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New York’s Upper West Side, home of Lincoln Center and Seinfeld alike, is one of the most diverse and exciting neighborhoods in New York City – with sub-neighborhoods from the trendy Lincoln Center district to the off-beat Morningside Heights area around Columbia University. A day’s walk can take you from Columbia, up around 110th St, all the way down to the Time Warner Center on 59th (just under three miles) – so wander away!
SEE: If you walk around Central Park West, you can see some of the landmark buildings of the Upper West Side, constructed in typical heavy nineteenth-century architecture. The Dakota Building, site of John Lennon’s shooting, is on 72nd St. Visit the American Museum of Natural History on 79th St and Central Park West for an exciting look into science, including enormous dinosaur skeleton reconstructions, and the adjacent Rose Center for Earth and Space is one of the world’s best planetariums. St. John the Divine, on 112th Street and Amsterdam Avenue, is one of the largest Neo-Gothic cathedrals in the world: a beautiful and imposing structure. Be sure to eat across the street at the famous Hungarian Pastry Shop. ›Continue reading Upper West Side Guide
Having paid a small fortune for a holiday on Chale Island, we crossed by boat from the mainland of Kenya, near Diani, to the exclusive island which is mostly a natural reserve. At low tide a big-wheeled tractor is the mode of transport; at high tide we crossed the 600m by open launch. Imagine my surprise when, after checking in at a deluxe reception area, we were led down the path….to an army tent! Untying the flaps the ‘bellman’ led us inside. It was quite an amazing set up. A huge four-poster bed draped with mosquito nets was surrounded by beautiful carved wooden furnishings. Behind a screen was an open air shower, modestly screened by greenery, and a separate, fully plumbed toilet. I was amazed, surprised, shocked and worried all in the same moment. After all, I don’t do camping!
Stepping outside onto our private terrace there was a swinging hammock and a full day bed under the extended straw roof which neatly disguised the tent. We were yards away from the white sandy beach and could see the reef just offshore. To complete the picture a cheeky Colobus monkey sat on the roof, watching us. Having got over the shock, we quickly settled in and over the coming week enjoyed the retreat-like atmosphere of this unique resort. Meals were served in the open-sided dining room beneath a high thatch roof; the pool and spa were delightful, and we joined the local guide for rambles around the island, spotting tiny antelope, turtles and hermit crabs with huge shells on their backs. We visited the altar at which the local Digo people still leave their sacrifices and requests, and submersed ourselves in the sulphurous slimy grey mud for a DIY mud bath treatment. ›Continue reading Five Star Camping in Kenya
- Five Star Camping in Kenya
Having paid a small fortune for a holiday on Chale Island, we crossed by boat from the mainland of Kenya, near Diani, to the exclusive island which is mostly a natural reserve. At low tide a big-wheel... - Climbing and trekking options on Mt Kenya
As Africa’s second tallest peak, Mt Kenya is a challenging technical climb for those who want to reach it’s summit. Made up of the three peaks, Bation is the highest point at 5199m a... - Are You Cut Out For Camping?
Some people love camping. Other people dislike camping. And a large group has never given this a try. Recent reports show fewer young people are camping. Where do you fit in? If you are unsure of whet... - Dry Camping Basics: What you need to know
- RV LED Lights
Cruising around the Mediterranean last Christmas, one of the ports of call was the lovely Island of Jamaica. One of the recommended tours was a trip to Dunn’s River Falls in Ocho Rios. Never one to decline an opportunity, I gamely decided this was the trip for me. The two hour journey by coach around the Island (or ‘Hisland’ as they pronounce it) was indeed a pleasure. We drove up the bumpy unpaved roads and through the high mountains covered in lush tropical plants and beautiful flowering trees, enjoying the views.
We arrived at the terrific 600-foot drop of Dunn’s River Falls and were led down to the bottom by our guide. Donning bathing attire and special water shoes, we stood on the beach and stared at the daunting ascent. We began the climb holding hands in a chain, which wasn’t easy, and at times the chain broke as we used our hands to scramble up huge boulders against the rushing waters. As we struggled, at times waist deep in water, we broke into peals of laughter – whether of hysteria or merriment I cannot now be sure, but the experience was great. ›Continue reading Climbing Dunn’s River Falls in Jamaica
Anyone who has flown in the last ten years knows the changes that we have endured at the airports. Policies and changes have been made to make flying quite a miserable experience. I used to love flying. I was going someplace new and exciting. Whether it was a couple states over or across the ocean, it was amazing that we could take off and be someplace else far away in a few hours. But that has changed. Now you have stages and hurdles throughout your travel. You have figure out when you should get to the airport. You have to go through all kinds of crazy baggage lines, rules and now fees. Everyone has to be either serious or irritated as they start their journey. Now the first place you look forward to is this…
Airport security is really just a joke that we can’t laugh about. With the goal to get through security as fast and as easy as possible, we have to keep our mouths shut. Don’t joke. Don’t use sarcasm. Don’t make comments about the process. Don’t address personnel unless they speak to you first. One wrong comment can mean that you are being screened and harassed for hours on end. In air travel, you lose most of any rights that you thought you had. They can hold you captive at the airport. They can hold you captive on the plane for hours on end without food, water or facilities. And we are still no more safe than before because anyone who is determined to do something can do it.
So here is a step by step of what I do when I travel:
›Continue reading How To Fly Through Airport Security
The holiday season is almost upon us. For many families, that means at least one road trip. Whenever we travel more than an hour-and-a-half in the car, we hook up our portable DVD player – it keeps the kids entertained (and not fighting), which makes for a much happier car ride.
 Ahh to be so lucky on your next trip - Photo by emrank But what to do when your kids are tired of videos? Yes, as shocking as this seems, it can happen. Or worse, the DVD player suddenly quits working (try explaining beforehand that kicking the screen is not a good idea). You need travel games – fast. Here are some of the tried-and-true mobile options that just may make your next car ride a little less painful. And all you need is a notepad and pencil.
Tic-Tac-Toe
This one is self explanatory, but your child will probably need to be school-aged to play. And some kids get headaches when reading or writing in the car.
Hang-Man
You kids have to be able to spell for this one. Again, watch out for signs of motion sickness, which become more prevalent when reading or writing in the car. ›Continue reading Traveling with Kids: Car Games
I stayed a night at the Alamosa KOA Campground in the summer of 2009. It was raining with some cool temps and the Great Sand Dunes National Park campground was filling up so we drove the easy drive back towards Alamosa. This KOA is to the east of town and towards the Great Sand Dunes National Park. There were two trailers ahead of me in the entrance line so I knew it would be a while to check in. The time to check in is usually my biggest problem with KOA but it goes along with the good and thorough service that most of them provide. But sometimes you just want a spot quickly.
On this day, a person was being trained at the front desk. That is something that has to happen with any business but in this case and with the line backing up, I was wishing the manager would have taken over to get things done. A company worker doing landscape work came in and needed some assistance with something so the manager left with him. This left the trainee to flounder by herself and really not accomplish anything. Another ten minutes go by and the manager comes back to help solve the check in problem. I’m still third in line but they start to catch up. The staff was certainly friendly and helpful just not too concerned with the efficiency of time. They also have a Christmas Store in the office. It seems a bit odd in the middle of summer, maybe even creepy with some rather religious items, but we’ve all seen those year around Christmas stores before. And I would guess this gets some other kinds of business when people aren’t there to camp in peak season. ›Continue reading Alamosa KOA Campground Review
For the 12 million Americans with food allergies, eating out can range from difficult to deadly. As with airborne allergies, food hypersensitivities are rising quickly in children. When our daughters developed food-related allergies, noshing at our favorite places didn’t seem possible, and I was sure we were stuck in our house for years. Now after years of sleuthing, we’ve found that dining can be a stress-free and delicious experience.
For those parents lucky enough not to know, the most common allergy culprits are cow’s milk, eggs, fish, shellfish, peanuts, tree nuts, wheat and soy. Reactions can range from the relatively minor sneezing, itchy eyes, and nasal congestion to anaphylaxis (which can lead to blocked airways, cardiovascular collapse, and even death).
The bigger the restaurant chain, the more likely they’ve dealt with food allergies in the past. Some large-scale choices include Applebee’s, Macaroni Grill, Olive Garden and Ruby Tuesday. Recently, Outback Steakhouse and Carrabba’s Italian Grill began offering gluten-free menus to entice this growing number of potential diners (which sits at about 2 million). But large chains aren’t the only establishments shedding ingredients to draw in new patrons: Many places offer vegetarian, gluten-free or vegan menu items. Across the nation, everything from the doughnut to pumpkin pudding is being updated and reinvented as more restaurateurs and families become allergen-savvy.
Here are some more tips to help you eat out safely: ›Continue reading Food Sensitive Dining
- The Feeding Frenzy
If you're planning a trip out of country, or even out of state, plan where you'll eat, not just what you'll see and do. I learned the hard way that when you don't plan to eat at local restaurants, you... - New York’s Best Ethnic Eateries
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Although I love camping without hookups as much as possible, pretty much everyone has to plug in once in a while. Here are some tips to make your hookup a safer experience for yourself, your equipment... - Rio Chama Steakhouse in Santa Fe
- Pub Grub: A Love-Hate Relationship
Gap Adventures, a sustainable adventure travel leader since 1990, offers everything from safaris and family vacations to exotic expeditions – all in small groups. And the current travel-industry slow down means you have the opportunity to visit some pretty amazing places. Gap is currently offering a very cool-sounding 24-day Grand Voyage to Antarctica that includes the Falkland Islands and South Georgia Island.
Start in Ushuaia, Argentina where the 120-passenger M/S Expedition sails to the Falkland Islands, known for its cavoriting penguins. From there, you get to spend five days on South Georgia—home to Shackleton’s grave—before continuing on to Antarctic. Gap’s team sails its Zodiak through the frigid waters where travelers may catch glimpses of Humpback and Minke whales along with Crabeater seals and Chinstrap penguins.
And if you decide to book by October 25th (and you have this promo code: GV241), you can get rates starting at $10,394 for triple occupancy. Granted, it’s only good for the October 31st departure, but it saves about $5,138 per person. And how many times do you get to go to the Antarctic?
By Anna Philpot
- To Travel Or Not To Travel
Do you have long standing travel plans?
What to do with that vacation time?
To travel or stay home is a choice with new meaning
Did you have travel plans before September 11th, 2001? Did you alter ... - Parking Your RV In Storage
Where do your park your RV for the winter or whatever off season you may have?
Parking is becoming one of the biggest obstacles to owning an RV. Either your community won't allow it or you don't ha... - The 5 Things You Can’t Leave Home Without
I am a big proponent of lists, because I like to pretend that I'm organized, and without them, I am completely scatterbrained. In the process of packing for a trip, there are 5 major things that you c... - Experience Yellowstone National Park
- Tips For Packing
Getting a flu shot is your decision. Going to the places that give the shot, where other people were most likely sick and breathed out right where you are sitting as you get the shot…is your decision. If you’ve gotten shots in the past, I would probably just keep on going with them. The body’s defense system is used to getting the pointers in the right direction. If you’ve never had a shot, read on and make up your own mind.
I was thinking about going on another cruise this winter. But then I started to think about it being in the middle of flu season. Making me rethink my plans. If it was just me, I’d still go in a heart beat. But I have family to consider when I plan some but not all of my trips. Last year there only a handful of flu cases by mid-October. This year, we already have thousands. Although 40,000 people die in a normal flu season, this one is the first bug in decades that has the same flu strand going around the world. It is unusual. The media glare is harsh. The numbers will be blown up, inflamed and sent up like a balloon without a boy. A thousand deaths from something with a name is more threatening than many thousands that fall under the same old yearly statistic. We need catchy names. We need dates. We need slogans. We need enemies to get excited.
Car accidents? eh. Drunk drivers? eh. Heart disease? eh. Cancer? eh. Boring. No one pays attention.
Bird flu! Swine flu! Death panels! Much better. Maybe just attach a animal or brand name to it.
Transformers crash! Camel drivers! Valentines disease! Crocodile bug!
This particular flu is different in that it targets younger people more so than older people. The said reason is that people who were born around 1950 and before may have antibodies from a previous swine flu outbreak. Because it’s been so long, younger people haven’t been exposed to it or developed any defense.
The flu by itself is not killing people. In most cases that have been publicized, something comes in behind the flu after it has weakened the immune system. So it is a contributing a factor but it’s not a single fatal gun shot.
Should I Get The Flu Vaccine Before Traveling?
I’m getting asked this quite a bit by email and comments on other posts so I thought I’d stick my neck out and give my take here. I also add my own twisted look at the stats and sheets put out by the US government below.
I personally don’t care for vaccines. What seems great now so often turns out to be a bad thing later. We decided that putting Mercury in our teeth was not such a good idea. Why do we still need it in our vaccines? They put things in vaccines so they last longer on the shelf and save the producers money, not necessarily just what is good for people. ›Continue reading Should I Get A Flu Vaccine Before Traveling?
I went to the New Mexcio RV Dealers Show this weekend at the state fair grounds in Albuquerque. The large California RV show is also going on in October as usual in Pomona but it is too far of a trip for me right now. The first thing I noticed was that the admission was free and the parking charge was waived for those attending the RV show as well. Business is hurting in the economy. Many RV manufacturers have gone bankrupt and there are only a few left that haven’t. So it makes sense that they want to eliminate any obstacle to coming out and at least looking at current models.
The overall size was kind of weak compared to many RV Shows in the past. When you consider the economy however, I thought it was nice. All kinds were well represented. From super sized Class A models that are more expensive than many houses to small bare bones pop up campers. I saw a couple of interesting new models that I hadn’t seen before in person.
›Continue reading New Mexico RV Dealers Show
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