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Yosemite National Park

admin — Wed, 22 Apr 2009 09:21:10 +0000

Introduction

Yosemite National Park is one of the most visited parks in theU.S.A. It is here where Ansel Adams shot his most famousphotographs after he fell in love with the awe inspiringlandscape, the steep cliffs and the magnificent waterfalls.While most of the over 4 million visitors only see YosemiteValley, the park has much more to offer. Mountain Climbers trytheir skills on the 3593 foot (about 1100m) vertical granitewall of El Capitan and Rafters ride the wild waters of theMerced River. The park draws a large crowd of professional andhobby nature and wildlife photographers.

Location

The park is located about 200miles (3 hours) east of SanFrancisco (Airport Code: SFO) in the heart of the High Sierras.From San Francisco take I-580 east, I-205 East, I-5 North(2.2mi), CA-120 east. Follow CA-120 into the park. From thewest, take CA-120 to enter Yosemite National Park. If you arecoming from L.A. you will most likely enter the Park on CA-140.CA-140 meets CA-120 in Yosemite Valley. From the east, you canenter on CA-120. You have to cross Tioga Pass, which is notalways open (see below). The park entrance fee is $20/car. Ifyou plan to visit at least 2 other parks within a year, youshould consider buying a National Park Pass for $50. It does notinclude State Parks.

Yosemite Valley

Yosemite Valley is unquestionably the most visited part of thepark. During the summer month of June, July, August and maybeSeptember the valley is full of visitors. Traffic jams are acommon occurrence. Dont let this discourage you from visitingthe Valley. If you take a short hike along the many trails youcan avoid the crowds easily. If you have only one day to visitYosemite, this is definitely the place to go. It is also theonly place in Yosemite where you can buy food. Free shuttlebusses are available to get around. The bus stations are markedin the Newspaper that you will get at the entrance station. Thebest time to visit the Valley is February through late May. InFebruary the roads may not always be open due to snow. Call209-372-0200 for current conditions (209-372-4726 for recordedinformation). Most likely you will not be allowed access withoutcarrying snow chains.

Glacier Point Road and Mariposa Grove

Glacier Point Road

Glacier Point Road usually opens in late May (later in years ofheavy snow fall) and closes in November. It is a 32-mile drivefrom the visitor center to Glacier Point itself (the end of theroad). Plan for many stops and hikes though, as you will havesome of the most spectacular views from up here. You could alsohike up here, on the four-mile trail. Believe me, you dont wantto try this. The elevation is not to be underestimated. If youdont have wings, you should be here by car anyways and if theroad is not open so be it, but dont take my word for it.

Mariposa Grove

Mariposa Grove is Yosemites largest grove of giant sequoias. Inwinter it is not easy to reach, as the 2-mile road into thegrove is closed. You have to hike on the snow. Mariposa Grove isdivided into upper and lower Grove. The largest tree (GrizzlyGiant) is about 1800 years old and has seen the rise and fall ofempires. If you ever wanted to feel like an insect standing nextto a tree, this is the place to go.

Tioga Pass

If you visit Yosemite in June or July, you should considercoming up here. Actually this area should be referred to as

thebackcountry. CA-120 crosses Yosemite from East to West and leadsover Tioga Pass. The Road usually opens in late May and closesin October, but there are years when the Road is closed untilJuly. Massive amounts of Snow make this area inaccessible inwinter. If you come here in June or July you could experiencethe blooming of the Wildflowers, making the Meadows a wonderfulpatch of colors. Tioga pass itself is 9945 feet (3031m) high andoffers some of the most spectacular views of the park. If youdrive through the park from East to west, take CA-120 towardsTioga Pass instead of driving towards Yosemite Valley at theintersection near Crane Flat. Immediately after theIntersection, you will come to Tuolumne Grove, another place tosee giant sequoias. Even though it is not as big and magnificentas Mariposa Grove, it is still well worth the visit.

Tips

If you are all by yourself in the backcountry, consider thathelp may not be close. A large population of Black Bears livesin Yosemite. Bears have been known to break open cars to getfood. Always wrap your food and pack it in such a way, that thebears cannot smell it. If you are camping and leaving open foodcontainers around, thats just asking for trouble. Remember,Bears can run faster then you and climb trees. If you see amother with cups, dont approach them. Mountain lions are scaredof anything really big. If you have children, pick them up andput them on your shoulders to prevent them from being attacked.Bring enough film or memory cards. More than once have I seenpeople asking desperately around to buy them when all of asudden the beautiful setting sun bathes the cliffs in red lightand they ran out. On better days I shot a few hundred exposures.Gas up. The park is big and gasoline is not availableeverywhere. If you come from San Francisco, get gas in Oakdale.There are still opportunities later if you dont mind spendingmore money.

Accomodation

As usual, traveling during the weekend has its price. If you canafford to come here during the week you will get better deals,as less people will compete for the same room. I have been ableto get some good deals in El Portal (on CA-140 just outside thepark). There are a bunch of Hotels on CA-120, but they are muchfarther away from the park. If you can bankroll a stay in thePark, it is obviously the better choice.

Hotels on the east side

If you exit Yosemite on the East towards Mono Lake you will getto the city of Lee Vining. The only Hotel I would stay in hereis the Best Western. If you have no reservation, well good luck.If you go south for about 40 minutes you will get to the town ofMammoth Lakes, offering plenty of Hotels. Alternatively you cango north towards Bridgeport.

Restaurants

The Restaurant that belongs to the Yosemite View Lodge is prettygood, but you have to wait to get a seat. They also have aPizzeria if you cannot wait. Next to the Visitor Center inYosemite Valley there is a small Burger place and a Sandwichplace. Both are not very good, but I bet after a day of hikingyou wont care much and a nasty burger will sound just as good asFilet Mignon. Much more information about Yosemite National Parkcan be found in my article http://www.opentravelinfo.com/ynp.

About the author:

Andre Gunther (http://www.aguntherphotography.com)is the owner of http://www.opentravelinfo.com awebsite dedicated to travel writing.

Ya Mule! Backpacking In Siena, Italy

admin — Wed, 22 Apr 2009 09:20:07 +0000

Ah, the glamour of backpacking through Europe. Of course, the glamour comes with a price as I found in Siena, Italy.

Siena

Siena is located an hour or so outside of Florence, Italy. My handy dandy guidebook suggested it was a side trip that just had to be made. A medieval structure located behind protective walls on the top of a hill. The central area was generally closed off to cars and it was a taste of true Italy. Who was I to argue?

As I sat on the train, I check my backpack for any excess weight. I had already discarded or sent home unnecessary items and was feeling pretty light on my feet. Next thing I knew, the train had stopped and I was standing on flat road next to a rolling hill covered in trees and homes. Siena proper was at the top.

The thing about rolling hills with lots of foliage is they are simply evil. You can never get a grasp on how far it is to the top. You keep thinking the top appears to be a few hundred feet in front of you until you reach it. Then you discover it is just a dip before another upward section. The hill up to Siena is just such a rolling hill. Throw in a road that twists all over the hill like a drunken sailor on leave, and you’ll never scoff at a moped again.

Getting in touch with my inner mule, I began to climb and tame the great beast. As I trudged along, I thought of all the great people that must of walked up the same hill throughout history. As I stood in the shade panting, I thought all of those great people probably hitched a ride instead of walking like me.

After thirty-five minutes or so, I was seriously starting to think about hitching a ride. Of course, this would mean

admitting defeat. The battle between my genetic male stubbornness and “this sucks” attitude was intense. Like a mule, I kept going. Five bends, three dips that I could have sworn were the top.

Just as I was giving in.a wall. A really big wall. I passed it and suddenly was in a large parking lot area with tourist buses. Hands on knees, shirt soaking, I tried to maintain my dignity as the tourist looked at me like I was insane. Did that moron walk up here? One even took a picture!

After composing myself.err, getting my breath back, I booked a room in a little hotel. The young lady working the desk seemed hesitant, but I made some comment about it being a long way up from the valley. She started giggling and I had the room.

I showered and went looking for trouble. Well, trouble that was on a flat surface. In the town centre, I stumbled upon a small caf

Winter Driving Tips

admin — Wed, 22 Apr 2009 09:19:03 +0000

When winter weather strikes the best thing to do is to stay home or wherever you may be at the time. But if you absolutely must be driving, then here are some tips from the experts to keep you safe.

First of all, make sure your car is in perfect working order. If you need to be driving in a lot of snowy conditions get four good snow tires.

Know what your car can and cannot do in the snow.

Keep a snow brush, ice scraper, shovel, and a bag of sand in the trunk. Place the sandbag over the rear axle. Add extra windshield washer fluid, a blanket and old clothes and boots as well.

Pack a burlap bag, grocery bag, cardboard, deicer, or fresh cat litter for traction in case you get stuck.

Take extra time to make sure your windows, sideview mirrors and lights are all brushed clean of snow.

Clean the snow off the entire car so it doesnt blow onto your windshield or fly into windshields of other drivers. Keep gas tank always over half full.

Accelerate, drive, turn and brake slowly and gently.

Leave plenty of distance between you and other cars. Turn headlights on low beam during daylight. It will make it easier for other drivers to see you.

Try to back into the garage or parking space. Pulling out will be

easier than backing out.

Always turn into a skid. If the drive wheels start to spin or slide while going up a hill, ease off on the accelerator slightly and then gently resume speed.

Decelerate well in advance of a turn or stopping point.

When approaching a stop with alternate patches of ice and bare pavement brake as you cross the bare spot and coast over the ice.

Stay at least 15 car lengths (200 feet) back from sanders and plows.

Dont use cruise control or overdrive.

Call ahead and let your destination know your approximate arrival time. Likewise, when you arrive at your destination call and let your family and friends know you have arrived safely.

And lastly, keep your car clean. Corrosive chemicals, salt and gravel are damaging to cars and their exteriors.

About the Author: Marilyn Pokorney, Freelance writer of science, nature, animals and the environment. Also loves crafts, gardening, and reading. Website: http://www.apluswriting.net

Source: www.isnare.com

Why Travel to Tanzania

admin — Wed, 22 Apr 2009 09:17:10 +0000

Tanzania is the perfect destination, for a safari, if you wishto visit Africa, that is Africa proper. What makes Tanzaniaspecial is this is a land with no tribalism; there is noconflict just an inherent love for peace. People are friendlyand welcoming; yes I know every travel book and every travelagency claim that for almost every destination around the world.However, I have lived in many countries in Africa and havetraveled to many more countries outside Africa; I can statefirst hand that the people of Tanzania are the friendliest Ihave met anywhere.

Tanzania is home to 125 ethnic groups bound together by a commonlanguage; Swahili. This was the achievement of the firstpresident of Tanzania Julius Nyerere. The Swahili language boundthe country together into a single identity. This has helped tomake Tanzania the personification of the peaceful and friendlydestination.

Tanzania, since independence has known that the National Parksare a vital part of its future. The government has thereforelooked after this lovely country and kept it pristine andunspoiled for the visitors who venture into this corner of EastAfrica.

Over 28% of the land, over one million square kilometers is setaside as forty-eight National Parks and Game Reserves. There arealso numerous Marine Reserves along the coast line that offersome of the best diving in the world. The beaches are white; thecoast is exotic and spiced with a rich history.

Lodges and beds are strictly regulated in the game parks. Thisspares the tourist the disappointment of having

several carssurrounding every lion kill; here in Tanzania you trulyexperience the wildness of Africa. In sub-Sahara Africa Tanzaniais without rival. The parks and reserves here contain thelargest concentration of animals found anywhere in the world.Including the wildebeest migration the worlds last remaininggreat migration.

Humans – especially tourists flock together. This displaymanifests in the game parks; most people wanting to be in theSerengeti and almost everyone concentrating in one area – theCentral Serengeti. The Serengeti is huge yet most tourists areconcentrated into one area on this vast park. Plan your safaricarefully; look for an operator who is interested in more thanmaking a quick profit out of a dull safari itinerary.

There are other National Parks here with high concentrations ofanimals that boast just one lodge. Imagine that; a whole sliceof Africa all to yourself. I doubt you could find that in Kenya,well maybe in the north of the country but Kenya has troublesomeneighbors and northern Kenya although wonderfully wild is alsonotoriously unsafe.

The place to have the true out of Africa experience is Tanzania.It has the parks, it has the animals in huge numbers and it hasthe peace and security that no other African Country can offer.If you want a safari, a proper safari than Tanzania is the onlyreal option.

About the author:

For further information on traveling to Tanzania safari,Kilimanjaro and the Spice Islands of Zanzibar go to -http://www.betheladventure.co.uk using tourism to change lives.

Why Stay In A Hotel When You Can Rent A Luxury Villa For Less?

admin — Wed, 22 Apr 2009 09:16:02 +0000

Renting a villa is a brilliant alternative to staying in a hotel especially if there are a few of you. There are many plus-points to consider.

ADVANTAGES

* Cost. If there are four or more people then if you divide the total cost by the number of people you usually find you can make a massive saving compared to the cost of hotels.

* Space. You have a home rather than a cramped room in which you are on top of each other.

* Privacy. Most villas are sheltered from the neighbours. In any case it has to be better than having a thin wall separating you from the noise of other hotel guests.

* Facilities. You are likely to have your own private pool, your own kitchen of course which you wouldnt have in a hotel room and many other features.

* Kids. Staying in a villa is great when you have kids. As they tend to wake up early there is nothing worse than trying to keep them quiet when everyone else is trying to sleep – or having other people making noise when you are trying to get your own kids to sleep.

POTENTIAL PROBLEMS

A villa holiday is not without potential problems. It would be best to read all our tips on what to look out for before you rent a villa. This is an invaluable guide to preventing possible problems so you can have a fantastic holiday.

Perhaps the biggest potential pitfall could be if you are booking with a private individual. At least if you are in a hotel you can complain and have something fixed and put right quickly. In a villa that might not be so easy. Its important to realise that you can either book direct with the owner which is often good value or you can book through a major company, this might (but not necessarily) cost you more but you

will have local reps to look after you if there are any problems.

The other major potential problem is not obvious. Its the people you are sharing with. Many people opt to share a villa with family and friends and while it does make good financial sense we have heard reports of people falling out and being too close for comfort. Most importantly have separate hire cars so you can do different things if you want to.

Mark Eastwood is one of the thousands who are fleeing their homeland of England to go live in sunny Spain. If you want to know what life in Spain is REALLY like with lots of to-the-point and brutally honest information then go to his site at
http://www.costablancauncovered.com

Copyright Mark Eastwood. Feel free to use this article online and in your email newsletters as long as you leave it intact and do not alter it in anyway. The byline and biography must remain in the article. Mark Eastwood lives on the Costa Blanca coast of Spain and is the publisher of http://www.CostaBlancaUncovered.com – The site for tourists visiting the Costa Blanca coast of Spain as well as residents and people considering moving to this popular area known as the California of Europe.

Mark is also the publisher of http://www.Choosewealth.com The site that provides you with the techniques and strategies used by millionaires together with loads of business ideas to help you get started.

Why Some Car Transport Services Are Better Than Others

admin — Wed, 22 Apr 2009 09:13:07 +0000

Car manufacturers and dealers have been doing it for years
and now car transport services are making it simpler for
the average consumer. Transporting cars, whether from the
manufacturer to the dealer or from one city to another
saves on the physical wear and tear of the vehicles
exterior as well as the mechanical stress on the engine.

In order to select a transport service, the first question
youll want answered is how much will it cost? As with any
type of shopping you should comparison shop prices and
services from various car transport companies.

Youll need to know the origin point and destination for
the car and the approximate date you want the vehicle to
depart. The car transport service will also need the make,
model and year of the car in question.

The client needs to know what type of transport they are
looking for whether its door-to-door or point-to-point
(i.e. a central location in one city to another.) Some
transport services also offer covered transport, which will
protect the car from weather elements, rocks and dust.
This can be very beneficial in the transport of vintage or
classic cars

Once a company is selected, payment arrangements will need
to be made. Most companies want a deposit of 15 to 20%
prior to the cars departure and full payment made when it
arrives at the destination. These payments are usually
required to be in the form of cash or a cashiers check.

Its usually a good plan to check the fine print on the
contract once its been agreed to. If you cancel it, the
transport company may charge a fee. Its also a good idea
to put a clause somewhere in there that allows for you to
cancel if they have not picked up your car within some
number of days of the scheduled date.

Review the contract closely because most transport services
will not guarantee a

pickup date or delivery date, but
rather refer to the window of time in which they are
scheduled.

Insurance is also an issue. Sometimes your own insurance
carrier will not cover damages sustained to the vehicle
while being transported on another. Verify what insurance
coverage the transport service offers and if you purchase
it, make sure it is listed in the contract. As with any
company, you should verify the references of prior service.

Finally, once youve settled on a car transport service and
signed the contracts, be sure that you receive an “Original
Inspection Report.” The transport service will inspect the
vehicle prior to accepting it for transportation. It will
note nicks, dings, scratches, dents and defects inside and
out.

If there are scratches on the windows, these will all be
noted on the “Original Inspection Report.” Make sure you
hang onto this, because when your car is delivered, you
should take the time to go over it slowly. Verify that
there are no problems other than what is listed on the
report.

In most cases, the process of transportation is damage-
free, but if your car has notable damage not listed on the
report, then get the drivers signature in concurrence with
the damage and notify the transport service. With the dual
verifications, the company should work out a way to
reimburse you for any repairs that are necessary.
===========================================================
Discover vital information and advice about car and auto
transport services. Find out what you must do, and what
you must not do. Click
http://www.auto-transport-101.com/

About the Author

Nick Telford regularly buys new cars from across the
country, and gets them transported home. Now hes written
a series of articles giving his experiences, good & bad, of
how to use car transport services.

Why I love Stockholm – A Top-10 of Reasons

admin — Wed, 22 Apr 2009 09:13:00 +0000

Although I was always attracted to the mysterious North, it took a while before I first visited Sweden. Actually, it was my editor who asked me to go there. In 1990 I attended a conference near Stockholm, and fell in love with both the country and its capital.

Since then the city has become a dear friend of mine. Maybe even a relative, as every new visit feels like a sort of homecoming. Stockholm never lets me down.

Nevertheless, my love for the Swedish capital does raise an eyebrow when I mention it to others. Most people simply dont know anything about Stockholm, except that its the capital of Sweden.

So lets clear things up. Here is a Top-10 of reasons why I love Stockholm – listed in no particular order.

- Stockholm is blue. If there is one thing that makes Stockholm stand out, then it is its relationship with water. The city was built on 14 islands, all connected with bridges for cars AND pedestrians, and you never have to walk far to get a stunning view over the water.

- Stockholm is like Swedish design: its functional and almost defines the latest trends, yet it looks great and shows respect for history. The city is very easy to navigate, has everything a big city should offer – excellent shopping facilities, a vibrant nightlife, great business opportunities – but never loses its beauty.

- The city has an atmosphere that is so calm and relaxed compared to other capitals. I dont know why, really. Maybe its the mentality of the people. Most Swedes are friendly, patient, quiet – and helpful. Maybe its because there are so many open spaces, water and parks. Or because the houses are so colorful. Maybe its all of this together.

- Stockholm has great tourist attractions, but never feels touristy. Even in the most popular part of town – the historical Old Town or Gamla Stan – there are enough quiet streets to make a relaxing stroll.

- Stockholm is green. About one third of Stockholm consists of parks. One third! It is the first city in the world to have a national park within the city borders. Yes, a nature reserve right in the heart of a capital with 1.5 million people. And all of these parks are accessible.

- With around 90

museums to choose from, visiting Stockholm is a cultural feast. And theres a museum for every one. The city has some of Europes best art museums, but also the worlds first open-air museum (Skansen), several museums that display all aspects of Nordic history, an old warship on display (Vasa Museum) and even special places for kids (Junibacken, toy museum). The state-run museums have free admission.

- Stockholm is safe. OK, crime rates have gone up in recent decades, like everywhere in the Western world. Still its one of the worlds safest capitals. There are no neighborhoods you should avoid and its usually no problem to walk outside at nights.

- Art is an integrated part of Stockholm city life. On the pavement along Berzelli Park a worker pops out of the ground, lifting a manhole cover. From a distance you wont notice it, but its a statue (Humor by KG Bejemark). There are sculptures and statues all over Stockholm, often at unexpected places. Many stations of the Stockholm underground (tunnelbana) are decorated with paintings, sculptures, mosaics, installations and engravings. And architecture is incredibly eclectic. Italian, German, Dutch, French style – its all there, and often in one design.

- Which city has 24,000 islands and rocks in its backyard? Stockholm. A huge archipelago connects the city with the Baltic Sea and you can visit it by boat. Spend a day or so on one of these attractive islands – you wont regret it.

- Stockholm is so clean … If youve been to Paris, London, Amsterdam and then visit Stockholm, you wonder: Where do these Swedes leave their garbage?

Every modern city has negative aspects. Too much traffic, pollution, drunks, criminals … I dont believe a city built by humans will ever become perfect. But compared to other capitals, Stockholm comes very close.

The author Marc A. de Jong is a Dutch journalist currently living in Antwerp, Belgium. He is the owner and editor of http://www.stockholm-sweden-travel-guide.com – a unique online travel guide based on personal experience.

Why Classic Car Transport Is Different To Normal Auto Transport

admin — Wed, 22 Apr 2009 09:10:08 +0000

When a car is a classic, its not just a car anymore; its
a thing of beauty. When a classic car needs transporting,
the discerning owner is going to be looking for more than a
quick way from point a to point b. Some things to consider
before beginning the classic car transport are the state of
the vehicle, where it is going, how much is it going to
cost and what are best benefits.

Since many collectors purchase classic cars in varying
states of repair, its worth noting whether the car you
want to transport has been in storage for a long time. If
you cant start it or drive it, some transporters wont
touch it.

Many transporters require the vehicle to be driven up ramps
to be loaded and do not have a way to tow it into place.
If its possible have a mechanic check fluids, refill the
gas tank and charge the battery, a car that runs, even
slowly will have more options in transporters.

The choice of whether to transport your classic car should
also include the method of transport. A car that is in
premium condition with no dents, dings or scratches, may
require enclosed transport. Not only does enclosed
transport protect the vehicle from road debris, weather and
exhaust, but it also provides more security as the driver
may overnight in some locations.

If your classic is one youve purchased to refurbish or
already has nicks and scratches, then the alternative
transport in the open air will run to less cost for you.

Some transporters will not travel well away from main
business centers to pick up cars, so it may be necessary to
drop the car off at a depot. Some transporters employ local
contractors to pick up the vehicles from these locations
and take them to the depots as needed. Be sure to ask about
that service if you will require it.

Also verify what the insurance coverage of the transporter
applies to.

Whenever a transporter takes possession of a
vehicle there will be an “Origin Inspection Report”
generated. This is your testament to the condition of the
car when it was turned over for transportation. Be sure to
inspect it closely upon arrival at the destination point.

In many cases, transporters only require a couple weeks
notice that you are looking for shipment of you car.
Depending on the grade of service you want for your
classic, the transporter can then make arrangements.

It is normal for transporters to give shipment windows
rather than exact dates for pick up or arrival, however, if
one does give you exact dates make sure that you have it in
writing.

Always review the transporters records, offers and what
guarantees they offer. If something seems unclear or uneasy
about their business practices, then definitely dont
entrust them with your vehicle.

Make sure to go over your transportation contract
carefully, especially if you are shipping a classic car in
pristine condition. There are any numbers of larger and
smaller transportation companies that specialize in
transportation of these beauties.

Ultimately, everyone wants to get from his or her origin to
the destination point. With a little judicious review and
good questioning, you can find the transporter for your
classic car that matches your needs, your wants and your
budget.
===========================================================
Discover vital information and advice about car and auto
transport services. Find out what you must do, and what
you must not do. Click
http://www.auto-transport-101.com/classic-car-transport.html

About the Author

Why Car Share?

admin — Wed, 22 Apr 2009 09:09:03 +0000

Around 60% of drivers of the 31 million cars on Britain’s roads travel alone, and with the number increasing every year, the idea of car sharing as an option is being promoted by County Councils as well as Friends of the Earth and Carplus.

Car sharing, also known as carpooling, is when two or more people travel together by car, and the passenger generally makes a donation towards running costs. There are a number of organisations, such as www.liftshare.co.uk, that enable people living in the same area who make similar journeys to make contact with each other, encouraging more participation in lift sharing.

The number of people taking part in car sharing arrangements is relatively small but increasing, and supporters of car sharing initiatives hope that this will become a much more popular way of travelling in the future.

Why car share?

-Car sharing reduces your travel costs. By car sharing for a year, the average driver would save

Who Lives In The Star Wars Galaxy?

admin — Wed, 22 Apr 2009 09:07:08 +0000

Its hard to say where old Hollywood ended and new Hollywood began. People in the industry dont think of themselves as making history, they are just going to work. But the day in 1967 that Jack Warner cleaned out his desk at Warner Bros. studio, George Lucas and Frances Ford Coppola arrived on the lot.

The two young filmmakers were very different in demeanor. Coppola a legend at UCLA film school was 27, a loud boisterous mixture of mogul and marxist, who prided himself in dressing like Fidel Castro. He impressed film executives at first with his bravado, but later would upset them with his reckless overspending. Five years younger, Lucas, who went to USC, was quiet and introspective. The only guys at Warners who were below 30 and wore beards, they hit it off instantly with Coppola taking the mentor role. Lucas had made a thirteen minute science fiction film project called THX 1138, a dark look at a computer controlled future. Coppola convinced his prot