1

Florence Trail, Vermont

Image: Rod Long

Intermediate mountain bikers will love this berm-and-jump-filled descent, which can be incorporated into a 5-mile ride at Cady Hill . The Florence Trail is known as the best flow trail in Stowe, and one of the finest trails in the state of Vermont.

Advanced riders seeking to add some swoop and flow to their biking adventures will also find this trail enjoyable.

2

Devil's Den, Arkansas

Image: Oliver Graham

A mountain bike trail with history attached to it, Devil's Den State Park is a hallmark in the Arkansas mountain biking scene. At the very trailhead, a sign proudly declares that the lower area of the park, known as Fossil Flats, was the "Birthplace of Arkansas Mountain Biking" in 1989.

Recently designated as a "Monument Trail," the park underwent renovations to update sections of the historic trail while expanding the network with brand-new segments. Featuring impressive rock formations, jumps, and drops, Devil's Den truly is a biker’s paradise.

3

Citrus Tech Trail, Michigan

Image: Aishwarya MV

Despite being the most remote mountain bike destination in the Lower 48, Copper Harbor is home to some of the highest-quality trails in the nation. The newest additions to the network, located on Rock Solid's privately owned East Bluff mountain, include some of the best trails that have been built in the nation . Among them, the Citrus Tech trail stands out, earning praise from every mountain biker who has ridden it.

4

South Boundary Trail, New Mexico

Image: Richard Hedrick

An epic trail that winds through stunning mountain meadows and aspen groves before descending into the desert town of Taos , the South Boundary Trail features 4,500 vertical feet of downhill riding. However, it’s worth noting that bikers will face 2,000 feet of climbing along the way—but the breathtaking ride more than makes up for the effort.

5

Doctor Park, Colorado

Image: Holly Mandarich

One of the most thrilling descents in the country, the Doctor Park singletrack takes riders on an unforgettable journey. Starting at a high elevation, the trail winds through an alpine meadow , descends into an aspen grove, and continues down into pine forests before reaching a dry, lower-elevation climate zone .

Bikers from across the country and around the world can either shuttle to the top or pedal their way up to experience this incredible ride.

6

The Presidio, California

Image: Tim Trad

California is brimming with bike trails, making it difficult to recommend just one. However, this former military base turned national park stands out with its 25 miles of paved or hard-packed trails. Offering sightlines to the bay, coastal cliffs, beaches, forests, Alcatraz, the city skyline, and, of course**,** the iconic Golden Gate Bridge , it’s an unforgettable biking destination.

7

DuPont State Forest Slickrock, North Carolina

Image: Leslie Cross

The DuPont State Forest is a rarity on the East Coast due to its exposed bedrock trail. The biking experience in the North Carolina mountains offers epic descents, small mountains, and trails that flow nicely on soft rocky terrain , giving visitors a great experience, with the Slickrock (Cedar Rock, Big Rock, and Burnt Mountain) trail being one of its highlights.

8

Alpine Trail, Oregon

Image: everett mcintire

There are many trails named "Alpine Trail" but this one, at least, honors its name. Beginning high in the mountains, it goes downhill on soft and beautiful black dirt . A few open meadows and exposed outcroppings provide brief panoramic views of the Cascade Mountains, before dropping back into the timber for more high-speed ripping.

9

Tahoe Rim and Flume Trails, Nevada

Image: Abhi Verma

The Flume Trail wasn’t originally designed for bicycles—it began as the grade for a water flume that delivered lumber from high in the mountains above Lake Tahoe to the towns below. Today, remnants of the flume are still visible, but the old flume bed has been repurposed for use by mountain bikers and hikers.

10

Osberg Ridgeline Epic, Idaho

Image: Karsten Winegeart

The Osberg Ridgeline Epic isn’t for everyone. While it requires a shuttle to reach the trail’s starting point, bikers are still faced with over 3,000 feet of uphill pedaling. However, on the other hand, that 3,000 feet of climbing rewards riders with 5,500 feet of thrilling descent, along with a 15-mile ridge traverse with amazing views .

1

1959: (Now and Then There's) A Fool Such as I

Image: Victrola Record Players

To better understand the music of the 1960s in the United States, one must first go back to the previous decade and revisit the major influences. The music of this era, especially rock and roll, stood out for its rebellious energy, strident guitar chords, and lyrics with messages of freedom.

And perhaps the greatest representative of this cultural change was the great Elvis Presley. In 1959 Elvis released "(Now and Then There's) A Fool Such as I". The song, composed by Bill Trader, had already been recorded years before by other artists, but the King of Rock 'n' Roll's version became a platinum record. Thanks to Elvis and other iconic musicians such as Bill Haley and His Comets, Chuck Berry, and Fats Domino, at the beginning of the 1960s the music world stood on the verge of a true revolution.

2

1960: Will You Love Me Tomorrow

Image: chienba

One of the groups that defined the sound of the 60s was The Shirelles, and one of the songs that helped them reach the top was "Will You Love Me Tomorrow", released in November 1960.

This song composed by Carole King and Gerry Goffin was not only The Shirelles' first number 1, but also became the first song by an African-American girl group to top the Billboard Hot 100 chart.

3

1961: Stand by Me

Image: Bru-nO

"Stand by Me" is probably one of the most beloved songs of all time. Not only was this song a massive hit when singer-songwriter Ben E. King released it in 1961, it was later listed as "the fourth most performed song of the 20th century". No wonder! It was recorded over 400 times by many notable artists such as Otis Redding, John Lennon, Tracy Chapman, and Florence and the Machine, among others.

4

1962: The Twist

Image: Sprinter_Lucio

Originally this song was released in 1958 by Hank Ballard and the Midnighters and later covered by Chubby Checker in 1960. However, two years later something incredible happened that would not be repeated until 59 years later. Checker's version of "The Twist" resurfaced in January 1962 setting a record as the only song to reach number 1 in two different runs. Do you remember this amazing hit inspired by the twist dance craze?

5

1963: Be My Baby

Image: BRUNO CERVERA

Released in August 1963, "Be My Baby" was The Ronettes' biggest hit. Composed by legendary record producer and songwriter Phil Spector, this song is regarded as the quintessential example of his Wall of Sound recording technique.

"Be My Baby" reached number 2 in the U.S., has been played on radio and TV over 3 million times, and has influenced dozens of artists of the golden era of rock and pop music.

6

1964: Oh, Pretty Woman

Image: Jack de Nijs for Anefo, CC0, via Wikimedia Commons

Long before the famous film starring Julia Roberts and Richard Gere, "Oh, Pretty Woman" was an instant success. Released in August 1964, this song was the biggest hit of Roy Orbison, a major player in American popular music of the 1960s.

Orbison was inspired by his wife Claudette, which seems to have brought him luck: the song quickly reached number 1 and was later inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame.

7

1965: Like a Rolling Stone

Image: Brett Jordan

Right in the middle of the decade, the leading exponents of the music scene of the time seem to have reached the pinnacle of creativity. Many songs that are still iconic today were released in 1965: "I've Been Loving You Too Long (To Stop Now)" by Otis Redding, "I'll Feel a Whole Lot Better" by The Byrds, "The Sound of Silence" by Simon & Garfunkel, and "California Dreamin'" by the Mamas & the Papas.

But perhaps the one who broke the mold and changed the history of music forever was Bob Dylan with his mythical song "Like a Rolling Stone". The worldwide hit not only remained at number 2 on the US Billboard charts for three months (the first song of its length to do so) but also marked Dylan's transformation from folk singer to rock star.

8

1966: God Only Knows

Image: Photographer: Sam Psoras, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons

Another turning point in the history of American music is the release of Pet Sounds by the Beach Boys. The album, released in May 1966, is made up of one hit after another: "Wouldn't It Be Nice" and "You Still Believe in Me", just to name a few.

But probably one of the record’s greatest songs is the sophisticated and innovative "God Only Knows". Despite being an unusual sound for the group, some consider it the most beautiful melody ever composed. Even great musicians like Paul McCartney have picked it as their favorite song of all time. Undoubtedly, it is a work of art born from the brilliant mind of Brian Wilson.

9

1967: Sunday Morning

Image: Anastasia Saldatava

The debut studio album by the American rock band The Velvet Underground will forever be remembered for the famous banana on the cover designed by Andy Warhol and for being one of the most influential albums of the 60s.

Although the album was too controversial when it was released in March 1967 and initially was a commercial flop, over time the songs became legendary. For example, "Sunday Morning", with Nico's haunting vocals, a dreamy melody, and cheeky lyrics was recorded with the intention of making a hit. And in our humble opinion, it more than delivers!

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1968: I Heard It Through the Grapevine

Image: Travis Yewell

Although it had been recorded before by other Motown Records artists, Marvin Gaye’s version of "I Heard It Through the Grapevine" released in October 1968 is the one that went to the top of the Billboard Pop Singles chart and stayed for seven weeks. Since then, the song has been inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame and is considered an acclaimed soul classic.

11

1969: I Want You Back

Image: Pexels

Another of Motown Records' iconic artists of the 1960s were the Jackson 5. "I Want You Back" is the first national single by the band in which a very young Michael Jackson took his first steps.

Released in October 1969 the song was performed on the band's first television appearances and became an instant hit. "I Want You Back" was number 1 on the Billboard charts and has sold over 6 million copies worldwide.

12

Bonus: Bridge Over Troubled Water

Image: Rob Bogaerts / Anefo, CC0, via Wikimedia Commons

Despite the innovation experienced in rock and pop in the previous decade, the most successful song of 1970 was the work of a folk group, proving that the genre had not been forgotten and would forever be a staple of American music.

Recorded with a technique similar to Phil Spector's "Wall of Sound" and inspired by gospel music, "Bridge Over Troubled Water" was Simon & Garfunkel's most successful single. The song won five Grammy Awards, including Song of the Year. Since then, more than 50 artists —including Johnny Cash, Aretha Franklin, and Elvis Presley— have released their own version of the beloved hit.

1

His first home

Image: Lucija Ros

Elias and Flora were the parents of the iconic Walt Disney. But beyond raising one of the world's most famous entrepreneurs, they also had several talents and skills, thanks to which they could build their house with their own hands.

Determined to create their home, Elias obtained a permit in 1892 to build a two-story, 18 x 28-foot wooden cottage for $800. Flora was in charge of designing and drawing the plans, and Elias was responsible for every aspect of construction.

Nine years later, on December 5, 1901, Walt Disney was born on the second floor of that house.

2

His birth name

Image: Heike Mintel

But his parents didn't just give him a home; they also gave him a name . While we all know him as "Walt Disney", his full birth name was quite different.

Walt Disney was born Walter Elias Disney, inheriting his father's name as a middle name. Although he never officially changed his ID, he was most famously known by his diminutive , "Walt," which he had been called since childhood.

It didn’t take long for little Walter to begin showing an interest and talent in one of the artistic forms that would lead him to success: drawing.

3

Another name

Image: Steven Beyer

Speaking of names, let's take a look at Mickey Mouse.

Although "Mickey" and "Mouse" are inseparable for everyone today, this famous character was originally called something completely different when he was first created. Believe it or not, the rodent was originally named "Mortimer."

And guess who suggested the new name? Lillian, Walt Disney's wife. When Lillian first heard the name of the cute cartoon character, she felt it sounded too solemn. Instead, she suggested "Mickey," and thankfully, they decided to take her advice!

4

The voice

Image: kaleb tapp

The voice behind the lovable little mouse was none other than Walt Disney. That's right! He brought Mickey Mouse to life with his own voice from his creation in 1928 all the way until 1947. That's almost 20 years giving one of the world's most famous cartoons not only a voice but also a personality. So now you know: when you watch a Mickey movie from those years, you're hearing the voice of his very own creator!

After 1947, other actors took over the role of voicing Mickey, and they've done a great job. But it's always special to remember Walt was the first to take on that job.

5

A special character

Image: Marko Blažević

Besides Mickey, another character held a special place in Walt Disney's heart: the legendary Peter Pan, "the boy who never grew up."

As a young boy on his way to school, Walt Disney noticed posters for a theater company coming to Marceline, Missouri, to perform Peter Pan . Excited by the chance to see the play, the future animation legend got tickets and went with one of his brothers. But that's not all: shortly after, Walt was chosen to play Peter Pan himself in a school play!

Disney told this story himself, highlighting how much Peter Pan meant to him throughout his life. In 1953, he brought Peter Pan to the big screen, allowing thousands of children around the world to discover the magical world of Neverland!

6

High school dropout

Image: Khyta

In 1917, when Walt Disney turned 16, he decided to leave high school and try to join the army. But his plan did not succeed: he was too young to enlist and wasn't accepted. However, his brave spirit was stronger, so he joined the Red Cross to work with them in Europe.

In 1918, he was sent to France as an ambulance driver for the Red Cross, a role he performed for a couple of months. And there's one detail that highlights Walt Disney's passion. It's said that the inside of his ambulance was decorated with dozens of cartoons he had drawn himself!

7

Previous job

Image: JJ Ying

Walt Disney's passion for drawing was clear from his childhood, staying with him through his teenage years and adulthood.

After returning from France at the age of 18, Disney got a job as a commercial illustrator in Kansas City. The story goes that he ran to his aunt, exclaiming, "Aunt! They're paying me for drawing!" In that position, he created advertisements for newspapers, magazines, and posters. Shortly after, he discovered the world of animation.

There's no doubt that this job played an important role in helping Walt Disney eventually establish his own animation and production company.

8

Secret apartment

Image: Aubrey Odom

We could safely say that Disneyland is, without a doubt, a magical place filled with surprises.

But beyond the incredible attractions, such as exciting rides, parades, enchanting shows, and adored characters, there are also some hidden details that often go unnoticed. For example, the fact that Walt had a secret apartment in Disneyland, where he worked and spent time with his loved ones, managing and enjoying the park.

The apartment is still there, and while it's not open to the public, you can pass by and see a lamp that's kept lit as a symbol of Walt Disney's eternal presence in the hearts of many.

9

Train enthusiast

Image: Mike Bergmann

Walt Disney was a multifaceted man, so drawing and animation were just a part of his many passions.

It turns out that the entrepreneur also had a love for trains that began in his childhood. Along with using trains for transportation and collecting model trains, he built a miniature railroad in his backyard where guests could enjoy short and fun rides! He named it the Carolwood Pacific Railroad.

As you might guess, this interest also influenced the design of Disneyland, where the railroad is one of the main features.

10

His favorite song

Image: Guillaume de Germain

One of the things that had a special place in the heart of Walt Disney was his favorite song. Want to know what it was?

Rumor has it that his favorite song comes from one of Disney's most enchanting films: Mary Poppins . Composed in 1964 specifically for the movie, the song "Feed the Birds" had a unique meaning for him.

Its complexity and emotional depth moved him deeply, as the song highlights the importance of being kind and respectful to others. If you haven't listened to it yet or need a refresher to remember the melody, go ahead; you won't regret it!