Has it really been over a year since I've said ANYTHING here?
Yikes, I suck lol.
If you've been following me on Facebook and Twitter you'll see I've added quite a few states and cities to my quest...
I've just been super lazy about blogging about them.
I'm actually trying to totally revamp this site... so... keep up with my photos on Facebook.... and stay tuned! This might take awhile!
Showing posts with label Updates. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Updates. Show all posts
Tuesday, April 15, 2014
Three Months?!
OMG has it really been that long since I had anything to say on here?! Shame on me!
You'll be pleased to know that I actually am writing up three entries to go into the Ohio files- this time I traveled to a city I truly had never been to before: Columbus, the capital. Two food spots and as always, a historic building are my entries. So thank you for bearing with me and stay tuned!
You'll be pleased to know that I actually am writing up three entries to go into the Ohio files- this time I traveled to a city I truly had never been to before: Columbus, the capital. Two food spots and as always, a historic building are my entries. So thank you for bearing with me and stay tuned!
Wednesday, January 15, 2014
I'm (Sorta) Back!
Oh readers! How I have neglected thee. Please accept my apologies.
I have had a bit of a whirlwind in my personal life, and my travel plans have been affected by it. But, New Year, new start, so I am working past the things that happened and focused back again on my 50 state challenge (and other aspects of my life that you don't come here to read about :) )
Well, Georgia in January got nixed. And the conference in Dayton was moved to Columbus, Ohio (which I'm actually a bit more excited about). Still unsure about New Orleans, and whereas I HAD a trip that would have encompassed Colorado, Wyoming, and South Dakota planned out, those whirlwind personal things happened, so now I will have to either find new travel-mates or cancel the trip altogether. Las Vegas, Nevada, however, is still very much so happening.
Sorry there isn't much else to say at the moment. I hope everyone is safe, blessed, and happy. And for my Russian readers, I hope you are excited about the Sochi Olympics!
I have had a bit of a whirlwind in my personal life, and my travel plans have been affected by it. But, New Year, new start, so I am working past the things that happened and focused back again on my 50 state challenge (and other aspects of my life that you don't come here to read about :) )
Well, Georgia in January got nixed. And the conference in Dayton was moved to Columbus, Ohio (which I'm actually a bit more excited about). Still unsure about New Orleans, and whereas I HAD a trip that would have encompassed Colorado, Wyoming, and South Dakota planned out, those whirlwind personal things happened, so now I will have to either find new travel-mates or cancel the trip altogether. Las Vegas, Nevada, however, is still very much so happening.
Sorry there isn't much else to say at the moment. I hope everyone is safe, blessed, and happy. And for my Russian readers, I hope you are excited about the Sochi Olympics!
Tuesday, December 3, 2013
Tips and Advice Solicitation
Hello readers! I am still on non-travel mode as I get through the holiday season, but I am already planning and working towards my trips for 2014-- and my calendar is quickly filling up!
I wanted to try something different though. I wanted to hear what YOU would suggest as great things to see or do in the states I will be traveling to. So far (barring any major catastrophe), I am going to:
Atlanta, Georgia in January 2014
Dayton, Ohio in April 2014 (though it's for a conference, so I'm not sure how much free time I will have)
Las Vegas, Nevada in May 2014
Charlotte, North Carolina in July 2014
I'm also seriously trying to fit in South Dakota in August 2014 and New Orleans, Louisiana at any point during the year.
So- what should I do? Where should I visit? Any advice or things to watch out for? Keep in mind that although I am planning on relinquishing my crown soon (I am taking driving lessons!) I am still the Queen of Public Transportation, so I most likely will not be able to go way out into the boonies without a little help. (Before you say anything, South Dakota is thus far looking like a trip with people who do indeed drive lol).
Tell me on my Facebook wall, tweet me, or simply comment below!
Thanks guys, and I'll see you on the next adventure!
I wanted to try something different though. I wanted to hear what YOU would suggest as great things to see or do in the states I will be traveling to. So far (barring any major catastrophe), I am going to:
Atlanta, Georgia in January 2014
Dayton, Ohio in April 2014 (though it's for a conference, so I'm not sure how much free time I will have)
Las Vegas, Nevada in May 2014
Charlotte, North Carolina in July 2014
I'm also seriously trying to fit in South Dakota in August 2014 and New Orleans, Louisiana at any point during the year.
So- what should I do? Where should I visit? Any advice or things to watch out for? Keep in mind that although I am planning on relinquishing my crown soon (I am taking driving lessons!) I am still the Queen of Public Transportation, so I most likely will not be able to go way out into the boonies without a little help. (Before you say anything, South Dakota is thus far looking like a trip with people who do indeed drive lol).
Tell me on my Facebook wall, tweet me, or simply comment below!
Thanks guys, and I'll see you on the next adventure!
Wednesday, October 16, 2013
What is the Most Screwed Up Thing About Your State?
One of these days I'm going to learn to not make "final" plans until I know they are officially final.
Remember how I said that I was done traveling for the rest of the year? Well, turns out, unless my co-workers TOTALLY flake on me, in about two weeks I'll be doing another excursion within Pennsylvania!
Otherwise, I've already set up my schedule to be available to see Georgia and Nevada before Memorial Day. I've never been to Nevada, but I actually used to LIVE in Georgia, so that will be a bit more difficult to work out.
In the meantime, I found this article about weird factoids about the states. For example, did you know that Ohio is the nerdiest state? That Florida has the highest rate of identity theft? Or that Alaska, the state I just left, has the highest suicide rate in the country? Pretty strange indeed but I thought this was at least a little entertaining and state themed, so I wanted to share.
Enjoy, and talk with you in a few weeks!
What is the Most Screwed Up Thing About Your State?
Remember how I said that I was done traveling for the rest of the year? Well, turns out, unless my co-workers TOTALLY flake on me, in about two weeks I'll be doing another excursion within Pennsylvania!
Otherwise, I've already set up my schedule to be available to see Georgia and Nevada before Memorial Day. I've never been to Nevada, but I actually used to LIVE in Georgia, so that will be a bit more difficult to work out.
In the meantime, I found this article about weird factoids about the states. For example, did you know that Ohio is the nerdiest state? That Florida has the highest rate of identity theft? Or that Alaska, the state I just left, has the highest suicide rate in the country? Pretty strange indeed but I thought this was at least a little entertaining and state themed, so I wanted to share.
Enjoy, and talk with you in a few weeks!
What is the Most Screwed Up Thing About Your State?
Sunday, September 15, 2013
Postcard Update!
Well, I have just about run out of my postcards from my initial order two years ago. I stopped liking my initial design (which to be honest was pretty clunky looking) so I wanted to commission a local greeting card maker to create an image for me to use for new post cards because I liked the images of black women that she makes. She declined, however, and I still needed a new SOMETHING to replace the eagle and stripes I'd been using all this time. (You can see that original image here.)
While my new design isn't prolific, it IS rather patriotic looking still, and is a lot sleeker and more feminine than my original.
Of course it isn't so pixilated on the actual card, but you get the idea.
What do y'all think?
While my new design isn't prolific, it IS rather patriotic looking still, and is a lot sleeker and more feminine than my original.
 |
| My new postcard design |
Of course it isn't so pixilated on the actual card, but you get the idea.
What do y'all think?
Friday, September 6, 2013
My Alaskan Cruise Videos
You guys know that I have a TON of blog posts to type up for my EIGHT days spent between Washington and Alaska. However, I'm dumb busy at the moment and probably won't get to it until next week. As a teaser, I wanted to leave you all with a few of my YouTube videos. You can see them all on my YouTube channel, but here are some highlights for now:
Live at Dawes Glacier
Riding the Seattle Monorail
Drilling in an Alaskan Gold Mine
My pictures from both states are also up on Facebook (but the captions are yet to come...stay tuned!)
As always, thank you for following me on this journey. It really means a lot, and I am honestly excited to complete it!
Friday, August 16, 2013
Bus Balderdash Update II-- Greyhound (Technically) Responds
I debated about even posting this update because it was so lame. By now I've paid for and rode all the buses I was referring to in the earlier posts, but about a week ago I got a (terrible!) letter from Greyhound regarding my complaint (from what, almost two months ago?)
The letter didn't even make sense, and seemed to be a bunch of cut and paste responses from other letters, and never really addressed the specific concerns I had.
Yet another fail for Greyhound. Meh.
The letter didn't even make sense, and seemed to be a bunch of cut and paste responses from other letters, and never really addressed the specific concerns I had.
Yet another fail for Greyhound. Meh.
Friday, June 14, 2013
26 Secrets to Save on Travel
Yahoo! often has publishes articles on how to save money on vacations and travel. While it usually tends to focus on expensive and very long international vacations, I found one article that had some really great suggestions for sites and apps to check rates and fares. Below are some highlights from the article, but I encourage you to check it out for your self!
26 Secrets to Save on Travel (highlights)
1) Fly when no one else wants to. Fares rise and fall with air traffic -- so says the law of supply and demand. In general, plan to fly on a Tuesday, Wednesday or Saturday afternoon to bag a cheaper plane ticket. If you're taking a weeklong domestic trip, depart on a Saturday and return on a Monday and you'll score a 16% discount on your airfare, according to Kayak.com, the travel Web site. For weeklong international trips, departing on Tuesday and returning on Wednesday of the following week saves 21%, on average. **Quite true! In planning my trip to Washington/Alaska this August, I am finding that flights to Seattle are up to $100 cheaper coming back (on a Tuesday) than heading out (on a Monday morning).
5) Make sure you're buying at the right time with Bing Travel's "price predictor." Just enter your itinerary, and the site will return a list of fares with a recommendation to either buy now -- because it expects the fare to rise -- or wait for a soon-to-come fare drop. And note that domestic airfares are cheapest seven weeks before departure, according to CheapAir, an airfare booking site.
8) Keep an eye on fares, even after you book. You have the right to change or cancel your flight plansfor free within 24 hours of booking, thanks to rules introduced by the Department of Transportationin 2012. So if you find a better fare within that window, you can snatch the savings with no penalty. After 24 hours, if you find your booked fare has dropped, some airlines may be willing to refund you the difference. Use Yapta.com to track any price changes on nine major airlines and score any cash back you deserve.
16) Switch hotels mid stay. Say you're booking a hotel for a five-night stay starting on Saturday night. If Saturday and Sunday are more expensive than Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday, you'll typically pay for all five nights at the highest price. Consider switching hotels midway through your trip if you can find a comparable hotel for a cheaper weekday rate.
21) Price it a la carte. To see if a package makes sense, research prices for all of the elements before you commit. For example, a cruise package typically charges per person for hotel rooms at the port of departure. See whether you would save by reserving a double-occupancy room outside of the package. If you can, consider dumping the package or opting out of the hotel portion. **I do this ALL. THE. TIME! I always research how much things cost seperately to a) help set my travel budget, and b) see if there are any specials for bundling things together- or if the bundle I'm eyeing is really worth purchasing. This isn't just for flights and hotels though. If you know a handful of the sites you want to visit charge admission, see if the regional tourism office offers a discount rate or package deal. Most of the time, they do, and can recommend other spots you may have overlooked!
That's it for now. I am so excited about my trip to Cleveland later this month! I'm even more excited about knocking FOUR more states off of my list by the end of this summer!
See you guys soon!
26 Secrets to Save on Travel (highlights)
1) Fly when no one else wants to. Fares rise and fall with air traffic -- so says the law of supply and demand. In general, plan to fly on a Tuesday, Wednesday or Saturday afternoon to bag a cheaper plane ticket. If you're taking a weeklong domestic trip, depart on a Saturday and return on a Monday and you'll score a 16% discount on your airfare, according to Kayak.com, the travel Web site. For weeklong international trips, departing on Tuesday and returning on Wednesday of the following week saves 21%, on average. **Quite true! In planning my trip to Washington/Alaska this August, I am finding that flights to Seattle are up to $100 cheaper coming back (on a Tuesday) than heading out (on a Monday morning).
5) Make sure you're buying at the right time with Bing Travel's "price predictor." Just enter your itinerary, and the site will return a list of fares with a recommendation to either buy now -- because it expects the fare to rise -- or wait for a soon-to-come fare drop. And note that domestic airfares are cheapest seven weeks before departure, according to CheapAir, an airfare booking site.
8) Keep an eye on fares, even after you book. You have the right to change or cancel your flight plansfor free within 24 hours of booking, thanks to rules introduced by the Department of Transportationin 2012. So if you find a better fare within that window, you can snatch the savings with no penalty. After 24 hours, if you find your booked fare has dropped, some airlines may be willing to refund you the difference. Use Yapta.com to track any price changes on nine major airlines and score any cash back you deserve.
16) Switch hotels mid stay. Say you're booking a hotel for a five-night stay starting on Saturday night. If Saturday and Sunday are more expensive than Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday, you'll typically pay for all five nights at the highest price. Consider switching hotels midway through your trip if you can find a comparable hotel for a cheaper weekday rate.
21) Price it a la carte. To see if a package makes sense, research prices for all of the elements before you commit. For example, a cruise package typically charges per person for hotel rooms at the port of departure. See whether you would save by reserving a double-occupancy room outside of the package. If you can, consider dumping the package or opting out of the hotel portion. **I do this ALL. THE. TIME! I always research how much things cost seperately to a) help set my travel budget, and b) see if there are any specials for bundling things together- or if the bundle I'm eyeing is really worth purchasing. This isn't just for flights and hotels though. If you know a handful of the sites you want to visit charge admission, see if the regional tourism office offers a discount rate or package deal. Most of the time, they do, and can recommend other spots you may have overlooked!
 |
| Sometimes it's better to shop around for your trip elements! |
That's it for now. I am so excited about my trip to Cleveland later this month! I'm even more excited about knocking FOUR more states off of my list by the end of this summer!
See you guys soon!
Wednesday, June 12, 2013
Bus Balderdash (Update 1- Peter Pan Responds!)
I received a response from Peter Pan (which tells me my written letters arrived at their destinations!)
In a nutshell, their response was that they apologize for the rate discrepancy, but that they do indeed have the correct price on their website and that they will communicate with Greyhound about advertising the correct prices for Peter Pan routes in the future.
A very polite way of telling me that their rate is the only rate that matters. I can respect that, and I am very thankful for a quick and professional response.
Now, let's wait and see what Greyhound has to say...
In a nutshell, their response was that they apologize for the rate discrepancy, but that they do indeed have the correct price on their website and that they will communicate with Greyhound about advertising the correct prices for Peter Pan routes in the future.
A very polite way of telling me that their rate is the only rate that matters. I can respect that, and I am very thankful for a quick and professional response.
Now, let's wait and see what Greyhound has to say...
Friday, June 7, 2013
Bus Balderdash
Greyhound Lines, Inc.
PO Box 660691 MS 470
Dallas, Texas 758266
And
Peter Pan Bus Lines
Corporate Headquarters
P.O. Box 1776
Springfield, MA 01102-1776
RE: Unfair/deceptive Pricing Strategies
To Whom It May Concern:
I am writing to convey my recent unpleasant experience with my recent attempt to purchase two one way tickets online.
The first trip I attempted to purchase was Newport, RI to Boston, MA at 2:00pm on Friday July 26 of this year. First, I noted Peter Pan had this trip listed at $27.00. I checked Greyhound, and saw the identical trip listed for an advanced rate of $16.00. Naturally wanting to save $11, I tried to purchase the Greyhound ticket only to be told I cannot purchase this ticket and was given a phone number to call (800-231-2222) to try to find out why I couldn’t purchase the ticket. Thinking I could just call after I purchase the second ticket I wanted (Springfield, MA to Boston, MA on July 28th 8:15am) I again checked both prices (Peter Pan listed at $23.00, Greyhound listed as $18.00) and attempted to purchase the Greyhound ticket. This time I was met with a message that I could only get this rate by going to the Will Call station- in Springfield, MA. Seeing as I live in Pittsburgh, PA you can understand how that isn’t possible. Even if I had to go to the station here I wouldn’t have been as upset, but to say I have to go to another state is ridiculous. I prefer to print and have my tickets in my hand well in advance, which is why I am also shocked print at home tickets weren’t available for either option.
So, I called the 800 number given to me by the Greyhound website. The woman quickly told me that since the website was involved, I had to call the web division for help. Unable to transfer me herself, I called the number she gave me (800-846-0754). I had to repeat myself several times to the man who answered on that line, but eventually his explanation was that I couldn’t purchase and print the tickets because they were Peter Pan routes, and not Greyhound routes, that were advertised on the Greyhound website and I would have to go to Peter Pan’s website in order to purchase them now. I went to the Peter Pan website, and had an online chat conversation with an agent named Bill (which I have included along with Print Screens of the Greyhound prices) who was not helpful and said the prices on the website were already on sale and that Greyhound’s prices listed were incorrect. Then I guess he left the conversation because he didn’t respond to my request for an address to write this letter to.
So why have I included both of you on this letter? I am not sure of how the parameters of your business relationship works, but it is completely unfair that I have spent the last hour getting the run around about such drastic price differences for companies that are supposed to be in a partnership. A total of $16.00 may not seem like a lot in the eyes of large businesses, but it is enough of a difference that I felt the need to write (it would be more if I was able to use my 10% Road Rewards discount). Greyhound, if you are going to advertise the routes of Peter Pan or any other bus company, you should allow your customer to purchase them! They also should be the prices that the original companies agree to. Peter Pan, I hope that now you see your routes are being advertised at much lower rates than you are selling them for, and will either match these prices, or rethink where your route information can be found.
I will be traveling in this region for business as well as my travel blog- a blog that has had thousands of readers. This letter WILL be posted on it, and I hope that a helpful solution is reached quickly.
Respectfully,
Terri
So, what do you think readers? AM I justified in being miffed about these prices? Or am I over reacting?
Monday, May 6, 2013
Really Facebook?!
Pretty pissed that dozens of my pictures from my earliest adventures (DC, Puerto Rico, VA, etc) are just MISSING from Facebook! Not only are they pretty much gone forever, but I don't live in the DC area anymore to re-take them. I apologize if this has made my blog/page less likeable. I'm slowly going through and reconnecting what photos I do have within the previous blog posts and filling in with images from other travel sites when necessary.
Thursday, April 11, 2013
Down To The Nitty Gritty
I understand that my approach to domestic travel is a bit different from the average person's, but it wasn't until I took a break from organizing my trip to Chicago (!) that I realized exactly how intense I can be. This is an all consuming process for me, but the results are so well worth it.
I already know the times I will be at my selected tourist traps, how long each tour will be, how much they will cost, and know two or three ways of using public transporation to get between them (complete with fare and schedule details). Google-mapping directions isn't enough for me.
I went and looked at Google Earth images so that I have an idea the type of architecture and landmarks I can expect to see while walking around (helps keep me from feeling- or worse actually being!- lost.
I've read Yelp and TripAdvisor reviews of each place I'm going to visit to determine how much time I want to spend at each place, and also to know what are the "not to miss" items at are.
And this is for a trip I'm taking in less than a week!
I will be headed to Massachusetts in July for a convention, and have decided to tack on a day in Rhode Island just to help the blog along. I already know what I want to see in each state, and have general concepts of how I will be able to move around between the cities and states on my list. I'll do the hyper detailing once I purchase plane tickets up there.
I'm also going on an Alaskan cruise, with an extra day and change tacked on to spend time in Seattle, Washington. Of course, I've already started researching things to to there and making guesstimated budgets based on what I find.
I've even started thinking about 2014, where I'm hoping to get to Hawaii with my family at the very end of that year.
I plan and research and calculate each and every possible detail that could arise (such as, will there be traffic in Chicago on a Sunday? If so, what's it like and how will it affect the buses?) so that once I'm there, I don't have to be paranoid and overly worried while walking around. I can relax a lot more, and just enjoy my surroundings.
You know, and not totally look like a tourist whilst I walk around so as to avoid being jacked!
I already know the times I will be at my selected tourist traps, how long each tour will be, how much they will cost, and know two or three ways of using public transporation to get between them (complete with fare and schedule details). Google-mapping directions isn't enough for me.
I went and looked at Google Earth images so that I have an idea the type of architecture and landmarks I can expect to see while walking around (helps keep me from feeling- or worse actually being!- lost.
I've read Yelp and TripAdvisor reviews of each place I'm going to visit to determine how much time I want to spend at each place, and also to know what are the "not to miss" items at are.
And this is for a trip I'm taking in less than a week!
I will be headed to Massachusetts in July for a convention, and have decided to tack on a day in Rhode Island just to help the blog along. I already know what I want to see in each state, and have general concepts of how I will be able to move around between the cities and states on my list. I'll do the hyper detailing once I purchase plane tickets up there.
I'm also going on an Alaskan cruise, with an extra day and change tacked on to spend time in Seattle, Washington. Of course, I've already started researching things to to there and making guesstimated budgets based on what I find.
I've even started thinking about 2014, where I'm hoping to get to Hawaii with my family at the very end of that year.
I plan and research and calculate each and every possible detail that could arise (such as, will there be traffic in Chicago on a Sunday? If so, what's it like and how will it affect the buses?) so that once I'm there, I don't have to be paranoid and overly worried while walking around. I can relax a lot more, and just enjoy my surroundings.
You know, and not totally look like a tourist whilst I walk around so as to avoid being jacked!
Wednesday, January 16, 2013
Time To Get Serious
Ok folks. I know I started off strong and then fell off. Said I was going to venture to certain states and didn't. With the New Year came a much needed career change- and a salary to boot! And actually enough travel plans to get me warmed up for an even bigger 2014.
Barring major incident or joblessness, here is what I have lined up for 2013:
First will be Chicago in April. A good sorority sister friend of mine is getting married. That weekend also happens to be my birthday. I've looked up the price of flights (damn non-hub Pittsburgh airport!) and it was about $230 round trip with United. Doable! I also have other sorority sisters interested in doing sight seeing the days before and after the ceremony, so while I may not be able to do my normal total immersion into a city (my sorors tend to be adventure phobic) I will at least get to hit some highlights and add Illinois to my list!
(Speaking of Chicago, I found this neat travel blog about the city. Sorry if the formatting is a little rough... I am typing this on my phone: http://www.85tours.com/2011/01/tower-that-tips-its-hat-to-neighbors.html?m=1 )
Next is a trip to the greater Louisville, Kentucky area to visit two distilleries and (hopefully) the Louisville Slugger factory/museum. That will be a quick trip, just under 48 hours, but again very doable.
That Monday I come back- assuming I go the weekend I plan on going- I am taking a bus day trip from Pittsburgh to Falling Water and Kentuck Knob- two Frank Lloyd homes that will enable me to continue my Pennsylvania adventures. (I plan on doing a lot in my home state. Y'all don't mind :) )
After that I have two conventions I could chose to go to, but I'm only picking one and that is in Springfield, Massachusetts. Ill try and go and be seen at the convention but then break away to the real part of the state I am dying to visit: Boston! They of course aren't that close. But hopefully that won't be a problem if I get my driver's license by then. (More on that another day- but it would help my travels immensely).
And then, my final trip of the year (as I see it): Alaska. Yep. My godmother has been pressing me to go with her on an Alaskan cruise for years, and even before this blog I was interested in going. While she is helping me financially with part of the trip (My awesome new job is still QUITE new as is my financial recovery from being under employed for a whole year) we set sail at the end of August!
Since we won't leave until a Tuesday, we both planned on getting to Seattle, Washigton a few days early to do sight seeing there. She's a lot more adventurous than most people I know my age, so I doubt I'll have many problems with getting her to do corny touristy stuff.
Never mind how having a driver's license will make it much easier to get into Ohio, West Virginia, and other not too far states from my home!
I'm very excited. Always a little nervous about the financial aspect of reaching this goal (seriously- doesn't an airline or hotel chain want to sponsor me??) but I'm determined. And I hope you don't take my sporadic tweets as abandonment. It's actually quite the opposite...
I'm even more fired up to go!
Barring major incident or joblessness, here is what I have lined up for 2013:
First will be Chicago in April. A good sorority sister friend of mine is getting married. That weekend also happens to be my birthday. I've looked up the price of flights (damn non-hub Pittsburgh airport!) and it was about $230 round trip with United. Doable! I also have other sorority sisters interested in doing sight seeing the days before and after the ceremony, so while I may not be able to do my normal total immersion into a city (my sorors tend to be adventure phobic) I will at least get to hit some highlights and add Illinois to my list!
(Speaking of Chicago, I found this neat travel blog about the city. Sorry if the formatting is a little rough... I am typing this on my phone: http://www.85tours.com/2011/01/tower-that-tips-its-hat-to-neighbors.html?m=1 )
Next is a trip to the greater Louisville, Kentucky area to visit two distilleries and (hopefully) the Louisville Slugger factory/museum. That will be a quick trip, just under 48 hours, but again very doable.
That Monday I come back- assuming I go the weekend I plan on going- I am taking a bus day trip from Pittsburgh to Falling Water and Kentuck Knob- two Frank Lloyd homes that will enable me to continue my Pennsylvania adventures. (I plan on doing a lot in my home state. Y'all don't mind :) )
After that I have two conventions I could chose to go to, but I'm only picking one and that is in Springfield, Massachusetts. Ill try and go and be seen at the convention but then break away to the real part of the state I am dying to visit: Boston! They of course aren't that close. But hopefully that won't be a problem if I get my driver's license by then. (More on that another day- but it would help my travels immensely).
And then, my final trip of the year (as I see it): Alaska. Yep. My godmother has been pressing me to go with her on an Alaskan cruise for years, and even before this blog I was interested in going. While she is helping me financially with part of the trip (My awesome new job is still QUITE new as is my financial recovery from being under employed for a whole year) we set sail at the end of August!
Since we won't leave until a Tuesday, we both planned on getting to Seattle, Washigton a few days early to do sight seeing there. She's a lot more adventurous than most people I know my age, so I doubt I'll have many problems with getting her to do corny touristy stuff.
Never mind how having a driver's license will make it much easier to get into Ohio, West Virginia, and other not too far states from my home!
I'm very excited. Always a little nervous about the financial aspect of reaching this goal (seriously- doesn't an airline or hotel chain want to sponsor me??) but I'm determined. And I hope you don't take my sporadic tweets as abandonment. It's actually quite the opposite...
I'm even more fired up to go!
Monday, December 3, 2012
The Fight To 50
First, I owe you all a major apology. Not only have I not gotten to really travel in MONTHS, I haven't posted anything here in weeks and weeks. I will make much better efforts to keep this blog updated from now on.
With that being said, I have to admit I'm getting a little nervous. I'm more than a year in, and still haven't cracked ten states...or have I? According to some who set travel goals (such as visiting all 50 states) all you need to count is eating a meal in a state, staying a night there, or like myself, have memorable moments there. You can read the complete Fox News article here.
I have chosen that any visitations I had prior to August 2011 don't count, and that I have to have what the article calls "National Geographic moments" in order to be included in my blog. For multiple reasons my previous rapid pace has been greatly slowed, but I'm still hopeful that I will reach my goal by August 2016! While end of the year travel plans fizzled out (I was supposed to get to both northern Florida and Ohio by year's end), next year I am (planning!) to get to Georgia, Illinois, Massachusetts, and Alaska for various conventions and family/friend events, let alone any other random trips I may be able to take.
Thank you for bearing with me and for all of your support and feedback!
With that being said, I have to admit I'm getting a little nervous. I'm more than a year in, and still haven't cracked ten states...or have I? According to some who set travel goals (such as visiting all 50 states) all you need to count is eating a meal in a state, staying a night there, or like myself, have memorable moments there. You can read the complete Fox News article here.
I have chosen that any visitations I had prior to August 2011 don't count, and that I have to have what the article calls "National Geographic moments" in order to be included in my blog. For multiple reasons my previous rapid pace has been greatly slowed, but I'm still hopeful that I will reach my goal by August 2016! While end of the year travel plans fizzled out (I was supposed to get to both northern Florida and Ohio by year's end), next year I am (planning!) to get to Georgia, Illinois, Massachusetts, and Alaska for various conventions and family/friend events, let alone any other random trips I may be able to take.
Thank you for bearing with me and for all of your support and feedback!
Friday, September 28, 2012
Stupid Stamps!
Remember I ordered up these nifty postcards to send to all the locations I'd visited during my journey? Well, I went to the post office the other day to buy more postcard stamps as I was about to run out... and learned that in January the cost of mailing a post card went up! All this time I'd been mailing post cards- and not knowing I wasn't paying enough postage! And I've gone quite a few places this year, I feel so terrible about this! One of my Twitter followers (follow me! @50states5years) told me that they may have still been delivered but that there would be postage due once the places I'd gone to collected their mail, if that was the case. In reality, I know that means none of my 2012 cards sent were received, and this saddens me a little bit. Well, at least now I know.
In the meantime, I'm busy planning the next twelve months, and I have to say it's actually a bit overwhelming to try and cover each state by August 31, 2016 but I'm determined to get it done! I will get to Ohio and the Florida panhandle by the end of this calendar year, and will try to squeeze in West Virginia if the winter doesn't get too crazy too soon. 2013 already promises trips to Georgia, Illinois, and Massachusetts and a sincere effort to make a trip to Alaska with my godmother at some point as well.
Hope all is well, and I'll be back soon!
In the meantime, I'm busy planning the next twelve months, and I have to say it's actually a bit overwhelming to try and cover each state by August 31, 2016 but I'm determined to get it done! I will get to Ohio and the Florida panhandle by the end of this calendar year, and will try to squeeze in West Virginia if the winter doesn't get too crazy too soon. 2013 already promises trips to Georgia, Illinois, and Massachusetts and a sincere effort to make a trip to Alaska with my godmother at some point as well.
Hope all is well, and I'll be back soon!
Tuesday, July 3, 2012
How to Pack a Suitcase for Airline Travel
I'm ten days away from my next adventure- Memphis, Tennessee! I have my sites-and-sights-to-see list written out, and friends that are from the city willing to take me to all the favorite food places of the locals- but I'm not ready yet. I still have to pack. Once I figure out which clothes are cute and yet functional for the heat and humidity that I'm sure to face (an important point- check the weather before you go anywhere folks!) I have to figure out how I'm going to get said clothing safely to Memphis and back.
In this age of pricey fees for checked bags, I make sure to only take a carry-on sized bag to keep more money in my pocket and off the balance sheet of some billion-dollar airline. Carry-on sizes vary for each airline, so don't rely on the labels on the suitcase to be enough. You can learn about your specific airline requirements HERE. Not only does this option save money, but it's simply easier to tote around as little luggage as possible than to have to lug around a coffin-sized box on wheels.
So what's the best way to pack? TSA has a few suggestions to help make your trip through the security lines as quickly as possible. You can read the article I found HERE, but I've paraphrased them below as well.
1. Roll your clothing instead of folding it, or worse, just throwing it in the suitcase haphazardly. Not only does this maximize the space you'll have to pack more items, it makes it easier for TSA agents screening your bag to quickly determine your bag is safe and cleared to go on the plane.
2. Because it's a carry on bag, all liquids/creams/gels you pack will have to be 3.4 ounces or less, and should ideally be packed in a clear plastic freezer bag for easy identification. Here's where you have to be discerning. Do you really need three and four different types of lotion for a trip? Will you really use multiple hair gels and sprays, or will you most likely style your hair as simply as possible to enjoy your destination as much as you can? I can hear all the girly girls of the world protesting that all of these things are absolutely essential, but trust me, they aren't.
Personally, I pack my deodorant, a small jar of Vaseline, a travel sized bottle of sun screen and bug repellent if I'm going into hot places or plan to be outside often, and a small makeup case with the lightest, least liquidy makeup options I have in case I need to get glamorous at the last minute. If I need more, I've never been anywhere where I didn't have a chance to get to a drugstore or Walmart on the other end to pick up a cheap bottle of something. Since I usually will be in a hotel (or cruise ship), I use the complimentary lotion and toothpaste there if need be. Are there times I wish I had a specific body splash or eye shadow or face cream that I can just SEE laying on my dresser while I'm away someplace? Sure! But you learn to make it work.
3. Pack shoes on top on your clothes. Sounds like asking to get your clothes dirty, I know. If the soles of your shoes are THAT dusty before you leave, take a moment wipe them off or put them in plastic bags before resting them on top. You can tuck odds and ends into the shoes to help save packing space, and if you use bags to wrap them in, they can serve as dirty laundry bags for your return trip. Also, arrange shoes as if you are playing a game to stiletto Tetris. Don't be married to the idea that the shoes HAVE to be next to each other if placing them in opposite corners makes better sense to pack. It's a small suitcase, I promise you'll easily find them once you reach your destination.
On that same note, pack shoes that "go" with a variety of outfits. The fewer shoes you need to take, the easier it will be to pack because you'll need fewer items. If it's practical, wear the largest/clunkiest pair to the airport to make more room in your suitcase (for example, wear your Nikes to travel in, but leave the flip flops in the bag since they take up less room).
4. If you are carrying heavy things like books (remember those you Nook-sters?) or a laptop, try to spread them out in the suitcase to help evenly distribute the weight and keep balance in your suitcase. It will also help prevent objects from getting crushed. Remember to keep them as close to the top as possible.
5. Don't pack prohibited items. It seems like this would be common sense, but I've seen first hand how surprised people are when they can't take scissors or metal nail files on their trips. If in some crazy universe someone could take whatever it is your debating about and use it as a weapon-- best to leave it at home.
I hope these tips have been helpful. I can't WAIT to see Memphis and report back to you what I see. Also, I didn't forget about my Miami transportation vlog...I recorded it with my webcam, but at some point the audio and video fall out of sync, and I've been having a heckuva time correcting it-- I may just have to rerecord it.
Happy (early) Independence Day! Safe travels, and you'll hear from me soon!
In this age of pricey fees for checked bags, I make sure to only take a carry-on sized bag to keep more money in my pocket and off the balance sheet of some billion-dollar airline. Carry-on sizes vary for each airline, so don't rely on the labels on the suitcase to be enough. You can learn about your specific airline requirements HERE. Not only does this option save money, but it's simply easier to tote around as little luggage as possible than to have to lug around a coffin-sized box on wheels.
So what's the best way to pack? TSA has a few suggestions to help make your trip through the security lines as quickly as possible. You can read the article I found HERE, but I've paraphrased them below as well.
1. Roll your clothing instead of folding it, or worse, just throwing it in the suitcase haphazardly. Not only does this maximize the space you'll have to pack more items, it makes it easier for TSA agents screening your bag to quickly determine your bag is safe and cleared to go on the plane.
2. Because it's a carry on bag, all liquids/creams/gels you pack will have to be 3.4 ounces or less, and should ideally be packed in a clear plastic freezer bag for easy identification. Here's where you have to be discerning. Do you really need three and four different types of lotion for a trip? Will you really use multiple hair gels and sprays, or will you most likely style your hair as simply as possible to enjoy your destination as much as you can? I can hear all the girly girls of the world protesting that all of these things are absolutely essential, but trust me, they aren't.
Personally, I pack my deodorant, a small jar of Vaseline, a travel sized bottle of sun screen and bug repellent if I'm going into hot places or plan to be outside often, and a small makeup case with the lightest, least liquidy makeup options I have in case I need to get glamorous at the last minute. If I need more, I've never been anywhere where I didn't have a chance to get to a drugstore or Walmart on the other end to pick up a cheap bottle of something. Since I usually will be in a hotel (or cruise ship), I use the complimentary lotion and toothpaste there if need be. Are there times I wish I had a specific body splash or eye shadow or face cream that I can just SEE laying on my dresser while I'm away someplace? Sure! But you learn to make it work.
3. Pack shoes on top on your clothes. Sounds like asking to get your clothes dirty, I know. If the soles of your shoes are THAT dusty before you leave, take a moment wipe them off or put them in plastic bags before resting them on top. You can tuck odds and ends into the shoes to help save packing space, and if you use bags to wrap them in, they can serve as dirty laundry bags for your return trip. Also, arrange shoes as if you are playing a game to stiletto Tetris. Don't be married to the idea that the shoes HAVE to be next to each other if placing them in opposite corners makes better sense to pack. It's a small suitcase, I promise you'll easily find them once you reach your destination.
On that same note, pack shoes that "go" with a variety of outfits. The fewer shoes you need to take, the easier it will be to pack because you'll need fewer items. If it's practical, wear the largest/clunkiest pair to the airport to make more room in your suitcase (for example, wear your Nikes to travel in, but leave the flip flops in the bag since they take up less room).
4. If you are carrying heavy things like books (remember those you Nook-sters?) or a laptop, try to spread them out in the suitcase to help evenly distribute the weight and keep balance in your suitcase. It will also help prevent objects from getting crushed. Remember to keep them as close to the top as possible.
5. Don't pack prohibited items. It seems like this would be common sense, but I've seen first hand how surprised people are when they can't take scissors or metal nail files on their trips. If in some crazy universe someone could take whatever it is your debating about and use it as a weapon-- best to leave it at home.
I hope these tips have been helpful. I can't WAIT to see Memphis and report back to you what I see. Also, I didn't forget about my Miami transportation vlog...I recorded it with my webcam, but at some point the audio and video fall out of sync, and I've been having a heckuva time correcting it-- I may just have to rerecord it.
Happy (early) Independence Day! Safe travels, and you'll hear from me soon!
Monday, April 2, 2012
Date a Girl Who Travels
I happened across this blog entry on Facebook... as a "girl who travels" I thought I should share it here- on my travel blog!
Date A Girl Who Travels from the 'Solitary Wanderer' blog.
Other than that, not much to update you guys on...but there are some big changes in the works! I just agreed to join a blog mentoring group...so hopefully I'll be able to whip my cute little blog up into something fun, professional, and exciting that everyone (including my 1000+ established faithfuls) will want to read.
Date A Girl Who Travels from the 'Solitary Wanderer' blog.
Other than that, not much to update you guys on...but there are some big changes in the works! I just agreed to join a blog mentoring group...so hopefully I'll be able to whip my cute little blog up into something fun, professional, and exciting that everyone (including my 1000+ established faithfuls) will want to read.
Tuesday, February 21, 2012
Update: Where Am I??
Hi everyone!!
No, I haven't forgotten about my readers, or about my Twitter and Facebook pages, and most of all not my blog! I haven't officially gone on any new adventures yet, but I felt I owed it to everyone to at least let you know what the hold up is.
Like I said in a previous post, I moved from the DC area -and my career- to return to my hometown of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania to help my grandmother out. I've been here exactly one month, working part time, looking for a full time job, and bonding with my granny. I've learned I apparently get my adventurous side and passion for travel from my grandmother (who by the way, will be 90 in August, and still goes on short trips once or twice a year!) She's told me how whenever her husband (my grandfather who died about 50 years ago) would get too "fussy" she would pack up, go to Greyhound and get on the next bus leaving- for however long she felt like it. She's told me how she had a small group of friends that would travel together, and one of the quartet of women was afraid of escalators (remember, she's old enough to remember when that was a "new" thing so I can imagine her friend not trusting it lol). Folks often told her to just leave this friend behind, but she always managed to coax her either to finally get on or would walk with her to the nearest stairs. But her favorite travel stories are the ones with her best friend Russ (who passed away a few years ago). They went all over the country (and Canada and Mexico) together, and when I explained what a blog was, and that I had one about visiting all 50 states, she was excited, and suggested places for me to try.
I've been getting a TON of brochures, pamphlets, and other information from all over the country (most notably Texas and Ohio by volume...) with things to do in their neck of the woods. It is slightly overwhelming, but there is a lot of good information within them. I just cringe a little when I think of all the trees that have died in this process! Never fear though, I've gotten a boatload of emails from river boat cruise companies and from Texas and Mississippi tourism bureaus about trips I could take. I'm most excited about the possibility of going on a Mississippi River riverboat cruise and live like I'm in the era of Mark Twain or something. I've also gotten a ton of tweets from Ohio and Washington state. As well as a ton of companies and people all over the country with ideas, suggestions, and support! I've been taking notes on all of this, and plotting out the remainder of 2012 (assuming I get a job to financially support these travels...that's key!! I'm the queen of saving money on travel, but you need a steady source of income in order to)
Other than that, I'm still here, getting restless because I'm ready to goooooooo! But I did want to check in and keep you up to date. What travel adventures have you been on? Oh, and one last thing, President Obama has a plan to increase US tourism. I think I mentioned it before, but in case you missed it here's the link (click the word "link"). I hope in my own small way I can help support that initiative!
See you soon everyone!
No, I haven't forgotten about my readers, or about my Twitter and Facebook pages, and most of all not my blog! I haven't officially gone on any new adventures yet, but I felt I owed it to everyone to at least let you know what the hold up is.
Like I said in a previous post, I moved from the DC area -and my career- to return to my hometown of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania to help my grandmother out. I've been here exactly one month, working part time, looking for a full time job, and bonding with my granny. I've learned I apparently get my adventurous side and passion for travel from my grandmother (who by the way, will be 90 in August, and still goes on short trips once or twice a year!) She's told me how whenever her husband (my grandfather who died about 50 years ago) would get too "fussy" she would pack up, go to Greyhound and get on the next bus leaving- for however long she felt like it. She's told me how she had a small group of friends that would travel together, and one of the quartet of women was afraid of escalators (remember, she's old enough to remember when that was a "new" thing so I can imagine her friend not trusting it lol). Folks often told her to just leave this friend behind, but she always managed to coax her either to finally get on or would walk with her to the nearest stairs. But her favorite travel stories are the ones with her best friend Russ (who passed away a few years ago). They went all over the country (and Canada and Mexico) together, and when I explained what a blog was, and that I had one about visiting all 50 states, she was excited, and suggested places for me to try.
I've been getting a TON of brochures, pamphlets, and other information from all over the country (most notably Texas and Ohio by volume...) with things to do in their neck of the woods. It is slightly overwhelming, but there is a lot of good information within them. I just cringe a little when I think of all the trees that have died in this process! Never fear though, I've gotten a boatload of emails from river boat cruise companies and from Texas and Mississippi tourism bureaus about trips I could take. I'm most excited about the possibility of going on a Mississippi River riverboat cruise and live like I'm in the era of Mark Twain or something. I've also gotten a ton of tweets from Ohio and Washington state. As well as a ton of companies and people all over the country with ideas, suggestions, and support! I've been taking notes on all of this, and plotting out the remainder of 2012 (assuming I get a job to financially support these travels...that's key!! I'm the queen of saving money on travel, but you need a steady source of income in order to)
Other than that, I'm still here, getting restless because I'm ready to goooooooo! But I did want to check in and keep you up to date. What travel adventures have you been on? Oh, and one last thing, President Obama has a plan to increase US tourism. I think I mentioned it before, but in case you missed it here's the link (click the word "link"). I hope in my own small way I can help support that initiative!
See you soon everyone!
Friday, January 13, 2012
Miss America State Favorites
Miss America State Favorites
I saw this photo-article on the Travel Channel where all 53 Miss America contestants were asked for their favorite places in their home states. I immediately thought two things...
1. Wow, I can get a lot of insight on where to go and what to do in every state I haven't yet blogged about, and...
2. 53??!! Man, I thought I was doing big things blogging about the 50 states (and DC) for a total of 51. You add in my Puerto Rico bonus entry and we are at 52. Now, the US Virgin Islands too! Sheesh! I mean, technically I DID go to St. Thomas on the same cruise that landed me in Puerto Rico at the end of the trip...but I didn't DO anything there (my friend and I made it as far as about a half mile from the ship before the sun thoroughly whipped our tails!) Well, we'll see what happens between now and August 31, 2016!
Interesting though, the places mentioned in states I've already covered:
Miss Virginia says her favorite place to go in her state is the beach. (Not very descriptive, or specific, but we'll assume she means Virginia Beach...)
Miss Puerto Rico named the Arecibo Observatory (which I did not visit), home of one of the most powerful radio telescopes in the world.
Miss Pennsylvania said she loves the Hershey Factory in Hershey, PA. Mind you, I haven't finished the state yet but I have it pretty much planned out... a whirlwind of PA made goods- including the Hershey Factory, a visit to Philadelphia, and the Frank Lloyd Wright house Falling Water (and its sister site Kentuck Knob if possible!)
Miss Maryland cited Baltimore's Inner Harbor (check!!!) as her favorite place.
Miss DC named the H Street Country Club as her favorite place (Really? A country club? In my mind... that's a poor choice, but that's her opinion)
Great insight though! I'll probably refer back to this article as long as it's available online for more ideas. Check it out and see if these ladies named one of your favorite places in your favorite states!
I saw this photo-article on the Travel Channel where all 53 Miss America contestants were asked for their favorite places in their home states. I immediately thought two things...
1. Wow, I can get a lot of insight on where to go and what to do in every state I haven't yet blogged about, and...
2. 53??!! Man, I thought I was doing big things blogging about the 50 states (and DC) for a total of 51. You add in my Puerto Rico bonus entry and we are at 52. Now, the US Virgin Islands too! Sheesh! I mean, technically I DID go to St. Thomas on the same cruise that landed me in Puerto Rico at the end of the trip...but I didn't DO anything there (my friend and I made it as far as about a half mile from the ship before the sun thoroughly whipped our tails!) Well, we'll see what happens between now and August 31, 2016!
Interesting though, the places mentioned in states I've already covered:
Miss Virginia says her favorite place to go in her state is the beach. (Not very descriptive, or specific, but we'll assume she means Virginia Beach...)
Miss Puerto Rico named the Arecibo Observatory (which I did not visit), home of one of the most powerful radio telescopes in the world.
Miss Pennsylvania said she loves the Hershey Factory in Hershey, PA. Mind you, I haven't finished the state yet but I have it pretty much planned out... a whirlwind of PA made goods- including the Hershey Factory, a visit to Philadelphia, and the Frank Lloyd Wright house Falling Water (and its sister site Kentuck Knob if possible!)
Miss Maryland cited Baltimore's Inner Harbor (check!!!) as her favorite place.
Miss DC named the H Street Country Club as her favorite place (Really? A country club? In my mind... that's a poor choice, but that's her opinion)
Great insight though! I'll probably refer back to this article as long as it's available online for more ideas. Check it out and see if these ladies named one of your favorite places in your favorite states!
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