USA Update

AS I kayak on Florida’s Indian River Lagoon, I’m lost for words.

With its ancient mangrove forests and prehistoric-looking pelicans dive-bombing the water, this wouldn’t be out of place in Jurassic Park.

© 2023 Peter Frank Edwards

Have fun paddling in a kayak[/caption]

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But then comes the real excitement, as 20-plus dolphins start splashing around just metres away.

And they’re having plenty of fun as they jump out of the water and even swim right under me.

This body of water is 156 miles long and the most ecologically diverse estuary in North America.

I’m taking a paddle on an uncharacteristically overcast morning, but it’s usually baking hot and packed with even more wildlife, including manatees and all manner of birds.

I’m staying in the city of New Smyrna Beach, on Florida’s east coast, which offers something entirely different from what might spring to mind when you first think of the Sunshine State.

It’s only about an hour’s drive from the theme parks Florida is known for, but presents an entirely different experience.

I’d rented my kayak from the Marine Discovery Center, which offers daily guided tours.

But out of the water, there’s plenty more to see in this vibrant beach city, which is popular with surfers and about as laid-back as it gets.

The main boulevard, Flagler Avenue, is peppered with independent shops, bars and restaurants and feels like it’s straight out of a Hallmark movie.

I grabbed a spot on the veranda of the Flagler Tavern, where I sipped on a deliciously tall cocktail and explored the menu packed with American seafood specials.

It was then just a short stroll back to my hotel, Marriott’s SpringHill Suites.

Rooms here are huge and feature walk-in wardrobes, but the real selling point is the fabulous view you get over the Atlantic Ocean and New Smyrna’s amazing beach.

Next morning, I was up early to get the sand between my toes.

Om Sunshine Yoga runs community classes on weekend mornings, with all the gear provided.

They even offer paddleboard yoga, although I soon found out my balance is bad enough on dry land — let alone the water.

Gopher tortoises

Even before attempting to get into a downward dog, the beach took my breath away — its fine white sand is set against expansive blue skies which have to be seen to be believed.

In fact, because the sand is so compact, you can even drive on it — so that’s how I decided to explore the coastline.

Pedego Electric Bikes offers guided tours to see the three miles of coast at speed.

I took in the sights, sounds and sunshine, while feeling the sea breeze in my hair, as I cycled north to the Smyrna Dunes Park.

Here you can see the striking Ponce de Leon lighthouse — the tallest in the state at 175ft — as well as explore the park with its boardwalks and wildlife.

Try to go at sundown for the best chance to spot gopher tortoises.

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Take a ride on an e-bike on the beach[/caption]

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The historic Victoria 1883 guesthouse[/caption]

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Reuters

A rocket launch at Cape Canaveral[/caption]

If you’re looking for something more upmarket for dinner, then Riverpark Terrace is a great spot, with a tropical garden and fancy menu.

In fact, it is known as the area’s most romantic restaurant.

And love was in the air as I travelled across town and checked into luxury guesthouse Victoria 1883 to continue my stay in New Smyrna Beach — it doubles as a sought-after wedding venue and overlooks the Indian River.

It is also the oldest property in the area and steeped in history but was renovated and opened as a boutique B&B in 2022, with a gorgeous lounge, garden and speakeasy-style bar.

While the urge to relax here was strong, I took a ten-minute stroll to the creative district of Canal Street, where shops sell art, bric-a-brac and homeware, and there is brilliant vinyl at Spinning Records.

At newly refurbished restaurant General Public, I filled up on hearty Southern cuisine then headed to the Sugar Works Distillery for a drink.

This independent bar and distillery has some of the best cocktails I’ve ever tasted.

They are created using the distillery’s spirits, which are largely made from produce within a ten-mile radius.

New Smyrna Beach is a beautiful escape from the bustle of Orlando, so a great way to vary your time during a Florida getaway.

I flew Aer Lingus from Heathrow via Dublin, which gives a sneaky benefit when travelling to the States — you go through pre-clearance US passport control at Dublin airport, meaning you don’t have to bother with the faff of security when you touch down on the other side after the long-haul flight.

But it turned out that wouldn’t be the only memorable flight on my holiday, as New Smyrna Beach is just 60 miles from the Kennedy Space Center at Cape Canaveral, where rockets are launched into space once or twice every week.

So one of the most unforgettable moments came when, just past midnight, I stood on the beach and watched as a Space X rocket rose through the sky and blasted off into the solar system.

Just like that, this holiday was out of this world.

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The Sun’s Howell Davies with a drink in hand[/caption]

A NEW report shows one in ten people aged 18 to 24 prefer health-related first dates to going to the pub.

This could be one reason creatine is the supplement of the moment. The compound, found naturally in muscles, helps produce energy for high intensity exercise.

But there are reports some supplements contain ZERO creatine. I put credible ones to the test.

STRAWBERRY GUMMIES

Novomins

The Novomins Creatine Monohydrate Gummies contain 5 grams of pure creatine monohydrate[/caption]

In each serving of Novomins Creatine Monohydrate Gummies there are 5 grams of pure creatine monohydrate.

These have been independently lab-verified to ensure quality. Studies show 3 to 5 grams per day are recommended if you are supplementing. Higher doses offer no advantage.

You’d need to eat 850g of red meat to get 5g of creatine needed for improved performance.

These gummies taste great and the main ingredient is creatine.

From £18.66 for a month’s supply – 90 gummies, novomins.com.

POWDER MIX

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Ancient + Brave’s True Creatine+ is a powder which contains 4.5g of creatine monohydrate per 6g serving[/caption]

THERE is a reason that Ancient + Brave is becoming a very popular brand and that’s because it makes some great products.

Its True Creatine+ is no different.

This is a powder that just mixes creatine with taurine – a naturally occurring amino acid used for energy – magnesium and vitamin D. There is 4.5g of creatine monohydrate per 6g serving.

This combination can support energy and strength plus focus and recovery. I love magnesium for its stress relieving properties and we should all be taking vitamin D.

Powder may seem fiddly but it is tasteless and you just add it to water. This comes in a jar or portable sachets.

From £22.40 for 30 servings, see ancientandbrave.earth.

NO-FUSS CAPSULES

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New Leaf’s Creatine Monohydrate Capsules is a convenient supplement that is easy to add to your daily routine[/caption]

NEW Leaf Products is a no fuss supplement company that doesn’t do as much fancy marketing as some others but has a great range of products.

Their Creatine Monohydrate Capsules is pure creatine apart from the synthetic outer shell and magnesium stearate which is added as an anti-caking agent.

A convenient supplement that is easy to add to your daily routine. And creatine is not just for Gen Z, it is great if you are getting older as it can help stop the loss of muscle mass that naturally occurs.

It can make you gain weight because it can cause temporary water retention by drawing water into muscle cells but this is very different to weight gain from fat.

A good starter dose of 3g and just £14.95 for a two-month supply, new-leaf-products.com.

FURIOUS Kroger customers have slammed the retailer’s “$100 paywall” which “isn’t worth it” – despite others saying that subscribing has saved them half a grand.

Seething shoppers blasted the Boost Member subscription model – saying that signing up only offered them discounts on “off brand” items.

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Kroger shoppers have blasted the retail giant[/caption]

One outraged customer said: “Kroger rolled out a Boost Member subscription, and the members only coupons are for the Kroger brand s**t.

“You know, the off brand s**t THAT’S SUPPOSED TO ALREADY BE CHEAP AS F**K?”

They added: “Remember those post covid grocery prices? Well you can get them now BEHIND A PAYWALL.

“I hate it.”

The fuming shopper added that they couldn’t see how the subscription was worth it.

One user replied: “Kroger is literally the worst.”

Meanwhile, another shopper pledged allegiance to a Kroger rival, claiming that the competing chain offered much better services.

They said: “Team Aldi for life.”

Despite the fury, some shoppers reported making huge savings from the Boost Member subscription model.

They encouraged others to get past the paywall to access exclusive discounts.

One shopper showed that the sign up had saved them a whopping $5236.26.

They said: “I think it’s 100% worth it.”

The user also said that shoppers could also “get a coupon for 20-30% off your membership” in some cases.

Another keen subscriber said that it was “worth it”.

They listed the benefits: “Bonus coupons for free stuff almost weekly. Free delivery-I use it 1-2x a week.

“Fridays you get 5x points. Worth it for sure!”

While a third customer said: “I just became one. My cousin has it and he says it is definitely worth it.”

Other Kroger customer’s continued to complain about the paid service model, saying that their deliveries were delayed despite them paying the extra premium fee.

One shopper said: Why is it EVERY time I order for a pickup from @kroger I get an order is delayed?

“As a paid Boost member this is unacceptable! 7 orders in a row now!”

It comes as Kroger’s self-checkout stations continue to prove divisive – with some shoppers begging the retailer to tone down its machines.

Customers have claimed they were met with an aggressive automated message when checking out their groceries.

And in late May, disgruntled shoppers at the retail giant blasted the chain’s remodeling efforts at a popular location.

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The subscription model was said to not be worth it by some[/caption]

HARLEY-Davidson is yanking more than 82,000 bikes off the market over safety concerns, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

The issue stems from the mounting tab on the rear shock pre-load adjuster on Softail models between 2018 to 2024, according to a recall notice on June 12.

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Harley-Davidson has announced a recall affecting more than 82,000 bikes[/caption]

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The recall stems from a safety issue that could result in a crash[/caption]

The tab can break, allowing the rear shock absorber adjuster to damage the rear tier and causing a loss of tire pressure.

This malfunction can lead to a possible crash, which could be fatal, said officials.

At the time of writing, Harley-Davidson hasn’t reported any deaths or injuries connected to the malfunction.

Here are some indicators that could warn owners that their reach shock adjuster is making contact with their tire:

• A noise from under the seat
• Can be seen if the seat is removed
• The operator is experiencing difficulty maneuvering the motorcycle
• Non-typical wear on the rear tire

Owners of the recalled bikes are urged to call Harley-Davidson at 1-800-258-2464.

After calling, give the operator the recall number 0188.

Owners can also contact the NHTSA Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 or visit www.nhtsa.gov.

To remedy the issue, dealers will install a new bracket at no cost to the owner.

“The remedy hardware in the recall kit includes a new bracket which limits the movement of the pre-load adjuster and also prevents the adjuster from making contact with the rear tire,” Harley-Davidson said in a statement.

“Beginning in model year 2025, the subject Softail motorcycles were assembled with new hardware, including a new bracket which limits the movement of the pre-load adjuster and also prevents the adjuster from making contact with the rear tire.”

The recall comes after the company confirmed in April that it was engaging in an ongoing “CEO search process, as part of the Board’s succession planning responsibilities.”

Current CEO Jochen Zeitz expressed an interest in retiring from the company in 2025 after a five-year tenure.

Zeitz, who has run the iconic firm since 2020, has been criticized in recent times for the company’s declining sales and falling stock price.

Harley troubles are well reported, with the company’s shares – valued at $3 billion -dropping by 31% over the past year.

Many believe the issue is related to their struggles to appeal to a new generation of bikers.

However, in a closely contested board decision, Zeitz has kept his position in what was described as a “razor-thin outcome” by Reuters.

The company announced an update on its executives, failing to find a suitable replacement.

“Additionally, the Harley-Davidson Board of Directors confirmed that the rigorous search process for Harley-Davidson’s next CEO continues at pace, led by the search committee,” the statement read.

The U.S. Sun has reached out to Harley-Davidson for comment.

نشرت وزاره الداخلية السعودية اليوم بيان قالت فيه انه تم تنفيذ حكم الاعدام في المواطن تركي الجاسر الذي اقدم على عدد من الجرائم الإرهابية وارتكب العديد من الجرائم المختلفة التي... اقرأ المزيد ←

ظهرت المقالة  سبب اعدام تركي الجاسر المغرد السعودي أولاً على كايرو تايمز.

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