Discover Our Town

Visiting Atlanta? Check Out The Canopy Walk

   Visitors to the Atlanta Botanical Garden can now tour one of the city's last remaining urban forests from 40 feet in the air now that the long-awaited Canopy Walk has opened, lending a bird's-eye view to the beauty of a woodland below. The May 1st Grand Opening of the Canopy Walk, Edible Garden and Cascades Garden marked the completion an expansion project which nearly doubled the size of the Garden.

Extending 600 feet from a bluff in the Garden into the branches of oaks, hickories and poplars, the walk is considered the only tree canopy-level walkway of its kind in the United States. By linking the 15-acre existing Garden to the adjacent Storza Woods, the Canopy Walk has enriched the visitor's experience, providing 30 acres of gardens to explore. Strolling the 12-foot-wide concrete pathway, visitors will feel like they are floating through the leafy clouds of storied hardwoods, thanks to the bridge's four large masts which seemingly disappear amongst the treetops.

This is one of those special activities that is beautiful, educational AND fun, for grown-ups and kids alike! Check out their website for information on other programs like birdwatching, critter tours, scavenger hunts, visiting at night and special classes. www.atlantabotanicalgarden.org  

Colorado Whitewater Festival

FIBArk, the nation's oldest whitewater festival (62 years) and Salida, Colorado's signature event. Since 1949, every June during the Spring snow runoff, Salida has hosted FIBArk, "First in Boating on the Arkansas." Located in Salida's historic downtown, Riverside Park is the center of FIBArk activity and entertainment. Food, arts and crafts, and industry vendors are available, as well as a beer tent, a carnival, and a state-of-the art amphitheater for this year's extraordinary musical line-up. Follow the festival on twitter @FIBArk To find more information about festivals in Colorado and the rest of the USA, check out our partner site www.discoverourfestival.com

Highway 1 with Kids

10 fabulous pit stops between Los Angeles and San Francisco

Monterey: Even adults enjoy the gigantic Dennis the Menace Playground, 546 Dutra St. Imagine a wonderland of sunny climbing structures and slides, bridges, towers and an old train car, all with views of Monterey Bay. If this playground doesn't get the child in you all giddy, wander over to East Village Coffee Lounge, 498 Washington St., (831) 373-5601, for nicely brewed organic lattes (or a microbrew, if you aren't driving), paninis and pumpkin bread.

Read the entire story by Michele Bigley here: http://www.latimes.com/travel/la-tr-topten-20100613,0,2191188.story

Zulu Artists Create Dazzling Pieces from Telephone Wire

If you haven't seen African telephone wire art before, check out the July-August issue of Veranda magazine. This beautiful art form is on display in the Santa Fe home of architect James Rimelspach and art consultant David Arment. These multihued baskets and containers are created by South African Zulu craftsmen and women out of colorful plastic-coated copper wire. Marisa Fick-Jordaan and Arment have even coauthored a book about the craft entitled, Wired. Proceeds from the book's sales support charitable efforts, including HIV/AIDS relief in Africa. You can see more these unique and affordable creations at http://www.indigoarts.com.

Get a customized i-phone case. Upload your child's photo or artwork - www.getuncommon.com and www.gelaskins.com Also, my husband and I both have i-pads now and they look the same with the standard case that you get from Apple. Unplggd has found and reviews several sources for cool custom i-pad covers. Find them here http://www.unplggd.com/unplggd/roundup/10-great-ipad-cases-108784

I have always wanted to travel to visit the San Juan Islands. As a resident of the Southeast, I haven't had many opportunities to be in Washington. I was there 19 years ago and remember biking Hurricane Ridge in Olympia National Park. But after reading this article in Sunset Magazine, I think its time I made a special trip with my family.

"The long summer weekend was invented in Washington’s San Juan Islands, or should have been. Summer stretches languorously here, with 16 hours of daylight—enough time to savor the islands’ patented pleasures..."

Read the full article here: http://www.sunset.com/travel/northwest/san-juan-islands-travel-00418000067427/

Happy Travels and remember to honor those and the families of those individuals that sacrificed everything for us this Memorial Day.

Government's 3-Hour Rule About to Become Reality

In Rob Lovitt's article on MSNBC yesterday, he cites the "pros, cons, and complications" with the Department of Transportation's new "3-hour" rule. The new rule, which is set to take effect on April 29th, will impose regulatory protection against tarmac delays of 3 hours or more.

What does this mean for travelers?

The Department of Transportation (DOT) introduced the new 81-page rule in December 2009, which seeks to improve passenger protection on several issues. The new rule primarily deals with extended tarmac delays and states that passengers on domestic flights should be allowed to disembark after three hours (as long as doing so doesn't create a safety or security issue, or interfere with airport operations). To enforce the rule, a fine is imposed on airlines who don't comply - to the tune of $27,500 per passenger! For a standard 737, that would mean a $3 million fine for the airline. Yikes!

On the flip side, some speculate that the airlines, in an attempt to comply with the new rule, will end up cancelling more flights. If this is the case, there will be more unhappy passengers on the ground - DOT statistics state that 903 flights were stranded on the ground for 3 or more hours last year (approximately 0.014 percent, or 1 in 7,143 flights).

You can read more of the story's details on MSNBC.com. Be sure to leave us your comments - what do you think of the new rule?

 

Stratos Jet Charters Joins ACANA

Stratos Jet Charters Inc., a worldwide air charter agency, is proud to announce its recent invitation to join the elite Air Charter Association of North America (ACANA), an organization comprised of the finest and most well-respected air charter service providers in the industry. Stratos Jets is now recognized as one of the most prestigious air charter agencies in the world.

ACANA, a non-profit organization, was established in 2007 to promote financially and ethical air charter service providers in the industry to private jet charter consumers. ACANA is formed of several well-established and successful air charter companies that set the benchmark for professionalism and excellence in the business aviation industry.

Stratos Jet Charters was recently invited to join ACANA after it was recognized for continuing to adhere to the highest standards of ethics, integrity and professionalism. Since its inception in 2007, Stratos Jets has repeatedly earned the respect of its clients and peers for its superior dedication to ethical business practices and commitment to air charters.

In order for Stratos Jets to become an ACANA member, it was required to meet stringent membership criteria to demonstrate its financial stability, longevity, industry presence, ethical business practices and compliance with Department of Transportation and Federal Aviation Administration regulations. In addition, the air charter agency was required to meet with the approval of existing members of ACANA and obtain sponsorship from an established member.

Stratos Jets met all of these requirements with flying colors.

As an official ACANA member, Stratos Jets will now join 12 of the most elite air charter service providers to help promote best practices in the industry.  Joel Thomas, president of Stratos Jet Charters, said his company was honored to join the prestigious organization and hopes to inspire other air charter agencies to achieve the same level of prestige and integrity.

“We have always strived to provide the best in air charter service and not just for our clients, but for the industry as a whole,” Thomas said. "As an ACANA member, we hope to inspire other air charter companies to follow our lead and adhere to the highest standards in the industry.

Eco-Travel for Earth Day 2010

 
Caño Island National Park - provided by genier@flickr, photo by La Cusinga Eco Lodge, Costa Rica

Am I the only one who finds it odd that we're only celebrating the "40th Anniversary" of Earth Day? I mean, the Earth is older than that, right? :)

In any case, Earth Day is upon us once again, and this year's trend seems to be "eco-travel" or "eco-tourism". What does this mean? According to Wikipedia, "eco-travel" (also known as "eco-tourism", or "ecological tourism") is responsible travel to fragile, pristine and usually protected areas that strives to be low-impact and (often) small scale. This type of travel generally appeals to ecologically and socially conscious individuals; however, the general idea of "eco-travel" is becoming a more popular trend with mainstream destinations. Many times, eco-travel focuses on volunteering, personal growth or environmental responsibility; the "mainstream" definition does not always cover this aspect - focusing more on creating eco-conscious destinations for travelers.

Here are some destinations and others in the US travel industry who have "gone green" in honor of Earth Day:

• Southwest Airlines: In a Southwest Airlines announcement, the airline reaffirmed their commitment to "Environmental Stewardship" - the efficient use of energy, people and materials - and introduced their new "green" plane. Their green planeintroduces environmentally friendly materials and helps to improve on the plane's fuel efficiency. Keeping up with green initiatives is certainly exhausting!
• Hotel Palomar Chicago: as part of a city-wide eco-friendly initiative, Hotel Palomar Chicagohas installed a new roof! Their new roof is covered in grass and other vegetation in order to help improve air quality in the city. Now that's a breath of fresh air!
• Hard Rock Hotel San Diego: the Hard Rock Hotel San Diego (HRHSD), via the American Forests' "Global ReLeaf" program, will plant a tree for every guest that checks in during the month of April. Rock on!
• Marco Island Marriott Beach Resort:offering fun for families! Through Saturday, April 24th, Marco Island Marriott Beach Resortwill offer complimentary eco-education sessions for kids and families. Each 30-60 minute activity will focus on a unique aspect of Marco Island's eco-system - from dolphins to sea turtles! Eco FUN!

In addition to all these great Earth Day activities, there are quite a few establishments offering to SAVE you some green this Earth Day too!

• Free lodging at Ithaca, NY B&Bs: the New York Daily News reports that four eco-friendly B&Bs in Ithaca, NY are offering travelers free lodging (free night with a minimum 2 night stay) if they're a hybrid driver! The four B&Bs are: Climbing Vine Cottage, Frog's Way B&B, Wild Goose B&B, and Turtle Dreams. This offer is good through May 10th.
• Eldorado Hotel & Spa - Santa Fe, NM:rewarding green travelers with their "Go Green, Save Your Green" discount. Travelers who mention the code "PROGG" will receive a 15% room discount, free overnight parking for hybrid vehicles, and a 20% discount on organic products from Nidah Spa. Rates start at $149/night and this offer is valid throughout the month of April.
• Renaissance Vinoy Resort & Golf Club - St. Petersburg, FL: drivers of hybrid vehicles will receive free self parking at the Renaisssance Vinoy Resort through April 30th. The Vinoy Day Spa also offers organic treatments and uses natural bath products.  

Of course, it doesn't have to be Earth Day to take advantage of good travel deals and to be an eco-conscious traveler...but it certainly helps. :)

European Air Travel Partially Resumes, Despite Volcano

Smoke and ash hangs over the volcano under the Eyjafjallajokull glacier in Iceland, which has erupted for the second time in less than a month, melting ice, shooting smoke and steam into the air and forcing hundreds of people to flee rising floodwaters. – Reuters Photo 

Starting Monday, April 19, 2010, Europe began to untangle itself from the hold of the volcanic eruption debris that had planes grounded, both to and from the region, since last week.

Monday evening, three KLM passenger flights were allowed to leave Schiphol airport in Amsterdam during daylight under visual flight rules bound for New York, Dubai and Shanghai. In London, it is reported that the eruption seems to be strengthening and sending more ash and debris towards Britain, making it unlikely that London airports will reopen on Tuesday, April 20.

European transportation ministers have divided the airspace over the European skies into three areas: the "no-fly" zone (airspace immediately over the ash cloud), the "caution" zone (airspace areas with "some contamination" where planes can fly, subject to engine checks for damage), and the "open-skies" zone. The transportation ministers have been quoted as saying that there will be more planes in the skies beginning Tuesday morning.

Read more on this story on Yahoo! News.