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
Autumn in San Diego
By Linda Tancs
Although it may be difficult to think of fall harvests and foliage tours in sun-drenched San Diego, there are events in that area to celebrate the rise of the harvest moon. Consider, for instance, the apple harvest in the town of Julian, just one hour east of the city. Until the apples run out (and you better hurry, some picking sites are already closed for the season), you can enjoy the fall foliage mountain views of Cuyamaca from the orchards. Any particular shade of crimson you’re looking for? Check out the fall foliage maps and hotline provided by the US Forest Service, www.fs.fed.us.
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Hit the Ground Running in Omaha
By Linda Tancs
Attention all marathoners: time to test your mettle on the rugged terrain of Omaha, Nebraska on Sunday, September 23rd. But your sneakers are worn down, you say? No need to worry. Run without them in this year’s first barefoot runners category. But don’t forget your t-shirt. http://www.cafepress.com/wanderfulplaces/2321174
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Negative Air Fare is the Latest Gimmick in Fare Wars
By Linda Tancs
You may recall the words of the late Nobel economics laureate Milton Friedman, “There’s no such thing as a free lunch.” Well, sort of. In a bid to distinguish itself from the competition, Spirit Airlines is offering “negative” fares on limited routes on limited dates for a limited time. So for those with limited funds, act today or be forced to pay.
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Biloxi is Back
By Linda Tancs
Biloxi, Mississippi is home to nine casinos. “Is” is the key word. Following the ravages of Katrina, Biloxi has replaced its floating casinos with on-shore, Vegas-worthy digs at Bayview and Beach. Why not head over for the Seafood Festival at the Town Green on September 15th and 16th and give a few slot machines a spin while you’re there. Just don’t lose your shirt. http://www.cafepress.com/wanderfulplaces/2321150
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New York State Fair to Open in Syracuse
By Linda Tancs
Beginning on August 23 and continuing until September 3, Syracuse will once again host the New York State Fair at its Expo Center. The fair’s theme this year is “Gotta Be There,” the urgency of which belies 161 years of standard fare in the way of exhibits, amusements and livestock demonstrations. Nonetheless, these sorts of things are usually well endorsed by the kids, who can travel free on Amtrak under certain conditions. Visit www.amtrak.com for details.
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Comparison Sites for Budget Conscious Travelers
By Linda Tancs
At some point in a traveler’s life it’s inevitable that someone–maybe in the seat right next to you–will disclose that great fare find that differs dramatically from one’s own. In the past, you might just chalk it up to experience, or luck, or a better travel agent. Now there are two Web sites to help the inexperienced, or unlucky, or agentless traveler get the best deal. One of those sites is www.farecompare.com, which offers trend analysis on various city pairings to help you “time the market.” Another site is www.farecast.com, which offers its own market analysis and a recommendation whether to buy or hold. Just one more way to level the field for all travelers, so take advantage of it.
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New Jersey Building To Go Green
By Linda Tancs
New Jersey’s nickname is the Garden State, and so it is only fitting that, as gardens evoke green imagery, the state gets ready to christen its first environmentally-friendly public building. When solar panel construction is completed on the police station in Maplewood, New Jersey, the building is slated to be certified “green” by the U.S. Green Building Council. The Council promotes the economic, environmental and health benefits of high performance, sustainable buildings. Despite what Kermit famously said, it is easy being green after all.
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How to Find a Good Tour Company
By Linda Tancs
Granted, there hasn’t been much news lately of a tour company going belly up, stranding hundreds of passengers and stripping them of their tour and deposit monies–not to mention peace of mind. The majority of tour operators are stable and reputable, but do your homework nonetheless. Check with the Better Business Bureau in the city in which a tour company you plan on using is doing business. You can also download a list of members of the U.S. Tour Operators Association at www.ustoa.com. Each tour company member is required to carry $1 million in security in the form of a bond or letter of credit held in trust by the USTOA to reimburse travelers against the operator’s financial instability or other failures. With over $9 billion in sales volume, that’s a lot of money to look after so be sure to finish your homework.
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Carry-On Rules Vary
By Linda Tancs
Is a monkey nestled in a hat an acceptable piece of carry-on luggage? Probably not, although it’s difficult to imagine how that one got by the Peruvian authorities. This incident does call to mind nonetheless the varying interpretations of what constitutes a piece of carry-on luggage. U.S. travelers know, or expect, that a carry-on means one piece of actual luggage, plus a purse, handbag or laptop bag or even a combination of them. Don’t try that in the UK, though. The UK Department of Transportation makes clear that one piece of cabin baggage means just that–one piece. A handbag can be stored within that one piece of baggage. The rules apply to flights departing from or transferring through the UK. So be warned, and watch out for those flying monkeys.
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Bridge Ratings
By Linda Tancs
In light of the tragedy of the Minneapolis bridge collapse, the safety of U.S. bridges is paramount on everyone’s mind these days. So how safe are these bridges? A review of the Bureau of Transportation Statistics Web site shows that the biggest loser in bridge safety is Oklahoma, with 27% of its bridges labelled as “structurally deficient.” And what does “structurally deficient” mean, you ask? Well, the Federal Highway Administration, 2006 Conditions and Performance Report defines “structurally deficient” as the result of an analysis of a bridge’s ratings according to its deck, superstructure and substructure, the highest rating being a 9. So what does your state’s report card look like? Ask your legislators.
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