I grew up exploring the beautiful temperate rainforest on the Olympic Peninsula in Washington state.

As a kid my family’s chosen form of vacation was camping. I loved it. I was born a nature lover, so being outside all day was perfect. Back then the national and state forest had dozens of programs that were offered at campgrounds, as well as nature hikes, and other “educational” offerings.

I never once thought about the fact that I was learning something while I was on vacation. It was done in such a non-threatening way that I just soaked it up. I can remember the first time a ranger showed us a banana slug. Most people would immediately think yuck. But it was a beautiful, huge, bright yellow with black spots slug. Because it was big you could really get a good look at it and it was quite an amazing creature. I was introduced to all the flora and fauna of the region and got very good at identifying wildflowers, and different understory plants, such as ferns. Sometimes the walks would be environmental in nature and we would learn how to take better care of the planet (even back then rangers were with it). At night there were sing-alongs, sometimes with a movie or film strip (remember those?) about things that the ranger might not be able to show us, such as volcano eruptions, or animals that are too shy to be seen by a large group of people on a hike.

You can make any trip educational. We carried bird and wildflower identification books, art supplies, and snacks that squirrels, chipmunks, and deer liked. You can visit museums; history, art and science. You can go to visitor centers at different parks and sites. You might want to visit an animal sanctuary, maybe even volunteering to help out. You could travel to do relief work someplace where you could also have some new and exciting experiences.

No matter where you go there are always opportunities for your children to learn and making it fun will make it that much more memorable and life changing. I’m now a huge environmental advocate and live as green a life as I can, because I learned to love the natural planet when I was a child. People wonder why, as an over 50 citizen I care about the planet, why I carry my own reusable shopping bags, recycle everything in site, compost all my scraps (even when the pile looks ugly for my neighbors), only go into town once a week for errands, etc. I don’t even have any kids to be concerned about, but I do it because I learned in a very natural way that the planet is living ecosystem and it is like committing murder to do anything else.

Bookmark It

Hide Sites

Is outdoors the best safest and most convenient place to park your car?

Luckily I’ve not had to leave my car at the airport very often. I’ve always been able to find a friend to drop me off. However, lots of people travel regularly and can’t always be asking people to taxi them here and there.

When considering where to leave your car think about what is important to you. If your airport is in a nice safe area of the city, which many aren’t, then you don’t have any concerns. I’m lucky that way. My airport has almost nothing around it, and the parking is sort of nestled in the middle of everything, so I don’t have much worry when I have had to leave my car behind.

In a town like Los Angeles, though, you will want to look at the location of where you’re leaving your car. Unfortunately you’ll not always find space available at an airport as busy as LAX. When looking for lax airport parking that’s off-site consider it’s location; the amenities it offers, such as indoor parking; how often the shuttle service runs; how far away from the airport it’s located; security measures that are in place; and of course cost. It might be worth paying a dollar or two more to have more frequent shuttles drop-offs, indoor parking during the hottest summer months, or have the lot located close to the airport for quick drop-off (especially if you usually run late). There are always good deals to be had, but sure they really are good deals for you and your needs before you jump at the cheapest price. It’s no fun to have a flight land late and find out the last shuttle to the parking lot was a half hour before you landed.

Bookmark It

Hide Sites

Here's a chance to experience the opulence India was once famous for.

My husband and I have been watching a series on the Ramayana, the epic Vedic scripture. It tells the story of Ram and Sita, both divine beings. This series was produced in India and the costumes and sets are out of this world beautiful, especially for anyone who loves ornate details like me.

I was surfing around the net and I found The Oberoi Udaivilas, Udaipur hotel. Wow! I think this is probably the closest you’ll get to the the palaces of Ram and Sita’s day.

It has gold domes, silk umbrellas on the private courtyards, some of the rooms even have private pools. If you choose the top of the line you even get your own butler!

Although the rooms are meticulously appointed, I was a tad disappointed that there was so much British influence in the décor. I would have preferred the absolute opulence of pure Indian décor. The textiles of India are one of the things that sets India apart from the rest of the world. They are so intricate, with each detail meticulously attended to. It is quite amazing when you see it in person.

They also have a full line of spa treatments, many of which are traditional ayurvedic oil treatments that will not only relax you, but totally rebalance and energize your body. Hmmm, I wonder, though, if they have hot water available in the morning? (something rare in India). It would be so nice to take a hot shower, instead of a quick cold rinsing.

Of course having been to India several times I’m sure the dining is out of this world good with all the wonderful exotic spices.

One of these days I’d like to treat myself like a princess for just a day or two and I think I’ve found just the place to do that. I’m going to bookmark their web site so I don’t forget. If the pictures are even half as good as the real place it’s got to be a winner.

This place is definitely going on my bucket list.

Bookmark It

Hide Sites

Would you know this character means Japan?

You’re an avid traveler. Been to every continent on Earth. Visited many different cultures. You’ve got hundreds if not thousands of photos and hours and hours of video. You’ve decided you want to do travel documentaries on a number of out of the way places you visited, that you think are real gems.

In doing research for the documentary you’ve come across some really interesting old photos of the region, but the captions are in that countries native tongue, which you can only speak a few words of.

This is just one scenario where you could really use a translation service. Maybe you need a research paper translated; some medical documents translated; or a business document for an import transaction.

Whenever you’re dealing with a foreign country, be it governmental documents, historical writings, or even informational books, you can be totally baffled by what’s there, unless you have a command of the language.

Even if you do, you can get into trouble. I remember once when my brother-in-law, who speaks fluent German (he lives there now), accidentally told the clerk at the check out that he didn’t have the change she was asking for, when what he meant to say was he was looking for it. She got decidedly upset, until he realized what he’d done and explained that he had used the wrong word. Because he was so fluent, and has an excellent accent, the clerk didn’t realize until that moment that he was not a citizen. She cooled down quickly after that.

If you have any formal contact you need to make with a country using translations services, is highly recommended. That way you can avoid putting your foot in your mouth, when it is very important that you don’t.

Bookmark It

Hide Sites

Whether it's excitement, nature, or relaxation you can combine it all in one vacation using creativity.

Right now, during the coldest part of the year, most of us are dreaming of the warmer spring and summer months. This is a great time to start talking about possible destinations for your next vacation. The first thing you need to know from everyone is what they are looking for in a vacation.

If you have adults and children this may differ a lot, especially if you have teenage children. However, looking at what everyone wants in a vacation is an important step to having a successful trip for everyone.

If you want to rough it in the mountains, but the rest of the family is looking to stay in a posh hotel somewhere, there may be a lot of disappointment. Of course you may not be able to grant everyone’s wish, but incorporating as many as possible is helpful.

Creativity may be in order to manage a successful vacation when there are many different ideas. For instance, if you want to rough it and they want a posh hotel, maybe you could go to a resort in the country, where you can hike, mountain climb, etc. and they could enjoy the days in the hot springs, or pool.

Online you’ll find lots of information to help you find just the right combination of things to meet most of your needs. You’ll be able to find interesting things to do at any location you’re considering, as well as places you could stop on your way to and from, that could fulfill someone’s dream.

A vacation doesn’t have to be spent all at one location. You can move from location to location, enjoying divergent pastimes. I remember one vacation we started out camping. Then we moved on to a hotel near hikes we were interested in. We ended our vacation in a large city visiting museums and botanical gardens. Even with moving from place to place we never did any of it at a frantic pace, so we arrived home rested and having had a really wonderful time doing a variety of things over the week.

So, while the snow is accumulating outside, accumulate some interesting places and things to do this next summer.

Bookmark It

Hide Sites

Mid-week camping can mean you have a pristine place all to yourself.

For many people the cold, harsh winter months are upon you. I’m lucky, I live in a part of the states that has cold and harsh, but also mild and warm. On any given week we can see snow and then temperatures in the mid to upper-sixties!

However, if you’re trapped inside right now, due to wintery weather, (I won’t say bad, because some people like it) then now is the time to start planning for next summer’s adventure.

If you’re like me you like to get out in nature a lot, but hate competing with all the noise of a crowded campground. The best way I’ve found to avoid this is to plan your camping during the middle of the week. There’ll still be some campers around, but those people looking to live it up for just a couple days will be back at work. I’ve found that people that camp during the middle of the week are the types of people that are really looking to commune with nature. They enjoy sitting with a steaming cup of coffee or cocoa and listening to the early morning birds twittering. They enjoy the silence of the night, listening to insects or enjoying the crackle of a campfire, without a TV or radio blaring nearby. And they like to meet people like them, so you can have some fun roasting marshmallows around the campfire and getting to know others who enjoy the tranquility of nature.

So, unless your work doesn’t allow for mid-week escapes, plan to camp in the middle of the week. You’ll find it is a whole different experience.

The other thing I try to do is go to campgrounds that are a little out of the way. This sometimes means more primitive camping facilities, but that also means only “real” campers are there. I’ve been in campgrounds in the middle of the summer with just nature and me. I wake up to find deer, herons, loons, squirrels, chipmunks, and other wild critters (including a skunk once) right at my doorstep. Now that’s the kind of camping I like.

Bookmark It

Hide Sites

There’s nothing I love more than saving a dollar – I’m the kind of person who finds a $5 bill in the pocket of their jeans and it makes my whole day. And I mean seriously makes my whole day. My grandparents lived through the Depression and they were both so money conscious growing up which definitely rubbed off on me as an adult. I feel better about being able to provide for my family when I’m doing things like looking at http://www.cannonsatellite.com/ to see if I can get our cable bills down and also working with the car company to get out of my lease on this luxury vehicle (I don’t know what I was thinking about that.) But anyway, I’ve got a pretty big nest egg seeing how young I am and I know that at the end of the day I could take care of myself and my family pretty comfortably for like a year if I need to. That’s a really good feeling and I can say I owe it all to my grandparents.

Bookmark It

Hide Sites

Bring the joy of the holidays to far away places.

You may be far from home during the holidays, enjoying a warm beach or just some downtime from a hectic life. Maybe where you’re visiting doesn’t celebrate one of the traditional winter holidays like Christmas, Hanukah, or Kwanza. Even though you decided to get away from it all the strings of tradition are tugging at you a little right now.

Here are a couple of ideas for sharing a little holiday cheer with others, even if you can’t speak to them.

First off the obvious, buy some much needed supplies or give a cash gift to a local charity. However, you can go a step further; volunteer to help out for a day or two.

Second, surprise someone. Pick someone in line at a store or booth and pay for their purchase. Or buy a round of hot chocolate for everyone at the restaurant.

If you’ve made some friends on your trip, get together with them for a special meal and surprise each with a small gift.

Go caroling from door to door on Christmas Eve. Of course only do this if you’re someplace where people are open to strangers crashing their house.

Whatever you do, don’t allow yourself to get depressed. Use that holiday cheer to spread it to parts of the world that may never have experienced it before!

May you have a blessed holiday filled with love, joy, health, prosperity, and safe journeys wherever you’re traveling,.

Bookmark It

Hide Sites

It may be cheaper to ship your heavy ski clothing rather than try to pack it.

A summer vacation doesn’t really seem to be much of a problem. Throw in a swimsuit a couple pairs of shorts and tank tops and you’re good to go. However, when you’re going to be skiing just the sheer size and weight of everything you want or need to take with you is daunting.

Before you plan anything, check with your destination and see what they have available. No need to pack something you can get at your destination. With the cost of extra luggage and oversized luggage being close to the national war debt per piece, renting a few things will make your travels much more enjoyable and less expensive. Only take those things you absolutely refuse to rent or aren’t available.

If you have time arrange to ship a package to yourself with your bulkier items in them. Just call the resort or motel where you’ll be staying and warn them that a package for you is going to arrive. Ask them to hold it at the desk for you. That way you’ll be able to take the lightweight and absolute essentials with you on the flight. Make sure you ship with enough time for your bulkier items to arrive. It certainly won’t be any fun to arrive for a skiing trip and have you ski clothes arrive the day you’re leaving! Shipping your clothing may actually save you money in the long run, too. Since the price of shipping will probably be less than the cost of an extra suitcase.

Try to be flexible. You may love your own set of skis, but renting them may just save you enough that you’ll be able to stay a day longer or have a romantic evening meal with your sweetheart at a gourmet restaurant. Planning ahead can really make your winter vacation simple and affordable.

Bookmark It

Hide Sites

The icing on the cake were the sleeping rooms that are in cement drain pipes! I used to build camps in them when I was a kid, but that’s different. In all the places that were highlighted, I only saw one that really interested me and that was a resort in Thailand that was made out of old rice barges. The pictures looked inviting, it is warm there, you could see the sea from your rooms, and you have your own bathrooms. Sounds like a vacation spot to me.

The other thing were the prices for these places. Starting in the $150/night range all the way up to around $500/night. Yikes! They think pretty highly of themselves. One of them bragged that you get a free breakfast of scrambled eggs, homemade granola, and organic yogurt. I bet the price of those is actually included in the price of the room, as well as the “free” yoga class. When I go on vacation I want it to be luxurious, not the same thing I do at home. I want to see and do new things. Also, I want to feel like I’m getting something more than I would at home, because home is sure a lot cheaper.

You can see all the bizarre places on this web page.

Bookmark It

Hide Sites