The Surf Is Thumbs Up

The Surf Is Thumbs Up

Dr. Beach picks his favorite coastlines for swimming, snorkeling, and sunsets :

A few too many beach towels encroaching on your territory, menacing schools of jellyfhish, or glass shards glistening in the sand can make your trip to the shore a far cry from a day at the beach. Dr. Stephen Leatherman, whi used to be the director for the Laboratory for Coastal Research at the University of Maryland, ranks the nation's beaches every year. Known as Dr. Beach, Leatherman used 50 criteria – from sand softness and frequency of mosquitoes to wind speed and number of sunny days – to determine America's top 20.

Pollution is most likely to bring demerits to coastal retreats. “No one's going into water that has floating garbage”, notes Leatherman. He also has found that swimmers like warm surf (70 to 75 degrees) and clear water. “Even though clouded water might merely be the result of a river or marsh nearby, we have to downgrade for sediment.”

Surprisingly, California beaches don't make the grade. Leatherman cites big waves that run the risk of crushing small children, water that rarely registers over 65 degrees, and beaches that are too crowded.

In fact, crowds are a key factor wherever you go. Leatherman says, “The best beaches aren't necessarily the most popular. For example, the most popular beach in the country is Jones Beach, Long Island. Over 10 million people visit each year. I've flown over in a helicopter and the beach looks like a giant patchwork quilt.” 

Dr. Beach's picks are always curious. He takes first-place beaches out of the running every year because “top beaches will always be top beaches.”

Best Beaches in the World. Photo by Elena.

Manhattan - Part II

Manhattan - Part II

In 2010, the City launched the City Hall Rehabilitation to correct structural issues and preserve the historic building. In addition to structural repairs, the project included the installation of a new fire safety system, an energy-efficient heating and cooling system, a fuel cell, and vastly improved electrical service in order to bring the building up to 21st century standards.

All the pictures have been taken by Elena.

A lonely bench.

Manhattan buildings.

Manhattan Place.

New York, downtown.

New York... New York... Staten Island Ferry.

Manhattan costline view.

Manhattan, modern city.

Manhattan, downtown.

Battery Park Blok of modern buildings.

New York City Hall. Constructed from 1803 to 1812, New York`s City Hall is one of the oldest continuously used City Halls in the nation, and houses the offices of the Mayor and City Council, the executive and legislative branches of government. Considered one of the finest architectural achievements of its period, City Hall was designed by architects Joseph François Mangin (before 1794-1818), a French émigré, and John McComb, Jr (1763-1853), a native New Yorker.  The building is in the Federal style, with clear French influences that can be seen in the large arched windows, delicate ornamental swags, and more decorative Corinthian- and Ionic-style columns and pilasters. City Hall is a designated Hew York City landmark, and its soaring rotunda, dramatically encircled by a keystone-cantilevered staircase, is a designated interior landmark.

Manhattan street.

New York buidlings.

A statue in face of an official building.

An old building.

A park.

St-Andrew Church. 

Old residential buildings.

Trailer Park

Trailer Park A Go-Go

Buying a new home? Make sure you kick the tires first. Michael Lane, who with James Crotty has edited the nomadic RV journal Monk For nearly a decade, here shares some tips for first-time renters or buyers.

Kitchen: Cabinets should open upward or have solid latches to prevent them from popping open in transit. Also, make sure the fridge switches from battery to propane power. And get a big one, you'll want the space.

Driver's seat: You'll spend a lot of time here. Make sure you have comfortable arm rests and good back support.

Engine: Size counts. A 454 engine is big and it's worth it. If you get a small engine, you will really suffer going up hills. As for the other kind of power, the standard 12-volt deep-cycle battery should be powerful enough to keep your electrical system running for about a day without being recharged.

Bathroom: You will want space to move around without bumping your head, so save by skipping the bathtub – a shower is all you need. RV toilets have two pedals, one to fill the bowl, and one to flush it into a storage tank.

Bedroom: A lot or RVs come set up with a vanity sink in the bed room. It is a waste of space. And forget about those sliding closet doors. They buckle and become useless as the frame settles.

Tanks: Big water tanks, at last 100 gallons. You can go through 100 gallons in less than two days. Likewise make sure that your “gray water” tank (for water that had already been used) has at least a 50-gallon capacity.

Spare tire: The spare should be easily accessible. Some are mounted in such a way that it takes three people to get at them. You won't always be able to get roadside assistance.

Sewage: Make sure that the sewage hose is at least 10 feet long or that the dealer includes an extension so that it will reach out-of-the-way dump sites.

New York City. 7 Avenue. Photo by Elena.

Where to go get doing

Resources for joining a new American subculture

Monk – Lifetime after lifetime subscription: Billed as the World's Only Mobile Magazine, Monk is the witty, occasional publication of two RV nomads, James Crotty and Michael Lane. Each issue (there are about four per year) tells of their latest adventures on the road with their cat, the Dolly Lama (not to be confused with the Tibetan Dalai).

Good Sam Club: Sort of an American Automobile Association for RV owners. Good SAM offers campground discounts, mail forwarding service, insurance, road assistance, and  tour packages to nearly two million members.

Recreational Vehicle Industry Association: The RVIA can put you in contact with a local RV dealer and will also send you a free 16-page guide for first-time campers.

Low Hotel Rates

How to Get Low Hotel Rates

You don't have to pay top dollar to get top-notch service

Request all the basic discounts: Discounts are often available to senior citizens, members of automobile associations, and military personnel. But those who are eligible have to ask for them. 

Ask for a still lower rate: Hotels are often willing to reduce rates if doing so will fill empty rooms. Money magazine reports that budget motels have an average occupancy rate of 62 percent. That's a lot of rooms in need of filling: don't be afraid to ask the check-in manager for a still lower rate.

Call a reservation service. By purchasing rooms in bulk at reduced prices, these services pass savings on to you – usually 25 percent to 50 percent off the regular rates on mid-priced and luxury rooms.

The Cheapest Places to Sleep

Here's what you'll find inside America's budget motels

They all look the same when you're cruising the Interstate at 65, but there is a world of difference between budget motel chains. True, travelers don't go to them for the amenities, but some budget chains are a lot more budget-oriented than others, and some go out of their way to buck the budget stereotypes. La Quinta Inn chains, for example, offer free coffee and Danish to guests – no great leap for mankind, but a little nicety almost unheard of at budget motels just a few short years ago. Besides, senior citizens might want to choose the motels which don't offer senior discounts, while CNN fanatics can learn where to turn in for their for their daily fix. You can judge motel chains (Comfort Inn, Hampton II, La Quinta Inns, Super 8, Red Roof Ins, Travelodge-Thriftlodge, etc.) according to comfort, convenience, cleanliness, price and safety.

Hotel in Jamaica. Photo by Elena.

The New Kings of the Road

Why not take a home with you on your next vacation?

To all those hip folks who wouldn't be caught dead in an RV: think again. Kids love 'em. A 2015 poll by the University of Michigan found the 36 percent of 18- to 34-year-olds plan to purchase a recreational vehicle in the near future, a higher proportion than any other age group. Of course, older folks still love'em too – people 55 and older represent more than half of all RV owners. Still, sales of the kind of folding camping trailers that are popular with entry-level buyers increased by 46 percent in 2018 – record growth in an industry that generates $15 billion in annual retail sales.

Why? Those who had already purchased RVs cited comfort (easy-swivel captain's seats!), convenience (no lost luggage!), and a “good value” (home cooking every night!), as their primary motivations. And of course, there is the simple thrill of trekking across the nation as our pioneer ancestors did: with a kitchen in the back seat and a bed in the trunk.

Driving an RV may be convenient – if you're up to the task of parallel parking – but buying one can be daunting task. RVs cost anywhere from $50,000 for a basic trail to upward of half a million dollars for those deluxe custom buses favored by rodeo stars and country western singers.

Options vary widely, from handy dashboard cup holders to deluxe built-in home entertainment centers. The only thing that doesn't vary much, in fact, is the mileage, which is universally bad – about 8 to 10 miles per gallon at best.

With so many choices available, you may want to rent an RV first to see what kind of amenities you will require on the road, and, more important, to see if gypsy life is really all that you and your traveling companions had dreamed.

Getting There on the Cheap

Getting There on the Cheap

There are bargains galore for seniors, students, and small children

Face it, working world, airlines might drop their rates or offer special packages from time to time, but they won't bend over backwards to court you. The story is different, however, for senior citizens, students, and small children. Travel industry executives know that many working men and women have to fly on business, but younger and older travelers still need to be wooed. Accordingly, there are several excellent discounts available for young and not-so-young travelers. Outlined below are some the best.

Airline Deals and Discounts

Seniors: Most North American airlines offer coupon books good for travel within the United States and Canada. The books come in sets of four and eight, with each coupon redeemable for a single, one-way flight. They cost much and those who fly only only short distances might not want to buy these coupons, but they do offer considerable savings on expensive and coast-to-coast routes. Since the prices and services are similar on each airline, choose the one that serves cities you expect to visit most.

Students: Several airlines have their own discount “clubs” for students. American Airlines offers students deals through the National Collegiate Travel Club. For a modest sum a year, students receive three certificates valid for travel within the continental United States. One certificate can only be used by the student to either depart from or arrive at an airport near the student's college. The other two certificates can be used by the student or his or her parents, but only for flights between school and home. Of course, there are several restrictions with this plan.

USAir offers low rates to students traveling distances under 750 miles to entice them to fly rather than drive.

Full-time students who carry American Express cards can enroll free in the company's Student Privileges program. It offers discount certificates on Continental Airlines, some of which can be used on international flights or by companions.

Children: Infants under the age of 2 travel free on almost all domestic airlines. They are expected to travel on a parent's or guardian's lap, and can only be placed in a seat if one is available. With USAir, children between 2 and 11 can use senior coupons when they are accompanied by seniors also using coupons.

New York, New York. Photo by Elena.

 Train Deals and Discounts

Seniors: Amtrak passengers 62 and older, can get coach tickets 15 percent off, but only between Monday and Thursday. The discount does not apply to Auto-train, Metroliner, sleeper car, Club service or Custom Class passengers.

Students: Students 12 to 25 can get big discounts on rail and ferry tickets in Europe and beyond by showing an International Student ID Card. The cards are available for small prices from the International Education Exchange. They offer no savings in the United States, though.

Children: Amtrak passengers 2 and under can ride on a parent's lap for free, while children 2 to 15 ride at half-price with an adult or other child who is paying regular, adult ticket prices.

Overnighting Deals and Discounts

Seniors: Many hotels already offer senior discounts to guests either 60 or 65 and older, but some increase their discounts for members of the American Association of Retired Persons. The AARP admits anyone over 50, so membership means senior rates for some not-so-senior travelers. AARP membership also brings discounts on rental cars, sightseeing tours, and cruises. The annual membership fee exists.

Other seniors' clubs, such as the National Alliance of Senior Citizens and the Silver Keys, offer discounts as well.

Several hotel chains have created their own seniors' clubs. They sometimes offer big savings, but deals vary greatly, according to a recent study by the Consumer Reports Travel Letter. Hilton's Senior Honors offers up to 50 percent off nightly rates, but charges money for one year and a reasonable sum each year thereafter. Red Roof's RedicCard +60 program entitles guests to a 10 percent discount over its regular senior discount for a lifetime-membership fee. Several other clubs, including Best Inns' Senior First Club and Hampton Inn's Lifestly 50 Club, offer free membership but with reduced savings.

Seniors who want to combine travel with classroom learning can vacation for very little through the Elderhostel program. Participants, who must be at least 60, spend one to four weeks on a college campus, studying a variety of subjects, eating in dining halls, and sleeping in student  housing. Room and board can be at reasonable price a week in the Unitsed States and Canada.

National Park enthusiasts 62 or older can pay a little sum for a lifetime Golden Age Pass, good at all U.S. National parks for 50 percent off all recreation fees – a good deal for seniors who enjoy camping but not the standard daily rates.

Students:Many hotels are increasing the maximum ages for free stays with accompanying parents from 12 to 18. Holiday Inn Express even lets 19-year-olds in free.

For students seeking shelter sans parents, American Youth Hostels (AYH) provide an inexpensive bed and the opportunity to meet other travelers. A AYH membership is not required, but it does reduce the cost for a bed for the night by a few dollars. The majority of hostel guests are between 18 and 30, but there is no age requirement. Children under 12 receive reduced rates at many youth hostels, but they must be accompanied by a parent of the same sex.

Children: Many hotels permit children to stay free when their parents or guardians pay regular rates. Children under 16 are admitted free to all U.S. National parks.