In a unique response to soaring housing prices, Oliver Russell and his girlfriend Helena Tomaszewska opted to purchase an uninhabited island in Finland instead of a traditional house. After realizing that buying a home in Helsinki was out of reach, the couple stumbled upon an island for sale at a price that was cheaper than a typical lot. Priced at just $36,569, the 2.5-acre island had been vacant for over a decade, offering a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for the adventurous duo. Russell, who had developed a love for Finland’s summer cottage culture during his childhood visits, saw this as the perfect way to fulfill his dream of owning a summer retreat. With no experience in off-grid living, the pair has embraced the challenge of transforming their island into a livable space. Their initial steps included setting up a floating tent and adding an outhouse and off-grid shower.

Despite their lack of experience, Russell and Tomaszewska have shown remarkable dedication to their island project, visiting weekly to make steady progress while balancing their studies. Their long-term vision includes building a log cabin and sauna, as required by Finnish building regulations, although they are taking their time with no strict deadlines. The couple plans to continue their work on the island throughout the changing seasons, preparing for colder months by sourcing firewood to keep them warm during winter stays. Their off-grid adventure has become a labor of love, and Russell reflects on how surreal it feels to own such a unique space. Through their journey, they have inspired others seeking alternative housing solutions, and sharing updates of their progress on social media.

India’s Sheetal Devi captivated the world at the Paris Paralympics with her extraordinary skill and determination. The 17-year-old, born without fully formed arms due to phocomelia, has defied the odds to become one of the top para archers globally. In the opening round of the women’s compound open event, she stunned the crowd with a perfect bull’s-eye. Her remarkable ability to fire a bow using her feet and mouth speaks to her resilience and adaptability. Devi’s story, which began in 2021 when she discovered archery, has quickly evolved into one of triumph and perseverance. By 2023, she had clinched multiple medals at world events, including two golds at the Asian Para Games, securing her place as the No. 1 ranked para compound archer.

Although her flawless opening shot in Paris couldn’t secure her victory in the individual event, Devi’s journey was far from over. Despite a narrow loss to Chile’s Mariana Zúñiga, she won bronze in the mixed compound archery event alongside teammate Rakesh Kumar. Beyond her impressive athletic accomplishments, Devi’s heartfelt tribute to her mother on social media revealed the emotional support behind her success. Her mother’s unwavering encouragement and sacrifice have been a cornerstone of Devi’s inspiring journey, which has captured the admiration of fans worldwide. As she continues to shine on the global stage, her story is one of unyielding determination, family love, and a relentless pursuit of excellence.

Tower-style cabin overlooking the lagoon. It has a bedroom with a hot tub, a bathroom, a full gourmet kitchen, barbecue, 300mb fiber optic wifi, Smart TV, fireplace, private pool.

Situated on a 6000m² fenced land with more than 500 native trees, it has the following facilities: firewood stock, orchard, vegetable garden, floor fire pit space, barbecue kiosk, hammock, outdoor gym, picnic space, deck with sun loungers, game room with pool and ping-pong table.

Come and enjoy a space designed to rest in nature and enjoy a paradise view.

A complete and private cabin at the edge of Lagoa da Penguela, in Osório, only 1h15 from Porto Alegre and 30min from the beaches of the northern coast.

The charm is due to the view of the lagoon and the mountains that surround it. The sunset is a spectacle apart.

Whether winter or summer, for a weekend or a season, Atalaya awaits with open arms.

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Planning a trip to Alaska takes on a whole new level of adventure with the opportunity to stay in classic airplanes converted into luxurious accommodations. Flying instructor John Kotwicki has created a unique “airplane amusement park” in southern Alaska, where old, decommissioned aircraft are transformed into Airbnbs. These aren’t just airplane conversions; they are complete with heated floors, functioning kitchens, and even Jacuzzis on the wings. Kotwicki, who also manages a flight school called FLY8MA, found a way to combine his passion for aviation with the allure of Alaska’s stunning natural scenery. With no significant bureaucratic hurdles, he’s been able to bring these planes to his school and turn them into high-end lodgings, providing a distinctive base for exploring the Alaskan wilderness.

Kotwicki is currently working on expanding his unique offerings, with plans to convert a third aircraft and build a cabin atop a runway control tower for unmatched stargazing. His first project, a 1950s DC-6, sleeps up to four guests and features luxury amenities such as heated towel racks and a firepit/BBQ on the wing, all for $441 per night. As his collection grows, so does the complexity of his creations, with a larger DC-9 in the works that will include a spa/sauna and accommodate up to six people and a Boeing 727 transformed into a lodge with a rooftop deck. Despite the challenges of sourcing and maintaining these planes in Alaska’s harsh climate, Kotwicki finds the experience immensely rewarding, both for himself and the guests who marvel at the novelty of staying in a fully equipped airplane surrounded by the pristine beauty of Alaska.

On July 22, a sudden wildfire erupted in Jasper National Park, rapidly engulfing the Canadian forest and forcing an urgent evacuation of hikers and campers. Among those facing the risky situation was 18-year-old Colleen Knull, a volunteer firefighter working a summer job as part of the kitchen staff at a local lodge. As smoke billowed from the mountainside, Knull quickly sprang into action, alerting the lodge guests and searching for other campers. Displaying remarkable leadership and courage, she gathered 16 people and guided them through a challenging four-hour trek in the dark, navigating treacherous terrain and dense smoke to bring everyone to safety.

Rebecca Tocher, one of the evacuees, praised Knull for her extraordinary leadership during the harrowing escape. Despite the intense smoke and falling ash, Knull remained calm and used her familiarity with the trail to navigate the group to safety. Relying on her tracking skills and prior knowledge of the area, including counting cut logs and following horse tracks, Knull expertly led the group through the dangerous conditions. Eventually, they reached a pickup truck, where Knull managed to fit all 16 people and drive them to safety, avoiding serious injuries. Her actions not only highlight her bravery and resourcefulness but also underscore her deep compassion for others, a trait that will undoubtedly serve her well as she pursues a career as a full-time firefighter.

A year after the devastating fire in August 2023, which ravaged Maui and severely damaged Lahaina, the town’s beloved 151-year-old Banyan Tree shows signs of resilience. The fire, which claimed over 100 lives and decimated much of the island’s landscape, left the Banyan Tree’s future uncertain. However, dedicated efforts by arborists to save the historic tree have begun to bear fruit—literally. Despite losing about half of its branches, particularly in the northeast corner, the tree has started to show new growth, with the first new leaves sprouting just two months after the fire. Arborists have worked tirelessly, nourishing the tree with water, compost, and nutrients, and monitoring its recovery with sensors that track its vital signs. This renewed growth has given hope to the community that the tree, much like the town itself, will endure and thrive once more.

While the Banyan Tree’s recovery is a positive sign, its condition remains precarious. Experts are cautiously optimistic, noting that while the tree continues to produce new growth, it is still fragile and requires ongoing care. Plans are underway to further support the tree’s recovery by installing a nutrient delivery system and an irrigation system to sustain its roots and canopy. The tree, planted in 1873 to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the first Protestant mission in Hawai’i, has become a powerful symbol of Lahaina’s history and resilience. Its ongoing recovery offers a beacon of hope to the local community as they work to rebuild their lives and towns after the disaster.

Nestled on 30 acres of The Cedars, the ancestral home of renowned artists Hans and Nora Heysen, nine new cabins by the tiny-house company Cabn offer a secluded retreat with stunning, gallery-worthy views. The property in Hahndorf, just a 25-minute drive from Adelaide’s CBD, is steeped in artistic history, once the muse for Hans Heysen’s award-winning bushland paintings and his daughter Nora’s groundbreaking portraits. The eco-friendly cabins are built with minimal environmental impact, featuring solar electricity and additional planting to enhance biodiversity. Guests can wander through the property without encountering others, exploring trails like The Artist’s Walk, which meanders through the very landscapes immortalized in the Heysens’ work.

Opening in August, the cabins range from traditional tiny homes to more spacious Cabn X cottages, accommodating up to 26 people across all nine units. Each cabin offers modern comforts such as showers, Weber barbeques, indoor fireplaces, and outdoor firepits. The Cabn X houses, in particular, boast luxuries like king beds, indoor and outdoor baths, and saunas with panoramic views of the landscape. These cabins blend rustic charm with local touches, featuring products from nearby businesses like Beerenberg and Ambleside Distillers. Since its founding in 2017, Cabn has expanded its presence in South Australia, with these new additions bringing the total number of properties to 39.

Engineering students at Johns Hopkins University have developed an innovative silencer module for leaf blowers, significantly reducing noise pollution by 37%. The team, composed of Andrew Palacio, Michael Chacon, Leen Alfaoury, and Madison Morrison, focused on mitigating the high-pitched whine that is particularly irritating. Their patent-pending design has caught the attention of Stanley Black & Decker, the project’s sponsor, which plans to begin selling the silencer attachment within two years. This breakthrough addresses common complaints from homeowners associations and apartment tenants who often protest the pervasive and disruptive noise of leaf blowers, especially when used early in the morning by landscapers.

The Johns Hopkins team conducted extensive research, testing over 40 prototypes to balance noise reduction with maintaining the blower’s power. Their final design employs a suppressor mechanism similar to firearm silencers, effectively dampening sound without compromising air force. “Our product takes in a full blow of air and separates it,” explained Alfaoury, highlighting the innovation’s ability to maintain functionality while significantly reducing noise. This practical application is poised for mass production, with Stanley Black & Decker anticipating a strong market presence. Nate Greene, a senior product manager at Stanley Black & Decker and Johns Hopkins alum, lauded the project, stating, “This is a scarce and dramatic level of success,” underscoring the potential impact of this student-driven invention.

In a transformative initiative, former nuclear weapons sites in the United States are being repurposed to host solar farms, aiming to generate clean energy for thousands of homes. This is part of the “Cleanup to Clean Energy” program by the Department of Energy, which seeks to utilize land previously designated for the development and storage of nuclear weapons for sustainable energy production. The Idaho National Laboratory (INL), a key participant in this program, is set to host a 400-megawatt solar farm on 2,800 acres of its land. The project, developed in partnership with NorthRenew Energy and Spitfire, will contribute significantly to renewable energy goals, with 300 megawatts dedicated to solar power and an additional 100 megawatts, plus 500 megawatts of battery storage, further bolstering energy resilience.

This initiative marks a significant shift from the legacy of nuclear deterrence to a future focused on clean energy and environmental restoration. Other potential sites for solar energy development under this program include the Hanford site in Washington, the Waste Isolation Pilot Plant in New Mexico, the Nevada National Security Site, and the Savannah River Site in South Carolina. By converting these areas, which were previously used for the production and testing of nuclear materials, into hubs of renewable energy, the Department of Energy aims to clean up and repurpose the land while contributing to the nation’s energy independence and environmental goals. According to Energy Secretary Jennifer Granholm, this collaborative effort between the government, community leaders, and private sector partners underscores a commitment to transforming these historically significant sites into assets for a sustainable future.