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tv   Today  NBC  February 20, 2016 6:00am-8:00am PST

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(elephant trumpets) (eagle calls) >> man: and see our underwater friends. (dolphin chirps) >> man: and animals from the arctic circle... (seal barks) (owl hoots) (cow moos) >> man: anywhere, everywhere animals live, it's always an adventure... (various animals making sounds) >> man: today on "animal atlas," we're going to tackle adaptation. sound thrilling? well, it is, for it's only through adaptation that animals started out looking one way and endeded up looking like something else entirely. let's first meet the beluga whale, a veritable poster whale for physical adaptation. where's this whale's dorsal fin?
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on the backs of fish and many whales, which cuts through the water's surface? the beluga doesn't have one. this whale lives far to the north where it's very cold and where, more often than not, this hardy white whale finds itself swimming under arctic ice sheets. quite frankly, a dorsal fin would get in the way or worse, scraped up, or off. so no dorsal fin. but that doesn't mean that only this individual beluga whale doesn't have one and that this other beluga whale does. no, all beluga whales have adapted to have no dorsal fin. this is not something that they decided as individuals no matter how intelligent they might be. but it's something that nature decided for them, in a manner of speaking. physical adaptations
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during an animal's life span but over many generations, and these changes to an animal's body almost always result as a response to one of three things-- one, factors in the animal's habitat, which is where it lives. these factors include adapting to the climate as in the case of our friend the beluga whale, whose response living in frigid waters was to do away with its dorsal fin... two, to make the animal better at finding food, whatever that food might be, and three, to keep the animals safe from predators. a missing dorsal fin isn't the only way this marvelous whale adapted to its water environment. look at this. the beluga has a blowhole on the top of its head. now a blowhole is not a waterspout. it's more like a single nostril, which whales
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use to breathe oxygen. just like warm-blooded terrestrial mammals, whales and dolphins breathe oxygen through lungs and don't extract it from the water with gills like fish. fish don't need to go to the surface to breathe, but whales and dolphins sure do. why doesn't the dolphin breathe through its nose? because it doesn't have one. neither does the beluga whale. what looks like a nose is actually called a rostrum, which is otherwise known as the dolphin's, or whale's, mouth but no nostrils. see? and in case you were wondering, cetaceans don't have a sense of smell in their blowhole. but what they do have is the ability to breathe at the surface of the water without sticking their heads up. of course, the whale family's
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go way beyond the blowhole. flukes, those twin finlike projections at the end of the animal's tail, have replaced what were once hind limbs, while adaptation has turned forelimbs into flippers. in fact, the bones in the dolphin's flippers are very similar to the bones inside our arms and hands. yes, dolphins and whales started out with four limbs just like a number of other animals you can name. and so they remain. but instead of two arms and two legs or four legs, through physical adaptation, these astonishing creatures can claim two flippers and a pair of flukes. but wait. that's not all. another amazing physical adaptation that's characteristic of just the beluga whale is its flexible, well-defined neck.
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the beluga's seven neck vertebrae are not fused and stiff in the way that the dolphin's neck seems stiff but are remarkably mobile and expressive. what's the reason for this adaptation? many scientists believe that it's to allow these whales to pop their heads up out of holes in the ice and look around without actually turning their bodies. a physical adaptation for a frigid habitat? you bet. these aren't the beluga's only concessions to the cold. their short, rounded and wide flippers, their stout bodies, their layer of blubber under the skin all serve to make this creature right at home in a perpetual underwater winter wonderland. in water where our teeth would be chattering from the cold, the beluga is clearly in its element.
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to "animal atlas," we'll meet some more animals with amazing physical adaptations. but first, let's see if you can guess this animal fact... >> man: the answer coming up
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>> man: we're back. did you guess the right answer to our question? >> man: the answer is... did you think that the beluga whale was the only creature with astonishing physical adaptations? not at all.
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the beluga whale's neighbor in the very northern coastal environs, is also a living miracle of adaptation to the cold and the wet. a number of scientists believe that the great white polar bear is what resulted when big brown bears ventured as far north as it was possible to go, most likely in search of food. sure, brown bears, with their thick coats, are well-equipped to handle the cold and the wet, but the polar bear goes one step, or one dive further. let's compare these two bears so we might get a better understanding of how they physically differ to learn what physical adaptations the polar bear has to help it survive in a land of freezing temperatures and frigid waters. notice how the polar bear's neck is longer and how its head is more wedge-shaped
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and block-shaped head? this long neck and water-slicing head shape are adaptations for swimming as is this long body. but longer doesn't necessarily mean leaner. to withstand the cold, the polar bear has a 4-inch layer of blubber or fat, under its skin, which keeps it warm when it's swimming in the cold water. did we say "blubber"? yes, indeed. that's also our beluga whale's answer to the cold, isn't it? the polar bear also has wider feet than the brown bear, which helps the polar bear walk in the snow, and its rough footpads surrounded by insulating fur keep if from slipping on the ice. and yes, there's partial webbing between those lovely forepaws. brown bears can lay claim to quite a lot but not to that.
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that the brown bears enjoy water, but clearly, no bear is as much at home in the water as the polar bear. and to that end, these ursine swimmers have a nictitating membrane, which is a special second eyelid that is as clear as a pair of goggles and protects the polar bear's eyes while it swims and peers around under water. but the physical adaptations don't stop there. notice how the polar bear's ears are smaller than the brown bear's, or any bear's ears, for that matter? this is an adaptation for preserving body heat. so is the polar bear's shorter, stubbier tail. of course, the most obvious difference between these two bears is their coloring. the brown bear is called a "brown" bear for good reason. but polar bears? they're the great white bears,
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well, it depends on how the light hits their coat. sometimes they look white, and sometimes they look yellow, but these bears are actually colorless. no, i'm not making this up. it's true that the polar bear does have warm, woolly fur next to its skin, but its guard hairs, those hairs that are sticking up for us to see, are hollow. they absorb warm sunlight and direct it straight to the bear's skin. solar-powered and rarin' to go. >> man: not to be outdone, the penguin is also well-equipped to cope with cooler temperatures and a watery world, though this bird is a resident of the opposite pole. for starters, the penguin also has a layer of blubber for insulation. but unlike the beluga whale
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it has shiny waterproof feathers that help keep its skin dry. penguins also have more feathers than most other birds, nearly 70 feathers per square inch, which makes for a nice, tight, compact feather coat. and for the water life, the penguin has flipper-like wings for swimming and webbed feet, too. so who has the best physical adaptations for survival in a wet, cold-weather environment? will it be the whale without the dorsal fin and with the mobile neck, the bear with the torpedo-shaped body and hollow fur or the bird with the flipper wings and the waterproof feather coat? that's right. they're all winners because that's what physical adaptation is all about-- being best-equipped to survive wherever you live. when we come back to "animal atlas,"
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with astonishing adaptations. but first, let's see if you can guess this next animal fact... >> man: don't go away. the answer coming up
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hi, i'm matt mccoy. how long have you had your car insurance? i ask because i had mine for over 20 years, before i switched and saved hundreds with the aarp auto insurance program from the hartford.
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but they could not compete with the hartford. people 50 and over could save hundreds of dollars when they switch. i had done a lot of comparison shopping. the rate was like half of what i was paying. [ female announcer ] $420 is the average amount drivers save when they switch to the aarp auto insurance program from the hartford. you know, it makes me wonder why everyone 50 and over hasn't switched. [ female announcer ] 4 out of 5 aarp members who switched to the hartford from companies like allstate, state farm and geico, got a lower rate with the hartford. so, call... or go to gohartfordauto.com for your free quote. if you're not already an aarp member, the hartford can help you join in minutes. let me tell you what else the hartford does. they promise not to drop you, even if you're in an accident. it's called lifetime renewability and it's included with your policy.
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that they're not going to drop you for that reason. and if by chance you're ever injured in an accident, the hartford has a benefit called recovercare. this will help cover the cost of having someone do your grocery shopping, your house cleaning, lawn care, even walk your dog. [ leslie ] they were there when we got the insurance and they were there when we needed it. and we really appreciate that. [ female announcer ] save $420 on average, get lifetime renewability and recovercare. call the hartford at... to request your free quote. that's... or go to gohartfordauto.com today. get this free calculator just for requesting a quote. >> man: we're back. did you guess the right answer to our question? the answer is... >> man: webbed feet
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as we've seen with the polar bear and the penguin and as we can clearly see with the duck and the swan, too, and webbed feet are just dandy for walking on soft surfaces. the flamingo's webbed feet keep it from sinking into the sand as it walks along in the shallow water near the shore where it lives. a lot of water dwellers, or near-the-water dwellers, have webbed feet. just take a look at the river otter, the sea otter and the bush dog, too. but webbed feet aren't the only kind of feet that keep an animal from sinking. the camel has broad, flat feet for a very good reason. as their feet touch the ground, the footpads spread keeping the camel from sinking into the sand. furthermore, these incredible spreading footpads are thick and calloused
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from rough or hot terrain. but it's not just feet that make this animal a winner in the physical adaptation contest. the camel, who isn't called the "ship of the desert" for nothing, is just as suited to its habitat as the beluga whale and the polar bear are to theirs. for one thing, not all camels live where it's hot year-round. the bactrian camel, which is the 2-humped camel, lives in the desert all right but in the harsh gobi desert in china and southern mongolia where it gets as hot as arizona in the summer and as cold as alaska in the winter. so in the winter, the bactrian camel grows a double-layered coat that consists of a dense inner layer and a long woolly outer layer. so if you happen upon a shaggy camel,
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its winter and summer coats. but in terms of astonishing adaptations, we're just getting started. remember that clear second eyelid that the polar bear has to help protect its eyes when it's swimming? the camel has one, too, only to protect its eyes from sandstorms. yes, indeed. swirling desert sand is a big problem for the camel where it lives, which is why it has bushy eyebrows and double rows of extra-long eyelashes. camels can also close their noses to keep sand out in the same way that the hippo and the otter, too, can close their nostrils to keep the water out. this is a face adapted for desert life. no sand will penetrate those long lashes. why do camels have calluses on their knees? to protect them when they kneel on hot, rough or sandy terrain. nature seems to have
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where the camel is concerned. but there's one more thing-- that hump-- one hump if we're looking at a dromedary camel or two humps if we're looking at the bactrian camel. how do we remember which is which? easy. turn a capital "d" for "dromedary" on its side, and you have one hump. turn a capital "b" for "bactrian" on its side, and you have two humps. just don't try turning any camel on its side. it won't be amused. (camel snorts) >> man: hey, what is a hump exactly? it's not just decoration, that's for sure. camel humps are reservoirs of fat, and they act as an energy source when food is scarce. there's a myth that camels store water in their humps, like a water-filled canteen, but this isn't true. there's nutritious fat in those humps.
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if the camel gets dehydrated because water is scarce, the hump fat breaks down to allow the great ship of the desert to survive without water for up to two weeks and without food for nearly a month. want to talk about startling physical adaptations to combat a hostile environment? look no further than the camel. other animals may not have as many adaptations, t their adaptations are nonetheless dramatic. take the chameleon with the 360-degree eyesight. not only does this extraordinary vision help the chameleon hunt its prey, it helps keep it from becoming prey, too. not much gets past these eagle eyes. camouflage can also be a physical adaptation. just ask the leafy sea dragon who looks like drifting kelp leaves or the stick insect
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than the average twig. physical adaptation can also be something so obvious that we don't even notice it. why does the elephant have a trunk? why does the giraffe have such a long neck? why do horses have necks that are close to the length of their legs? the answer is the same for all three-- to reach the food. elephants are the biggest land animals alive today, and they have gigantic, heavy heads. to support that heavy head, they have thick, short, muscular necks. but uh-oh, what they want to eat is often on the ground, and there is no way that they are going to get their teeth down to the grass. the solution--a trunk-- an elongated upper lip and nose combination
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40,000 muscles to help it move. with a trunk, eating grass is easy as is filling up for a drink of water, a physical adaptation to write home about, that's for sure. and the giraffe? it eats leaves on the tops of trees, so a long, long neck is absolutely essential. and the members of the horse family? they need a neck that allows them to, well, mow the grass, hence, a neck that's the right length for the job. so you see, physical adaptation is far more exciting than you ever imagined. it's the manifestation of the wisdom of nature in fur, feet, feathers and a million other wonderful adaptations. for more fun animal facts
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visit our web site at... >> man: the internet, you say? >> man: aw, that's nice. >> man: oh, that's interesting. >> man: see you there. don't go away. "animal atlas"
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that no one would ever notice me. but i knew i could be more. that one day, i would make people smile. [woman speaking indistinctly] ththey told me a bottle couldn't dream. that i would never become a superhero. [singing indistinctly] but i learned how to fly. just to come back, in a new disguise. and be the hero that i've always wanted to be.
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that we have a serious hunger issue in our country. and as a parent, it's even harder to hear that one in 5 of our kids struggles with hunger, especially when billions of pounds of good food are wasted every year. feeding america is a nationwide network of food banks that helps provide billions of meals to families in need right in your community. visit feedingamerica.org to support feeding america and your local food bank. together, we can solve hunger. together, we're feeding america. >> ushaka: our rainforest safari is about to reveal the hot and steamy side of africa. you may be in a tropical sweat by the end of today's show, but the diversity of this incredible land is very cool, because this is africa-- this is "safari tracks."
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african language) >> ushaka: kunjani! i am ushaka. if you think africa is hot and dry everywhere, you're in for a surprise, my friends, because today we are going on a refreshing journey to africa's rainforests. so you better get your umbrella, huh? but first, we're going to explore some of africa's tall tales. not everything you hear about africa is true. (owl screeches) >> ushaka: legend has it that an owl can turn its head
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is that really possible? or is it just an optical illusion? these raptors have the flexibility to quickly maneuver their heads into some unbelievable positions, including almost upside down. but they can't turn their heads all the way around. (owl screeches) >> ushaka: it's actually closer to three quarters of the way around. but that's still pretty impressive. (owl hoots) >> ushaka: while spinning our heads around that fast would probably give us whiplash, it's a matter of survival for owls. these birds have large eyes set forward in their heads. this restricts their peripheral vision-- their vision to the sides. so owls depend on their supple necks to help them keep an eye on things. (owl hoots)
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the rumors about crocodiles living in city sewers. what's this all about, and where did it get started, huh? well, it's unlikely that a crocodile would choose to live in a sewer. after all, it doesn't sound that appealing. but more importantly, these cold-blooded reptiles depend on the sun and warm water to survive. that's why they live in hot places like africa. but there's some truth to this legend. crocodiles have been discovered in sewer systems around the world, from the united states to france. sadly, these are often baby reptiles that owners flush down the toilet. >> ushaka: while jackals may seem unassuming in comparison to other african animals, these canines have inspired human legends dating back thousands of years. but this is no legend--
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one of the inspirations for the great pyramids. >> ushaka: jackals have always had a reputation for their late-night antics, including howling and scavenging. it was said they were often seen prowling around the edge of the desert and near cemeteries. so one of the reasons the egyptians built pyramids was to protect their dead from these scavengers. but ancient cultures also honor the spirit of these canines by associating them with anubis-- the god of the underworld. in fact, anubis is depicted >> ushaka: let's switch gears and visit some animals that protect themselves
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ants may not look powerful from our point of view, but these tiny creatures are stronger than you think. it's well known that ants are strong for their size. some estimates show this little insect lifting up to 50 times its own body weight. but its exoskeleton, or outer covering, might also be stronger than you think. the ant's exoskeleton is made up of hardened proteins. this tough armor prevents water loss, and it protects the ant from parasites because the hard exoskeleton is so difficult to chew. ugh! >> ushaka: moving at a snail's pace, these little creatures may seem quite vulnerable, but they are well-equipped to take care of themselves. snails release a thick mucus to help them move along. the mucus also protects them from predators and road hazards. and the mucus is so thick
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over razor blades without injury. >> ushaka: warthogs are masters of survival. these odd-looking creatures have multiple layers of protection, including two sets of sharp tusks. their lower tusks average about 6 inches in length. upper tusks can get up to 2 feet in length on older adults. while warthogs aren't the type to pick a fight, they will use their sharp tusks for self-defense. during mating season, male warthogs attack each other to compete for the affections of the females. these tussles involve charging and butting each other with their snouts. this may look painful, my friends, but the warts, or bumps, on the sides of their heads are actually protective pads. so these duels rarely result in serious injury.
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>> ushaka: don't go away. our journey into africa's
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is about to begin. >> ushaka: you're about to meet some of africa's smartest creatures. why do i think they're so smart? because they make their home in the rainforest instead of living on the hot, dry savanna. so let's meet the clever creatures who have what it takes to live in this special place, huh? >> ushaka: you may be used to thinking of africa's wildlife as animals only. but a rainforest is a wild, living thing, too. it is a complex fountain of life that is home to an astonishing variety of animal species, plants and endless beauty. (birds singing) >> ushaka: after the amazon rainforest
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central africa's congo basin holds the world's second largest rainforest, or to put it another way, welcome to the jungle, baby! (animal roars) >> ushaka: the congo basin stretches from the mountains of the moon in the eastern democratic republic of congo to the coast of the gulf of guinea. it covers over 380,000 square miles. that's bigger than the state of texas. it's bursting with so much life, it's almost like visiting another planet. >> ushaka: rainforests absorb a lot of dangerous carbon dioxide, and cool the air that passes through them. because of this, scientists believe healthy rainforests could help limit the damage
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and other dangerous climate changes. how cool--literally-- is that, huh? (animals chattering) >> ushaka: believe it or not, it has been estimated that many millions of new species of plants, insects and microorganisms live in rainforests, and have yet to be discovered. for example, in the western world, people eat about 200 different varieties of fruit. the indigenous peoples of the world's rainforests use over 2,000. and here's an even more amazing fact-- 25% of all western drugs are derived from ingredients found here. that includes 70% of the plants that are used to fight cancer cells. >> ushaka: and animal species like the vervet monkey
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to medical research, too. vervets are one of the few species of monkeys that are susceptible to both high blood pressure and a.i.d.s., so they're invaluable for biomedical research. >> ushaka: although they are largely absent from the center of the rainforest, you can usually find a barrel of vervet monkeys hanging around the edges of the jungle. vervet monkeys are semi-arboreal. that means they forage on the ground and take their naps in the trees. ever vigilant, vervets make three different warning calls in response to ground, air and tree-based predators. (monkey squawks) >> ushaka: these nimble primates will also respond to warning calls from other species. >> ushaka: one of the more decorated creatures in the rainforest is the mandrill. >> ushaka: his
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serves to attract mates, and his red rump helps the troop members keep track of each other in the forest's thick vegetation. don't worry, my friends, we won't be seeing his rump. we're not lost yet. >> ushaka: bush babies are nocturnal, and their superb eyesight makes nighttime the right time for them to get busy in the jungle. for bush babies, the forest canopy is like an endless highway of interconnected branches and tree trunks. they move around it with great speed as they search for food such as insects, other small animals, fruit and tasty tree gums. mmm! bush babies are surprisingly chatty, too. as they go about their nightly routine, they communicate both by calling out to each other, and by marking their paths with urine. i guess you could call it
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uh... sorry. (frogs croaking) >> ushaka: leopards like to stalk the rainforest, too. they are so stealthy, their prey doesn't often know they're around until it's too late. no doubt a leopard's hunting skills are enhanced by their ability to hear five times more sounds than humans can hear. it's pretty noisy in the rainforest to us. imagine how much noisier it is to the leopard. (animals chattering) >> ushaka: here's another bug you might find in your boots or your bedroll if you were camping here. this creepy crawly thing is called a millipede, and it's actually pretty harmless. look closely, my friends. it's got hundreds of legs to dig and burrow into the forest floor. millipedes may look defenseless, but many species of this insect can secrete a poisonous liquid to defend themselves. it's not dangerous to humans,
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and other insect enemies to death. still, that hasn't stopped lemurs like this from cozying up to millipedes. in fact, some scientists believe lemurs want millipedes to ooze their venom onto them because it's a great insect repellent. come to think of it, i could use some of that! >> ushaka: in a moment, our rainforest safari
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of some great apes. hi, i'm matt mccoy. how long have you had your car insurance? i ask because i had mine for over 20 years, before i switched and saved hundreds with the aarp auto insurance program from the hartford. i was with my previous insurance for 30 years. but they could not compete with the hartford. people 50 and over could save hundreds of dollars when they switch. i had done a lot of comparison shopping.
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[ female announcer ] $420 is the average amount drivers save when they switch to the aarp auto insurance program from the hartford. you know, it makes me wonder why everyone 50 and over hasn't switched. [ female announcer ] 4 out of 5 aarp members who switched to the hartford from companies like allstate, state farm and geico, got a lower rate with the hartford. so, call... or go to gohartfordauto.com for your free quote. if you're not already an aarp member, the hartford can help you join in minutes. let me tell you what else the hartford does. they promise not to drop you, even if you're in an accident. it's called lifetime renewability and it's included with your policy. it's a great feeling to know that they're not going to drop you for that reason. and if by chance you're ever injured in an accident, the hartford has a benefit called recovercare. this will help cover the cost of having someone do your grocery shopping,
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even walk your dog. [ leslie ] they were there when we got the insurance and they were there when we needed it. and we really appreciate that. [ female announcer ] save $420 on average, get lifetime renewability and recovercare. call the hartford at... to request your free quote. that's... or go to gohartfordauto.com today. get this free calculator just for requesting a quote. >> ushaka: it would be nearly impossible to trek through the congo basin rainforest without running into some chimpanzees. >> ushaka: though they are often portrayed foolishly in popular movies, books and television, chimpanzees are actually
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mammals on earth. of all the primates, they are the most like humans. this became more evident when jane goodall, the famous scientist, discovered that chimpanzees use tools to feed and defend themselves. before that, it was believed that humans were the only species to do this. (chimpanzees screeching) >> ushaka: noisy, intelligent and very social chimps love rainforests. they are arboreal and terrestrial. that means they spend a lot of time in trees and on the ground, although they do most of their feeding and sleeping in trees. >> ushaka: excellent climbers, chimps can build new nests in a jiffy by bending branches to create a platform, and then lining them with twigs. >> ushaka: like many primates,
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they do most of their hunting during the day. when it's time to eat, nothing says "dinner" to a chimp like fresh-picked fruit. mmm! sometimes they also eat berries and seeds directly off the vine, and their special food pyramid includes up to 80 different plants. where there is one chimp, there are usually around 50. what's up with that, huh? it's because chimps live in large social groups. they touch each other, hold hands and like to kiss when they meet. and it's not unusual at all for an adult male to have a "special" someone. for all we know, this casanova could be asking her to the primate prom right now. >> ushaka: they may not know
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of instant messaging, but don't think for a moment that they do not have their own highly complex system of communication. (chimpanzee squealing) >> ushaka: one loud call can be heard for more than a mile away in the jungle, warning others of something strange or disturbing. screams, grunts and drumming on trees are all part of their vocabulary of sounds, too. in a direct confrontation, they use sticks and branches like clubs, or they throw them at their enemies. consider the fact that an adult male can weigh as much as 150 pounds. and you realize that could hurt! relax, buddy. we come in peace! >> ushaka: gorillas inhabit the rainforest, too. the dominant male who leads the group
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a silverback. >> ushaka: in many ways, gorillas' likeness to humans is almost eerie. during the day, for example, scientists have observed young gorillas playing games, like "follow the leader" and "king of the hill" as their parents nap nearby. and just look at those eyes! when it's time to chow down, which is pretty much always. gorillas eat a combination of leaves, wood, stems and fruit. it's an all-you-can-eat salad bar. >> ushaka: as frightening as they look to us, gorillas never attack unless provoked. and even then, they will launch a lot of bluff charges and threat gestures before they make contact. >> ushaka: their only
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but sadly, humans have pushed gorillas and many other species that live in the rainforest to the brink of extinction. the explanation for this is simple... the solution is not. chimps and gorillas are threatened because rainforests are being slashed and burned at an alarming rate. illegal logging, poaching and clear-cutting to create farms are destroying 1 1/2 acres of rainforest per second. if it isn't stopped, my friends, nearly half of the world's species of plants, animals and microorganisms will be destroyed or threatened within the next 25 years. >> ushaka: groups like the international fund for animal welfare, or ifaw, are one of many groups making a difference. ifaw is working hard to protect these animals by creating safe havens
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chimpanzee sanctuary. the sanctuary is home to more than 30 orphaned baby chimps. most of these animals lost their parents to poachers. but here, they can grow up in a natural environment with other chimpanzees. the sanctuary also educates the public about conservation, and works to remove snares or animal traps from the rainforest. slowly, groups like ifaw are helping to convince foreign governments that their rainforests are more valuable intact than the money the timber and land can bring if they are cut down. hopefully, this trend will continue, my friends. and you can do much to help by contacting wildlife organizations and becoming part of the solution.
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african language) >> ushaka: there's nothing more annoying than having
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in your backyard. they grow faster than the most aggressive weeds. so remember, the best thing to do is cut them down as fast as possible. >> ushaka: no, no, no! that's a bad idea. our precious rainforests are being cut down at a rate of 1 1/2 acres per second-- an alarming rate, my friends, which is a disaster, not only for the plants and animals in them, but for you and me, too. >> ushaka: one of the most exciting scientific discoveries ever was when scientist jane goodall discovered that chimpanzees used tools in the wild, much like humans do. >> ushaka: she saw a chimp use a stick as a tool, inserting it into an ant hole
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pretty clever, huh? >> ushaka: the next time you find yourself in a rainforest, remember-- millipedes are one of the best snacks around. no, i can't imagine you wanting to munch on a millipede, but if you do, don't! the poisonous goo they use for defense isn't deadly, but it's not too appetizing, either. yuck! >> men: (singing african language) >> ushaka: as you have seen, africa's rainforests are amazing ecosystems, full of secrets and surprises, and it's up to us to learn about these natural treasures and protect them.
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salani kashe, huh? stay well. captioned by closed captioning services, inc. cs#f> today on "the coolest places on earth," we're looking for landmarks in all the right places from new york to neuschwanstein and the white house to the kremlin. we'll pass through gates and over bridges, hear the chimes of clock towers... [bells toll]
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behold the grandest final resting place on earth. so if you're leaning toward adventure, get your passports ready because we've got our eye out for 20 of the world's most celebrated landmarks. this is "the coolest places on earth." our trip to the coolest landmarks starts here in san francisco, california, the city by the bay. it's also called the golden city, and what connects it to hearts all over the world is this, the golden gate bridge. drivers love it, pedestrians love it. it wouldn't be san francisco without it. the golden gate bridge is a suspension bridge
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gate strait, a 1.7-mile-long channel of the mighty pacific ocean that connects san francisco to the marin county peninsula, and the golden bridge over it is one of the most photographed landmarks ever. construction began in 1933, and the designers had to convince a lot of skeptics that the bridge could really be built. 4 years and $37 million later, the bridge that they said couldn't be built opened for a weeklong celebration. a crowd of over 200,000 walkers and roller skaters passed over first. the next day, it opened for cars. the bridge has and always will be painted a distinctive international orange to help distinguish it from blue sky and water, making it easier for passing ships and planes to see. it really helps
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let's fly east over new york city, home of another long, sturdy landmark, the brooklyn bridge. since 1883, the brooklyn bridge has spanned 3,460 feet across the east river, connecting the boroughs of manhattan and brooklyn. it took 14 years to construct the massive granite and steel cable bridge, employing over 600 workers, and cost a cool $15 million, more than twice the original estimate. over 4,000 people cross it every day, and cars? how about 150,000 a day? that's a lot of stress on a 130-year-old bridge, but the sturdy steel cable wires and granite keep it standing tall thanks to bridge engineers john a. roebling and washington a. roebling, the father-and-son team who built it. the roeblings were the first to design a suspension bridge
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father john roebling died before the project could be completed. his son washington took over but also became quite ill. nevertheless, he continued to monitor the building process from bed, using a telescope. the brooklyn bridge opened in may 1883 and cost a penny to cross. today, it's free, and if you're in love, you might want to leave a lock on it. these padlocks stay hooked onto the bridge through good times and bad for better or worse. we don't even have to tell you the name of this building, do we? this limestone pre-world war ii art deco masterpiece is one of the greatest landmarks of all time and new york's number one tourist attraction. the big apple might not seem as big without its 1,454-foot, 102-story skyscraper. the empire state building is now just the fourth tallest in the
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years, it was number one. it became even more famous when king kong climbed it like a coconut tree and swatted at planes as if they were flies, and who hasn't imagined what the world would look like from the 102nd floor? here are a few superlatives. it was the first building of its kind to have over 100 floors. it has over 70 elevators. would you believe that way back in 1799 the tract of land on which the empire state building sits was farmland? excavation began in january of 1930. over 3,000 construction workers, many of them immigrants and native americans, worked on it. passersby couldn't help but stop and stare skyward as the steel skeleton grew to heights
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there was also a bit of competition going on. 3 buildings--the empire, the chrysler building, and 40 wall street--were all under construction around the same time to see which would be the tallest. no contest. in may 1931, president herbert hoover, sitting in washington, d.c., turned on the building's lights, declaring the newly minted icon open for business. today, the empire state building's beacon lights change color every day for every kind of holiday and occasion, and did you know there's actually a 103rd floor? shh. don't tell anyone. here's an interesting landmark that's only been around for a couple of years. this is the high line, an elevated linear park built above manhattan's west side between 30th and 34th streets. owned and operated by the city of new york and maintained by caring community residents, this mile-long train
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demolition is now this gorgeous green public park, a place where new yorkers can walk above it all and stop and smell the flowers. here's another recently declared landmark you've got to see to believe. chicago, chi-town, the windy city, home of deep dish pizza, the sears tower, comedy improvisation, and the bean. here in beautiful millennial park is where you'll find cloud gate, known affectionately to chicagoans as the bean. this supershiny, reflective stainless steel bean sits at the centerpiece of chicago's at&t plaza. it weighs about 110 tons and is made of 168 sheets of welded steel. the best part of the cloud gate is this--you can see yourself in chicago's skyline.
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at lady liberty, visit the oval office, pass under the arch, and pass over the tarn river valley on the one of the longest bridges in the world. this is "the coolest places on earth." hi, i'm matt mccoy. how long have you had your car insurance? i ask because i had mine for over 20 years, before i switched and saved hundreds with the aarp auto insurance program from the hartford. i was with my previous insurance for 30 years. but they could not compete with the hartford. people 50 and over could save hundreds of dollars when they switch. i had done a lot of comparison shopping. the rate was like half of what i was paying. [ female announcer ] $420 is the average amount drivers save when they switch to the aarp auto insurance program from the hartford. you know, it makes me wonder why everyone 50 and over hasn't switched. [ female announcer ] 4 out of 5 aarp members
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to request your free quote. that's... or go to gohartfordauto.com today. get this free calculator just for requesting a quote. >> welcome back to "the coolest places on earth." liberty island in new york harbor is home to this tall and regal beauty. the statue of liberty is a symbol of freedom and democracy all over the world. from the base of the pedestal to the tip of her torch, she's a little over 305 feet tall and weighs 225 tons. designed from iron and copper by french sculptor frederic bartholdi in 1876, france gave it as a gift to the united states. while raising funds for the construction of liberty, the head was displayed at the paris world's fair in 1878. ititost
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equivalent of $10 million today. from years of oxidation, her original glowing copper color has become a green patina, a natural form of protection from deterioration. by the way, the torch has been off limits since 1916, but you can still climb the 354 steps to look out the crown for a mind-blowing panoramic view. washington, d.c., the nation's capital, is where you'll find a well-known and highly exclusive address, 1600 pennsylvania avenue. since 1800, the white house has been the official residence of theheheresident of the united states, the first lady, family, and family pet. countless world leaders, foreign dignitaries, and history makers have walked the corridors of this well-appointed executive mansion. the 6-level, 132-room,
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single family home was designed by irish architect james hoban and built way back in 1792 at a cost of $232,370. in today's market, taking into account the adding of the east and west wings, appraisers estimate that you should expect to pay--wait for it--$300 million, making it the most expensive home in the entire united sates. you have to admit, though, when you consider the history the white house has made and witnessed in the last 200 years, it's well worth the price, but it's not for sale. st. louis, missouri. you can see for 30 miles from the top of the st. louis arch, america's tallest monument. built between 1963 and 1965, this 630-foot-tall-and-wide arch celebrating america's westward expansion is made of
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concrete. it was built to sway in the wind, and it seems almost otherworldly as it reflects the sun, sky, and clouds. the arch is just 17 feet wide at the top but 54 feet at the base. the coolest part is getting to the top. you can take a tram capsule every 10 minutes. these two small but comfy little elevator capsules take you along the curve to the top, where you can enjoy lovely st. louis from a spectacular bird's-eye view. time to add a little international flavor to our landmark expedition. what better place to start than jolly old london, england, with its spectacular spectacle the london eye. the edf energy london eye is a 443-foot-tall ferris wheel built over the course of 5 years to celebrate the new millennium. this big wheel keeps on turning, even as you step on. don't worry. it's
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up to 800 people at a time. recognize this? of course you do. that's why it's one of england's most beloved landmarks. this is the royal seat of power, where the house of parliament resides, the palace of westminster in middlesex. it's also where you'll see and hear big ben. by the way, big ben isn't actually the name of the clock tower like most people think but the name of the 16-ton great bell inside that chimes on the quarter-hour like clockwork. the clock face itself is a whopping 23 feet in diameter and was completed way back in 1859. there's no point in coming to london if you miss out on seeing england's most enduring icon, but don't worry. you'll get a quarter-hour reminder. [tolling] while we're in europe, let's hop over to france and check out the viaduct. the millau
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is a serious record breaker. it's currently the highest multispan bridge in the world with a deck 900 feet above france's tarn river. the height of the highest mast is 1,125 feet, beating out the eiffel tower by 125 feet. it's strong and practical, a way to alleviate major traffic congestion, and the sheer beauty of its design is undeniable. even the land surrounding it is positively sublime. anybody want to go for a little drive? la tour eiffel, the eiffel tower, has to be paris' signature landmark, the most enduring and endearing spire in the history of europe. gustave eiffel's achievement, built for the 1889 exposition universelle, was created to celebrate the 100th anniversary of the french revolution. it only took 2 years, 2 months, and 5 days to assemble the 18,000 individual pieces, and
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standing for maybe 20 years, but over 120 years later, the ever-popular eiffel tower continues to attract throngs of tourists from all over the world and is the fourth most photographed place on earth according to flickr and cornell university, and the view of paris from the top of the tower's spire is unbeatable. c'est mangnifique, incroyable, fantastique! when we come back, we're visiting medieval castles, tall towers, and places both secret
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places on earth." >> welcome back to "the coolest places on earth." if you ever wanted to step into a fairy tale, we've got just the castle. here in southern bavaria, germany, is where you'll find neuschwanstein castle nestled atop a hill both lush and rugged overlooking schwanstein. this castle was the elaborate passion project of ludwig ii, who decided to build his own brothers grimm-style fantasy castle. see what you can do with a little time on your hands, not to mention a little royal cash? the brandenburg gate is the most well-known landmark in all berlin but not just for its beauty. it was originally built as a symbol of peace, commissioned by friedrich wilhelm ii in 1788. ironically
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in 1961, sealing off passage to east berlin, the gate could no longer be reached by west berlin and thus became a stark symbol of the cold war. in november 1989, germany tore down that wall, and the brandenburg gate once again stood as an icon of freedom and unification. it officially reopened in 2002. hello from russia! here in moscow in world famous red square is surely one of the most recognizable structures of all time, the church of the intercession. doesn't sound familiar. how about the cathedral of the protection of the most holy theotokos on the moat, cathedral of vasily the blessed? well, ok. most of the world knows it as st. basil's cathedral. this russian orthodox church commissioned by ivan the terrible was consecrated in 1561. the building was secularized in
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revolution. no matter what you call it, st. basil's vividly colorful onion-shaped domes, tent roofs, and spires alone are astounding, displaying russian architectural style at its best. the kremlin, which actually means fortress or citadel, is an elaborately carved limestone structure that is now an historical complex which serves as the executive offices of the russian government and workplace for the russian president. this magnificent landmark is considered the most beautiful mosque in all of turkey. the blue mosque, built by sultan ahmed between 1609 and 1616, still operates as an active place of worship today, but between prayer times, tourists can enter and be amazed. called the blue mosque for its brilliant blue tile walls, it was built after several military defeats. the
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decided that a place of worship might give his country a fighting chance. couldn't hurt. the plans called for 4 minarets, but legend has it that the architect made a bit of a miscalculation, building 6 minarets by accident. there are so many amazing landmarks in italy that it's hard to know where to begin. most people lean towards this particular historical site in the province of pisa and the district of tuscany. the 183-foot leaning tower of pisa is known worldwide for its beauty and slight tilt. this free-standing, or rather free-leaning, bell tower, believe it or not, took 199 years to build. so what exactly makes it lean? it all comes down to the foundation. the ground was a little too soft to support the tower's full weight. the tilt actually began during construction and has
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recently. o canada, we love your cities and wide-open spaces. we also love your tower. the cn tower in downtown toronto, ontario, built between 1973 and 1976, has 147 floors and stands over 1,800 feet and for 34 years held the record as the world's tallest free-standing structure. cn refers to canadian national, the railway company that built the tower. in 1995, the cn tower was named one of the 7 wonders of the modern world by the prestigious american society of civil engineers. when we come back, we're traveling to india to see the
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"the coolest places on earth." [ female announcer ] are you one of millions of women embarrassed by hair loss or suffering from thinning hair? [ lisette ] i didn't want to look at myself in the mirror, and so i just got so frustrated. i just said, "i can't go on like this anymore." [ female announcer ] you have a personalized, proven solution right here. welcome to hair club. i had my self-confidence back. my husband was like, "that's my wife." [ female announcer ] you have your own, unique hair problem. that's why hair club offers a wide range of private, designed-for-you hair loss solutions, each of them proven and backed by a 100% satisfaction guarantee. call or go online for more details. i look better today than i did at 40.
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understand your hair and its specific needs and how we can help you. these frfr gifts are only available to women watching this commercial, so call or go online now. don't wait another moment for that beautiful hair that you've been wishing for. >> welcome back to "the coolest places on earth." the agra district of uttar pradesh in india on the banks of the yamuna river is the location of one of the most astounding manmade structures, a true work of art, the taj mahal. one of the most famous mausoleums of all time. built between 1632 and 1653 by emperor shah jahan in memory of his much beloved third wife, this awesome jewel of art and archihictural genius
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masterpiece, a truly unique tribute to love that will leave you breathless. we're out of time but not out of landmarks.
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places on earth." everywhere that we go he makes people laugh and makes people smile and i feel like i have that quality. he's the one that always takes me fishing. i watch golf with him. [laughing] i watch him cook, 'cause when i grow up, i want to be a cook too. we have the same faces, like this. dad is the one, when you fall that picks you up. that unconditional sense of presence and um, reassurance, is really what makes him my father. morning gary. we are get schooled... ...dot com. you want a college education, don't you? you know you do. that's why we're here. we're free, and here to guide you through every step of the way. starting with... attendance. [air horn] gary, financial aid forms... picking a college, man! you and us. we go together like tacos and tuesday. and i loooove tacos.
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music kids will spend 15 minutes watching online videos like this one. brushing for two minutes now, can save your child from severe tooth pain later. two minutes twice a day. they have the time. >> today on "state to state," we drive to the last contiguous state to join the union--number 48, arizona--a state since valentine's day 1912. but what we really love about arizona is its natural beauty, formed
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monuments and buttes and canyons and caves to its waves. so hop in. we witness an historic gunfight, take flight, and tackle some obstacles. it's a wild ride, so hold on tight, but not to this. the ultimate arizona road trip starts now. let's hit the road. >> we start our road trip on the road. this is gates pass, an iconic stretch of curving, sloping mountain road developed
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takes us by the northern side of saguaro national park and downhnll to tucson, a prime city for gem hunters--home of the tucson gem and mineral show because it was the hunt for gems that brought people here. and that brought saloons and outlaws just down the road in tombstone. get ready to draw. the o.k. corral is the location of one of the most famous old west gunfights in history. come to tombstone to see an action-packed reenactment brawl. >> i don't want to fight you, wyatt. >> the earp brothers and doc holliday took on billy claiborne, the clanton brothers, and the mclowery brothers. and... won. ok, to nature unbridled. back on
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saguaro national park, home to thousands of the most spectacular cactus plants in the country. saguaros can grow over 40 feet tall, and they only live around here. they survive by sucking up water during rainstorms and storing it in their trunks. some have lots of arms and some have none, called spears. time to find some more action. for that, we head just 20 minutes east to the town of scottsdale. and we're trading in our wheels for some wings. desert splash seaplane tours not only offers you a unique view of the sonoran desert below, but you also get to take off and land on water. the views don't get any better than this. it's always a surprise to see all that water in the middle of the desert. no, it's not a mirage. you can choose to fly
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and lake powell. out of the plane and back at the wheel. next, we drive 100 miles of scenic route 17... to camp verde. good-bye, desert. this is the central spot for adventures on the verde river, a beautiful winding stream with tranquil spots for hiking and some of the best kayaking in the state. drop in and paddle your way through the shallow warm waters. duck under and weave around hanging vegetation or see how you handle the rapids. enter one of the many kayaking events held on the river, including this, called the poker run. for a more laid back approach--literally--try out one of these comfortable tube kayaks. there are tons of little tributaries and offshoots to explore. just make sure you practice that entry. happens to the best of us. >> [laughter] >> oh, and while we're here,
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"out of africa," you can go on a safari right in the middle of arizona. see the wild animals of africa up close--and animals that aren't african. and zip line over the savanna on the predator zip line. but don't worry, you'll fly just out of reach of the tiger. a safari and zip line in one spot? how can you resist? >> whoo! >> if lions did live in arizona, they might find the verde river the perfect spot to prowl. it's what attracted the sinagua people here about 1,500 years ago. they built this--montezuma castle national monument. their ancient massive cliff-dwelling home is well preserved and accessible. and several more of them still exist around the lush verde river. coming up, we continue north on our ultimate road trip through
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sedona, test our adventure skills in flagstaff, visit some more hidden native american villages. then it's canyon time. but before we cruise on, here's
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the answer coming up. >> we're on the road with "state to state." here's the answer to your road trip question... to answer it, from camp verde we head 25 miles north to sedona, famous for these red rock formations. they are mostly red because of ferric oxides which coat the rocks and cause a similar chemical reaction to the one that creates rust. these huge rocks are everywhere you turn in sedona. but one of the best places to see them is
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crossing-- home of cathedral rock. this used to be the shore of the ancient pedregosa sea, and sands from coastal dunes shaped the famous cathedral rock. along the trail here, you can even see ripple marks in the rock made by the steady beat of waves. take it in. next, it's off to slide rock state park. why is it called slide rock? we'll show you. now that we've cooled off, let's get back to exploring. the hiking in sedona is excellent. there's so much to see, you might even find a spot to do this. >> aah! >> and don't forget, those amazing rock formations help make some serious heart-pumping mountain bike trails, too. tear it up on that packed red dirt. for the motor heads, make your way over the terrain for some great 4-by-4 rock
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dirt roads like this. you can even take tours in a dune buggy. it's an off-roader's paradise. skate or die? you'd never know if we didn't tell you. sedona has one of the nation's best skate parks. grab some air in the classic drained pool-style bowl or hit the street style park. all with the beautiful backdrop of the red rocks. sick moves. in the town of sedona, make sure to check out the tlaquepaque arts and crafts village. the artist boutiques make for unique souvenir shopping. and there's always a chance to get your dance on at one of their many cultural festivals. next, we speed north up the sports car super road 89a, 30 miles to another outdoor mecca--
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rack and hit the trails. around flagstaff, you can ride for miles on trails that are accessible right from town. cruise on well-groomed dirt tracks through pine trees, along streams and ponds, and across open fields. it's an amazing way to see the area on your first day in town. on your bike trip, you might want to stop and give this a shot. flagstaff is an excellent location for bouldering, with tailor-made sandstone and limestone formations. if you like bouldering, you're going to love this place--the flagstaff extreme adventure course. they always say to not judge something by its name, but in this case, the name pretty much sums it up. with several extreme adventure challenges, you'll be put to the test to see if you can hang with the pros. zip through the trees, make your way
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jungle gym on steroids will test your muscles, your mind, and your will. with some more practice here, maybe you'll be able to keep up with these guys. from time to time, army rangers train here, too. when in flagstaff, find the army ranger in you. now let's head uphill to snowbowl, except we're going to visit this mountain in the summer. you can still take the chair lift up to the top and check out the incredible panoramic views. it's also a great area for hiking. you can't get a higher view than that in flagstaff, right? wrong. at the lowell observatory, you too can peer through a high-powered telescope into outer space. it's a perfect place for stargazing--high elevation, low light pollution, clear skies--fitting for a town that seems to have no boundaries. before we leave flagstaff, we should check out
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forests and monuments. two miles down historic route 66 is the coconino national forest, showcasing some of the most diverse terrain in arizona. further east on i-40 is beautiful walnut canyon national monument. and about 45 miles north is wupatki national monument. here you can visit ancient pueblo sites dating back to 500 a.d. i don't know what's more amazing--the natural land formations or the historical manmade structures. well, later on in the show, we might get our answer. coming up, we're going to visit one of the 7 natural wonders of the world. then we'll show you a few lesser-known spots that are just as amazing. and they're all within a short drive. but first, here's your next road
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the answer coming up. >> we're on the road with "state to state." here's the answer to your road trip question... you'd think when something looks like this, it would be a no-brainer to make it a national park. and indeed, the first bill to turn the area into a national park was introduced in 1882, which would have made the grand canyon the second
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but the bill wasn't signed until 1919 when woodrow wilson finally made the grand canyon a national park. let's venture in. on sites in the canyon and along the river, you can find petroglyphs like this carved thousands of years ago. humans have marveled at this place for a long time. researchers are constantly studying the grand canyon to further pinpoint the process that formed this remarkable landmark. the south rim is where most of the tourism takes place. you'll find a well-maintained trail along the rim, the historic railway station, lookouts, and lots of people. the north rim is harder to get to, but it's worth the trip. it's a bit more remote, fewer crowds, and some great camping is available. for a different experience than most grand canyon visitors will have, lace up the hiking shoes and
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colorado river, the reason why the grand canyon exists in the first place, is spectacular up close. the reflection of the turquoise water against the canyon walls is mesmerizing. you'll see hair-raising rapids challenge the most expert kayakers. plus, you'll get the unique experience of being able to look up at these magnificent layered rock walls. book ahead far enough, and you can raft the river, too. either way, be sure to hike down here if you're fit enough. you'll find waterfalls and hidden caves. look closely and you might even catch these beautiful juniper flowers scattered along the bottom. next, we're heading further north up 89 to paria canyon and the vermillion cliffs wilderness. paria canyon is one of the most spectacular places to view the true art of mother nature up close. coyote buttes offers outstanding hiking
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natural earth formations. when hiking through the canyon, take note of the incredible layers of rock. evidence shows that ancestral pueblo people used the area between the years 200 and 1200. an abundance of food and shelter made paria canyon perfect for early settlements. for europeans, the location was mainly used as a travel route. hiking is the most common use for paria canyon these days, and for good reason. however, photography is the true main attraction. why do you ask? check this out. this is called the wave. it's a formation on the coyote buttes made of sandstone rock near the arizona and utah border. it takes a hike through rugged trackless terrain, but when you get here, it's worth it. the ideal time to snap pictures of this incredible natural beauty is around midday when you can avoid shadows. but shadows or not, this place doesn't take a bad pic. you have
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to visit, and permits are limited. so contact the bureau of land management as soon as you know you're headed to arizona. time to cool off after all this hiking in the hot sun. about 70 miles from paria canyon... is lake powell. it sits along the border of arizona and utah, and it's perfect for swimming, boating, kayaking, and even camping. the beautiful, almost otherworldly setting gives the lake a feeling of severe remoteness. in 1966, construction of the glen canyon dam turned glen canyon, home to petroglyphs and beautiful hiking trails, into the second largest manmade lake in the country. several different bays and coves weave in and out of the rocks, so you'll be able to easily find a secluded spot to enjoy the area
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is warm. not far from the lake is page, a great town for crashing after a day on the lake. from page, you can find places to rent boats, kayaks, get up in a hot air balloon, and get out and explore this unique area of arizona. what's left of glen canyon is an excellent spot for rafting and boating on the colorado river, down river of the dam. so hike around and explore and get down there on the water. now that we're nice and refreshed, we're going to drive over to northeastern arizona. it's a long drive from page, but it's scenic the entire way. where we're heading, it's worth the drive. one of the most iconic western landscapes in history--this is monument valley. along the arizona and utah state line, you'll start to see picturesque buttes and plateaus that probably seem familiar. director john ford and
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filmmakers used this setting in some of the most famous and successful western movies of all time. up next, we're exploring the white mountains and a bunch of dead trees. it's going to be petrifying. plus, here's your
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the answer coming up.
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"state to state." here's the answer to your road trip question... well, yes. where we're about to visit in arizona was once on the equator. the fossils you see here are fallen trees that are part of the petrified forest national park. they grew and died in the late triassic period of the mesozoic era, a mere 225 million years ago. in fact, the distance between the bottom of this large rock to the top reveals how the area has changed over 20 million years. expert paleontologists have a love affair with this place. it's one of the best spots on earth to look for dinosaur bones. each fossil is a piece of a puzzle they've been building for decades, but the challenge is to distinguish between ancient
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dinosaur bones. they're succeeding. so whether you're a paleontologist, a dinosaur nut, or just a traveler in search of your next memorable experience, the petrified forest should be at the top of your list. we guarantee it's the coolest bunch of dead trees you'll ever see. down past the petrified forest, along i-40 and route 77, are the white mountains. compared to the desert landscapes of most of our trip, this place provides a much different look. the grassy fields and lush forest will make you think you left arizona for oregon. you can even take a tour in one of these cool buggy-van things. what a great way to end our ultimate arizona road trip. we've watched a gunfight, faced up to the world's biggest cactuses, zip lined over tigers, soared over the lakes, kayaked
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rocks, discovered ancient cliff dwellings, went off-roading, mountain biked red rocks, swung through an adventure course, bouldered in flagstaff, boated on lake powell, explored one of the 7 wonders of the world, photographed the wave, and saw something petrifying that used to be on the equator. arizona is quite a trip.
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>> aah! ok simon, what do people wear? clothes. that's right, so it's important to learn how to dress yourself. here's how it's done. shirt, underwear, pants, socks, shoes. underwear always first, nametag on the back, then pants, then shirt. go ahead and put this on. now with the shirt, you want to make sure the first button's right or you have to start all over again, ok? socks, left on left, right on right. tying the shoes, we're going to take the laces, we're going to cross them over, we're going to turn them around where the bunny goes down the hole, pull it tight and bunny ears, got it? [announcer] most parenting is hard to do in just 2 minutes. but 2 minutes twice a day making sure they brush is easier
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announcer: todd's a great guy. i mean, look at him. what. a. sweetheart. attaboy. wait, todd, what are you doing? how totally selfish and un-toddlike of you. come on, todd, come on, man. >> this is "family style with chef jeff." i'm down here in the alligator infested bayou. i'm going fishing for black drum, but i got to catch all the black drum i can
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let's go fifhing.,, i'm here with captain randall. he's an expert. he fishes all over the world. what do you think, are the fish biting over in this area? >> well, we got a hole right here in front of us where they usually sit. and the bait will come on top of them and they'll ambush it from the bottom. >> so your intuition tells you that there's some fish right over here? >> there's a fish in there. >> all right. >> and also, the corners of the bait and everything, the bait works. >> just load that hook up and go in there and get some dinner tonight. >> a hook will enter the back of the head. and it'll go up front again. >> all right. >> and just make sure--look, make sure this thing right here's facing you. you can grab the line and throw right towards the bank up there. >> want to get over this way, right? >> yep. pop it one good time. and you don't need to give it big jerks, just little pops. yeah, just

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