September 2007 Archives

Reading this story about laptop etiquette on airplanes got me wondering how many folks have at least stolen a glance at a seatmate's laptop screen?

I know I have.

It's hard to avoid when you're sitting practically on top of each other in coach for hours at a time. There are only so many places for your eyes to go.

I will say that nothing I've ever seen would interest me enough to look a second time though. Usually just Excel spreadsheets or PDFs of boring technical manuals. I'd rather flip through the in-flight magazine. Even the safety card in the seatback pocket is more interesting.

Of course, talk among airlines about providing in-flight wireless Internet access could prompt more fliers than ever to pop open their laptops as they soar through the sky.

When that day comes, I know it will be more difficult to keep my eyes to myself. And probably more crucial that I do...

Post a comment and share your take on laptop etiquette... Do you peek? Have you had run-ins with seatmates looking over your shoulder while you work? Are those screen protectors really effective?

Gloria Hollinger and William Hullmann post for a photo in Sorrento, Italy, earlier this month. The Springettsbury Township couple traveled to Zurich, Switzerland, then to Naples, Pompeii, Sorrento, Abruzzi and Venice for their honeymoon.

Their travel tip: Beware of narrow roads and recklesss scooters in Naples.

Some days, between the demands of work, errands and your personal life, you just want to crawl into a cave and escape from the world.

Well, turns out, you can.

A list of the World's Quirkiest Lodging, according to the online trip-planning site TripAdvisor.com, includes the Gamirasu Cave Hotel in Ayvali koyu, Urgup, Turkey.

I don't know about you, but I'm thinking this place looks quite cool. During the upcoming Nov-March low season, you can snag a single room for only $75 a night.

Another nifty option is the King Pacific Lodge, a floating barge that drifts around near North Vancouver in Canada's British Columbia. Just think... the view that comes with your room changes by the minute.

Who wants to stay in a Holiday Inn when you can sleep someplace cool?

Word is that Jay Cochrane -- the guy who has done about 300 tightrope walks across the Canadian portion of Niagra Falls -- now wants to walk a tightrope across the brink of the falls from the United States into Canada.

Of course, you have to get permission for such things, and both governments are debating the merits and drawbacks of letting the 63-year-old do it.

It's something never attempted before. Not even by 19th-century tightrope walker Charles Blondin.

This story from USA Today outlines some reasons he might not get to: safety, cost and environmental impact.

Post a comment and let us know what you think -- should they let him do it?

Bryce Shields holds a turtle at a turtle farm in Grand Cayman during his family's 7-day Carnival Cruise earlier this month.

The York Township family also visited a national park in Key West, snorkeled off the shores of Grand Turk, climbed Dunn's River Falls in Jamaica, and swam with (and kissed!) sting rays on Grand Cayman.

Bryce's mother, Vickie said it was the family's second cruise. She said crusing is the best way she has found to visit so many places in such a short time: "Having hands-on experience and learning about the various cultures of each island is priceless," she wrote.

The York Twinning Association is planning a bus trip to see Pierre-Auguste Renoir’s collection of landscapes at the Philadelphia Museum of Art on Oct. 28.Cost is $55. For details, call 767-4814.

According to this story that came out today, there's something new to worry about when you travel by air.

Not only must you ditch the liquids, sharp objects, shoes, belt, laptop, camera, maybe some clothes (if they set off the alarms), do a little dance, turn around three times, cross your fingers, wave a magic wand and hope you don't get picked for extra screening, now there's something else to be concerned about at the airport security checkpoint.

Your expression.

No, I'm not kidding.

Charles and Donna Shaffner of Manchester Township vacationed at the Secrets resort in Punta Cana, Dominican Republic, in August.

Their travel tip: Bring lots of pencils and erasers. The Dominican school kids love and really appreciate school supplies, especially pencils and erasers.

One of my college roommates and I have started talking about going to Italy for a week in February. If you've been to Italy, or have heard of something we should definitely see or do or eat or experience, please post a comment to help guide our trip-planning!

I did some preliminary research over the weekend and Venice is calling to me. I also hear that Carnavale is in early Feb this year. I wonder if it would be worth trying to plan our trip to coincide with that or if it would be too crowded?

I won't speak for Laura, my former roommie, but I love markets and any places/experiences that give me a window on the local culture and awesome opportunities to capture it with my camera. I'm not such a big fan of looking at buildings and museums and ruins for long periods of time, but enjoy them somewhat.

Laura is a frequent reader of this blog, by the way, so we'll both benefit from any suggestions you have for us.

You're not going to believe this.
USA Today reports that people at the Minneapolis airport are flocking to the stall made famous by Sen. Larry Craig's indiscretion, wanting to see it and -- I'm serious -- take pictures of it.

I repeat: Take pictures.

Of a bathroom stall.

What has the world come to?

The case of Kyla Ebbert, the 23-year-old who was told her low-cut top and mini skirt were not acceptable attire for flying on Southwest Airlines this summer (read the story here), raises an interesting issue.

Should airlines have dress codes for their passengers?

On the one hand, you never know when someone will show up wearing (or barely wearing) something so embarrasing to fellow passengers that it makes the whole cabin uncomfortable during the trip.

On the other hand, it's America, where we supposedly have freedom of speech and expression. Is this just another example of overregulation by the establishment?

Post a comment and share your take on the issue: where should airlines draw the line?

... stayed at an historic hotel?

I'm not talking a Holiday Inn built in the 60s or a run-down Ramada. I mean a bona fide historic property. One where you can tell its age by the architecture and detailing rather than the stains on the walls.

I've had the opportunity to visit a couple. While in Denver for a conference, I spent time at The Brown Palace, which many say is haunted. About a year and a half ago, when The Yorktowne went up for sale, a photographer and I spent 24 hours there to see what made the place so unique.

I can testify to the fact that there are differences. The service, for one. And the little touches. Character, personality and history seem to infuse these places, making them feel like a tourist attraction in and of themselves, rather than just a place to rest your head and grab a quick shower.

A few others nearby include The Gettysburg Hotel in Gettysburg, Admiral Fell Inn and Radisson Plaza Lord Baltimore, both in Baltimore.

To find an historic hotel near where you're going next, search on the Web site of the Historic Hotels of America.

Post a comment and tell us what historic hotel you've visited and what you thought of the place.

Jim and Lorraine Sculthorp of York Township pose for a photo with their daughter, Sharon, right, at Pikes Peak in Colorado Springs, Colo., in June. They write that the highlight of their trip was a drive up Pikes Peak with a stunning view of Colorado Springs.

Their travel tip: You can reach the peak by foot, cog railroad or car. Take plenty of water and a warm jacket. Snow was on the ground in mid June.

Richard Noel of West Manchester Township poses for a photo at France’s Omaha Beach in May. The trip was a 50th wedding anniversary gift from his son, Michael. Noel spent time at Omaha Beach while serving in the Navy in World War II. While in France, Richard and his wife, Norma Jean, also visited the Eiffel Tower and the Cathedral of Notre Dame.

His travel tip: It’s nice to come from England and take the ferry or the chunnel across the channel.

I had no idea that people visiting the United States as tourists had to pay money for a visa. For some reason, I thought that was just if you wanted to work or go to school here.

Apparently not.

I was impressed and saddened at the same time when I read this story about how Bolivia is now putting American visitors into its most highly regulated category and charging $134 for a 30-day tourist visa. They say it's nothing more than reciprocity for how America treats Bolivian tourists.

Wow. No wonder the world hates us.

Post a comment to share your thoughts on the issue.

Kara Stoley, 18, of Shrewsbury poses as if she were holding up the Leaning Tower of Pisa during an eight-day trip to Italy in July. During the trip, which was her high school graduation present, she visited Rome, Florence and Venice.

Her travel tip: Walk as much as possible in Rome. You can miss some great ruins if you’re in a taxi or bus.

Bob Lease of Springettsbury Township, left, and Charlie Mowery of York Township celebrated Mowery’s retirement from Johnson Controls by visiting five amusement parks in Pennsylvania and Ohio. They went to Dorney Park, Kennywood, Kings Island, Cedar Point and Knoebels. They rode 42 rollercoasters during the trip.

Their travel tip: Avoid weekends. Arrive early each day. Drink plenty of water

The following bus trips are planned. For details, call the numbers.

To fully appreciate this blog post, you must first read the one below.

A state-run airline in Nepal is said to have sacrificed goats to appease the gods and fix technical problems that caused delays and left passengers stranded. If you don't believe me, see the story.

So I was just reading this story from USA Today about how -- after one of the worst summers on record for airline delays and cancellations -- the Federal Aviation Administration is finally going to do something about the situation.

Finally.

My question is, why did it have to get this point?

The proposed overhaul of flight paths could send planes over parts of the country that never had any air traffic before, and some folks are worried about noise and quality of life issues.

With more people traveling and frustration with air travel at an all-time high, I'm wondering, what about the quality of life of all the folks stranded in strange cities, in airport lounges or stuck waiting in lines for hours at a time?

I'll bet they wouldn't mind an extra few planes passing above their place from time to time.

Melody and Joe Zutell and their daughter, McKenzie, 12, took an eight-day motorcycle trip to Nova Scotia in June. They put 1,300 miles on their bikes as they toured the coast. Melody writes that it was a great experience for McKenzie to go through customs, convert kilometers to miles per hour, and figure out the cost of gas by liter.

Their travel tip: Take plenty of money. They have a 14 percent sales tax on everything.

... read this blog anymore? I haven't had a comment on a post in I don't know how long. Are you all still on summer vacation? Swamped with work? What's up? Talk to me!

Bill Moul Jr. of York Township snapped this photograph in May in the borough of Manchester. To see it, he says you have to turn right on Hartman, go past Cooper and turn left up the alley.