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Entry bubble Babies on Airplanes

By: Colleen | March 17, 2010 | Category: Travel

I will attest to having a wide variety of faults (shameless viewing of reality TV, extreme impatience, rare usage of my turn signal). But crynobody can ever say I am not a good friend. Case in point: This morning I drove my amigo to the airport at 4am. He is going to Vegas. I am not. He is sitting by the pool replenishing his vitamin D. I am not. He is engaging in all the other pleasures Sin City has to offer. I. Am. Not.

I may be a good friend, but that doesn't mean I'm not bitter. So, because it was 4am, and because I'm not a morning person, and because I'm insanely jealous, as I dropped my pal off I told him I hoped he was seated in-between two teething infants on the flight.

Children, especially infants- on airplanes is a very contentious topic. Some say they have no place being on a flight, and dread listening to them cry, as there is no means for escape. Others sympathize with the parent, and expect the kids to cry- that's what babies do.

Since air-travel is becoming less and less enjoyable, and it's unlikely that the issue of crying kids on-board will ever be resolved, below are some tips when traveling with young ones.

  • Since babies can't chew gum to relieve ear pressure at take-off and landing, give them something to suck on such as a pacifier or a bottle.
  • Be sure you carry on all the items you need to keep the child content: toys, change of clothing, blanket, etc.
  • For older kids, bring books and toys they've never seen before. The novelty of something new will extend their interest.
  • Portable DVD players, video ipods, and portable video game systems with ear phones are worth every penny.

In general, just making an effort to quiet a fussy child is appreciated by fellow passengers. Trying to fix the situation will often draw sympathy from those around you.

Do you have any tricks to keep kids content while traveling? How do you deal with a crying child in the air?

 

 

| Post a Comment | View Comments [4] | envelope E-mail This Entry | Tags: air_travel   airplane   colleen   flying_with_kids   infants  

 

Entry bubble Passport Cost Increase

By: Colleen | March 10, 2010 | Category: Travel

Now that the east coast has finally started to warm up, the sun is shining, birds are chirping...allow me to bring some gloom and doom to passportyour day. It looks like the cost of obtaining / renewing a passport is going to go up.

The State Department is proposing a fee hike that would raise the cost of applying for a passport from $100 to $135, and renewal cost would increase to $110 from the current $75.

The reason? The State Department says that the costs of increased security and anti-fraud and terrorism measures aren't being covered by the current fees.

Besides this just seeming like yet another rising cost that is annoying to deal with, some lawmakers worry that overall it will hurt the tourism industry- particularly to neighboring countries of Canada and Mexico. They worry that the increased burden will deter Americans from traveling and in turn, continue to hurt the economy.

While the increase is not yet final, it could be in effect by April. The State Department suggests applying for your passport now if you are planning international travel, as a rush of applications are expected in the wake of this news.

Do you have an alternative idea to cover security costs? Do you mind paying the higher fee?

| Post a Comment | View Comments [0] | envelope E-mail This Entry | Tags: colleen   passport   passport_increase   state_department   travel  

 

Entry bubble Gas Prices to Go Up this Summer

By: Colleen | February 24, 2010 | Category: Travel

I am very fortunate that throughout my life I've had many opportunities to travel. prices

One thing in all my adventures remains consistent. Whether I've gone to the moon, or to the Jersey shore for a few days, my parents ask me the same two questions, without fail, upon my return.

1. What'd you eat?

2. What was the price of gas there?

With summer approaching, gas prices are expected to rise. Experts are saying it will likely go into the $3 - $3.25 range. It's not supposed to be as bad as last year when prices reached over $4 in some parts of the country.

Somewhat relieving is that the price increase is not due to American consumption - it's because of the price of crude oil, for which the demand continues to go up from places like China.

Since our economy is still, well, nothing to brag about, do you think this forecasted price increase will impact you? How will it change your daily life? Or summer vacation plans?

Luckily, there are some tips to save on gas. Check these out.

 

| Post a Comment | View Comments [10] | envelope E-mail This Entry | Tags: colleen   gas   gas_prices   gasoline   saving_money   vacation  

 

Entry bubble Help Improve the National Mall

By: Jake | February 15, 2010 | Category: Travel

National MallHappy President's Day!

Speaking of presidents, George Washington, Abraham Lincoln and Ulysses S. Grant all have monuments on the National Mall in Washington, D.C.  Established in 1965, the National Mall and Memorial Parks protects some of the older parkland in the National Park System and accommodates 24 million visitors a year.

Recently, the National Park Service unveiled the Draft National Mall Plan and Environmental Impact Statement which aims to, amongst other things, "address the needs of visitors for access, enjoyment, education, recreation, facilities and services; and improve park operations." The planning team has developed a set of five management alternatives that describe different visions for how the National Mall could be managed to achieve this goal.

While they don't plan to drastically change the Mall, they are looking for public input on the plan until March 18. You don't have to go to the Mall to provide input either. They have webpages with the complete plan, pictures/video of the monuments and of course a robust online survey.

How do you think the National Park Service could manage the National Mall better?



| Post a Comment | View Comments [0] | envelope E-mail This Entry | Tags: draft_national_mall_plan_and_environmental_impact_statment   jake   national_mall  

 

Entry bubble National Wear Red Day

By: Colleen | February 03, 2010 | Category: Travel

Most people think they should wear red on February 14th, for that terrible, horrible, no good, very bad, Hallmark holiday (flowers that redwere never delivered two years ago, a boyfriend who neglected to call last year...I have the right to be bitter, ok?).

Really, there is a much better reason to dress in crimson and we should do it this Friday, February 5th.

National Wear Red Day is an effort to promote awareness of women's heart disease and heart health. The intention is to remind people that "Heart Disease Doesn't Care What You Wear- It's the #1 Killer of Women®."

Want to know a way to show your support? Check out the toolkit of tips put together by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.

Here are some factors that contribute to heart disease. Are you at risk?

  • High blood pressure
  • High blood cholesterol
  • Diabetes
  • Smoking
  • Being overweight
  • Being physically inactive
  • Having a family history of early heart disease
  • Being age 55 or older

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