The combined effect of the recent "fall-back" to standard time, dusk at 5 p.m. and two cross-country trips in the last month is forcing me to sharpen my sleeping skills. Over the years I've battled with bouts of insomnia that either come on or are exacerbated by my frequent traveling lifestyle. I know I'm not alone...if you talk to any group of road warriors long enough, you can easily elicit enough bleary-eyed tales to keep you awake for hours. Here are some of the ways I've learned to cope.
Your Own Alarm Clock: Pack a portable alarm clock or use the one on your mobile phone or PDA. Why? First, relying on a wake-up call from the hotel can add a layer of unnecessary stress. Second, you won't have to worry about whether or not you've correctly set those notoriously confusing and unfamiliar hotel room alarm clocks. (Note to self: Always be sure the alarm clock is set to "off," so it does not go off in the middle of the night. Can't figure out how to do that? Just unplug it.)
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Hi, my name is Julie and I am what is often referred to as a "golf widow". Just how much does golf mean to my husband? Well, in the summer, spring and early fall months it's customary for him to be golfing on both weekend days (and many a summer night). After golf, he will retire for a beer with his golf buddies and discuss their game, the condition of the course and other "exciting" golfspeak. On a normal day I'll arrive home from work and he'll be standing in the living room practicing his swing or testing his putting skills. And, if we're going anywhere with a decent golf course for a vacation, the golf clubs are undoubtedly accompanying us on the trip! If you're reading this thinking, "what's the big deal?! The man likes golf!", allow me to share more... the ultimate proof that he lives and breathes for golf?? Look no further than our wedding day, 2 years ago...
When it came to the blessed day where we exchanged our vows in front of 150 friends, we did so at his beloved golf course, after he pulled up in a golf cart driven by the club pro, pockets full of golf tees and golf club in hand. Later, after reviewing footage from our wedding DVD, I discovered that he was practicing his swing in the Pro Shop just minutes before walking down the aisle. And last but not least, the morning after our wedding, he scurried out of our honeymoon suite to meet "the boys" for a round of golf! Now this sort of golf-obsessed behavior would make many wives a little bitter, but for me, all this really has meant is that my husband is in a better mood (unless he plays poorly) and I get lots of "me" time to do the things I love. It all works out in the end.
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Nothing screams adventure like a holiday weekend. This past Labor Day I weekend warrior'd the Baja. In this blog post I'll disclose two secret campsites, two primo snorkeling holes, and two great local eateries.
Two secret seaside campsites.
Camp VII. This a secret with an expiration date. Soon this isolated camp spot will be cliff-side golf course filled with men in bad pants chasing small, white, dimpled balls. Thankfully, this site is yet undeveloped and has untouched seaside cliffs, panoramic vistas, and gorgeous snorkeling. Ask Dale at La Bufadora Dive Shop how to get to "Camp VII". It's up the road from him about 10 minutes. Turn-left at the bright yellow house. The gate attendant at the turn-off will charge you either $3 or a Tecate for parking (your choice).
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Here it is Thanksgiving week. Despite all the gloom and doom these days, there is still plenty for business travelers to be thankful for. Here are three things for which I'm grateful. Check them out and then please click on the comments button and tell me what YOU are thankful for when it comes to life on the road....
- Lower gas prices. After a summer of discontent at the pump where I cringed each time it cost $60 to fill up my car, gas prices have crashed, and now stand at less than $2 per gallon on average. They've not been that low since early 2005. You should have seen me beam last week when the nozzle popped and the tank was full at $31!
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I love Thanksgiving Day. I love that it is a day to gather with our family and friends to simply give thanks and express gratitude for all that we have. No shopping for presents, eggs to dye, candy to hand out or hearts to sprinkle with glitter. I like to do those things, but I find pleasure in the simplicity of this holiday and the opportunity to give thanks. As we all were taught in grade school, Thanksgiving is the day we commemorate the Pilgrims persistence and courage in coming to America to a "new world" filled with possibilities, hope and gratitude. So, with that thought in mind, I thought it would be a nice time to mention a few places connected to the spirit of gratitude and some traditions that reflect the history and traditions of the Thanksgiving holiday.
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I'm guilty of it. Aren't we all? Its 11 pm, you've just checked into the hotel after a long day of travel, and the only thing you want to do is crash. But you have to check your email. So, instead of paying an outrageous fee for 3 minutes of Internet service you squat in the hotel lobby and mooch the free Internet.
I've done it more than I can count; and every time I end up wondering, "If it's free in the lobby, why isn't it free 12 floors above when I'm in my own room?"
Hotel WiFi can be one of the most frustrating aspects of traveling. The rate gouging, weak signals, port changing, and the time restrictions have always left me scratching my head. I put together a short list for Hotel WiFi Survival:
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Last week a 10-year old boy in Minnesota wrote me an email and asked, "what adventures are there?" Kids always ask the best questions, and his question really got me thinking. I decided to compile a list of endurance adventures. There are just so many cool things to do out there, check it out...
7 Summits - climb the tallest mountain on every continent including Mount Everest
Peak and pond - climb Mount Everest and swim English Channel. Done by 3 people, never done by American.
Eight-thousanders - climb the 14 mountains in the world that exceed 8000 meters
Explorers Grand Slam - climb the 7 summits and reach both the south and north poles
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November 20 2008 by BW Innsider
If you are heading out on vacation, a weekend getaway, a holiday road trip or other related travel adventure, our hope is you find a Best Western hotel that will meet your needs. And similar to all real estate, location is important when looking for a hotel. Below are some Best Western hotels in prime spots:
Hollywood, California
Best Western Sunset Plaza Hotel
If you find yourself out west with the sun and glamour of Hollywood, check out the Best Western Sunset Plaza Hotel, located right on the Sunset Strip and close to favorite Hollywood attractions. The Best Western Sunset Plaza is just a short walk to the Mann's Chinese Theatre, the Hollywood Wax Museum and the Hollywood Stars Walk of Fame. Enjoy an afternoon of shopping on Rodeo Drive or trendy Melrose Avenue. The Getty Museum, Page Museum and Griffith Observatory are also close by, not to mention the variety of amusement parks within a short drive.
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After a year of watching the economy cool off and wondering how--or if--it would force changes in business travel, I've got my answer. Big changes are on the way. Companies worried about the future are clearly cutting back on the number trips they are willing to authorize and they are cutting costs on the ones still allowed.
Just this week, the National Business Travel Association, a trade organization based in Washington, D.C. predicted that cost cutting measures will continue well into 2009 as a result of the economic slowdown. It expects business travel costs to increase and the number of business trips to grow at a slower rate than in previous years. "Across the board, we can expect to see some changes in the way travel is managed to further maximize value," said the group's president in a recent press release. In addition, the Airlines Reporting Corp this week said total U.S. travel agency transactions in October fell by 15 percent year over year.
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Chris McGinnis
Cesar Millan
Sam Lowe
Jason Fogelson
Bryson Forbes
Amy Graff
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