Fun-filled outing at its best.

🧠✨ Calling all young explorers! Join Dr. Smarty on a thrilling journey to uncover the mysteries of the world! 🌎🔍 Discover hidden treasures, solve riddles, and unlock the secrets of The Amazing Adventures of Dr. Smarty for kids! 🕵️‍♀️🔐

#DrSmartyAdventures #KidExplorers #UnleashYourCuriosity 💡💪 #DrSmartyForKids #LearningIsFun #FutureGeniuses 🌠🌍 #AdventureAwaits #ImaginationUnleashed #DrSmartyJourney 🗺️🎒 #BookwormsUnite #DrSmartyBooks #ReadToDream

Geothermal Bubbling Mud Adventures

After a bumpy but exciting ride I finally arrived to see the counties largest geothermal mud pool.

The landscape is so dramatic and the geothermal activity is rampant. When I got out of the car, I felt like I teleported to another vastly different biome. There was little to no black basaltic volcanic rocks in sight. Varying hues of burnt sienna, orange and rich browns painted the earth.

I can’t express enough how important it is to stay along the paths for safety.

As we got closer to the viewing platform, earths oven had me thinking about shedding a layer of my ski gear.

Gunnuhver stretches 65 feet wide and from the deep fissures underneath and around, steam plumes accompany the extreme temperatures around 570 degrees F! I briefly had a “Minecraft Moment” and thought that I was in the nether.

I never thought I’d get to see bubbling mud but I have learned now to never say never! 🌋🔥🌏 .

Our planets diversity is undeniable. We can also not ignore the fact that it is fragile.

Kong Harald Kongen i nyttårstalen: – Vi må være på vakt mot tilbakeslag is Trending on Sunday December 31 2017 http://www.aioinstagram.com/kong-harald-kongen-i-nyttarstalen-vi-ma-vaere-pa-vakt-mot-tilbakeslag-is-trending-on-sunday-december-31-2017/

VG says: Kongen i nyttårstalen: – Vi må være på vakt mot tilbakeslag

Top 1 articles about Kong Harald:

Kongen i nyttårstalen: – Vi må være på vakt mot tilbakeslag. lt;pgt;HYLLER: Kong Harald hyller blant annet dugnadsånd og miljøengasjement i sin nyttårstale. HYLLER: Kong Harald hyller blant annet dugnadsånd og miljøengasjement i sin nyttårstale. Foto

Trending Images of Kong Harald on Instagram:

This Kong Harald’s photo Trending 1 on Instagram, Photo credit to Instagram

Description: As 2017 is almost over, I would like to thank all of my followers for your support & kindness. I shared a photo of King Harald and Queen Sonja because next year these two will be celebrating their 50th (!!) wedding anniversary so next year is a special year. But I’ll wrap it up. I wish you all a happy new year and may the next one be better and more positive. I hope you all had achieved everything you wanted this year, but if not, there’s still next one.

This Kong Harald’s photo Trending 2 on Instagram, Photo credit to Instagram

Description: Kongeparet og Kronprinsparet tok idag i mot lederen for årets mottager av Nobels Fredspris 2017, Den internasjonale kampanjen for forbud mot atomvåpen, Beatrice Fihn i audiens på Slottet. Foto: Sven Gj. Gjeruldsen, Det kongelige hoff #kongehuset #kongen #kongharald #dronningen #dronningsonja #kronprinsen #kronprinshaakon #kronprinsessen #kronprinsessemettemarit #ican #nobelsfredspris #nobelpeaceprize #beatricefihn #oslo #oslorådhus #oslocityhall #norway

This Kong Harald’s photo Trending 3 on Instagram, Photo credit to Instagram

Description: At the North Cape, the northern most point in Europe, we were served a buffet on the Kong Harald Hurtigruten with the most decadent marzipan cake! I’m nearly positive it was just filled with straight whipped cream! I savored every last perfect, decadent, satisfying morsel!! It was as beautiful on the outside as it tasted on the inside. Absolutely everything was so delicious! I’ve never eaten so well at a buffet, let alone a cruise ship. We surmise a lot of that had to do with feeding 300 versus 3000, but more so that everything was clean, fresh, not artificial, pure and cooked to perfection. Everything just melted in your mouth. The egg yolks were bright orange! The fish still had bones! The cauliflower soup was creamy and thick. The cheese was acidic. They served oatmeal with cinnamon and sugar. No matter that the ship was a barge, and the rooms were tiny, the food was unbelievable and made us want to come running when the dinner bell rang. ** ** ** ** #diapersonaplane #cleandiaper #buffet #hurtigruten #kongharald #marzipan #cake #delicious #dinner #dessert #norway #northcape #europe #simplethings #explore #wanderlust #lonelyplanet #takethekids #worldschool #instatravel #igtravel #instanorway #instafoodie #instafood #kidexplorers #familytime #familytravel #familytraveladventures #familytravelblogger

This Kong Harald’s photo Trending 4 on Instagram, Photo credit to Instagram

Description: Se kronprinsens konge-dans fra slottsbalkongen! Finnes det en kulere kronprins? #haakon #kronprinshaakon #kongehuset #kongharald #bursdag #vg #vgtv #vgno #dronningsonja

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Description: Gratulerer med dagen, kong Harald! Norges konge fyller 79 år i dag. Foto: Det kongelige hoff #kongharald #kingharald #royalbirthday #herognå

This Kong Harald’s photo Trending 6 on Instagram, Photo credit to Instagram

Description: I dag fyller vår flotte Konge 79 år, og vi gratulerer så mye! Legg igjen din hilsen til Harald under #seoghør #kongharald #bursdag

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Description: #hullifjell #instatravel #travelgram @hurtigruten #kongharald

This Kong Harald’s photo Trending 8 on Instagram, Photo credit to Instagram

Description: Dette fine bildet av den norske arverekken ble i dag publisert av Kongehuset i forbindelse med at det i dag er 25 år siden kong Harald ble signet som konge i Nidarosdomen. #kongharald #kronprinshaakon #ingridalexandra #25årpåtronen

This Kong Harald’s photo Trending 9 on Instagram, Photo credit to Instagram

Description: Kongens Tale #kongenstale #kongenvår #kongharald #haraldrex #nrktv #nrk #goodtv #norge #norgemittnorge #instalike @nrk @kongharald2018

Kid's First Flight and Magical Flight Experience ! 🌆🛫

Cute Kid's Heartwarming Playtime, Feeding his Furry Friends !!

Always excited to take off on a new adventure to glean and explore!

One of our most important ecosystems on earth, the Amazon Rainforest, has been burning for weeks. This is devastating and the losses sustained daily is catastrophic.

The Amazon is the largest forrest in the world; a vital carbon source of carbon that counteracts against global warming.

The impacts will be felt by every single human on planet earth. We need policy. We need action. Earth is our only home. 📸 @bloomberg .

WATCH THIS very closely look for “the shoe to drop”

This was the funniest moment of my trip to the Salt Flats in Utah. Adventurous memories were made on this day. 😊

The Great Salt Lake Salt Flats at Saltair

Let me begin here with one of my newfound favorite places to visit on planet earth, The Great Salt Lake Salt Flats at Saltair with is a short drive from the Salt Lake City airport on Insterate 80.

Upon arriving at Saltair I noticed this massive building that looked like a temple. According to the locals, it used to be known as the cursed Coney Island of the West.

Exploring here is truly an exciting experience. I recommend that you dress accordingly. Luckily we came prepared with an extra pair of shoes for the occasion and we have some sun protection readily available. When I followed the narrow path down to the salt flats I was amazed and shocked also. It felt and sounded like I was walking on crunchy potatoe chips. The view was amazing though with a few wet pools of salt suspended in water at this extreme environment. The sky was amazing as if someone painted it pastels and soft colorful hues. I recommmend visiting here if you are anywhere near Salt Lake City. I also recommended that you bring along some water or a CamelBak! It is a great learning experience that can prompt great STEM infused discussions about chemistry, geology and about desert ecosystems.

Did you know that salt is present in vast quantities in seawater, where it is the main mineral constituent?Salt lakes form when the water flowing into the lake, containing salt or minerals, cannot leave because the lake is endorheic. The water then evaporates, leaving behind any dissolved salts and thus increasing its salinity, making a salt lake an excellent place for salt production. High salinity will also lead to a unique halophilic flora and fauna in the lake in question; sometimes, in fact, the result may be an absence or near absence of life near the salt lake yet there is life present; extremophiles. Stay tuned for more about my adventures in Utah.

“Salt suspended in water at the Saltair Salt Flats”

“𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗘𝘃𝗲𝗿𝗴𝗹𝗮𝗱𝗲𝘀 𝗶𝘀 𝗮 𝘁𝗲𝘀𝘁. 𝗜𝗳 𝘄𝗲 𝗽𝗮𝘀𝘀 𝗶𝘁, 𝘄𝗲 𝗴𝗲𝘁 𝘁𝗼 𝗸𝗲𝗲𝗽 𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗽𝗹𝗮𝗻𝗲𝘁”. ~ 𝒥𝑜𝑒 𝒫𝑜𝒹𝑔𝑒𝓇, 𝐸𝓃𝓋𝒾𝓇𝑜𝓃𝓂𝑒𝓃𝓉𝒶𝓁𝒾𝓈𝓉

Did you know that the Everglades are a complex system of “interdependent ecosystems” with water being the dominant force. The borders between the ecosystems are subtle or imperceptible.

Approximately 50 percent of the original Everglades was developed as agricultural or urban area mainly supporting sugarcane which was its primary crop?

This agricultural period of rapid development led to environmental degradation. Additional issues impacted the Everglades over the years, high levels of phosphorus leading to rapid growth of invasive plant species. It has dealt with algal blooms as well as bioaccumulation of methyl-mercury throughout the food chain.

The Everglades ecosystem began to receive notable attention from conservation groups in the 1970s. Internationally, UNESCO and the Ramsar Convention designated the Everglades a Wetland Area of Global Importance.

Our continuous efforts and due diligence are needed to maintain this and many other amazing ecosystems on our planet. Do your research and learn about the environment around you. 🐊🐊🐊

Ok so I have a Bucketlist of weird things that I would like to see with my own eyes in nature!

Nature Bucket List Item # 1

Zombie Snails

One of the deadliest yet most intriguing little animals on Earth is far smaller than a great white shark. These tiny freshwater critters might appear cute and harmless, but once you learn about the brain-controlling zombie parasite that many of them carry, you will think twice about your lake swimming adventure. No, I have no desire to come in contact in the form of a host for these critters but they would be neat to see.

I’m sharing this particular item from a cautionary perspective also. When you travel to warm places that have fresh water lakes and ponds, always consider the microorganisms that thrive in these place especially when the temperature is warm.

For example in Florida, during very high temperatures (when the water temperature is around 90 degrees F) many lakes and ponds may harbor bacteria, parasites and amoebas that can be harmful to both pets and humans; some known to cause meningitis.

In many cities and states the park service or even the health department may have signs posted cautioning swimming in these places like the signs I came across below during my travels in Florida. I share this to recommend that when traveling, pay attention to the signs and temperatures. This is especially important when traveling outside of the United States where amazing places that you may visit may not have signs.

“Please note: I am a kid. I am not a medical person but professional and am not providing any such advice. I am only sharing things that I have learned and have researched myself. I encourage you to do your own research when traveling and follow the informations guidelines provided by the appropriate authorities.”

Brimketill

Before visiting the land of fire and ice, I spent time researching and reading about some of the must see wonders. Brimketill was one of the top items on my “to see” bucket list.

Who wouldn’t want to check out “Surfers Cauldrin” ?

Little did I know that I was in for a blistery surprise.

As the waves slammed along the volcanic coast, the winds were beyond what I have ever experienced. The naturally formed cauldrin would fill with water, with the waves breaking over its rim spraying ice cold water and crimson red algae chunks. It was indeed a majestic site but it is not a place to explore carelessly and without preparation. It can be quite dangerous if you are paying attention to your surroundings - even on the viewing platform. I would never imagine daring to swim in such as I was told that some do in the summertime. You definitely do not want to miss seeing the dramatic natural show but be thoughtful of the season also. The wind can knock you off of your feet and the ocean along the peninsula is relentless. Be safe and dress accordingly for the unpredictable climate. The weather can change in an instant. I was fascinated by the red algae. It’s stark bright contrast against the jagged volcanic rock was unlike anything I have ever seen along coastal regions. Seeing the red algae flying through the air as the rough waves crashed into the cauldron was bizarre and pretty cool. I learned that red algae is almost always found in our oceans and it is commonly found below kelp forests because it can survive with less light than other types of algae. Long ago, it was a common food source for the locals. Just recently, an unknown species of red algae was discovered there.

Extreme Environments : The Hot Side 🔥

Most of the time, when people think about geology and hot things on earth, they strictly think about volcanoes, lava and things of that nature that are often highlighted whenever there is an eruption somewhere.

Few think about the microscopic world that calls these almost inhospitable conditions home.

Life is truly resilient and I can’t think of one place on our planet that life in some form does not exist.

Extremophiles are hardy organisms that thrive in extreme environments. Typically, these environments are so extreme, humans and other organizations cannot survive in them. These organisms live in high pressure environments and in environments with high and low temperatures. These organizations can also thrive in high and low acidic environments.

I could not wait to visit Gunnuhver because I finally I got the chance to visit the geothermically-toasty habitats where some of the hardiest thermophiles in the world thrive.

Gunnuhver is part of the Reykjanes volcanic system which extends in the Atlantic Ocean in the area of Kísilhóll. The area almost looks surreal but it displays reminders that our planet is still busy. You can see the carnage of what was once a wooden viewing platform surrounded gaseous steam and mud pots.

The thermophiles that live at Gunnuhver like very high temperatures above the boiling point of water. They help breakdown elements like iron and sulfur which results in the colorful shades of red, green, yellow and blue.

Gunnuhver unlike the other geo active areas & mud pots across Iceland, is fed by seawater.

In the future, as I increase my knowledge and explore the planet more, I intend to share more on thermophiles and on their phylogeny. Most are thought to have some of the oldest lineages of all species.

Exploring and seeing these geological wonders in this region is unforgettable. Smelling the particular areas in the region is unforgettable also. You definitely can always tell when you are standing above or around active hotbeds. The fumaroles are a major give away and the surrounding stench of rotten eggs.

Fumaroles are openings in the Earth’s crust that emit hot gases, such as steam. You see them all over Iceland emitting carbon dioxide, sulfur dioxide and other subterranean elemental compounds. It is al truly fascinating.

You definitely do not want to go desolate regions without a guide or ones that are not openly visible and accessible. Being safe is what is most important.

I believe that in order to explore beyond our atmosphere, we have to understand the extremes of life on our planet. To maintain the health of our planet, we equally have to understand these things.

Extraordinary Learning & Exploring Our Environment

As a kid, I always enjoyed geography and learning about all of the different countries, various geological landscapes and different biomes on earth. AA couple of years ago my mom asked me a question. She asked me, “if I could go anywhere on planet earth, where would I go”? I told her that I wanted to go to all of the places that she has been.

She chuckled and said, “well, there are certainly some places that she won’t be able to take me that she has been to”. Of course times have changed but she promised to do her best.

She spent a lot of time in Iceland many moons ago. Also while doing laundry she was always emptying my pockets which were full of rocks that I collected throughout the day so guess what? Iceland was my top choice. So my family & I set off on a geology-infused adventure to see real balsatic volcanoes and to see something that I was super excited about, the Mid-Atlantic Ridge.

We backtracked exact places that my mom explored years ago and finally, I made it to the continental divide. I was amazed. Initially I was thinking about the movie IceAge and Scratt the Squirrel but this was beyond my wildest imagination. It was amazing!

I found myself surrounded by black sand as we explored the rift between the North American Plate and the Eurasian Plate. While this place was breathtaking, it is actively drifting apart at a rate of three millimeters each year. The black sand that we walked through is a fissure, evidence of the continental drift. There is bridge that you can walk across representing the connection between Europe and North America. There are several places on Earth where tectonic plates are spreading apart however, most of these places are under water. Thingvellir National Park, a World Heritage Site, is one of the few places on the planet where an underwater ridge rises above the surface of the water.

There are so many neat things to see that tangibly connect what you read in books to reality. Just more evidence that shows just how special and precious our planet is. As inhabitants of this planet, we have to responsibly care for it. 🌎💙

The Qwest to Find Uranus

I found another planetary marker around Hafnir, the planet Uranus. This gas planet which is made up of mostly rock and ice however, it spins a bit different from most planets. It’s axis is tilted! (Fun fact)!

Exploring while learning makes for the best unforgettable experiences especially in extreme places like this. The weather can change in an instant yet still the landscape continues to captivate. I💙🇮🇸

Our planet is amazing! .

Be prepared to explore!