Jasper National Park

I found this video of Jasper National Park in Canada. It is very beautiful! I would love to go there someday.

Eco Friendly Huts

I found an article about eco friendly places to stay while on vacation. These aren't just hotels but solar powered huts and things like that. If you are up for a real adventure, you should really check on of these places out.

Here is the link to the article.

Dollar-Friendly Destinations

Things are getting more and more expensive these days. So taking a vacation isn't always something everyone can do. Here is an article that lists a few places around the world that are dollar friendly.

South Africa

The dollar has been bouncing up and down against the South African rand as of late, but you'll still get far more mileage out of your greenbacks in Cape Town than Copenhagen. Tipping your glass in South Africa's wine country remains a veritable bargain compared to equivalent tours in Napa or Bordeaux. By doing some savvy research before setting off, you're sure to get more for your money all around. Opt to scope the animals at Djuma Game Reserve -- a state-run park in the Sabi Sand Game Reserve. The nightly rate is significantly cheaper than private resorts with no sacrifice to your chances of spotting the Big 5. Also check out the South African Airways Vacations website for packages that include airfare, meals, luxury lodging and game drives -- oftentimes, booking the whole shebang at once saves you more overall.

Argentina

Buzzing Buenos Aires -- where an artsy and bohemian Latin lifestyle meets Euro chic in 1 of the world's most cosmopolitan cities -- has been the word on budget-traveling tongues for a few years now, and for good reason. While the peso is on the rebound, dollars are still worth their salt throughout Argentina. You can have an indulgent night on the town for a fraction of what you'd shell out in London or New York. Carry on the evening by checking out a tango show in the barrio of La Boca and hitting the club scene till the break of day. Getting beyond Buenor Aires, there are wine-centric retreats to be had in the Mendoza wine region and more athletic adventures (hiking, kayaking, fly fishing) in Argentina's piece of Patagonia. From crystal lakes and mountain views that conjure Switzerland to a wine scene that rivals Spain's, basically everything to be loved about Europe can be found in Argentina -- and for far less fiscal damage.

Uruguay

Neighboring Argentina, Uruguay is another appealing South American destination if you're looking to experience the feel of a European country in Latin America with the thrill of not having to get fleeced in euros. Stroll the Ciudad Vieja (Old City) in the capital, Montevideo, admiring 18th-century facades and the lively street cafés. Then venture away from the masses to experience Uruguay's other highlights. From the tiny fishing village turned hippie beach town of Punta del Diablo to glitzy Punta del Este, where South America's beautiful people come to get rid of their tan lines and ogle the super-yacht set, your hard-earned dollar still goes far against the Uruguayan peso.

Quebec City, Canada

The dollar has been hitting head to head against the loonie (that would be the Canadian dollar) these days -- not exactly stellar news, but at least we're on pretty equal footing in Canada and not drowning our currency sorrows in the trenches à la Europe. And no place in North America conjures the Old World quite like Quebec City. Ladies traveling solo or with friends can consider booking a Gutsy Women tour to enjoy World Heritage sites, castles and gastronomy with French Canadian cooking classes built into the itinerary. Aside from airline tickets being cheaper to Canada from the States than they are to France, your dollars will stretch too when it comes to dining out, shopping and transportation.

Puerto Rico

Despite the Caribbean's proximity to the mainland, things can cost a pretty penny in the islands. So why not stay on dollar-friendly US soil by hopping a budget airline (Spirit Airlines and Jet Blue have regular flights from New York and Florida) to Puerto Rico, one of the Caribbean's best values. That's not to say that prices aren't steep around San Juan, the capital, where 5-star resorts and fancy restaurants abound. But elsewhere on the island, you can find charming guesthouses and beach bungalows -- such as the rainbow-colored wooden abodes fronting the beach at Parador Villas del Mar Hau on Puerto Rico's North coast -- for very affordable rates. And because it doesn't get taxed the same as on the mainland, gas is cheaper in Puerto Rico, making exploring the island with a rental car a wallet-friendly way to get around.

Click here to read the full article.

Haunted Hotels

I was looking through the Travel Channels website and saw a link to haunted places. A lot of people are interested in hauntings. If your up for a scary vacation you should check out some of these haunted hotels.

Old School Hollywood Haunts

While Marilyn Monroe impersonators pose for tourists' snapshots outside Grauman's Chinese Theatre, in Hollywood, the film icon's ghost is said to reside across the street at the Hollywood Roosevelt Hotel, a 12-story Hollywood landmark opened in 1927. Marilyn reputedly haunts the hotel's poolside, uber-exclusive nightclub, Tropicana. Unless you're a hotel guest or minor celeb, you won't get past the velvet rope. But there's hope for ghost hunters who prefer blondes. Near the lobby's mezzanine-level gift shop, Monroe's voluptuous reflection has appeared in a full-length mirror relocated from her favorite suite.
Still, Monroe's isn't the only restless spirit said to be permanently checked in to the hotel. Guests may also encounter the tortured soul of actor Montgomery Clift; many have claimed to hear his trombone playing in the ninth floor hallways. Fans should request Clift's preferred digs, room 928.
Room rates at the Roosevelt have skyrocketed in recent years, and it's certain you'll need a movie star's bank account to afford a romp in the hotel's top-floor Gable-Lombard Suite, where overnighters report strong psychic and sexual energy.

Delaware Valley Disturbances

The frights begin before check-in at the Logan Inn in New Hope, PA Recently arrived guests report seeing the specter of a little girl wandering the parking lot. Built in 1722 as a tavern, and later converted to an inn, the Logan, and its spirits, are legendary in a Colonial-era town many consider America's most haunted.
Sleep in room 6 and you'll bunk down with Emily, the long dead mother of a former owner of the building. Emily's ghost, perfumed with a hint of lavender, plays spine-chilling tricks with the room's heater and rearranges your luggage.
You won't need a ghost hunter cam to capture the oft-photographed glowing orbs hovering in the lobby and hallways. After all, the building has nearly 300 years of psychic energy juicing its illuminated spheres. As you ponder the paranormal in the hotel's tavern, watch for the apparition of a Revolutionary War soldier, marching to the beat of his own phantom drum - another frequently sighted ghostly guest.

Supernatural Southwest

If the price tags in Santa Fe's galleries aren't scary enough for you, book a stay at "The City Different's" haunted adobe fortress, Hotel La Fonda. The Santa Fe Trail's storied end-of-the-line hitchin' and sleepin' post began its 200-year-plus downtown tenancy as the rowdy Exchange Hotel. Gunfights frequently erupted inside, while out back, convicted killers swung from the gallows. Today, the spirits of the Old West are said to inhabit La Fonda's lobby and bar.
The current building dates to the 1920s, but its paranormal roots run deep. In the 1850s, a businessman lost his fortune in the hotel's gambling hall. Penniless and suicidal, he jumped to his death down a deep well, a hole currently covered by the hotel's colorful La Pazuela Restaurant. Today, while your guacamole is prepared tableside, keep an eye out for the businessman's ghost, sometimes seen in the center of the dining room, leaping and disappearing into thin air.

Rocky Mountain Shine

Spooking Stephen King is no small feat. But during an overnight stay here in the 1970s, The Stanley Hotel managed to do just that. Overlooking the Rocky Mountain town of Estes Park, CO, the grand old Stanley inspired the fictional Overlook Hotel, the eerie setting for King's novel, The Shining. The building sits on land originally owned by the British Fourth Earl of Dunraven, who once maintained a private hunting reserve on the property. Irate locals and legal battles drove him out, paving the way for famed automaker F.O. Stanley, who opened the Georgian-style hotel in 1909.
The bitter Lord Dunraven haunts the 4th floor, his ghost particularly fond of terrorizing guests in rooms 401, 407 and 418. Lights switch on and off mysteriously; furniture moves around by itself. In addition to Dunraven, the ghosts of children have also been heard playing in the hallway, just outside the doors. And if you've always harbored a secret desire to speak in tongues, request room 412. Here a guest claims to have been possessed by an evil entity, driving him to speak in tongues.
As for Stephen King, he is said to have been tormented by the ghost of a hotel maid, who apparently died in his room, 217. The Stanley celebrates its apparitions with a daily guided tour, though "Shining" fans may be disappointed to discover the hotel bar does not pour "redrum."

New York's Finest ... Frights

From Mark Twain to Andy Warhol, countless writers, musicians and artists have famously found inspiration within the red brick walls of New York City's Hotel Chelsea. In addition to its storied occupants, the 12-story "cauldron of creativity," erected in 1884, is also known for its ghosts. Janis Joplin once rasped, "A lot of funky things happen in the Chelsea." Indeed. Actress Sarah Bernhardt reportedly slept in a coffin while living here.
Thomas Wolfe's presence has been felt on the 8th floor, while the spirit of Dylan Thomas, who drank away his final days at the Chelsea, seems to have stayed long past check-out time. Board the east elevator and you may share a lift with the ghost of Sex Pistol Sid Vicious, suspected of stabbing his girlfriend, Nancy Spungen, to death in room 100. Roughly half of the Chelsea's rooms (no 2 alike) are occupied by long-term residents, meaning your neighbors may be a bit more eccentric than your typical chain hotel clientele.

Here is the website where I got the article.

Traveling Jobs

I have always thought it would be awsome to travel for your job. Who wouldn't want to travel the world and get paid for it? I thought i would to a little research on the best traveling job

Here is an article about top 10 jobs... The tour guide and the travel writer are the only ones that seem that fun to me!

This is part of the article.

English Teacher
English teaching jobs are ridiculously easy to find in many parts of the world. It helps to have a college degree or ESL certification, but these qualifications aren’t mandatory.

Tour Guide

Tour guiding jobs are plentiful if you already know a place well and have good social skills. You can either freelance, using the web to attract clients, or you can apply for a job with an established tour company. It helps to have a particular skill or hobby that you can share with your clients, like mountain biking or birdwatching.

Sailor (Navy)
Even when the last factory in America has closed, the military will still be hiring. There are a ton of reasons why this situation sucks, but a Navy job actually isn’t all bad. You’re very unlikely to see combat, and you’ll definitely get to see the world.

Sailor (Yachts)
If you can’t picture yourself on an aircraft carrier, how about a luxurious yacht? Rich people need crews to help them get around, and qualified sailors with good people skills can travel the world in style by hanging out in fancy ports and making connections with the global elite.

Travel Writer

Becoming a travel writer is easy. Earning a decent income from travel writing is more difficult. However, if you can write fairly well and are web-savvy, it’s possible to sustain your travels on writing income alone.

Geologist

Becoming a geologist will take some time and money, but once you get your degree the travel and employment opportunities are mind-blowing. Our hunger for fossil-fuel energy isn’t going to end anytime soon, and people who can sniff out the world’s last stashes of oil will always score high-paying work in exotic locales.

Peace Corp Volunteer
Wait a second, you say. Don’t Peace Corp volunteers get paid pennies? Well, yes, but how does good health insurance, student loan deferrals and a solid $5,000 bonus after the end of your service sound?

Importer / Exporter
There are cheap widgets for sale in China. Americans love widgets. So go to China, buy cheap widgets, and sell them in America. Done and done.

Host / Hostess

Japanese men and women will pay you hundreds of dollars to flirt with them in smoky bars. Hey, it beats English teaching…

Diplomat
Yup, the foreign service is hiring. If you read The New York Times and don’t smoke pot you’re probably qualified. Being a diplomat isn’t all fun and games, but the pay is decent and you’ll have good job security.

Nodaway County

In one of my earlier posts I talked about staycations. Just in case you forgot, a staycation is vacation but you don't actually leave your community. Maryville really isn't that exciting but there are plenty of things around Nodaway County that can keep you busy.

The first thing I would suggest for anyone to do on their staycation is to go to the K&T Bar and Grill in Parnell, MO. I grew up outside of Parnell so i can tell you that the food there is amazing. Every Friday and Saturday night the place is packed.

My senior year, to get confirmed in the church, we had to go to a retreat to Conception Abbey. Even if you are not Catholic I still encourage you to visit. It is a very pretty place!

Another thing you should probably check out while around Conception is all the windmills. They are pretty cool to look at!

These aren't the actual windmills in Conception, but it's basically what they look like.

Growing up in Nodaway County I know that it can kind of be a boring place, but if you keep your mind open and look around you can defiantly find some interesting places with a lot of history.

Omaha's Henry Doorly Zoo

All of this nice weather lately has given me the urge to go to the zoo! I have and aunt and uncle that live in Omaha so when I was younger we went to the Henry Doorly Zoo a lot. We also went there for field trips in elementary school.

There are so many differnt types of animals at the zoo. They are always adding more exhibits too. Click here to see a list of all the exhibits.

Here are the prices for 2010:

Children (ages 2 and under): FREE
Children (ages 3 through 11):$7.75
Adults (ages 12 and over):$11.50

Seniors (ages 62 and over):$10.00

I found this picture of the Desert Dome and thought it looked pretty cool!

Here is a link for some of the history of the zoo.

Wet and Wild

I mentioned on one of mine first posts that while one senior trip we went to the Wet and Wild water park in Orlando. This has been my favorite theme park I have ever visited, so I thought I would share with you all a little bit about it.


Click here for the the official website.






This was one of the first rides that we rode. It doesn't look all that scary but when you go over those humps you almost fly off of the tube!









This slide was very scary! You can't really tell from this picture but you stand in a thing and they drop the floor out from under you. It is about a 250 ft drop.










This slide spins you round and round and then at the very end drops you out through the bottom dumping you down into a pool of water.





I defiantly recommend Wet and Wild if you are ever near Orlando Florida!

Camping In Britain

I was searching across the web for travel books. I came across one called "The Rough Guide to Camping In Britain." It caught my eye because it is not just the usual book about traveling. It adds in the camping twist as well! Here is a little about the book.

The Rough Guide to Camping in Britain reviews over three hundred of the UK's best sites, travelling from Scilly to Shetland, taking in Yorkshire hills, Hampshire glampsites, Welsh Islands and Highland co-operatives. This full-colour guide is packed with practical detail and is written by campers for campers. Rough Guide writers have visited every site featured, checking out views, testing the shower temperatures and spending night after night under canvas.
The Rough Guide to Camping in Britain features camping equipment, cooking, wild camping, festivals and adventure sports whilst pictures bring the splendid sites to life and indexes, maps and lists arranged by category help you navigate the guide with ease. The Rough Guide to Camping in Britain is the complete companion for novice campers who don't know where to start and experienced tent-riggers looking for a new destination. Whether you want snug tipis and creature comforts or simple sites in stunning wilderness locations, The Rough Guide to Camping in Britain has it covered.

Eiffle Tower

I have always wanted to see the Eiffel Tower. So I thought I would do a little research on it. I found out that there is a light show! This makes me want to go even more. Here is a video clip of one of the light shows.




Pretty awesome, huh?

Here is a little paragraph about the Eiffel Tower.

Originally created as the centrepiece of Paris’ Exposition Universelle in 1889, in commemoration of the centenary of the French Revolution, the Eiffel Tower went on to become the centrepiece of the city itself. The tower that has become symbolic of Paris the world over weighs 10,100 tonnes (990 tons) and contains 18,000 pieces of iron, held together by 2,500,000 rivets. At 324m (888ft) high, it was, until 1929, the tallest structure in the world; although that record was broken many years ago, there are still superb views over Paris from the first floor, which can be reached by a stairway, and even better views from the third floor, which is accessible by lift.Read more: http://www.worldtravelguide.net/attraction/133/attraction_guide/Europe/Eiffel-Tower.html#ixzz0kwQtYCnl

Golden Gate Bridge

This week my mom is on a business trip to San Francisco. This reminded me of the Golden Gate Bridge, something that I have always wanted to see.

Here is a picture.

Here are some interesting facts about the bridge from http://gocalifornia.about.com/cs/sanfrancisco/a/ggbridge_3.htm

*The Golden Gate Bridge was the longest span in the world from its completion in 1937 until the Verrazano Narrows Bridge was built in New York in 1964. Today, it still has the ninth longest suspension span in the world.

*One of the most interesting Golden Gate Bridge facts is that only eleven workers died during construction, a new safety record for the time. 35 people were expected to die. One of the bridge's safety innovations was a net suspended under the floor. This net saved the lies of 19 men during construction, and they are often called the members of the "Half Way to Hell Club."

TOP 10

I have always enjoyed traveling. Being a poor college student I don't get to travel as much as I would like to. Here is a list of the top ten places I would like to travel to in my lifetime.





1. England


2. Rome


3. Washington DC


4. Cancun


5. Grand Canyon


6. Las Vegas


7. New York


8. Niagara Falls


9. The Pyramids


10. Paris





Some of these places have a lot of history to them. Others just seem like they would be a blast. Either way I hope I get to experience as many of them as possible before I die!

Here is a picture of Niagera Falls!

Hybrid Cars

If you decide to take a train or the plane to get to your destination you are going to need a mode of transportaion when you get there. If you don't think you can go your whole vacation using public transportation you should look into renting a hybrid vehicle.

Here is an article that explains what a hybrid car is and how they work. It also explains why they are better for the environment.

The article basically explains the pros and cons of Hybrid cars. It is very interesting.

Eating Out

Everyone loves to eat, especially when we are on vacation! To try and stay green when you are on vacation there are many things to do. You can pack your lunch and snacks as many times as possible. But who doesn't want to eat out ever now and then? Here is an article that gives a few tips on how to stay green when dinning out.

Title: Being Green while Dining Out

http://www.dummies.com/how-to/content/being-green-while-dining-out.html

A few tips the article gives are to make sure not to use a paper cup. Also when you are taking home leftovers never use one of those Styrofoam containers. They aren't recyclable. You can always bring your own container to take things home.

Staycations

Many people these days are hurting for money. And who can go on vacation with no money? Not me thats for sure. I came across the idea of a staycation while I was searching through the internet. A staycation is a vacation where you don't really leave your local area. Here is an article that explains what a staycation is and how to plan a great one.

Title: How to Take a Money-saving Eco-friendly Staycation (stay-at-home Vacation)
Author: Carol Stone

http://www.articlesbase.com/environment-articles/how-to-take-a-moneysaving-ecofriendly-staycation-stayathome-vacation-429194.html

This article lists tons of ways to have a staycation. It helps you prepare. And tells you how to have a good time at home!

Volunteer Vacations

I have pointed out in some of my previous blogs that vacations really aren't that good for the environment. Why not take a vacation where you can give back to the earth and people as well? Many people are taking volunteer vacations and thinking about other people rather than themselves. I read an article about some of the organizations you can work for while on vacation. It talks about some of the places you can go and how much these trips usually cost. People young and old can participate in volunteer vacations. Click on the link below to read the article.


Title:Volunteer Vacations
Author: Nicole Davis

http://www.mnn.com/lifestyle/travel/stories/volunteer-vacations

Green Your Hotel

When going green you have to think about everything. You can save a lot of energy by doing a few simple things to your hotel room. Here is an article that gives you 11 tips to go green in your hotel.

Title: 11 Tips and Tricks for Greening Your Hotel Stay

Author: Elizabeth

http://gogreentravelgreen.com/green-hotels-green-accommodation/11-tips-and-tricks-for-greening-your-hotel-stay-25-days-to-green-travel-day-16/

It says that you need to unplug all of the appliances that you are not going to be using.

Hang up your towel! If you hang your towel up the housekeeping will not always take it to be washed. You don't need a clean towel every time you shower!

Leave the pen behind!

Do read more tips click on the link above.

Things To Do

Once you figure out how to make your transportation "green" you need to think about what you are going to actually do on vacation. Here is an article that gives you a few options.

Title: Green Activites
Author: Elizabeth

http://gogreentravelgreen.com/green-recreation/what-to-do-green-activities-25-days-to-green-travel-day-18/

This article talks about cheap (or free!) things you can do that don't harm the environment.


Hike
Bike
Walk
Sit in a park and watch the locals, read, or write in a travel journal
Wander through non-touristy neighborhoods (you can spend days doing this)
Stop at cafes in those neighborhoods
Take public transportation to a random stop and get off and wander around (check with a hostel worker/concierge/local first to make sure the neighborhood is safe)
Visit museums
Browse local shops and businesses
Play pick-up sports with the locals
Visit the local library
Spend time on a university’s campus
Spend time in a university neighborhood - there are often fun and inexpensive bookstores, restaurants, and coffee shops near colleges
Go to a religious service (make sure you are dressed appropriately and know enough about local customs as to not offend anyone)
Picnic
Volunteer
Windsurf, canoe, or kayak
Go for a run before the city is awake

Most of these things are good for you and for the environment!

Global Warming

I guess before I started talking about going green, I should have explained what Global Warming was. We have defiantly heard a lot about it lately, but do you truly know what it is? This article gives a brief article explaining what it is.

Title: What Causes Global Warming
Author: Larry West

Scientists have determined that a number of human activities are contributing to global warming by adding excessive amounts of greenhouse gases to the atmosphere. Greenhouse gases such as carbon dioxide accummulate in the atmosphere and trap heat that normally would exit into outer space.

To continue reading the article click here:
http://environment.about.com/od/faqglobalwarming/f/globalwarming.htm

I was actually learning about this in my astronomy class today!

Trains!

Here is another article about traveling by train.



Title: 5 Reasons You Should Travel By Train

Author: Josh Peterson

http://planetgreen.discovery.com/travel-outdoors/train-travel-reasons.html



This article lists five reasons why you should travel by train. The five reasons it gives are environment, scenery, people, relaxation, and price. Like I said in my last blog trains are better for the environment that planes. When you are riding on a train you will get to take your time and take in your surroundings. You will meet different types of people on a train. Depending where you are going you might spend a couple days with these people.

Traveling By Train

I was wondering which type of transportation is better for the environment. As I was browsing the Internet, I discovered this article.



Title: Train Travel is Almost Always Better for the Environment

Author: Tracy Stokes

http://www.ecostreet.com/blog/responsible-travel/2006/08/14/train-travel-almost-always-better-for-the-environment/







This article talks about how traveling by train is easier on the environment. "A train uses up to 70% less energy and causes up to 85% less air pollution than a jet aircraft." That seems like a good reason to take a train to me. Some of the comments on this article talk about how train travel is less of a hassle. There isn't as much security so you don't have to arrive so early.



On one of my trips to Colorado we took the Amtrak train. It was a fun experience. We didn't have to arrive hours earlier or do a whole lot for security. Our trip was overnight so we didn't get to have a meal or look at the scenery. I defiantly recommend taking the train, especially because it's better for the environment!

Going Green!

Everyone is talking about how global warming is affecting the world. Everyone is taking measure to "go green" and make the world an Eco-friendly place. Just because you are on vacation doesn't mean you should stop caring about the environment!

I found this article talking about going green on vacation.

Title: Staying Green On Vacation
By:Kris Glover
http://www.examiner.com/x-4443-Philadelphia-Green-Living-Examiner~y2009m4d24-Staying-green-on-vacation

This article talks about all of the things to do before you leave and while on vacation to be Eco-friendly while traveling. It has many great tips! One thing you can do is turn the water off before you leave for your trip. This will help prevent water waste cause by leaks and drips. It will prevent your toilets from running while you are gone.

I never really thought about all the paper you waster when traveling until I read this article. But to prevent paper waste, like in your luggage tags, you should get plastic ones that last longer. Also print your tickets and boarding passes off before you leave home. Airlines use hard plastic paper in colored ink that is such a waste!

Spring Break!

Spring Break is pretty much on everyone's mind right now. Especially with all of this horrible weather! There are a ton of places to choice from when planning spring break. I am going to compare going to Miami, Florida and going to Orlando, Florida.

Miami:

Miami has a ton to hotels! You are bound to find a nice place to stay. *460+ hotels and motels and nearly 50,000 rooms

While I was looking up facts about Miami I found one that said Miami has one of the largest snow skiing clubs in the United states! I think this is very ironic.

http://www.miamiforvisitors.com/local/facts.htm

I looked on Map Quest and it said it would take 24 hours and 18 minutes to drive to Miami If you started in Maryville, Mo. That would be a nice road trip with your friends!

Orlando

Orlando has about 500 hotels to choose from.

There are 9 shopping malls.

Here is a list of facts about Orlando
http://www.orlandoescape.com/ezines/fun-facts-orlando.htm

Map Quest says that it would take 20 hours and 58 minutes to drive to Orlando from Maryville.

Layovers

Any time I have ever been to an airport I have had to wait for a really long time. I don't fly all that often, so I am pretty content at watching the airplanes take of to fill my time. I usually bring a book or a magazine to read too. Some layovers can last forever though. And you can only sit around for so long! Many airports are adding things other than stores to occupy passengers time.



Some airports are adding spas so people can relax during their wait. I read where there are places for people to take showers and even pods for people to sleep in.



Vancouver's airport had medical services. You can get your prescriptions filled there. Of all things to have in an airport I think this is the strangest.



This video shows some of the really nice airport lounges for first class customers. It makes me think a vacation to the airport would be good enough..haha

Best Places to eat.

Everyone loves to eat. Here is a link to the best restaurants in Las Vegas.
http://www.lasvegasrestaurants.com/top10.cfm

If want to save a little money but still have a good time. Here are some free things to do when you are on vacation. All of these things seem like a lot of fun!
http://www.looktours.com/Free-things-to-do-in-las-vegas.html

Vegas Baby: Things to do

There are tons of things to do in Vegas! I don't know how I'm ever going to narrow the options down when I'm only going to be there for a few days. My mom really wants to go see Donny and Marie perform. So i guess I am going to have to go with her! The cheapest tickets are $90 for balcony seats and it is located in the The Flamingo Showroom.
Here is the link if you want more details:
http://www.harrahs.com/EventsDetail.do?locationCode=FLV&detailName=donny-marie-detail&eventTitle=Donny%20and%20Marie

And here is a clip of one of their shows:


I'm sure my mom is going to love it! :)

Vegas Baby!

The next place I will be traveling to is Las Vegas! My family and I are going next December. There are a ton of hotels in Las Vegas. I don't know how we are going to pick the right one to stay in!!

Bellagio: This hotel is a ton of movies about Las Vegas. It is the one where the fountains play to music. Here is what a Denver, CO man said about the Bellagio:

"Not as impressed as I thought I’d be
I booked the Bellagio Suite on the 29th floor. Our door had something wrong with the seal around it and as soon as you stepped off the elevator you could hear the whistling it made from down the hall. We followed all the signs to the valet parking and there was a huge lineup of cars we had to wait for. We also had to carry all of our bags by ourselves across the entire hotel to the lobby. At check-in there was no real check-in time and our flight got in early. We waited in like for about 30 minutes with all of our baggage until we were able to check-in to our room. Again, no "bellman" to wheel our luggage, so back across the casino we went. In our suite the fridge was full of things secured by a "sensor" that would charge items to your room if removed. So there was nowhere to store any leftovers from room service or other drinks, etc. The hotel/casino, however, was very impressive in it’s style and cleanliness. The waitresses and bartenders were extremely friendly, as well as the valet attendants. Everyone was very helpful, but for the money spent, I’d have expected more. I’d stay again over the other hotel/casinos, though."

Here is a link if you would like to read more reviews.

http://www.expedia.com/pub/agent.dll/qscr=dspv/htid=140596

Caesars Palace: I'm sure all of you have seen "The Hangover" by now so i thought I would look up the hotel in that movie. There are tons of things to do here. Cher and Jerry Seinfeld both preform here.

Here is the official website for the Caesars Palace.

http://www.caesarspalace.com/casinos/caesars-palace/hotel-casino/property-home.shtml

This is one of the rooms at Caesars Palace.

While I was looking up information on hotels I found an interesting article about why windows in Las Vegas hotels don't open very far. It said that people used to try and dive out the windows into the pools. Also Las Vegas has one of the highest suicide rates. Here is the article if you want to read it.

http://www.associatedcontent.com/article/1847775/why_dont_las_vegas_hotel_room_windows.html?cat=16

Traveling

I have always been interested in traveling. There is something about it that excites me. I enjoy going to different places and seeing how other people live. Being from a small town in Missouri it never seems like there is much going on or much to see. When you get away from the things you are used to seeing everyday life gets much more exciting. TV probably plays a large part in why i like traveling. Everything always looks so glamorous on TV. I guess i just want to experience a lot of things in life and one of the only ways I can do that is by getting out there and seeing the world! :)

Travel Tips

Here are some tips to stay safe when you travel!

http://ezinearticles.com/?33-Travel-Safety-Tips&id=31670

Where I've Been.

I guess to start out my travel blog I am going to talk about the places I have been. Lets see, what states have I been to? California, Colorado, Wisconsin, Illinois, and Florida. And of course I have been to the states surrounding Missouri: Iowa, Nebraska, Kansas.



I went to California with my family. I was in the third grade. We went to Disney Land and to the beach. It was my first real vacation and a lot of fum! It was also the first time I flew on an airplane.



I went to Wisconsin and Illinois on a bus trip with my grandma, mom, and sister. We went on a boat tour of the Wisconsin Dells.

I went to Florida with my 20 classmates on senior trip. We spent 3 days at Clearwater. We swam in the ocean and explored the town. Then we went to Orlando for a few days. We went to all of the theme parks there. My favorite was Wet and Wild, a water park. I would love to go back there someday.

I have family that lives in Colorado so I have been there several times. One time my family and i took the train out there. I went on my most recent trip to Colorado this past summer. My family and a couple of my aunts and there families went. We rented a house in the mountains and stayed there for a week. My favorite day of the trip was when we went to the Royal Gorge. The Royal Gorge is the highest suspension bridge in the world. My cousins and I decided to do the Skycoaster over the Royal Gorge. The Skycoaster is like the Rip Cord at Worlds Of Fun in Kansas City only over a giant canon!!! It was defiantly the scariest thing i have ever done but it was totally worth it! The workers told us there were only nine of these things in the world. My cousin and I decided that were were going to try and go on every one of them.

Here is a view of the gorge. The Skycoaster is off to the left a bit and swings you out over the gorge.

http://www.reaktiv-zone.org/wallpapers/usa_royal_gorge_2.jpg