtang (3720m). The only alternative, if you're not camping, is the single lodge at Larkye La Phedi, also known as Larkye Dharamsala (4470m), three hours above Samdo; at the time of writing, however, there was a question over its future, as it was built illegally. The Larkya La itself, which clings to the very shoulder of Manaslu, takes four to five hours to ascend from Larkya Phedi, and can be windy and dangerous; in snowy conditions, which are common (and should be expected from November), guides should use a rope for the steepest hour or two of the descent. The views are sensational, even if they don't take in an 8000m peak – only Annapurna II, at a shade over 7900m.
The descent can be very fast: two to three steep days down the Dudh Khola to the Marsyangdi valley. At Dharapani (1860m), you enter the ACAP zone (permit needed) and relative civilization. You meet the road at Syange, where jeeps come up from Besisahar, but it might be preferable to walk to Bhulbhule.
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The beating Andrew Luck has taken this season on the field is taking a toll.
Coach Chuck Pagano decided to give Luck most of Wednesday's practice off so he could rest his sore throwing shoulder. Pagano said it was only a precaution and that he expects Luck to play Sunday against Jacksonville.
"I'm not a witch doctor, I don't have a crystal ball. I just listen to the trainers and the doctors, but I wouldn't bet against 12, ever," Pagano said, referring to Luck's jersey number.
Just seeing Luck out of action was odd.
Since the Colts drafted him with the top overall pick in 2012, Luck has been one of the league's most durable players. He has started...

subset: commoncrawl


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Adam Tribble will join the University of Alabama track and field coaching staff as an assistant coach, head coach Dan Waters announced Monday.
"Adam was a guy that I coached at the University of Georgia and I've always recognized his deep passion for the sport and he's educated himself in the sport as well as anyone," Waters said. "He has a fantastic relationship with distance runners and knows how to relate to them. He brings a great element of organization and energy to our staff."
Tribble, who will work primarily with the Crimson Tide's distance runners, spent the last two seasons in the same role at Oregon State following stints at Arkansas and his alma mater, Georgia.
"When Coach Waters talked to me about this position he made it sound like an incredible opportunity and I think Alabama is a great situation," Tribble said. "There is a commitment to track and cross country that is very exciting and a great thing to be a part of. The opportunity to be able to come back into the SEC is something I've wanted to do, especially to a program like Alabama."
During his five seasons at Arkansas he helped coach the Razorbacks' women's team to three-straight SEC Cross Country Championships and a pair of runner-up finishes. Arkansas never fell out of the top 20 at the NCAA Championships under his watch and finished as high as fifth in 2006.
While a student at Georgia under Waters' tutelage, Tribble was a two-year captain of the Bulldog track and field team, earning All-Region honors in cross country. He also finished 46th in the U.S. Olympic Trials in the marathon in 2008.
A 2002 graduate of Georgia with a degree in health and physical education, he also received a graduate degree from Georgia in movement studies.


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I got this one from my father. You are currently in one of two towns separated by a desert. You need to cross the desert to get to the other town. It takes 6 days to cross the desert, but a single person can carry only 4 days worth of food supply. You can hire porters to help you carry your food supply, but naturally you want to minimize the costs as much as possible. What would be the plan that will enable you to cross the desert while paying for the minimum possible number of porter days?
I'll post the solution next week.
Hide comments


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It's me again, Margaret A. Murphy.
Enthusiasm for the New Liberty Archives with a family research center and the vision for tourism is on the increase within the minds of our people of Owen County. Discussion and your thoughts revealed is good.
Now, let's consider adding a veterans memorial – a notable and enduring memory of their service for our country at the same location.
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You have until Feb 01, 2019 to return or exchange items bought after Nov 01, 2018. All other standard return policy conditions apply.
This item is noncancelable and nonreturnable.
The Wohler RMQ-230-3G 23" Diagonal Quad Split LCD Monitor allows you to simultaneously monitor 4 display screens, each with independent controls. This quad split, LED-backlit LCD display from RMQ Series is a high-performance professional monitor that supports advanced 10-bit digital processing technology.
This monitor features 3D comb filter, de-interlace, accurate scaling engine, gamma correction, and color temperature adjustment. The monitor can be configured as a quad split display of 4 equal areas, as a large screen with 3 smaller views, or as a single large display screen. It is suited for use in news and transmission control rooms, program production, channel branding, and any environment that requires intensive monitoring.
This 3G monitor accepts 4 auto-sensing 3G / HD / SD-SDI / CVBS BNC inputs with 3G / HD / SD-SDI loop-thru outputs, 4 analog audio pair inputs, 1 HDMI input, and 1 HDMI output. It supports waveform, vector-scope, audio de-embedding, metering of up to 16 channels, UMD, format display, and various markers.
The RMQ-230-3G allows for user-defined hot key functionality for H/V delay, under-scan, on-screen display, and more. Its on-screen level meters provide audio confidence monitoring, while tally and on-screen labeling provide quick and easy signal identification. The CRT-style image controls allow video image enhancement for each screen individually.
|Display Type
|TFT-LCD, LED Backlight
|Display Size
|23.00" (58.42 cm) Diagonal
|1920 x 1080
|Aspect Ratio
|Viewing Angle
|350 cd/m2
|16.7 million, 24-bit
|Pixel Pitch
|0.0273 (RGB-H) x 0.273 (V)
|Input Signal
|3G-SDI: 1080p50, 1080p59.94, 1080p60; HD-SDI: 1080i50, 1080i59.94, 1080i60, 720p50, 720p59.94, 720p60, 1035i59.94, 1035i60; SD-SDI: 480i59.94, 576i50; Analog Composite: PAL, NTSC
|Space requirements
|Power Connector
|AC power adapter (100 to 240 VAC to 12 VDC)
|Power Requirements
|AC power adapter connects to mains power (100 to 240 VAC ± 10%, 50/60 Hz)
|Power Consumption
|Dimensions (W x H x D)
|21.85 x 13.75 x 2.75" (55.50 x 34.93 x 6.99 cm)
|17.00 lb (7.71 kg)


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Welcome Back
In today's post I'd like to share the latest page created for my advent calendar project.
Advent Calendar; Day 16
- Stamps Used; Anna Griffin; Clear Stamps. Hero Arts; LL471 Tiny Snowflakes
- Inks Used; Adirondack; Cranberry. Distress Ink; Weathered Wood
- Paint Used; Adirondack Acrylic Dabber; Gold
- Cuttlebug Alphabet; Olivia
I'd love to see your results if you are making daily pages for a similar advent calendar. If you missed the tutorial at the start, here's Part 1, which contained a download for how to create your calendar. Hope you like this project and will join me tomorrow for the next page.
Best wishes and thanks for reading, see you soon
Billie 🙂


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Chapter 4101:8-22 Special Piping and Storage Systems
[Comment: When a reference is made within this rule to a federal statutory provision, an industry consensus standard, or any other technical publication, the specific date and title of the publication as well as the name and address of the promulgating agency are listed in rule 4101:8-44-01 of the Administrative Code. The application of the referenced standards shall be limited and as prescribed in section 102.5 of rule 4101:8-1-01 of the Administrative Code.]
2200.1 Scope.This chapter shall govern the design, installation, construction and repair of fuel oil and diesel oil storage and piping systems supplying and piped to building service equipment. The storage of fuel oil and flammable and combustible liquids not associated with building services equipment shall be in accordance with Chapters 6 and 34 of the fire code and enforced by the fire official.
2201.1 Materials. Supply tanks shall be listed and labeled and shall conform to UL 58 for underground tanks and UL 80 for indoor tanks.
2201.2 Above-ground tanks. The maximum amount of fuel oil or diesel oil stored above ground or inside of a building shall be 660 gallons (2498 L). The supply tank shall be supported on rigid noncombustible supports to prevent settling or shifting.
1. The storage of fuel oil, used for space or water heating, above ground or inside buildings in quantities exceeding 660 gallons shall comply with NFPA 31.
2. The storage of diesel oil supplying and piped to engine- driven building services equipment, including emergency and standby generators, above ground or inside buildings in quantities exceeding 660 gallons shall comply with NFPA 37.
2201.2.1 Tanks within buildings. Supply tanks for use inside of buildings shall be of such size and shape to permit installation and removal from dwellings as whole units. Supply tanks larger than 10 gallons (38 L) shall be placed not less than 5 feet (1524 mm) from any fire or flame either within or external to any fuel-burning appliance.
2201.2.2 Outside above-ground tanks. Tanks installed outside above ground shall be a minimum of 5 feet (1524 mm) from an adjoining property line. Such tanks shall be suitably protected from the weather and from physical damage.
2201.3 Underground tanks. Excavations for underground tanks shall not undermine the foundations of existing structures. The clearance from the tank to the nearest wall of a basement, pit or property line shall not be less than 1 foot (305 mm). Tanks shall be set on and surrounded with noncorrosive inert materials such as clean earth, sand or gravel well tamped in place. Tanks shall be covered with not less than 1 foot (305 mm) of earth. Corrosion protection shall be provided in accordance with Section 2203.7.
2201.3.1 Regulated underground storage of fuel oil.The design, installation, registration, and inspection of regulated underground storage tanks shall be in accordance with the fire code and rules adopted by the state fire marshal and enforced by the fire official, in accordance with sections 3737.87 to 3737.89 of the Revised Code. Underground storage tanks not regulated by the state fire marshal's Bureau of Underground Storage tanks shall comply with the applicable requirements of Chapter 23 of NFPA 30.
2201.4 Multiple tanks. Cross connection of two supply tanks shall be permitted in accordance with Section 2203.6.
2201.5 Oil gauges. Inside tanks shall be provided with a device to indicate when the oil in the tank has reached a predetermined safe level. Glass gauges or a gauge subject to breakage that could result in the escape of oil from the tank shall not be used.
2201.6 Flood-resistant installation. In areas prone to flooding as established by Table 301.2(1), tanks shall be installed at or above the elevation required in Section 322.2.1 or 322.3.2 or shall be anchored to prevent flotation, collapse and lateral movement under conditions of the design flood.
2201.7 Tanks abandoned or removed. Exterior above-grade fill piping shall be removed when tanks are abandoned or removed. Tank abandonment and removal shall be in accordance with the fire code.
2202.1 Materials. Piping shall consist of steel pipe, copper tubing or steel tubing conforming to ASTM A 539. Aluminum tubing shall not be used between the fuel-oil tank and the burner units.
2202.2 Joints and fittings. Piping shall be connected with standard fittings compatible with the piping material. Cast iron fittings shall not be used for oil piping. Unions requiring gaskets or packings, right or left couplings, and sweat fittings employing solder having a melting point less than 1,000°F (538°C) shall not be used for oil piping. Threaded joints and connections shall be made tight with a lubricant or pipe thread compound.
2202.3 Flexible connectors. Flexible metallic hoses shall be listed and labeled in accordance with UL 536 and shall be installed in accordance with their listing and labeling and the manufacturer's installation instructions. Connectors made from combustible materials shall not be used inside of buildings or above ground outside of buildings.
2203.1 General. Piping shall be installed in a manner to avoid placing stresses on the piping, and to accommodate expansion and contraction of the piping system.
2203.2 Supply piping. Supply piping used in the installation of oil burners and appliances shall be not smaller than 3/8-inch (9 mm) pipe or 3/8-inch (9 mm) outside diameter tubing. Copper tubing and fittings shall be a minimum of Type L.
2203.3 Fill piping. Fill piping shall terminate outside of buildings at a point at least 2 feet (610 mm) from any building opening at the same or lower level. Fill openings shall be equipped with a tight metal cover.
2203.4 Vent piping. Vent piping shall be not smaller than 1¼-inch (32 mm) pipe. Vent piping shall be laid to drain toward the tank without sags or traps in which the liquid can collect. Vent pipes shall not be cross connected with fill pipes, lines from burners or overflow lines from auxiliary tanks. The lower end of a vent pipe shall enter the tank through the top and shall extend into the tank not more than 1 inch (25 mm).
2203.5 Vent termination. Vent piping shall terminate outside of buildings at a point not less than 2 feet (610 mm), measured vertically or horizontally, from any building opening. Outer ends of vent piping shall terminate in a weather-proof cap or fitting having an unobstructed area at least equal to the cross-sectional area of the vent pipe, and shall be located sufficiently above the ground to avoid being obstructed by snow and ice.
2203.6 Cross connection of tanks. Cross connection of two supply tanks, not exceeding 660 gallons (2498 L) aggregate capacity, with gravity flow from one tank to another, shall be acceptable providing that the two tanks are on the same horizontal plane.
2203.7 Corrosion protection. Underground tanks and buried piping shall be protected by corrosion-resistant coatings or special alloys or fiberglass-reinforced plastic.
2204.1 Pumps. Oil pumps shall be positive displacement types that automatically shut off the oil supply when stopped. Automatic pumps shall be listed and labeled in accordance with UL 343 and shall be installed in accordance with their listing.
2204.2 Shutoff valves. A readily accessible manual shutoff valve shall be installed between the oil supply tank and the burner. Where the shutoff valve is installed in the discharge line of an oil pump, a pressure-relief valve shall be incorporated to bypass or return surplus oil.
2204.3 Maximum pressure. Pressure at the oil supply inlet to an appliance shall be not greater than 3 pounds per square inch ( 20.7 kPa).
2204.4 Relief valves. Fuel-oil lines incorporating heaters shall be provided with relief valves that will discharge to a return line when excess pressure exists.
Five Year Review (FYR) Dates: 01/01/2018
Promulgated Under: 119.03
Statutory Authority: 3781.10(A), 4104.43(A)(1)
Rule Amplifies: 3781.01, 3781.06, 3781.10 , 3781.11, 3791.04, 4740.14
Prior Effective Dates: 1/1/13


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Business notebooks aren't revised as often as consumer ones, but with the release of Intel's new Core i5 mobile processors it was no doubt time for new models. At CES this year HP launched a number of new EliteBooks, their enterprise-ready, maximum-reliability notebooks. This release included the 8440w/8540w (14- and 15-inch mobile workstations) and the 844op/8540p (14- and 15-inch professional notebooks). The "w" models are the more powerful computers with high-end dedicated graphics and a new gunmetal finish while the "p" models are available with either integrated or discrete graphics and have the same platinum finish that the EliteBooks had last generation.
This review will be looking at the EliteBook 8540p, which has a 15.6-inch display and weighs in at about 6.5 pounds. With a business-rugged build and a $1299 starting price, it's a prime competitor to Lenovo's ThinkPad T series, especially the T510 (the 8540w would be the competitor to Lenovo's ThinkPad W510). The 8540p is largely unchanged from the previous 8530p, which was announced in August 2008, though the new models do get refreshed graphics and CPU options, as well as USB 3.0.
As tested the 8540p shipped with Windows 7 Professional (64-bit), Intel's Core i5-520M (2.4Ghz) processor, 2GB RAM, Nvidia NVS 5100M graphics, and a 320GB disk. The 15.6-inch LED backlit display runs at a generous 1600×900 and connectivity is handled by Intel's Ultimate-N 6300 AGN and Bluetooth. There is also a 2MP webcam and a LED keyboard light above the display. This build currently sells for $1299.
One of the perks of HP's 15-inch EliteBooks is the use of USB 3.0. The computer has two SuperSpeed ports that can work with USB 3.0 external hard drives for serious transfer speeds. In addition to the USB 3.0 ports there is a smart card reader, optical drive, ethernet, modem, lock port, VGA, three USB 2.0 slots, DisplayPort, eSATA, Firewire, microphone, headphone, and a card reader. HP didn't leave anything out of the mix with the 8540p.
The most significant selling point with the EliteBooks is reliability. HP promises maximum damage resistance with these, backing up that claim with a full-metal body, the aluminum LCD lid, and a host of other protective features. With this generation they have also added in Mil Spec 810G testing, which ensures resistance against drops and the elements (dust, heat, cold, etc.). The 8540p is not a fully ruggedized system, it's still "business-rugged," but the point is that it can take some punishment. Mission accomplished. The laptop feels like it can stop a bullet. It might not mean much to some people, but you can't miss the feeling that this is a well-constructed piece of hardware. There is minimal flex to the system, regardless of how you handle it, and even hard usage (such as picked it up by the corner of the palmrest) is not a problem.
Inside the laptop you have your standard business notebook with one a perk: a numberpad. The 8540p features lots of things we've seen before, like HP's EliteBook keyboard, dual navigation (trackpad and trackpoint), and a touch-sensitive strip for shortcuts and media controls. This area features blue, pale green, and orange LED indicators giving the laptop a very cool look; it's much more interesting than the standard white and red LEDs. To the left of the keyboard is a full 17-key numberpad, which will be a major asset if you have to do a lot of numerical input. It's especially nice to see on a 15-inch computer that makes no sacrifices on the standard keyboard setup. As for usability, it's rock solid. They keyboard feels great to use and the numberpad is a bonus.
Not everyone will like the cursor controls as much as the ThinkPad (where the design was borrowed from) thanks to HP's rubbery buttons and their mushy feel, but they get the job done. There is a third (middle) button on each navigation option, which might come in handy. I can't tell you how many times I hit one of th middle buttons when going for the left button (it was a lot).
The 1600×900 display is one of the 8540p's best assets. HP has been focusing on the quality of their displays for the last couple of years now and while this is not one of the company's DreamColor displays it still looks quite good. The viewing angles are solid for a notebook (helpful if you have a few people huddled around a display) and the 15.6-inch panel is noticeably larger than the more common 14-incher. Using Fn+F11 you can activate the ambient light sensor so you can let the computer worry about brightness on it's own. The biggest problem here will be the lack of vertical space, which some business users will find to be a problem despite the growing acceptance of the 16:9 aspect ratio.
As for the speakers, they get surprising loud, so this ends up being a good computer for media playback, especially considering the multiple display output options. That said, it is a business notebook, so don't expect too much from the speakers.
The Nvidia NVS 5100M graphics is a relatively weak solution aimed at business computers. It's enough to handle demanding desktop work and even HD video (thanks to Nvidia's PureVideoHD processor), but it's not for gamers. It's a good fit for the 8540p, but it doesn't offer the workstation-class power that you would find on the 8540w. Lenovo uses this option on their ThinkPad W510 as well, so it's industry vetted. It's CUDA compatible and seems to be EnergyStar compliant. Nvidia has a bit on information on it here.
Performance was, on the whole, very good. The 8540p, even at this modest build, can function as a desktop replacement and mobile workhouse, though some upgrades could certainly help–obviously more than 2GB of RAM would make sense. For people that need maximum performance the 8540w would be the way to go (or the 8700 series for a 17-inch laptop) as the "w" models mean more power and higher-end graphics, but the "p" will be more than enough for most people. The Core i5 processor is a great addition to the computer and it tends to fly without killing the battery.
PCmark Vantage:
- Overall: 5862
- Memories Suite: 3739
- TV and Movies: 3770
- Gaming: 4630
- Music: 5967
- Communications: 4331
- Productivity: 4954
3DMark Vantage
- Overall: 2611
Windows Experience Index:
- Overall: 5.5
- Processor: 6.7
- Memory: 5.5
- Graphics: 6.4
- Gaming: 6.4
- Hard drive: 5.9
The quad-core processor option will make sense for some buyers, given their needs, but everyone gets a 7200RPM disk so there is no serious bottleneck there. The Nvidia graphics aren't the star of the show, but any dedicate graphics will be enough to set this computer apart from systems that opt for integrated (this is available on the 8440p).
This system isn't exactly setup for maximum battery life but at 15.6-inches and about 6.5 pounds it can be taken on the road without much difficulty. The battery life with WiFi on, the backlight at 50%, doing general desktop work was about 4.5 to 5 hours. HP's Power Assistant software can help users get a better understand of what's going on with their power consumption (such as cost of running the computer) but you can only do so much to extended battery life when running discrete graphics and the standard voltage Core i5 processor.
In summary, you can't go wrong with the EliteBook 8540p (or the 8xx0 series for that matter). With this flagship business line HP has combined good looks, ruggedness, high performance, and tons of features into one extremely attractive package. The 8540p has a reasonable starting price (for an enterprise notebook) and a lot of options to jack it up if you'd like (quad-core processors, 8GB RAM, SSDs, etc.), but even this base-level unit was impressive. The build quality is outstanding and the performance beats most of what we've seen in this size/price class (admittedly this is a new generation of components so this gives the 8540p an edge, but it also makes it a good time to buy). There is little room for improvement, but it might be nice to see a 1920×1080 display option for people that need maximum resolution, but even that should probably be reserved for the "w" models.


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Last Activity: Yesterday 20:24
About Me
- About Dave999
- Location
- Moon! It's not the East or the West side... it's the Dark Side
- Operating System
- Windows 8 and Linux mint 12
- Mobile Phone
- SE x10 mini, SE Arc, HTC desire S, n900, Omnia W, N9, Galaxy Note, ZTE Blade III
- Handhelds
- Ipad, Nexus 7
- Do something for the climate today! Anything!
I don't trust poeple without a Nokia n900...I'm also supporting Apple 2016 or until Jolla fully refund or ship the jPad to all backers and supports!
"waited over a year for no tablet and then the same again for potential refund? inspires confidence!"
- Do something for the climate today! Anything!


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INDIANAPOLIS (AP) -- AJ Allmendinger looked and sounded like a driver getting the second chance of a lifetime Friday.
Eight months after failing a NASCAR drug test and losing his job on Roger Penske's Cup team, the 31-year-old California native was rehired by The Captain to drive in two IndyCar races this season - including the season's biggest race, the Indianapolis 500.
Allmendinger got the series title sponsor, IZOD, as his primary sponsor and will drive the No. 2 car that won the pole last year for an owner who has won a record 15 Indy 500 titles.
It doesn't get better than that.
"When you're racing against people at over 200 mph, they're the ones that have to trust you and if they don't trust you, you're not going to be back in the sport anyway," Allmendinger said after listing a series of drivers who had offered support to him in his comeback bid. "So they told me do what you have to do and get back, get back as soon as possible."
The current deal is only for two races: April 7 at Birmingham, Ala., and May 26 at Indy. If Penske finds more funding, the schedule could be expanded.
He also will try to juggle his new part-time job with a part-time Cup schedule that already includes races at Bristol and Fontana with Phoenix Racing. That team also wants more funding to keep Allmendinger on the track regularly.
There was speculation that Penske's third car would go to Ryan Briscoe, last year's pole-winner, or three-time Cup champion and IndyCar veteran Tony Stewart.
Team Penske president Tim Cindric said the team never made an offer to Briscoe, who was looking for a full-time ride. As for Stewart, Cindric said that offer was made and was on the table until the driver-owner decided he needed to focus his attention solely on NASCAR.
So Penske's team turned to the American it used at 17 Cup races last season and had him test the car in February at Sebring. The official offer still surprised Allmendinger, who sat inside the Indianapolis Motor Speedway's trackside media tower smiling almost in disbelief.
"To have Roger Penske and everybody at the Penske organization ask me to come back is just amazing," Allmendinger said. "Roger told me last year that once you're in the family, you're always in the family and to have Roger say those words and not just say them but to act on them, to have him call me every week and check on me and make sure I was all right, and then to come back to Indy, really is amazing."
NASCAR suspended Allmendinger in July after he failed a random drug test. He was released by Penske when a backup "B" sample also tested positive for a banned substance that Allmendinger later confirmed was Adderall. The prescription drug is commonly used to treat attention deficit disorder, which Allmendinger does not have. He also did not know what was in the pill.
"I was dumb and naive and it was a one-time thing," he said. "I took it unknowingly, but it was dumb."
The suspension gave Allmendinger time to contemplate his future in racing and complete NASCAR's "Road to Recovery" program. He was reinstated by Cup officials in September and finished the season by competing in four Cup races with Phoenix Racing.
IZOD representative Mike Kelly noted that "AJ is an interesting cat" and Allmendinger interrupted: "I don't know how to take that."
IndyCar officials said Allmendinger will be subjected to random tests. But neither the team nor the series has created any additional requirements to ensure Allmendinger is clean. Cindric said Penske does not consider this hire to be a risky venture.
"There was really no choice but to have things play out the way they did," Cindric said. "There was a timeout there for a while, but he's assured everyone he's OK and we believe that."
Allmendinger acknowledged that last season was tough for him in many ways. After getting his dream ride with Penske, things didn't go as well as he had hoped, putting even more pressure on himself.
"Mentally, I just was not happy with myself and what's really tough in NASCAR is that you don't have time to fix it because you're racing every week," Allmendinger said. "I kept putting those emotions off, and I thought if I was racing great, those emotions would be great. I figured out at some point that wasn't the case."
This year, it's been a different story. Though he didn't race in February's Daytona 500, Allmendinger made his season debut last weekend at Phoenix and finished 11th. He spoke Friday with passion and showed the excitement of a rookie driver who couldn't wait to get started.
Why not?
The new job gives him a chance to return to his open-wheel roots where he was once considered the hottest young star. From 2004 to 2006, he had 14 podium finishes in the now-defunct Champ Car Series, winning five times and finishing third in points in 2006. Back then, when America's top open-wheel drivers were competing in separate series, Allmendinger wanted to compete at Indy.
He only got that chance by moving to NASCAR where he competed in the Brickyard 400.
But all along, the driver named after four-time Indy winner A.J. Fort wanted to race in the 500. And he'll get to do that with the most dominant team in track history.
"As a kid growing up when I was 10, 12 years old, I loved the Indy 500. The split took away from the prestige of the Indy 500 because the best of the best weren't here, so I kind of forgot what some of the prestige here was like until I came back in a stock car," Allmendinger said. "Then immediately, I thought I wonder what it would be like to run an Indy car here. ... It's still the biggest race, I think, on this planet."


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Lua/Python Programming for lighting control
Presupuesto $1500-3000 USD
We are working on a project that is nearing completion and we need another programmer to help finish it in the next before Nov 14th. The project consists of hardware that sends wireless signals to control light fixtures and it executes scripts written in the Lua programming language to process switch presses and send the appropriate commands to the individual light fixtures via wireless commands. A programmer familiar with Python could probably pick up Lua quickly enough to be useful on the project as there is a significant code based to build upon.
14 freelancers están ofertando el promedio de $2619 para este trabajo
Hi, Let me keep this really short as i am sure you would be swamped with proposals :)! We have been developing/maintaining various web applications in Python Django. Mostly these applications are hosted on clouds Más
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I am an avid backpacker / hiker / camper and have been going on 5 years. I am also female.
Anyway, over the years I've come to be pretty tolerant of the stereotypes, from both genders. Once in a while, though, it gets to me.
Like my boyfriend's parents, most recently. Now, my bf has never been on a backcounty hiking trip. I was uber-excited when he seemed into going with me in May and we've spent tons of time together planning, looking at gear and doing research.
He must've brought it up to his parents and expressed their reaction to it. He was not happy, nor was I.
Apparently they find it "weird" that I go with a group of guys, to which my bf explained (accurately) that none of my female friends nor my male friends' gf's / wives are into it… that I DO have female friends. I'm guessing they think we have campfire orgies in the woods or something… or that I'm just plain promiscuous.
They also asked if "I would be okay" and hinted to my bf that he would have to carry everything. To make things even more befuddling, his mother used to be a girl guide leader and go camping a lot in her 30's.
Now, my bf and I haven't gone together yet, so he hasn't seem what I'm capable of, but I've been going for 5 years and am fairly athletic. I can carry up to 35 pounds on my 118 pound frame and hike up to 13 km a day (more if some of my male trail buddies were in better shape).
Now, I hate to play into stereotypes, but I don't look like the "typical" outdoorswoman. I'm not super-muscular, I'm petite and I am not outdoorsy 24-7. I wear some makeup in the city, I enjoy some of the traditional feminine activities, etc, etc. I like to think it makes me unique and multi-faceted. I don't like to think it makes me look like a strong breeze would blow me over.
I seem to get a lot of disbelief in terms of my abilities in a variety of situations (especially anything involving strength), but geez – his parents have met me at least a dozen times. I was pretty offended.
But, that's what I get for enjoying an "unfeminine" activity while looking "feminine". I'm sure I'd get crap regardless of what I looked like, though, because that's the imposibility of being a woman.
Also, I am a forest slut for going with a group of men. My bf better beware. 😛
Toronto, ON


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Good lamb is so pricey, we just don't want to mess it up! Here's how I've learned to cook lamb chops perfectly each and every time, just by minding the clock.
"... turned out perfectly!" ~ Brian
"... really yummy!" ~ Sally
At the farmers market a few years back, I overheard a young couple order a whole hog – tip to tail and "everything but the squeak," as they say – from a farmer who then raised pasture-grazed pigs. It was a long conversation, whether to take the pig's feet (the trotters, isn't that an apt name?!), whether the processor would cure the bacon.
That conversation launched a fascination with whole animals – both cooking whole animals for parties and purchasing a whole animal. I know, I know, to think that for six years, I was a vegetarian, especially since this is in-your-face meat without the modern veil of plastic wrap and pre-marinated convenience.
Here's what I like about it:
Knowing where and how the animal was raised, fed and yes, butchered
Really good meat, cut and packaged to fit our cooking and eating style
Here's what's hard about it:
When it comes to meat, I've been a by-the-cookbooks cook sticking to familiar cuts easily found and relatively inexpensive in the grocery store. Dealing with necks and shoulders and other meat cuts, I just don't know what to do.
So I've decided to cook my way through an entire lamb, an entire steer and with any luck, an entire hog. This is a long-term project, one that will take awhile to get right. When I learn something that really works, like the timing for perfectly cooked lamb chops, I'll share the recipe.
Time to table: 45 minutes – several hours
Serves 4
- 4 lamb chops (see TIPS)
- 1/2 cup good red wine or Worcestershire sauce
- 4 cloves garlic, flattened with side of knife
- 1 large sprig fresh rosemary
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- Kosher salt
- Freshly ground black pepper
MARINATE Combine lamb chops, wine, garlic and rosemary in a large plastic bag or a shallow glass or ceramic pan (not metal). Let marinate for one to twelve hours (even 30 minutes makes a big difference), turning occasionally if possible. If cooking in an hour, the meat can marinate on the counter, otherwise, it should marinate in the refrigerator.
BRING TO ROOM TEMPERATURE Drain and discard the marinade. If needed, let lamb chops come to room temperature, about 20 minutes. While meat warms up, heat oven to 400F/200C.
SEAR In a cast iron or heavy oven-safe skillet, heat olive oil until shimmery. (The skillet is hot enough when water flicked off your fingertips sizzles.)
Sprinkle the chops with salt and pepper, both sides. Without crowd and without moving, cook chops for 3 minutes on one side, then 3 minutes on the other. Depending on size and number of chops, you might need to cook these in batches.
BAKE Place chops in the oven and bake for 7 - 8 minutes for rare to medium rare. Watch the meat – thickness, how cooked they got in the skillet, all these will make a difference with the timing. But I have to tell you, 3 minutes per side plus 7 to 8 minutes in the oven, the timing has produced one perfect lamb chop after another.
ALANNA's TIPS Two easy ways to make meat look even more appetizing. First, use a grill pan when searing the meat. Second, put a little "brown" (almost a burn) on the exterior by using a slightly hotter skillet when searing or by putting under the broiler for a minute just before serving.
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I read in the story portion that you get "double" cuts, which you describe as being 1-1/4" thick. By the term and definition, I'm assuming that chops you normally would buy at a grocery store would be half the thickness (so maybe approximately 5/8" thick).
So, my question is, can you tell me how the cooking time varies, if any, between a "double" cut and a regular, bought-at-a-supermarket-butcher cut?
Thanks for all your stories and recipes, I have only tried a couple but I loved those, and always find them interesting! Like Kitchen Riffs, I'm pretty impressed by the entire animal plan, and look forward to hearing more! :)
The "double cuts" span the 'width' of the chops. If you look at the photo, you can see the bone through the center, usually butchers cut through that bone to yield two tiny lamb chops.
As for thickness, if I had a lamb chop 5/8" thick, I'd do a minute a side in the skillet, then put into the oven, starting to check after 5 minutes.
One of the best things about selling butcher lambs is discovering new recipes and cooking tips from our customers. I love the idea of cooking your way through a whole lamb and can't wait to see what else you come up with! :)
Tried them on the BBQ last time I made them, but I found this way they had more of a lamb flavour.
Post a Comment
Thank you for taking a moment to write! I read each and every comment, for each and every recipe. If you have a specific question, it's nearly always answered quick-quick. But I also love hearing your reactions, your curiosity, even your concerns! When you've made a recipe, I especially love to know how it turned out, what variations you made, what you'll do differently the next time. ~ Alanna


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Are you experiencing blurred vision when seeing near objects? You may be having Myopia (Short-sightedness or Near-sightedness).
Myopia (Short-sightedness or Near-sightedness) is a condition in which a person is able to see near objects well (when reading a book or working on the computer) but has difficulty seeing objects that are far away (road signs or bus numbers). Myopia occurs when the eye is unable to focus light rays accurately on the seeing part of the eye, the
This is an interactive illustration demonstrating how a person's view of the Singapore scenery may be with an increase in the degree of nearsightedness.
Please use the mouse, click on the blue arrow and slide it to the right.
Myopia is caused by an eyeball that is too long, causing light rays (and the image data it contains) to fall in front of the retina.
Myopia can be corrected with concave corrective lenses such as in spectacles or contact lenses. These vision aids help to better focus the light entering the eye. Other ways to correct myopia are refractive surgery options such as LASIK, Epi-LASIK and implantable contact lens, subject to assessment for suitability.
Please visit the following relevant links :-
SNEC Laser Vision CentreOutcome Results on LASIK ProcedureSNEC Laser Vision Centre Clinical Staff
I Want an Eye Examination / an AppointmentHow the Eye WorksFeedback
Joint Commission International (JCI) accreditation is internationally recognized as a premier credential for hospitals and other medical institutions. It is an international mark and endorsement for quality patient care and safety, and organisation management. The JCI accreditation program initiated in 1999 was designed to evaluate all the functions of acute care hospitals and medical centres. SNEC was accredited in December 2009 and re-accredited in 2012.
The Excellence for Singapore Award was set up by the Singapore Totalisator Board in 1996 to recognise and honour individuals, groups of individuals or organisations that bring credit to Singapore by being among the best in their areas of activity in Asia or in the world. SNEC has been bestowed the award since 2003.
ISO 9001 is the globally implemented standard for providing assurance about the ability to satisfy quality requirements and to enhance customer satisfaction in supplier-customer relationships. SNEC achieved the certification in 2005 and has also been accredited with ISO 9001:2008 (UKAS) since year 2008.
The Excellent Service Award (EXSA) is a national award managed by SPRING Singapore and nine industry lead associations. This award recognises the best of the best individuals who have delivered outstanding service in their respective industries. SNEC has been conferred the national award in 2004.
Servi-CertTM is a service certification adapted from France and introduced into Singapore by the SGS International Certification Services Singapore Pte Ltd. To be accredited with ServiCertTM is an endorsement that SNEC has in place a service delivery system of international standard. This means SNEC's patients can look forward to service of the highest and most consistent quality. Patients can be assured that their needs and safety remain top of SNEC's priority as we continuously improve our facilities and premises. SNEC has been certified since April 2007.
The Singapore HEALTH (Helping Employees Achieve Life-Time Health) Award is presented by the Health Promotion Board to give national recognition to organisations with commendable Workplace Health Promotion (WHP) programmes. It is an important way of honouring organisations that strive to help their employees lead healthy and vibrant lives. SNEC has progressed from the Bronze Award in 2002 to Silver then to the Gold Award in 2005, 2006, 2008,2010 and 2012.
As Singapore's largest integrated healthcare provider and leading international medical group, SingHealth's hospitals and Specialty Centres are recognised as tertiary centres.
SingHealth institutions are equipped with highly advanced medical technology and offers pioneering treatments in a wide range of medical procedures, with outcomes comparable with the best institutions worldwide.
The Ophthalmology & Visual Sciences ACP (EYE-ACP), launched jointly by SingHealth and Duke-NUS, is a cluster-wide framework for all ophthalmologists to advance in Academic Medicine with resources and funding support. Key appointment holders appointed include chair, and vice chairs for education and research. To ensure the healthcare outcomes are world-class, the Ophthalmology & Visual Sciences ACP will be focusing on developing a comprehensive framework of existing well-established research capabilities in SERI and the training capabilities in SNEC.
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Heatwave Infrared Saunas
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Pergola Kits
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Pool Floats, Inflatables, and Toys
Take your favorite backyard games out of the heat and into the pool this summer for tons of fun. These pool toys can be great exercise and a real hit at pool parties! Click the Shop Now button on each product to view additional information about each product.


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New here... I have a 12 week old daughter, V, who is have weight issues. Let me start at the beginning....
Prior to her being born I read up on breastfeeding. She was born naturally (1.5 hrs after first contraction!!) and latched on right away. We co sleep and have since the beginning. She was born at 8 lbs 1 oz. her lowest weight on day 4 was 7 lbs 6 oz. she was up to 8 lbs 2 on day 16. Different scales at this point for each weight. Around 5 weeks she became inconsolable and started refusing the breastoccassionally. Before she nursed all the time however slept for 4 to 5 hrs at night. I didn't try for this it just happened. After I was close to a meltdown I called the lactation consultant at the hospital. At 6 1/2 weeks she weighed only 8 lbs 7 oz. I nearly lost it when I saw that number!! Her diaper count had changed slightly but I thought that was just because she had gotten older. The LC worked with me on breast compressions and pumping and was just wonderfully supportive. Two days later however no weight gain. We made the decision to supplement at this time. We ended up at 9 oz per day. I usually only pump 1 oz per day even with my rented hospital pump. 3 days later she was up 3 oz. we kept with the 9 oz supplementation and she gained 4 oz per week the next couple week which we were happy with. I added fenugreek and thistle and eventually reglan. My milk is definitely up. However after two weeks of cutting back to 8 oz she dropped to just 2 oz gain per week. At her two month check up last week she was 24 inches long and 9 lbs 11 oz. the pedi said to keep waking her up two times per night which I had started doing weeks earlier and as long as she gains not to worry much because she's doing great otherwise. At her weigh in yesterday with the LC still only 2 oz. I called the pedi and got the nurse who said the pedi said to up her formula to 12 to 14 oz and bring her in on Friday. If she was gaining well on 9 oz why would I need to give her 12? I called back but haven't heard back yet.
Her diaper count is 6 to 9 per day and she's generally very happy and seems healthy! If I hadn't been monitoring her weight I'd never know there was a possible problem!
I know there are more details that I'm forgetting. For now am I crazy for thinking that's too much if she was doing fine on 9 oz?
Thanks so much!!! I know this was long!


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Miami, March 5, 2013 – Today, Regent Seven Seas Cruises announced a new promotion called Why Choose When You Can Have It All. Guests who book any one of the 15 eligible Europe 2013 voyages will receive all three exclusive offers of free unlimited Internet, a $300 per suite shipboard credit and Business Class Air from $699. The only choice to be made is which cruise to take. Travel agents will also receive a $100 Gift Card for every new booking made under this promotion.
The Why Choose When You Can Have It All promotion is good from now until May 31, 2013 and is valid on the following 2013 sailings:
Seven Seas Mariner
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September 18: Mediterranean Overture, Monte Carlo to Athens, 7 Nights
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ETHEL SINGS Begins Performances Off-Broadway Tonight
Undercover Productions LLC will present the Off-Broadway Premiere of Ethel Sings, by Joan Beber beginning performances at Theatre Row's Beckett Theatre (410 West 42nd Street, between 9th and 10th Avenues) tonight, May 31st, with Opening Night set for Friday June 6th. This limited engagement will continue through July 13th.
10% of all ticket sales will go to The Rosenberg Fund for Children, the foundation started by Robert Meeropol and named for his parents, that makes grants aiding American children whose parents have been targeted because of their progressive activism, as well as youth who themselves have been targeted due to their politics. Mr. Meerepol has been a supporter of this production since its first reading.
Will Pomerantz (The Blue Flower) directs a cast that includes Tracy Michailidis (Beauty & The Beast - Broadway & National Tour) as Ethel, Ari Butler (Old Jews Telling Jokes) as her husband Julius, Kevin Isola (Almost, Maine - Transport Group, By the Way, Meet Vera Stark - Second Stage) as Roy Cohn, along with David Fierro ("The Knick" - Steven Soderberg), Tanesha Gary (Sheila's Day - Lincoln Center, Caroline or Change - Broadway & National Tour), Sheria Irving (Broadway: Romeo & Juliet - directed by David Leveaux), Kenneth Lee (The Machine - Donmar Warehouse, Allegiance - pre-Broadway), Joel Leffert (Broadway: Waiting for Godot/No Man's Land, Not About Nightingales), and Serge Thony ("One Life to Live," "All My Children").
And featuring Adrienne Moore ("Orange Is the New Black," "Blue Bloods") as Loraine, Ethel's guide and confidante, leading Ethel through her life as she prepares for her death.
Take a wild theatrical ride to discover Ethel Rosenberg as you've never known her. A whimsical new play full of unexpected twists and turns, Ethel Sings looks fearlessly at the determined mother, singer, writer, and actress swept up in the fatal Red Scare hysteria of the 1950s. Her husband Julius' need to "save the world" will be his undoing. Ethel's love for him will be hers.
Performances will be Tuesday evenings at 7pm, Wednesdays at 2pm & 7pm, Thursdays at 7PM, Fridays at 8PM, Saturdays at 2PM and 8PM, and Sunday matinees at 3PM. PLEASE NOTE: There will be no Wednesday matinees on June 11th or 18th. Tickets for all performances will be $60.25 (including a $1.25 Restoration Fee) and available through Telecharge.com or by calling 212-239-6200.
Ethel Sings will have scenic design by John McDermott, lighting design by Joyce Liao, and costume design by Whitney Locher.
Joan Beber began her career as a visual artist, later experimenting with poetry, performance and other art forms. She has traveled extensively, spending many months in Israel, Egypt and Japan. In 1950, she, her parents and sister spent an afternoon with Picasso in Valerise, France, visiting his studio and that of his students; after returning to the United States, her father continued to correspond with the painter. After raising four daughters, Joan spent two summers at the Rhode Island School of Design studying acrylic painting, gauche, and egg tempura. She spent two summers at The Idyllwild Center For The Arts at Big Bear Mountain in California studying ceramics and papermaking. She has had one-person shows at the San Diego Art Institute in Balboa Park and The Jewish Community Center in San Diego. Ultimately, writing for theatre became her primary medium of expression. Her plays We All Fall Down and Ethel Sings were developed at the University of Southern California Center for Dramatic Arts. Her short play, Fitting Pictures, was produced at the Actors Alliance Festival in San Diego and at San Diego Black Box Theatre. She is a life member of the Alliance of Los Angeles Playwrights. Hunger - In Bed With Roy Cohn was her first full-length play produced. It had its world premiere at the Odyssey Theatre in Los Angeles in 2012. Ethel Sings was further developed at Walkerspace last year. She holds a BA in English Literature from Northwestern and an MFA in Playwriting from the University of Southern California.
Will Pomerantz has directed and developed new plays, music theatre and opera with such theatres as Playwrights Horizons, The Public Theatre, Hartford Stage, New York Theater Workshop, Ensemble Studio Theater, Soho Rep, Culture Project, The Signature Theatre, The Williamstown Theatre Festival, The Studio Theatre, Bard Summerscape, and The Guthrie. He has directed world premieres by John Guare, David Auburn, Neil LaBute, Craig Lucas, Kia Corthron, David Lindsay-Abaire, Stephen Belber, Noah Haidle, and Linda Cho. His production of The Blue Flower won multiple Elliot Norton Awards, including Best Musical, and was nominated for a Lucille Lortel Award for Best Musical. His production of The Shape of Things was voted Outstanding Production of the Year in Washington, DC by Metro Weekly and received a Helen Hayes Award for outstanding performance, as well as being cited as among the year's best by The Washington Post and The Washington Times. His production Dai (starring Iris Bahr) received a Drama Desk nomination for Best Solo Performance 2006-'07 and won the Lucille Lortel Award for Best Solo Performance. He received an OOBR Award for Outstanding Production (for A Tale of Two Cities) and his work has been a Critic's Pick in Time Out NY and The Village Voice. Pomerantz is Associate Director for Artistic Development for Epic Theatre Ensemble, where he directed the New York premiere of Howard Barker's A Hard Heart (starring Kathleen Chalfant), and Mahida's Extra Key to Heaven. Pomerantz is the first American director ever invited to direct for the National Theatre of Poland, where his production of Cinders by Janusz Glowacki, was performed as part of the repertory for four years. In addition, he has been the Boris Sagal Fellow in Directing for Williamstown Theatre Festival, Staff Repertory Director for The Acting Company, Director-In-Residence for Culture Project, and is an alumnus of the Directors Lab at Lincoln Center, a Usual Suspect at New York Theatre Workshop, and a member of Ensemble Studio Theater.
For more information, visit www.EthelSings.com.


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Pearce Memorial United Methodist Church
I was so busy photographing this interesting stone church in the little town of Auburn, KY, that I forgot to read the name on its sign! The letters are almost too faded to read in my photograph, but I verified its name on the internet. This is the Pearce Memorial United Methodist Church.
After I had the name, I found a church history that was written in 1974 by Nancy R. Wright. It says that the church was named for John Pearce, a lifelong member of the congregation, whose last will and testament designated $20,000 for the construction of the building.
Dedicated on March 26, 1939, this structure replaced an 1882 building and became the third meeting house of the congregation. A stone parsonage (barely visible at left in the photo below) was built behind the church in 1950-1951.
According to Wright's history, this is Bedford stone (a type of limestone) from the Halls Knob Quarry near Auburn. Her history also includes a description of the interior of the building.
The architect of the church was Mr. A. B. Gardner of Nashville. I have not located any additional information about him. I can only say that Mr. A.B. Gardner was not affiliated with the Nashville architectural firm, Dougherty and Gardner, which operated throughout the 1920s. (That was Thomas W. Gardner.) It seems that this fanciful little stone church in Auburn may have been Mr. A. B. Gardner's greatest work.
(The walls of the church don't really slant in.
The distortion was caused by the wide-angle lens.)


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Sunday, Apr 28, 2013
by Delia
As both a researcher and a genealogy librarian, I don't like to give up on any family history question. I always think that searching church records, doing cluster research and reading newspapers, etc. will yield the answer, if only one will take the time.
And often, I am right when offering these possibilities on finding that missing piece: spelling the names slightly different; switching the first and last name; looking in a neighboring county; the list goes on. But sometimes, I know that the information that is sought will probably never be found.
Do you have an ancestor who was a child left abandoned on porch steps, a church pew or at a train station? The authorities would have sought the mother at the time, so once a search of the records of the abandonment have been searched and local newspapers have been perused, it's unlikely that the identity of the parents will be established. (Although my compulsion to continue the search tells me that if one reads all personal diaries and newspapers for the 25 closest counties and all communities on the connecting rail lines, it may be possible that someone mentioned a pregnant woman....) Or if your ancestor was a woman who married a man that was new in the community, about whom nothing was known, and who disappeared the minute the woman got pregnant and no records were ever found concerning the man.... Well, although one might get lucky in that he really did use his own name, chances are good that he made a practice of loving and leaving, and his real identity may never be discovered.
While I am not advocating completely giving up on the brick wall, I am suggesting setting it aside for a while. New records become available on a regular basis, and you may pick up more experience over several years working on something else. Sometime in the future, you may come across something new. Or you might attend a conference where someone else, a speaker or fellow attendee, could make a break-through suggestion. Or perhaps genetic identification might make such strides that our whole ancestry will be identified with a single drop of blood, and family history research will only give substance to that information.*
But there is always the possibility that the puzzle piece may never be found. This can be hard to accept, especially if you have a wall chart that displays a huge blank for 12.5% of the page. I've seen people frustrated, angry and dispairing over research issues like this, and it very sad because these researchers have exhausted every avenue, made every right move and still come up empty. So the important thing at this point is for us, as researchers, to accept that this may be an unsolvable problem, but not let it ruin our love of family history.
Besides, you never know when you might get lucky....
* Yes, I read science fiction.
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