posted by Charles H. Russo on Jul 22
June 30th 2007
Today my wife wanted to go pick up a chair that she ordered for our daughter. She ordered it online, and had it delivered to a local pick-up point because it was quicker than having it delivered to the house (which takes 3 weeks). The local pick-up point is a dry cleaners about 5 minutes from our house.
So we set out this morning to the cleaners. My wife and daughter waited in the car while I took her id with me. I climbed up the steps into an old and dirty building that usually contains lots of little stores and shops but today was Saturday and most were closed. I found the cleaners and to my surprise, the door was locked. No one in side. Nada. Rien (”Nothing”). Merde! (”Shit!”).
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posted by Charles H. Russo on Jul 22
posted by Charles H. Russo on Jun 21
Lincoln City
I was born on the Oregon Coast, and as a family we try to visit at least every two years. I don’t have any family left there, but I still get a thrill when we drive the last few miles into Lincoln City and catch our first glimpse of the Pacific Ocean. Although my family moved away when I was just 6 months old, every return feels like a homecoming of sorts. Of course, there are a few things we must do every visit - I would be heartbroken if we skipped them, and oh yeah, the kids would too!
Mo’s Restaurant is a MUST. I hate fish, never have liked it - but when we’re on vacation in Oregon, I eat it like crazy. Mo’s has the BEST clam chowder - and I don’t like clam chowder - at all! Yes there are a lot of tourists, and you usually have to wait in line, but I’ve never said “Ugh, I’m sick of this” and we eat there almost daily the 2 weeks we’re on the coast. Mo’s has locations in Florence, Otter Rock, Newport (2 locations), Lincoln City and Cannon Beach. You can also order their chowder base online, which we do every New Years. They ship it in dry ice via FedEx Overnight and it’s TOTALLY worth it!
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posted by Charles H. Russo on Jun 18
When planning a family vacation getaway, the choices can be overwhelming. What should you do? Where should you go? To make life easier, these questions should be answered before you start planning. Let’s take a few minutes and help you answer these questions before you get started with the planning.
What Should You Do?
How does skiing fresh powder of Vail’s Blue Sky Basin, or relaxing in the white sand of Hawaii’s beaches and hitting a hole in one at one of Myrtle Beach’s many golf courses sound to you? Ski, beach and golf vacations are great choices for families. Keep in mind, no matter what type of vacation you choose - there are many Vail Resort Lodging and Myrtle Beach Golf Vacation packages to choose from.
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posted by Charles H. Russo on May 29
Beach Vacations
Beach resorts can be perfect for your next family vacation getaway. Some of the best resorts are in Mexico, the Caribbean, and Hawaii.
Mexico
Los Cabos is one of Mexico’s most popular vacation destinations. It is located at the southern tip of the Baja California Peninsula. Los Cabos features luxury hotels, championship golf courses and some of the best sport fishing in the world. Other activities include snorkeling, scuba diving, surfing, kayaking and much more.
The Caribbean
The Cayman Islands offer many things for many people. 99% of the travelers visit Grand Cayman Island. It is easy to see why people go here. Of the islands this island offers the most when it comes to resorts and hotels. The fabulous snorkeling and scuba diving is not to be missed. When diving, you will think you are in a pet shop aquarium. The fish are abundant and the stingrays are gentle and fun to watch. If time permits, rent a Jeep and cruise around the Island.
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posted by Charles H. Russo on May 29
The clear green waters and perfect white beaches of this popular vacation area, just west of the Florida-Alabama border, make it a vacation destination and a weekend getaway spot for all of southern Alabama. Only recently has the rest of the country begun to feel the tug of its attraction.
No matter what you fancy in a beach vacation, you’ll find it here. Surrounded by water, anglers get the best of all worlds - bay, surf, lake and deep sea fishing . The climate is mild enough to permit golfing year round and some of the course, like Kiva Dunes, roll right up to the beach.
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posted by Charles H. Russo on May 29
One of the best reasons to choose a vacation rental can be the amenities offered. Beyond having a kitchen and sometimes a washer and dryer - many resort complexes and property rental companies offer great perks to their guests that don’t cost a dime.
Destin Days Vacation Rentals offers a wide variety of free Destin Florida rental amenities. This is the best and most inexpensive way to see all that the Gulf Coast of Florida has to offer.
Enjoy buy one get one free deep sea fishing with Lighten Up Charters and Captain Doug Richards. This is a 4 hour fishing trip that includes tackle, license, Captain/ Mate and fish cleaning. There must be a minimum of 4 people to book the trip, but if you divide the savings among four, this is a perk you can’t afford to miss.
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posted by Charles H. Russo on Apr 30
New US passport regulations go into effect on January 23, 2007. In order to re-enter the United States by plane from Mexico, Canada or the Caribbean, US citizens will need a passport.
Those coming back into the country by sea and land may still use a driver’s license and birth certificate to prove their citizenship. However, that is expected to change in the near future.
Currently about 73% of all US citizens do not have passports, so this may cause a shift in travel patterns over the next few years. Puerto Rico and the US Virgin Islands expect an influx of American vacationers, since they are the only Caribbean destinations not affected by the new rules.
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posted by Charles H. Russo on Apr 7
Imagine a forested valley surrounded by awesome mountain scenery. Add some sparkling lakes, clear streams teaming with fish, a variety of unique golf courses and a world class ski mountain and you have Mont Tremblant, Quebec, Canada.
This Laurentian Mountain resort is one of those rare places where all four seasons allow visitors to realize their vacation dreams. In the winter, it offers not just alpine skiing, but ice skating, sledding, ski touring, snowshowing and comaraderie around blazing bonfires - all in the fairytale setting of a winter wonderland.
While the other three seasons can surprise you with just about any kind of weather, you will not be at a loss for things to do. Hiking, mountain biking, fishing and golf are some of the most popular activities in the Spring and Fall.
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posted by Charles H. Russo on Mar 27
Everyone loves a vacation at the beach. It’s particularly appealing when our home territory takes on the drab, dismal and cold colors of winter. That’s exactly when you should head south to Navarre Beach, Florida on Santa Rosa Island off the Emerald Coast.
The inviting colors are sure to cheer you up. The clear aquamarine waters of the Gulf of Mexico gently lap at sugar-white sand beaches decorated with burnished sea oats, all nestled peacefully under a sapphire sky. This barrier island boasts 12 miles of pristine shoreline and traditionally makes most of the top 10 beaches lists year after year.
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