Travelrific® Travel Journal
Picture postcards in prose.™ Check out the blogroll on the front page for official merchandise and other resources!Archive for U.S. travel
An Exit Strategy
By Linda Tancs
New Jersey suffers its share of jokes: “I’m from New Jersey. Oh yeah, which exit?” So why not make lemonade out of those lemons. Or beer. That’s what the folks at Flying Fish Brewing Company in Cherry Hill have done. They have an Exit Series celebrating the State’s highway system. In fact, Exit 4 (the others so far are 1 and 11) captured the gold at the Great American Beer Festival. What’s your favorite exit? Hit the road and find out.
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The Wizard of Menlo Park
By Linda Tancs
History buffs know that the Wizard is none other than Thomas Edison, inventor of the light bulb, phonograph and over 400 other inventions. Menlo Park is the site within Edison, New Jersey where the great innovator worked his magic. Although another museum in West Orange gets more attention (and more tourists), this little enclave on Christie Street has one of those first light bulbs and the letter to the editor giving rise to the Wizard appellation. You would have trouble finding the place but for the concrete tower topped off by a 3.5 ton bulb that rises like a phoenix above the trees on Lincoln Highway. Are you the next great American inventor? Stop by for a visit and maybe you’ll find your muse.
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Just Plane Art
By Linda Tancs
North Carolina’s Charlotte Douglas International Airport might be better known for its snow-white rocking chairs in the atrium, but it’s art that’s at the heart of the airport’s enhancements for hassled travelers. Specifically, Just Plane (not plain!) Art is an exhibition of permanent and rotating exhibits highlighting local history. Take, for example, the 1/2 scale replica of the original Wright Flyer flown by Orville and Wilbur Wright on December 17, 1903–or the 15-foot-high bronze sculpture of Queen Charlotte in the airport’s Queen’s Courtyard, located in front of the terminal. The pre-Revolutionary War city is, after all, named after King George III’s wife. So enjoy the local lore and take some tedium out of travel.
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Ride the Silver Bullet
By Linda Tancs
Airstream, affectionately known as the silver bullet, is synonymous with road travel. With over 70 years of design experience and a shelf life of 40 years or more behind it, this piece of Americana occupies a special place in the hearts of RVers. And now comes the chance to own a limited edition–in collaboration with another famed master of design and functionality, the Victorinox Special Edition Airstream is available for a lucky 125 purchasers. That’s one buyer for every year that Victorinox has produced the iconic Swiss army knife. Any takers?
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The author has not received any compensation for writing this content and has no material connection to the brands, topics, products and/or services that are mentioned herein.
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Something for Nothing
By Linda Tancs
Deep in the desert of Arizona expect to find the usual denizens: snakes, fire ants, birds of prey and assorted mammals like prairie dogs and porcupines. So don’t say there’s nothing–that is, “no thing.” And here’s something else to ponder: there’s no longer no thing in Nothing, for Nothing now has something (I’m beginning to feel like Dr. Seuss here). That would be a pizza parlor. That’s right, the little desert bowl of a town in the middle of nothing has a pizza joint that’s got the locals talking. Consider a visit the next time you’re on US 93 between mile markers 148 and 149, and send your reviews here.
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Sleep On It
By Linda Tancs
Longer security lines and increased check-in requirements mean headaches for early morning travelers. Worried about missing your flight? If you’re prone to misjudge the time it will take from breakfast table to tarmac, then maybe you need a sleepover. At many airports, you can get a deal on a nearby hotel–and a headstart on that check-in line. Sweet dreams.
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Take the Stress Out of Travel
By Linda Tancs
Taxis, touts, ATMs, currency conversions, visa requirements….It’s enough to make you want to stay home peacefully rather than pull your hair out. Relax, there’s a way to take the stress out of travel. Although it may seem like a misnomer, IHateTaxis helps you find the right transportation (taxis included) to your hotel door worldwide and gives other helpful information to you, too, with country profiles.
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Cashless Cabins
By Linda Tancs
As of December 1, 2009, travelers flying on Delta and Northwest in North America, Central America and the Caribbean became aware that cash is decidedly not king. In a move geared towards expediting the onboard payment process, customers flying within and among these destinations will have to use credit to pay for their munchies. The rule, however, does not affect trans-Atlantic, trans-Pacific and South American flights or duty-free items.
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Going to the North Pole
By Linda Tancs
The North Pole is a lot closer than you think–as in North Pole, New York, in the High Peaks area of New York State’s Adirondack Park. Like its more northern cousins (e.g., Alaska and Lapland’s Santa Claus Village), the New York version celebrates its famous moniker with a Christmas themed family amusement park sporting rides, shows and shops for children and adults of all ages. For those dreaming of a white Christmas, this is the place to be. On any given year, the weather data suggests a 96% chance of any amount of snow for the holiday. Let it snow, let it snow, let it snow–and Merry Christmas!
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All Aboard the Polar Express
By Linda Tancs
In that classic essay “Yes, Virginia, There Is a Santa Claus” an editorial writer for a now-defunct New York paper tells little Virginia O’ Hanlon that there is a Santa Claus. In some cases, it may take more than a newspaper writer to believe in the jolly old fellow. Indeed, it could take a magic train–like the Polar Express. Across the country, coal-fired, steam-operated vintage trains take a page from Chris Van Allsburg’s popular children’s book, “The Polar Express,” ferrying their young charges (and their parents) on a picture-perfect journey to the “North Pole.” There, Santa and his elves board the train, dishing out goodies and singing Christmas carols. Surely, that makes glad the heart of childhood–or any heart, for that matter.
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The author has not received any compensation for writing this content and has no material connection to the brands, topics, products and/or services that are mentioned herein.
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