Vacations Blog

November 2nd marks the last and 67th Day of Smiles for Kyle and Stacey, two lucky travelers who’ve experienced just about everything Orlando, Florida has to offer – all on someone else’s dime.

Last spring, the Orlando Convention & Visitor’s Bureau announced their 67 Days of Smiles contest and promised two lucky winners the chance to visit Orlando for 67 days.  The idea was that it would take a tourist 67 days to experience everything that the Orlando area has to offer.  Kyle and Stacey were chosen for the job and have been recording their trip on the 67 Days of Smiles blog since August 28, 2009.

As a Central Florida resident, it’s been fun to watch all of the local places and activities that have been featured over the last two months.  Of course the pair hit the area’s most popular attractions, including Disney World, Sea World and Universal Studios.  But they’ve also introduced me to things to do in Orlando that I had never heard of, like the Orlando Shakespeare Theater.  I am an avid fan of live theater and had no idea this place even existed!

The 67 Days of Smiles web site has recorded over 67,000 hits and their twitter account has almost 1,000 followers.  The traveling duo has been featured by several media outlets, including the New York Times.  It appears that the promotion has been a success for the Orlando CVB, and the web site is now a great resource for Orlando residents and vacationers!

Photo credit: Orlando/Orange County Convention & Visitors Bureau.

There’s something about November 7 that’s bringing celebrities out to make appearances in Los Angeles.  In the space of half an hour I read about two that I share with you now:

Pink's hot dog stand

Bill Cosby and Jason Alexander are among the notables who will be dishing up famous franks at Pink’s Hot Dogs at the corner of La Brea and Melrose.  The dog stand is celebrating its 70th year in Los Angeles by selling its wares for 70 cents, during 7 days, 7 hours, and 7 minutes – with proceeds to go to the charity of each daily celeb’s choice.  Pink’s is a landmark food stand in a town that has a lot of landmark food stands, and if you’re in Hollywood during this promotion it’s a sure chance to get a star sighting.  For me the only thing legendary about Pink’s is the line outside every time I drive by.  I have yet to sample the dogs, being an impatient Angeleno who hates to pay for parking.  But if you stop on by, let me know how the hot dogs taste.  I’ll bet they’re much more tasty at 70 cents a pop.

Also next Sunday (on that day only; sadly, this one doesn’t last all week) the cast of “Glee” will appear at the Barnes & Noble location at The Grove, adjacent to The Farmer’s Market at Third and Fairfax.  The show is releasing an album of cast recordings from the show on November 3.  The event begins at 4:00 PM, but I would advise getting there early.  If the trending topic on Twitter during any airing of this show is any indicator, I’d say this one’s gonna be mobbed.

Glee cast members at a mall appearance in Boston

[photos from pinkshollywood.com and myspace.com/musicfromglee]

Me and my husband at Lewis Falls - Yellowstone National Park, August 2009.

My husband and I visited Yellowstone National Park earlier this year. We tend to over-prepare for any vacation we partake of, and the road trip that took us on a round-trip total of 3,026 miles was a fine example of obsessive preparedness.

Since I had never been to Wyoming, and my husband’s visit was during his childhood, I purchased a guide book that came highly recommended to me – Yellowstone Treasures – The Traveler’s Companion to the National Park.

Read More »

USS Arizona Memorial

Pearl Harbor is the #1 most popular tourist attraction on the island of Oahu, but that is not why I visited.  I’m not a history buff, or interested in war trivia, or necessarily drawn to hallowed ground, so that’s not why I went either.  I went because I know and love many men and women who have served in the Armed Forces.  I have dated them, sprung from their loins, even considered becoming one myself.  (That’s for a different website.)  And so when I had some time in my schedule on Oahu, I looked into visiting this national monument.

When I asked locals what I should know about going to visit Pearl Harbor, I was told without variation that I should “go early, to avoid the lines.”  The monument’s website is very clear about the process for your visit – pick up a timed ticket, wait in line, no bags or backpacks or even diaper bags allowed.  I succeeded in packing light, but not at arriving early.  I made it out to the visitor’s center at about 11:00 AM on a Friday in September.  There was no line.  I got a ticket for the tour starting in five minutes, so there was little wait.  And the center wasn’t very crowded, so the whole experience was…pleasant.

It is odd to say that this visit was pleasant because essentially you are visiting an underwater tomb. Read More »

This one seems to good to be true, but it seems to be true nonetheless.  In a promotion with the Aussie offshoot of Virgin Airlines, V Australia, the popular rock band JET is inviting fans to join them on the Los Angeles to Sydney leg of their current world tour, leaving Los Angeles on December 2.

For $1,099 per person, double occupancy, this is what you get:

• Roundtrip International Economy airfare – on the same plane as the band
• 4 nights at the Vibe Sydney
• Return Airport Transfers
• Tickets to the legendary Sydney Homebake Festival
• Commemorative “Jet with JET” t-shirt
• Tickets to a separate intimate performance on Dec. 6
• Meet and greet with the band
• A copy of the band’s latest album – Shaka Rock

Come party with us, mates.

[Photo by Beatrice Neumann]

*Stop looking at me like that.  NOW I know who they are.

The Renaissance Festival Grounds

Arizona’s annual Renaissance Festival kicks off on February 6th, 2010, and runs through the end of March. I’m giving you plenty of head’s up so you can plan your vacation to Arizona accordingly! Need to get out of the snow and cold of your home state (or country)? A visit to Arizona in February will treat you to sunshine and temperatures in the high-sixties.

I may complain about the summers on a regular basis, but I’ve got nothing but good things to say about the winters.

Read More »

The Mississippi River Bridge Looking Into Louisiana from Vicksburg, MS

Today’s travel tip is brought to you by that oft overlooked arm of the travel industry, The Office of Tourism.  What office, you may be asking?  Pick your state I answer, for every state has one.  The purpose of the tourism office in a particular state is to encourage vacationing, visiting by both residents and non-residents.   They help to promote the economy by promoting the tourism industry within their respective states.  Some offices even manage the state’s park systems.

They have information.  Lots and lots of information.  And that’s what we really need when planning a trip.   Where to go, what to do, what to eat, schedules of events and festivals.

Read More »

Benson Park Sculpture Garden

Most families only visit Loveland, Colorado, because the town is the last stop on Highway 34 before you reach the gorgeous Rocky Mountain National Park, just 30 miles away.

Benson Park Sculpture Garden

But if you’re heading into the National Park, or simply driving through Colorado on Interstate 25, Loveland makes for an interesting stop along the way.

If for no other reason than to see the statues.

Loveland has nearly 300 pieces of public art, mostly sculptures, spread all over, in front of city buildings, dentist’s offices, schools, and private homes.  You can drive around town, playing a game of spot the statues, but I don’t recommend it if you want to keep your insurance premiums down.  Instead, go directly to where the bulk of the artwork is on permanent display, at the Benson Park Sculpture Garden.  And it doesn’t cost a thing to enjoy.

The park is a dazzling site, with over 130 sculptures of all shapes and sizes placed around three large ponds.  When I first took my kids there, their response was the usual, “Oh no, do we have to walk?”  But once they meandered down the trail and spied their first statue, a boy playing marbles with a dinosaur, they were immediately hooked.  Aching feet were completely forgotten as they discovered new surprises around ever corner.

Benson Park is in a quiet, residential area, so it feels peaceful and uncrowded.  On the cold spring day we were there, it was certainly free of people.  The morning snowfall added to the magical air of the place as we took our time walking the trails.

This is the kind of place you’ll want to have your camera ready for memorable poses of your kids with the various sculptures.  They’ll plead with you to take a picture of them with every strange and whimsical creature they see.

There are picnic tables, benches, and bathrooms, so don’t worry about how much time you spend.  We were surprised to find two hours gone by without even noticing.

Granted, we were not in any kind of hurry.  Loveland was an overnight stop for us on our way through the state.  I highly recommend the new Holiday Inn Express just off I-25, which features the usual indoor pool but with a kid-pleasing giant red water slide.

Colorado is an amazing state, with majestic mountains and stunning scenic vistas.  It’s easy to overlook the little things.  But, next time you’re traveling through the area, you’ll find it well worth your time to add Benson Park Sculpture Garden to your list of places to see.

Benson Park Sculpture Garden

Benson Park Sculpture Garden

Benson Park Sculpture Garden

All photos by Phil Corless