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Before you head out for your usual fireworks show, double check that it is actually happening. If your travel plans include a particular celebration, triple check it. Out of 15,000 shows around the US, hundreds of them have been canceled or scaled back to save money. Even cities as large as Tucson have cut their whole show, which can save $50,000 on a budget or even up to $100,000 for some shows.
When cities are having trouble with basic services it is understandable to cut something like a 4th of July show. Paying a teacher is more important. In counterpoint, some would argue that it is more important than ever to celebrate the birth of a nation.
I have lived in places where I could see two different communities fireworks shows from the front of my house. Yes, it’s cool and fun but it’s not necessary. Some communities would be wise in looking around to their neighbors and combining shows to save on the budget. Of course, each may argue as to where it should be held to benefit their own local businesses.
Another point is that if a city cancels a show and more people have their own backyard fireworks displays which in turn start fires, the money may instead be blown in a tragic way. The cost of lives, houses and fire alarms could outweight the cost of the local show.
Stay safe and Happy Fourth of July to all of the United States
If you want to be among the thousands of people going to visit Mcihael Jackson’s former Neverland Ranch northwest of Santa Barbara, California, you may need a guide. I used some of what I already have here on AllStays to make it a bit easier. One interactive map with all hotels, bed and breakfasts, campgrounds, rv parks, Wal-marts, state parks, rest areas, truck stops, and rest areas centered around Neverland Ranch.
Neverland Ranch Interactive Road Trip Map (opens in a new tab/window)
Quick search for hotels that do online booking within 20 miles. You can change the search and distance once you are on the page.
Update: Please watch the news for the latest information. The latest reports say that nothing is happening at Neverland Ranch, which makes sense given the road and neighborhood. Although the word is out, expect chaos and who knows what will really happen.
 As it once was. Click for larger image.
Thousands of people are heading to Neverland Ranch. It is in the hills north of Los Olivos and northwest of Santa Barbara, California. Access is by a narrow two lane road so I’m not sure how this is all going to work. If you are looking for a hotel near Michael Jackson’s Neverland Ranch, I set up a search to make it easier for you and you better act fast.
Search those that do online booking within 20 miles. You can change the search and distance once you are on the page.
Neverland Ranch, formally owned by Michael Jackson is where his public memorial viewing will be held on Friday, July 3, 2009. A precession of vehicles will bring his body to the Neverland Ranch on Thursday. A private service follows on the weekend.
Update: Please watch the news for the latest information. The latest reports say that nothing is happening at Neverland Ranch, which makes sense given the road and neighborhood. Although the word is out, expect chaos and who knows what will really happen.
Upon return from Alaska, I have spent the last month and a half researching and verifying the GPS locations and amenities at National Forest Campgrounds in Colorado and northern New Mexico. The listings are much more accurate now than when they were before. My highest priority is to continue this effort throughout the country now that the technology has improved greatly since I first started doing this years ago.
The listings are updated by city, map and the Colorado interactive camping map that includes Wal-marts, rest areas, truck stops and more.
This adds Colorado to the list of recently verified and expanded states here at AllStays to include much of the western United States. My next two major updates and expansions will be Oregon and Washington.
- Oregon National Forests Campgrounds
I have just completed researching again and verifying the GPS locations and amenities at all National Forest Campgrounds in Oregon. The listings are much more accurate now than when they were before. ... - Dogs in National Forest Campgrounds
I get asked about this quite a bit and I also see problems with it almost every time I go out camping in the forests as well as normal RV parks. Your canine companions traditionally have been... - Remote Getaways
Need to getaway?
Here are a few places that will get you away from it all.....Far, far away from it all.
Forest Fire Lookout Cabin Rentals
Locations in CA, ID, MT, WA, OR, WY, CO, BC
Rates, accessi... - Free National Parks
- Reno Bans RV Parking
The Rainbow Family Gathering is underway in New Mexico. The community meeting went well on June 17th and thousands have already gathered near Cuba, NM in the forest. Here at AllStays.com, I set up a specific map of the Gathering location that also shows nearby camping, truck stop locations, rest areas, stores and more around the area for the journey to and from the annual event.
There is no leader, there is no official spokesperson, they are family. Yet these events are more organized than most large for-profit concert events. Although nowadays, information can be found online with detail down to the GPS coordinates, it has been impressive that over the years, more than 10,000 people can find an event in the National Forest somewhere in the country. They come by leather or rubber, by hitchhiking or by vehicle, by car or by camper, by van or by truck, by train or by bus.
 Photo by flickr's guano ›Continue reading Rainbow Family Gathering
Sometimes I wonder if we should be adding cell phone towers that cover wilderness areas. Where I live in Santa Fe, we recently had a rescue helicopter go down after picking up a lost hiker. The rescued hiker and the pilot of the helicopter died. A third person, an officer and spotter survived with major injuries. Hearing the repeated 911 calls and the hiker on her cell phone, my impression was that she seemed calm and collected and was not in dire need of air rescue. But I leave that to the professionals. That was just my impression. She got separated from her boyfriend while hiking. It was high elevation but it was June. No snowstorms, no freezing temperatures that were immediately life threatening. She had not been starving and wandering for hours…yet. She just wasn’t experienced or equipped to be out there alone. So perhaps two people would be alive if a cell phone wasn’t relied upon as a convenience tool while on a trail.
I don’t want this to be about a particular case and it’s details but it is what got me thinking. Does having a cell phone make people think they are always safe and therefore make people think that they do not need to prepare as much when they go into the wilderness? People use them for GPS devices, for lights in the dark, and to call when they are lost. ›Continue reading Dangers of Cell Phone Coverage In the Wild
Seedier, grittier, and less gentrified than its westerly neighbor, the East Village is also more inexpensive, more fun, and far more authentic, although it’s no longer the bohemian squalor depicted in the now-dated rock musical “Rent.” With a vibrant Ukranian population, a large student enclave, and an increasing influx of young professionals, this area around Astor Place is full of intriguing shops, restaurants, and odd perfomance spaces.
SEE: Visit Tompkins Square Park for insight into the history of New York City East Village bohemia. Once filled with drug addicts, it was also a center for political, radical social demonstrations for such causes as gay-rights, anti-war activism, affordable housing, and more. The first Greatful Dead and Hare Krishna gigs were here.Check out the oldest continuously existing free lending library in NYC- the Ottendorfer Library, with a strong German influence dating back to the region’s Teutonic roots. St. Mark’s Place between 2nd and 3rd Avenues on 8th street is a touristy but good for people-watching, with its bizarre mix of punks, scene kids,NYU students, and hipsters.
SHOP: The Strand Bookstore, at the edge of East and West Villages, on 11th and Broadway, is one of the best used bookstores in the world, with over 18 miles of books on sale. The record stores on St. Mark’s are a bit touristy, but worth a look.Trash and Vaudeville, on St. Mark’s, sells punk/goth clothing, but has someone who might well be the world’s bitchiest proprietor – so you might want to avoid this one in favor of the slightly more west-wards 8th St. Lab.
EAT: Cafe Mogador, on 8th St. (St. Mark’s) between Avenue A and 1st, is one of the best Moroccan restaurants in town, with a delicious brunch – if crowded brunch scene – and tender tagines. Chez Jules, one block west, is a lovely intimate French place, and Banjara, on 6th St. and 1st Ave., is probably the best Indian restaurant in the city, with romantic decor paired with affordable prices.
By Tara Isabella Burton
- New York City’s West Village and Tips
Also known as "Greenwich Village" or simply "The Village," this neighborhood - bounded by the Hudson River, Broadway, Houston Street, and 14th street, is a historic district known for its off-beat atm... - Five Great New York Neighborhoods
You've probably heard of midtown, the West Village, SoHo, Broadway, and other prominent sites on New York City's tourist trail - and with good reason! These destinations are well worth seeing, and rep... - The Lower East Side
For many New Yorkers with Ukranian, Russian, or Jewish heritage - a large proportion - or even for any New Yorker at all who didn't come over on the Mayflower - the Lower East Side has a magic all its... - Magic of New York
- Walnut Vega TX RV Park Review
Trendy, elegant, and vibrant, Chelsea is the place to be for well-heeled twenty-somethings looking for the chance to see and be seen. With a particularly gay-friendly vibe (as long as you’re good-looking and well-dressed, your gender identity or preference is irrelevant – though tolerance won’t extend far to the schlumpy-looking of any persuasion), Chelsea is one of the city’s premier gay hangouts. It’s also one of the newest, hottest art gallery districts – especially in the mid-20s between 11th and 10th Avenues. For a guide to breaking and entering into this exclusive nightlife scene, read on:
WHAT TO DO IN CHELSEA: There really isn’t much here in the way of traditional tourist attraction – but there’s a lot of theatre and art to see. As previously mentioned, cruising 10th and 11th avenues in the mid-20s is the best way to wander in and out of the latest and greatest galleries. Or check out the Atlantic Stage 2 – for a variety of performances often related to their acting school. Some shows are publicized, but others, particularly acting-school ones, are “secret,” publicized through postcards and facebook. The Upright Citizen’s Brigade on West 26th St. is also a famous improv theatre, although the nearby People’s Improv Theatre is also worth seeing – and offers free performance on Wednesdays. Check out the Chelsea Market – once the original Oreo cookie factory – for an excellent selection of gourmet food on offer.
WHERE TO EAT AND DRINK IN CHELSEA: Called “Cafeteria,” this restaurant on 7th Avenue is in fact a trendy eatery comprised of hip New Yorkers – the only thing high school “cafeteria” about it is the hyper-awareness of its seating plan: this is definitely a popular kids’ table. Pepe Giallo, on 10th Avenue between 24 and 25th street, is a delicious, if standard, Italian, and Granad Sichuan Chelsea on 9th and 24th is great for spicy Sichuan cuisine – although the Cantonese selections aren’t as good. Fora decent drink, try the hilariously named Cafe Grumpy on 20th street between 7th and 8th avenues – it’s cramped, uncomfortable, and very popular: its counterintuitive design is all part of the plan to somehow ramp up this place’s cool factor.
By Tara Isabella Burton
- New York Gun Laws and Travel Guide
If carrying, New York is a state that it's best to drive through without stopping. Keep moving through the state (reference the McClure-Volkmer Act to only stop for gas and emergencies) towards your f... - Gun Laws and Travel Guide
If you are traveling from state to state and carrying, you need to know the situation in each state you are entering or you could get into trouble. For certain states or if you have any doubt at all, ... - Magic of New York
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The airlines continue to be afraid to raise prices on their tickets. Instead they want to be competitive and offer a lower rate before they nickel and dime you to a rate that is probably higher than another airline.
What is the deal with these companies? Here is how crazy they are getting. And remember, fees usually start with one or two airlines and then the others follow if the outrage isn’t too high. They test the waters to make extra millions.
Check in your bags at the counter in the airport: $5 on top of whatever bag fee already exists, like $15 – Instigators: United and US Airways
Want an exit row seat for more legroom? $20 – Instigator: AirTran
Instead of encouraging your purchase online, which saves them money, some airlines may want to charge you a fee for buying your ticket online – Instigator: Allegiant Air ›Continue reading Airline Fees: Fly the Nickel And Dime Skies
- How to Avoid Baggage Fees Creatively
The fees are here. The fees are here. It is now rather hard to avoid paying an extra $30-$50 in luggage fees when you travel by air. So now a big chunk of available brainpower out there is trying to f... - Airline Checked Baggage Fees
It is silly season again with the Airlines and their fees. I want all airlines to turn a profit like only a couple of them do but instead of just raising ticket prices and lowering the do-nothing-suit... - California State Parks Fees Double
Taking affect on August 17th, 2009, California State Park fees will increase from $10 to $21 to as much as $35, doubling in many cases. The fee increase for the parks will help keep some of the parks ... - Swine Flu Warnings
- Airport Connection Times
The magic of ancient Rome – its imperial magnificence, its imperious architecture, its proud and ultimately tragic history – is still ever-present in Rome. The awareness of Caesar’s footsteps, Sulla’s seats, or Cicero’s hangouts is still present in these ancient sites, and you can explore them – in search of Rome’s Republican and Imperial ghosts – for hours.
1) The Pantheon
One of the best-preserved ancient Roman buildings in the world, the Pantheon was built as a temple to all the gods (from the Greek “pan” = all, “theos” = meaning “a god”) under Emperon Hadrian in the second century AD. The building’s impressive arches, geometrical symmetry, and gorgeous domes make it well worth seeing, and its location in the heart of Rome’s historic quarter only makes it more appealing.
›Continue reading Ancient Rome in a Day
- The Magic of Rome
The historical city on seven hills has centuries' worth of delights, from ancient ruins to Renaissance palazzos to modern nightclubs right out of La Dolce Vita. But Rome's charm can be elusive - the c... - The Ideal Roman Walk
The City of the Seven Hills is one of the world's most walkable cities - although this is perhaps by default rather than a proper value judgment; driving, cycling, and the metro are all equally inconv... - Five Dishes to Try in Rome
Classic romanesco fare can be challenging - in the case of some of the tripe dishes and organ meat famous for their savory sweetness and the adventurousness required by outsiders to eat them - or alte... - 9 of the World’s Strangest Hotels
- Travel Medicine Tips: Honey
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