Instant Native Travel

Always do what you are afraid to do.

~ Ralph Waldo Emerson

Have you ever taken a photograph on vacation that was so good you thought it was almost art?  We have.  My husband is an amateur photographer of significant skill.  Yup, he shot that gorgeous flower at left.  I can’t wait to transfer some of his photos from our year long road trip on to canvas and hang them gallery style in our next house.  I found Canvas Pop online.  For as little as $30 they will transfer your photos on to canvas.  They can fine tune your low resolution images (even Facebook or phone pictures), and add filters to make your shots more mod, bright or even create cartoons.  Think you’ll give them a try?  Type in code: wired10 and you’ll get free shipping!

While visiting family in St. Louis I was taken out for a ladies’ lunch at Miss Aimee B’s.  It was one of the most enticing places I’ve been in a long, long time.  The tea room and garden are perfect for women who want to meet, relax and have a nice meal.  They serve great food, amazing desserts, and the service is both efficient and pleasant.  I loved every minute of my lunch there. I had  a turkey medley sandwich with tropical Waldorf salad.  That left just enough room for me and my lunch companion to each order a dessert and switch plates.  She had the toll house pie and I the chocolate strawberry pie.  I can’t even describe how amazing they tasted.

Miss Aimee B’s is  located in historical St. Charles, MO in an old manor house and the feel of the place harkens back to a more genteel era.  You feel as if you should be wearing a sundress and a large hat.  Go for breakfast (praline french toast!) or lunch and be sure not to miss the lemonade (right).  They make it with milk and sugar and it tastes for all the world like a cotillion punch.  Delicious!

One of the toughest things about traveling is making sure your money and credit cards are safe.  This is especially problematic for men.  You can put your wallet in your front pocket, and I recommend doing so, but it leaves you with an awkward bulge in your pocket.  Not if you carry the Rogue Wallet.  It’s specially designed to fit comfortably in your front pocket and keep your belongings secure.  There are numerous models available for both men and women and prices start at $24.99.  Some even have RFID shielding.  My favorite is the man’s wallet with compass.  A perfect gift for the modern globetrotter.

I often think this, but yesterday’s headline has me convinced.  Continental has announced that it is testing “self boarding”.  That’s right, now for the price of your ticket you no longer get a nice smiling person who takes your ticket at the gate and directs you on to the plane.  You get to do that yourself.  It will save time and money!  Two things the airlines are always harping about.  I disagree.  People instinctively get confused when trying to queue without assistance.  What happens when someone cuts the line and there’s no one there to mediate?  You know with business travelers it’s going to happen.  It’s just a matter of time.  Also, who is going to gate check the 4 bags that family thought would fit into the overhead compartments?  Finally what’s to say someone won’t print fake boarding passes and get on your plane?  Security expert Bruce Schneier has talked about how easy it is to forge boarding passes for years.  I’m all for convenience and making flying easier.  I actually like the self check-in kiosks outside TSA.  But let’s get serious here, this isn’t a subway people.  I think self boarding is just a bad idea.

I have to admit I’m getting a bit jealous reading all of the news coming out of San Diego’s Comic Con last week.  Now I’m not a card carrying geek, but even I would have loved to hear the panels with Angelina Jolie (Salt), Seth Rogan (Green Hornet), and Ryan Reynolds (Green Lantern).  If I was going I wouldn’t have stayed at the convention center though, I would have booked into the chic Se Hotel near the historic Gaslamp District.  It’s a super zen boutique hideout for hipsters.  Go and channel your super hero alter ego by the pool or just stop into the spa to recharge after a long day at the con.

I love how organized and clean hotels are; there’s just something so wonderful about perfectly rolled up towels and soaps in the right place.

~ Christina Applegate

Buckle up.  I know I’ve said this before, but after this week’s turbulence incident it bears repeating.  I was astonished to read that 21 people were injured.  I understand that the flight attendants were out of their seats, it’s their job.  What I can’t fathom is that another 17 people were in their seats, but not buckled up.  Whether it’s a plane, train or automobile it always pays to be sure your seatbelt is, “fastened low and tight across your lap.”

You know it’s been years since I’ve been to a Science Museum.  Recently while trying to entertain my nieces I had a chance to experience one again.  We went to the Science Museum of Minnesota to see the Dead Sea Scrolls exhibit.  All I can say is it was a revelation.  I’d forgotten how cool kids museums can be.  It is a treasure trove of fun.  There are interactive displays, outdoor playgrounds, musical stairs, IMAX movies and even an outdoor cafe overlooking the river.  It’s the perfect place to while away a Summer day.  Besides, you can always tell their moms and dads that it was educational.

When I think of plane flights these days all I can see is stress.  The schlep to the airport, the disrobing at TSA, the long, mealless flight.  Argh!  It’s enough to make me crazy.  What can you do to alleviate the tension?  Pack Blissworld’s t-spheres pure relief.  You just roll these little beauties where ever there’s tightness and you’ll get sweet relief.  Put them on the floor, up against a wall or on your seat and massage your cares away.