As reformed Road Warriors, we read this article with equal parts amusement and intrigue.  The gist of the article focuses on young “mileage runners”, but I can see a whole class of Boomer runners (Bummers?) picking up this hobby.

This could be the next sport - though pretty dull to watch in real time.

 Mileage runners are the high-tech nomadic wanderers of the air. Predominantly male, generally obsessed with flying and miles, and typically employed in white-collar careers that involve significant business travel, they scour the web for cheap flights, phoning in sick or using vacation days to fly the longest itineraries they can string together.

Here’s what the article writer did:

I was 18 spine-crushing hours into a knight’s tour of airport terminals in Chicago, Las Vegas, San Diego and three other cities. Wired News gave me $500 and a mission: Squeeze as many miles as possible out of those five bills, using the tricks and techniques invented by a subculture of airline hackers called “mileage runners” who specialize in accumulating frequent flyer miles at low cost. Now with more than 6,000 miles and 31 hours booked, my only problem was how to spend the other $224.

A really fun read.  The new sport is Extreme Travel

http://www.wired.com/culture/lifestyle/news/2007/07/mileage_runner

I have been looking for a quick link on WiFi Providers at USA Airport WiFi Guide.  Here is a link to a helpful guide.

US Airport WiFi Guide

And if you need to know where to plug in that laptop (especially if your flight is delayed), here is a link of places to plug in at worldwide airports.

Airport Power Plugs

If there’s something we keep looking for - is a better way to pop open a laptop on the road. I think we finally found it!  To see more about this cool laptop bag, click any of the photos.

This rolling luggage cart converts into a stable work platform, providing a sturdy place to use your laptop while traveling when there are no convenient tables, and eliminating the need to perilously perch a portable computer upon your lap.

The desktop is integrated into the carts molded ABS and lightweight anodized aluminum frame, and it unfolds at the touch of a button into a platform 26″ from the floor, secured by the telescoping handle at two points and reinforced by a Y-brace underneath.

The platform can hold up to 20 lbs., and can accommodate a 17″ wide laptop, or a smaller laptop with an external mouse. The carrying platform can fit a 36″ business case, yet the 17 3/4″ width of the cart allows it to maneuver in airplane isles.

When fully compacted and stowed, it will easily fit into an overhead compartment. 17 1/2″ L x 15 1/2″ H x 6″ D. (11 1/4 lbs.)

This is from Hammacher Schlemmer
and we keep finding great stuff there. Take a look. 

We really liked these tips, and they let you see great places, without sweating the cost. The core idea - is an openess to try a little variety in your planning.

1. Be flexible with dates.Shifting your plans by a few days can save hundreds of dollars. Instead of getting to the beach on Friday, go earlier or later, and use the savings to splurge on dinner at a great estaurant at your destination.
2. Set a budget, not a destination. Let the deal be the inspiration. If the price is right, you’ll enjoy the beach whether it’s in Hawaii or the Caribbean. So look for the better deal, pull out the swimsuit and go.
3. Be a contrarian. Don’t follow the crowds– head for the hills! Check out mountain resorts during the summer. Visit Las Vegas mid-week. Or enjoy a city break over the weekend.
4. Travel to alternate airports. Travelers are amazed to find that flying to Newark instead of JFK, or Oakland instead of San Francisco, could potentially save them hundreds of dollars.
5. Go local. Avoid airport crowds and contribute to the regional economy by vacationing at destinations within a 2-4 hour drive of your home town. Use the Local Trips tool at Hotwire.com

Forty-two Chicago area museums have come together for the Chicago Kids(tm) sixth annual “Museum Madness” summer program. Families are encouraged to visit participating museums during the summer months, and every visit means a chance to win great prizes, including roundtrip airline tickets from Orbitz, a night at the Ritz Carlton, museum memberships and more.

Participating museums include: Adler Planetarium & Astronomy Museum, American Indian Center of Chicago, Art Institute of Chicago, Balzekas Museum of Lithuanian Culture, Bronzeville Children’s Museum, Chicago Botanic Garden, Chicago Children’s Museum, Chicago Cultural Center, Chicago History Museum, Children’s Museum in Oak Lawn, Chinese-American Museum of Chicago, Clarke House Museum, Des Plaines History Center, Downers Grove Park District Museum, DuPage Children’s Museum, DuSable Museum of African American History, Elgin Public Museum, Elmhurst Art Museum, Field Museum of Natural History, First Division Museum, Frank Lloyd Wright Home and Studio, Frank Lloyd Wright Fredric C. Robie House, Glessner House Museum, Hellenic Museum and Cultural Center, International Museum of Surgical Science, John G. Shedd Aquarium, Kohl Children’s Museum, Lake County Discovery Museum, McCormick Tribune Freedom Museum, Mitchell Museum of the American Indian, Museum of Contemporary Art, Museum of Science & Industry, Naper Settlement, National Museum of Mexican Art, Notebaert Nature Museum, Oriental Institute Museum, Polish Museum of America, SciTech Hands On Museum, Skokie Heritage Museum, Smart Museum of Art, Wheaton History Center, Wonder Works Museum.

Families can get involved by visiting www.ChicagoKids.com for details. The program runs from June 15 to August 31, 2007, with a drawing for prizes being held September 15.

Don’t let an unexpected breakdown ruin your summer. Following these tips can help you prepare for the heat:

1. Cooling system — When your engine is cold, check your coolant and make sure your radiator fins have not been clogged by dirt or debris. Remember to keep fingers away from the electric cooling fan while doing this and never remove the radiator cap if the engine is warm. In addition to coolant, keep an eye on the oil level and the fluids for power steering, brakes and transmission.

2. Temperature Gauge — If your temperature gauge moves into the red zone or the high temperature warning light goes on, pull over to a safe location and stop your engine. Do not open the radiator cap. Driving a car while the engine is overheated can cause serious damage.

3. Oil — When the temperatures are high, you need oil that provides extra protection for your engine. A fully synthetic oil such as Mobil 1 is a good choice; it’s designed to protect your engine at any temperature and provides fuel economy benefits. Fuel economy grades provide excellent fuel savings compared to higher viscosity grade oils.

4. Belts and hoses — Inspect all belts and hoses, looking for signs of wear such as blistering or cracks in the rubber. If they show signs of wear, replace them now.

5. Tires — In high heat, under-inflated tires are more likely to blow out. Once a month, check the pressure of all tires. To find the correct pressure rating for your vehicle, look inside the driver’s doorframe or your owner’s manual.

6. Windshield wipers — The rubber on your wiper blades is susceptible to the summer heat. Examine your blades, and if they show signs of wear, invest in a new set.

7. Battery — Hot weather can shorten the life of your vehicle’s battery. Inspect the batteries and battery cables for corrosion, cracks and dirt. Many service centers can check the condition of the battery and charging system. If the battery is weak, replace it.

8. Lights — Check your headlights on low and high beam, as well as your brake lights, turn signals, side marker lights and emergency flashers. If you’re towing anything, check your connections to ensure your trailer lights are working properly.

9. Vehicle Exterior — Wash your vehicle regularly to preserve the finish. After it has dried, apply a coat of wax to the exterior to protect the surface.

10. Emergencies — Keep an emergency kit in your trunk with some basic items in case your vehicle breaks down. Be sure to include a quart of oil, a gallon of drinking water, jumper cables, windshield washer fluid, basic tools, gloves, a flashlight with some spare batteries and a first aid kit.

On the 4th of July, all kids ages 3-11 with Paid Admission, will get a free “Snoopy’s Doggie Bag,” filled with a Hoffy hot dog, a bag of Lay’s potato chips, a Pepsi soft drink and Knott’s Berry Farm Premium shortbread cookies.  

Better Yet, Adults visiting on the 4th can still take advantage of the Knott’s pay once, visit twice promotion, or as they call it on the farm, P1V2. With every full paid adult admission of $48.95, you can return for a second visit free through December 31, 2007.

Knott’s newest crowd pleasing attraction, is the Sierra Sidewinder. Now the wildest thing in Camp Snoopy, Sierra Sidewinder is a ride like no other.  It takes passengers over 1,411 feet of track at a dizzying speed of 37 miles per hour, all while rotating on its axis. Though this whirlwind only lasts a little over a minute, it includes a drop of 39 feet, turning riders into human twisters!   The kids should eat their free food AFTER this ride!

At Independence Hall, Knott’s Berry Farm will take a look back at our nation’s history with special appearances by Benjamin Franklin, Patrick Henry, and John Adams. Tour guides dressed in colonial attire will be available to guide guests to the replica of the Liberty Bell, Hall of Flags and the Independence Hall Museum which includes exhibits on Betsy Ross, George Washington and the British Military.

The Independence Hall Declaration Chambers will also be open with ongoing performances of the multi-media presentation “A Storm in Philadelphia” an account of the signing of the Declaration of Independence. All the activities scheduled for the 4th of July at Independence Hall are free to the public. Independence Hall is open from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. with activities for the celebration scheduled from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.

The day wraps up, with a beautilf fireworks show, which is stunning to watch at over Knott’s Independence Hall.  The park will be open from 10AM to 10PM, and is great summer adventure in Southern California.  It is close to Disneyland and is a little smaller and more intimate than Disneyland, which is also close by.

Get 10% off car rental with Budget!
 

Budget is helping promote geography education among America’s children by providing fun and informative road-trip activities for kids, while also offering ways for parents to save money while on vacation.

Now through August 15, 2007, customers who rent from participating Budget airport and neighborhood locations will receive a free copy of the Budget “Best Trip Ever” money-saving coupon booklet, which includes great deals and special offers on a variety of products and services,

• Discounts on Budget car rentals at airport and neighborhood locations
• Discounts on Budget Truck rentals
• Kids games and activities, courtesy of My Wonderful World, a National Geographic-led campaign to help boost kids’ global geography knowledge, or “geo-literacy”
• Dollars-off coupons for Dunkin’ Donuts
• Buy-one, get-one-free offers and dollars-off Baskin Robbins coupons
• Special offers on breakfast, kids’ meals and dessert at Perkins Restaurant and Bakery

In addition to great savings and deals, the Budget “Best Trip Ever” coupon booklet includes information on the “Budget Geo Brain Game Sweepstakes,” where participants who can successfully answer 10 geography questions supplied by National Geographic will be entered into a drawing with a chance to win one of eight $1,000 U.S. Savings Bonds.

The Budget “Best Trip Ever” booklets also show parents and kids how to be part of the My Wonderful World campaign with tips for making vacations more fun and memorable as well as Geo Brain Game warm-up questions.

The games include: “Sights to See,” a crossword puzzle filled with names of popular tourist attractions in the country; “Jokes for the Road;” and “Back Seat Bingo,” the traditional bingo game with boxes illustrating street safety signs, animals and other sights kids might see while on a family road trip.

Since you are going to need a rental, why not get a few extra coupons. This is a nice value - so book right today.

Get 10% off car rental with Budget!
 

Chatham England is home to the newest Amusement Park.  It features great period costumes, local food, rats, sewage and fog.

 Welcome to Dicken’s World.  Here’s the link to a great article.  It is not the happiest place on earth.

 http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/19211348/site/newsweek/page/0/

Wal-Mart Stores and G-Squared, a Wal-Mart exclusive brand from Gartner Studios, announced today seven couples from across the country, will receive wedding ceremonies and receptions inside their local Wal-Mart Supercenter on the most popular — and possibly the luckiest — wedding day of the year.

Seven lucky couples have been named to receive these ceremonies and receptions as a result of the Lucky in Love Wedding Search and will exchange wedding vows on July 7.

Couples will receive a wedding package with an estimated value of more than $5,000. This package not only includes the decorated wedding venue in Wal-Mart’s colorful lawn and garden area surrounded by the season’s bright foliage, but also an adjacent tent for the reception area, wedding cake and party food.

The package also includes 14kt gold and diamond wedding bands, wedding invitations, wedding and groom’s cakes, fresh floral bouquets, digital cameras and digital photo frame, a portable GPS device, reception food and a $1,000 Wal-Mart gift card.

 Comment: We wrote about this 7-7-07 Wedding PR at Great America see: http://blog.tsvalues.com/2007/06/04/six-flags-marriage-extravaganza-on-7-7-07/

That was cute, the Walmart promotion is just ….. different.  I wonder if the Greeters in the Front of the store will act as ushers?

A survey of  Visa Credit Card holders finds that Americans are planning on spending an average of $1,654 on their summer vacation, making it one of the biggest purchases most people are likely to make all year.

The Visa Card Holder  surveyed 1,000 cardholders and also found that 15 percent of respondents won’t be taking a summer vacation this year.

On the high end, 4 percent of those surveyed said they would be sending over $5,000 on their summer vacation, making them ‘mega vacationers.’

Visa’s “Travel Wizard” helps consumers decide between necessary and flexible expenses by walking them through the process of preparing a travel budget with an interactive checklist and corresponding travel tips. Users can build budgets for meals, hotels and entertainment expenses and make spending adjustments before traveling.

For example, the calculator will automatically estimate the cost of fuel for drivers based on trip mileage or prompt flyers to factor in the cost of food at the airport. With the ‘Travel Wizard’ estimations, travelers can modify excessive transportation, lodging, and meal expenses to plan a more cost-effective vacation.

The Summer Travel Budgeting Center and “Travel Wizard” are part of Visa’s award-winning financial education program, Practical Money Skills for Life, and available for free at www.practicalmoneyskills.com/travel.

The Summer Travel Budgeting Center also contains some important tips for travelers to consider before hitting the road this summer.

They include:

• Remember to budget for spending money: Equipment rentals, snacks and gifts can add up quickly.

• Seek advice from fellow travelers: Research online for recommendations from locals and learn from others’ mistakes.
• Airfares to more remote airports are often considerably less expensive than the more popular, and crowded, alternatives closer to town.
• Always ask if hotels, restaurants and attractions offer discounts: AAA, AARP and other organizations often negotiate discounts for their members.
• Add 10 to 15 percent to your budget for unanticipated events: Things like lost luggage, a flat tire or an Emergency Room visit. Make sure you bring along copies your medical and auto insurance information.

 Comment: the budgeting suggestions are terrific.  The survey is a little loose, and doesn’t consider an important factor: the income of the cardholders.  If the 4% of the “mega vacationers” have a high income level, this wouldn’t concern me.

A better measurement would be: What  percentage of family income is applied to vacations?

I think a comfortable range would be 2% to 5% of gross family income.  That would mean a family with a net income of $100,000 would spend at a top end $5,000 on their vacations. 

If you figure total family income of $50,000 a top end vacation would be $2,500.  With kids, a plane flight to Disney and a week’s stay there could be really tight.  That’s why we encourage using discount coupons and pre-purchasing discount restaurant and fast food Gift Cards at our site ValueDining.com.

Vacations memories are lifelong, with planning and creative cost cutting - they can be wonderful times.

ATA Airlines announced three new routes from the Hawaiian Islands to the U.S. Mainland starting June 14th:

• Between Kona and Oakland - 3x a week
• Between Lihue and Oakland - 4x a week
• Daily between Las Vegas and Maui

These services will use Boeing 737-800 and 757-200 aircraft. With this expansion, ATA will serve Honolulu, Maui, Kona, Lihue, and Hilo from the U.S. Mainland- more Hawaiian cities on a non-stop basis than any other airline.

Also, the new services will seamlessly connect to 15 cities in partnership with Southwest Airlines - namely:

This is great news for those wanting to get to the outer islands more easily. It’s been a pain to fly through Oahu, then change planes (and terminals).

Our favorite island is Kauai, simply because of the beauty and wonderful beaches.

The Auto Club has 7 Tips to Theme Park Success, which are tried and true ways to really enjoy a theme park:

• Be an early bird. Theme parks are most crowded after noon. Most have “Early Bird Deals” that lets you into the park early. Often, you get a breakfast and time with cast members. To save even more time, see if you can obtain your tickets online or through the mail ahead of time so you can go straight into the park.

• Dress for success. Be sure to dress appropriately for the weather and bring layers of clothing. Bulky jackets or sweaters can be stored in lockers until they’re needed. Also, pack a light rain poncho or windbreaker if you want to go on the water rides but don’t want to get soaked.

• Use time-savers. Disneyland and Disney World’s FastPasses are a great way to avoid long lines at some popular rides. Some rides also feature “single rider” lines to quickly fill up empty seats on attractions. Some theme parks also take ride reservations, which are great. Don’t “overbook” yourself though.

• Fuel your adventure. Bringing a light snack — granola, mixed nuts, fruit or chocolate — is a convenient way of tiding you over until your next meal while keeping you on the go. Be careful about bringing drinks in; many parks will not let you carry cans and bottles inside.

• Don’t do what the Joneses do. Eat lunch before 11:30 or after 1:30; likewise, dinner before 4:30 or after 6:30. Ride popular attractions when others are lining up to watch a parade (unless you want to see it, too).

• Be age-appropriate. Be sure to factor in nap time if necessary. A nearby hotel room is a great option for naps for younger children or grandparents. If teens want to explore the park away from the adults, create regular check-ins. And make sure everyone knows what to do if they get lost. We have friends who use walkie talkies in the park with smaller kids - and cell phones for the older ones.

• Good timing helps. Theme parks will be crowded throughout the summer, but some days are better than others. Tuesdays through Thursdays are likely to be the least crowded days, as long as they’re not holidays. Also, check the theme park’s web site the day before you plan to be there to verify hours of operation, and in some cases, prepare you for ride closures. Information about parade and show times will often be listed to help you plan in advance.

We’ll add one more - sunscreen, hats and sunglasses. There’s nothing worse than getting a sunburn on the first day of a 3 day Theme Park trip. Cover up, so you can enjoy the entire trip.

Over a dozen of Hawaii’s leading hotels charge mandatory “Resort Fees” of up to $26 per day that are automatically added to guests’ bills upon checkout.

For example, at the Grand Wailea Resort on Maui, guests are charged a Resort Fee of $25 per night (plus 4% tax). In exchange, guests receive a lei greeting and refreshment upon arrival, local & 800 number phone calls, in-room Internet access, in-room coffee, fitness center use, various free classes and tours, nightly turn-down service, and self-parking.

But other hotels offer similar amenities and don’t charge an extra dime for them. For example, the Mauna
Lani Bay Hotel on the Big Island uses as a selling point that it doesn’t charge a Resort Fee, and yet provides a host of free extras similar to those at the Grand Wailea.

So why do so many Hawaii hotels charge Resort Fees and risk the wrath of guests who feel they’ve been misled or nickel and dimed? “I’ve heard three reasons,” said John Lindelow, President of Travel-Hawaii.com “First, by breaking out some of their expenses as a Resort Fee, the hotels can avoid paying the State’s tax of 7.25% on that portion.”

“Second, the hotels don’t have to pay commission to travel agents on what they charge for Resort Fees; and third, the hotels can make it seem like they have lower overall prices by advertising the room rate only and then adding the Resort Fee only when the client checks out.”

Travel Hawaii maintains a web page: http://Travel-Hawaii.com/hawaiiresortfees.html showing all of the Resort
Fees at Hawaii hotels, and exactly what guests receive for paying such fees. There is also a breakdown of what is provided with each fee.

Keep in mind some of the resorts listed are also Hawaii Timeshares, so owners and traders should ask what additional fees are charged, and what is covered.

It will be interesting to watch the reaction if more and more guests steer away from resorts that appear to be padding the bill. The idea of offering fees for additional services is time tested and works. But not telling anyone till the end of the stay - that is poor business.

The subs are once again diving as Disneyland Resort launches into summer during the Year of a Million Dreams celebration.

Disney has opened the Finding Nemo Submarine Voyage, the much- anticipated return of a classic attraction with a technological twist that immerses guests into the colorful underwater world of Nemo and friends.

Finding Nemo Submarine Voyage is a brand new take on the original 1959 Disneyland submarine adventure ride. Submarine voyagers go on an underwater expedition and discover Nemo and friends from the hit film Finding Nemo.

Thanks to cutting-edge imaging technology created by Walt Disney Imagineering, Finding Nemo characters come to life right before guests’ eyes in the brilliantly-colored lagoon. The submarine vehicles are enhanced, including a conversion from the diesel power of the 1950s to environmentally friendly, fully electric power.

On-board, guests hear the sounds and voices of the underwater characters as they move alongside the submarine. Throughout the voyage, guests eavesdrop on the exploits of favorite Finding Nemo characters like Dory, Marlin, Crush the turtle, Bruce the shark and, of course, Nemo.

After experiencing a sub-shaking volcanic eruption, the vessel dives alongside a breathtakingly beautiful coral reef where Marlin, Nemo and all their friends gather to celebrate the successful expedition.
In addition to the wonder of seeing Nemo and his friends swimming off the 2-D silver screen and into the 3-D lagoon environment, guests are immersed in astonishingly colorful environments, which used recycled glass to provide a sparkling deep sea environment that also will last longer under water.

For those of us who remember the Submarine ride fondly, it is nice to see the “Next Generation” Version come on-line.

Ninety-two percent of travelers said their plans have not been influenced by predictions for an active 2007 hurricane season, compared to 89 percent last year. This is according to the annual survey of more than 1300 travelers by TripAdvisor(R).
Twenty-nine percent of travelers (36 percent of Americans) are planning to visit a hurricane-susceptible destination this summer. Not surprisingly, the most popular hurricane-prone destination for travelers this summer/fall is Florida.

When it comes to spots travelers are likely to avoid during hurricane season, 22 percent cited the Caribbean, and an additional 22 percent said they would bypass the southern panhandle of Florida and gulf coast region.

This poll seems to be influenced by the previous year’s storm levels.  Hopefully we’ll have a quiet season and people will continue to travel.

Sadly, the places most dependent on tourism suffer the most - the Caribbean.

One of the trends in Vacation Lodging and Timeshares is the entry of major Lodging Companies shifting their focus to draw in guests who would normally buy a timeshare. Hyatt is now reshaping their Summerfield Suites from a Business Suite to a Vacation Suite.

Hyatt Hotels have long been known for going beyond simple accommodations to create rewarding experiences for guests. With their solid eye for design, innovative cuisine, and attentive service, Hyatt approaches the hotel stay as an opportunity to inspire. This philosophy known as The Hyatt Touch®, has come to Hyatt Summerfield Suites®.

Their spacious guest suites will offer a contemporary all-suite experience complete with a 32″ flat panel, high-definition TV, the Hyatt Grand Bed? and a full kitchen.

Guests will enjoy more innovative food and beverage options at the daily complimentary breakfast and the complimentary Evening Reception that takes place Monday through Thursday. These changes, and other thoughtful touches found throughout Hyatt Summerfield Suites, will make an extended stay, a more fulfilling experience.

At Hyatt Summerfield Suites you can stay fit and have fun at their StayFit fitness center, pool and recreational areas. Grab snacks at their 24-hour Guest Market.

Or, if you want to grill on the outdoor BBQ pit, just give them your list for complimentary grocery shopping service. Plus, laundry facilities and dry cleaning service are also available.

That sounds like a timeshare doesn?t it. But it has a nice financial benefit: all the fun ? and no annual maintenance fee.

Take a look at their site and locations. You may not be right on the beach, but an easy drive from all the places you and your family would enjoy.

I guess that’s why they call it Highway 1. RealTravel readers and writers voted California’s it the Top Road Trip in the U.S.

Highway 1 is known to be one of the most beautiful highways in the country, and a must when planning a trip to California. It takes you from the edges of the Southern California Coast, through Los Angeles and inland through the Central State. Highway 1 then curves back out to the coast, giving you a flavor of both Southern and Northern California coastlines. The difference is striking.

Growing up in California, Highway 1 was the site seeing drive. For trips that demand speed, Interstate 5 through California’s Central is the preferred route. Highway 1 let’s you savor the coast line and the wind shaped rolling hills of the Coastal Interior above Santa Barbara.

If you want a real way to discover California, Highway 1 is the best way to learn about the quieter side of the Golden State.

This is a great offer from Orbitz, well worth looking at

BUY NOW, SAVE $250 LATER ON FEATURED PACKAGES FROM ORBITZ

• Save $250 on a 5+ night vacation to Hawaii, Mexico or the Caribbean when you book a flight + hotel package to any destination by July 1, 2007.

• Buy Now: Book any vacation package by July 1 for travel through September 25.

• Save Later: Once you’ve booked you’ll receive a $250 promotion code via email on or about September 25, 2007 good for a vacation package to Hawaii, Mexico or the Caribbean.

• Travel must be completed by September 25, 2007 to qualify for $250 off promotion code.

Buy Now, Save $250 Later on Orbitz Featured Packages

The Springs Preserve, a $250 million non-gaming cultural attraction located a few miles off the Las Vegas Strip is now open. With 180 acres of museums, botanical gardens, galleries, trails and entertainment venues, the Preserve will fill a niche in Las Vegas as a new cultural hub for locals as well as for tourists seeking an off-Strip experience.

Community leaders and planners have spent nearly a decade developing the facility, which is designed to answer the community’s call for a cultural and educational gathering place on its most treasured national historic site. Thousands of years ago, the Preserve was the site of the first water in the valley and was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1978.

The two main galleries of the Preserve, the ORIGEN Experience and the Desert Living Center, take visitors on a fascinating journey through Las Vegas history and introduce them to the latest innovative concepts and tools for living a more eco-friendly lifestyle.

Interactive and educational experiences for all ages are folded into the visitor experience, which includes: an up-close look at a living bat cave, a brush with a live flash flood, a historic trail walk that passes by a Cienega (desert wetland), or an outdoor cooking demonstration in the botanical gardens.

Children can climb aboard a 50-foot rattlesnake replica in the children’s playground, visit the Preserve’s resource library, master one of the many educational video games in the New Frontier Gallery or trade in their own artifacts at the Nature Exchange for other desired items.

Families can cap off their day with a live outdoor concert in the Springs Amphitheater, a light dinner in the Springs Café (operated by Wolfgang Puck) overlooking the Las Vegas Strip, and a casual stroll through the Canary Project photo gallery.

The Preserve is open seven days a week from 10:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m. but closed on Thanksgiving and Christmas day. There is an admittance charge to enter the galleries however many of the areas of the Preserve are free to the public including the gardens, trails, resource library, café, gift shop and children’s playground.

Spring Preserve

Funny what happens when the media starts to look into a problem.

Due to a backlog of passport applications, the U.S. State Department today modified its requirement that began earlier this year that U.S. citizens present passports when flying or taking a cruise to Mexico, Canada, the Caribbean and Bermuda and returning to the U.S.

What is required, though, is proof that a traveler has applied for his or her passport. Through September 30, 2007, air passengers to Canada, Mexico, the Caribbean and Bermuda will be required to show a government issued photo identification and U.S. State Department official proof of application for a passport.

Visit the State Department web site at www.state.gov .  Read the  instructions about how to track your passport application and print out a form which will contain a unique “locator number.” This printout must be used to depart and return to the United States.

Here was our entry the blacklog problem just the other day.

http://blog.tsvalues.com/2007/06/05/huge-delays-in-us-passport-processing-plan-ahead/

Just in time for Father’s Day and Summer Travel, Restaurant.com is having a special sale this weekend.

Sizzlin’ 3 day sale! All Dining Certificates are an extra 60% off! Use code SIZZLIN at checkout. Expires 6-09-2007.

Aloha Airlines is taking the unique art of globally recognized marine life artist Wyland to new heights.

An Aloha Airlines Boeing 737-700 hand-painted by Wyland is now in service between Hawaii and Aloha’s West Coast destinations of Oakland, Sacramento, Orange County, San Diego, Reno and Las Vegas.

The aircraft, christened Koholalele, (literally “flying or leaping whale”), honors Hawaii’s endangered marine species with Wyland’s life-size images of humpback whales, bottle-nose dolphins, spinner dolphins, tiger sharks, Hawaiian monk seals and green sea turtles, tropical reef fish and a Laysan albatross. Images are painted on both sides of the plane.

For more information, go to AlohaAirlines.com. For more information about Wyland, go to www.Wyland.com.

The best tourists in the world are the Japanese, followed by Americans and the Swiss, a survey based on views from hoteliers across Europe said Wednesday.

Japanese tourists stood out for being polite and tidy, securing 35 percent more votes than the Americans who came second.

Swiss tourists were commended for being quiet and considerate, unlike the Britons who were judged to be the fifth worst tourists because of rude behavior, noise and a miserly attitude to tipping.

But despite their faults, hoteliers do look favorably upon British spending habits voting them the third biggest holiday spenders after Americans and Russians.

Based on responses from 15,000 European hoteliers, the survey carried out on behalf of travel Web site Expedia showed that the worst tourist nation was France, followed by India, China and Russia.

Britain was second in the worst-dressed tourist table which was headed by the Americans, and fifth in the least-generous table which was headed by the Germans.

There’s a helpful, but worrisome article in the San Francisco Chronicle about massive, and expensive delays in getting passports.

You are now requires to have a passport to fly into Mexico, Canada, the Caribbean and Bermuda. Starting in 2008, travel by land and sea to those destinations will also require passports. Needless to say, the increased need for passports is crunching the system.

We saw a friend head to Europe with a new born, and have to turn around to get a passport for the baby, no exceptions. Their trip was delayed a day while they scrambled.

The article details costs and expected delays.

Don’t think this is a problem in the San Francisco Bay Area, passport delays are happening around the country. If you and family are leaving the country and someone doesn’t have a passport - take action now.

Here is the article link - http://sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?file=/c/a/2007/06/03/MNGDEQ6SFU1.DTL

This may be one of the most talked about (if not photographed) event this  summer, all 12 SixFlags parks will host a wedding extravaganza on 7/7/07: Seven weddings at 7 a.m. on July 7, 2007.

From Nitro at Six Flags Great Adventure in New Jersey to Goliath at Magic Mountain in Los Angeles to Superman: Ultimate Flight at Six Flags Great America in Chicago and the Titan at Six Flags Over Texas in Dallas, it will be “Thrilled Ever After - A Wedding to Remember!”

Couples chosen to participate may invite guests to the ceremony, and will be treated to a wedding reception at each park after the nuptials. In addition, all participating couples will have the chance to win a one-week honeymoon vacation at any one of 20 Bluegreen resorts located across the country.

 The response to this one-of-a-kind wedding event has been tremendous. Some married couples are even choosing to renew their vows just for the chance to participate. So, save the date!

Thrilled Ever After — A Wedding to Remember! 98 Couples! 12 Parks! July 7, 2007 at 7 a.m!

SixFlags.com

Comment: I was really impressed till I saw the time - 7AM?  Cute idea though, even if the reception will be breakfast.

 The image of a bride in full gown on a rollercoaster, throwing her bouquet at the top is kinda cool .

Leave the SUV in the driveway. For vacationers this summer, it may be cheaper to fly than drive to many of the most popular getaway destinations in the U.S. Today, priceline.com released its “Frugal 15″ - a list of the 15 best airline ticket deals for those who book their summer 2007 travel now.

News on the gasoline front certainly isn’t promising.

According to the federal Energy Information Administration, the average price of a gallon of gas for the week of May 14, 2007, was $3.10. That’s already above last year’s peak and represents the highest per-gallon price in the last three years. In cities like San Francisco, the price has topped $3.50 a gallon.

Anyone planning to make the 1,706 mile round trip from Washington, DC, to Orlando in a 20-mpg Ford Explorer can expect to spend 26 hours behind the wheel and $267 in gasoline at the $3.10-a-gallon national average. By air, the trip would take a little over 2 hours each way and cost $123.

The Priceline Frugal 15 List

Quoted prices are round-trip coach and include all taxes and fees(a)

(a) Airfares shown are for round-trip travel and are inclusive of all taxes and fees. Fares shown