Travel Writer Raves for 2010 - Best Travel Experiences

Looking back on my travels during 2010, I have to admit I tired of commercial air travel yet gathered some impressive memories. Here are my raves for 2010

Alaska - Alaska and Denali National Park should be on everyone's bucket list. I enjoyed a first class train trip in to Denali and then a full day wilderness tour with a real outdoorswoman, author and musher. Later I got to visit the sled dogs at Denali at their "summer retreat." In Anchorage we shopped for Native art, did a little restaurant and pub hopping and felt, for 10 days, that we were in another land all together.

Sarah Palin... why would you ever want to leave Alaska?

Oregon Coast - The Oregon Coast has always been a favorite of mine. I love seeing the mist in the fir and spruce-filled mountains of the Coastal Range and walking the miles of beach at Rockaway and Cannon beaches. And the sunsets at the end of the day... spectacular! The Oregon Coast remains unspoiled.... a true treasure.

Santa Fe Indian Market - This year I spent an entire week in Santa Fe for Indian Market. Indian Market is not just about Saturday and Sunday and walking the seemingly endless rows of booths. It is about gallery openings, visits with the artists, auctions and shows in the hotels. The opportunities for the art enthusiast are endless. One night we went to the New Mexico History Museum for music and a bit of shopping. Another night we visited with artists in their studios. There is always something going on in Santa Fe during Indian Market week. Make it a week... not just a weekend!

These are the trips that stand out in my mind... trips that anyone can plan. Consider adding these travel experiences to your planner for 2011!

TSA Offers Disability Notification Card - Better for your Privacy

The Transportation Security Administration has a notification template for organizations and their constituents to use to discreetly provide information about their medical condition or disability to Transportation Security Officers at airports. These cards are intended to facilitate communication and do not exempt anyone from screening. This link opens a PDF document.
Here is more information on TSA requirements for persons with disabilities.

Amazing Race - Nat and Kat Win ... Medical education bills to be paid off!

I'm not gloating, but I selected anestheseologists, Nat and Kat, from the beginning. Yes, they are from my area of the country, but they also have been through medical school, preparing them well for the stressors encountered in the Amzaing Race.

Nat and Kat have overcome fear of heights, type I diabetes, sleep deprivation and more. What medical school resident hasn't experienced sleep deprivation?

Over and over they showed that brain power, and level-headed thinking will endure the stresses and craziness of the Amazing Race. What I appreciated seeing in them the most, was maturity. I get so tired of watching immature people without coping skills fall apart during the race.

I am proud of Nat and Kat, the first all-female team to win the Amazing Race. If I have to be put under, I would feel comfortable having Nat or Kat do the job!

The Amazing Race - Nat and Kat Still In - It's down to three teams now!

Wow, two out of three teams are female duos and one of those is my favorite, the doctors, Nat and Kat. Usually unflappable and always wise, these two women are role models in professionalism. They have good social skills, are ethical players and are strong.

So, if they don't win, I'll work on being unflappable and professional myself. If they do win, I'll have fun doing a bit of gloating!

Go Nat and Kat!

TSA Scans and Pat Downs - The Good, The Bad and the Ugly

I have a hard time dealing with what I have been reading about the new TSA approach to travelers. While I appreciate security, it seems like some of the agents just don't use common sense. When that happens, things can get ugly.

Case in point: At my home airport, a woman is confined for an hour as she was legally bringing breast milk through the checkpoint and asked that it not be x-rayed. Here's the story about the woman who was held captive in "a glass cage" for over an hour. Here's the video of this story.

Next case: Also at my home airport, Phoenix Sky Harbor, a woman decides she has had enough with the TSA pat-downs and decides to draw attention to the issue by going through the checkpoint in nothing but a coat and undies. Apparently her wheel chair had traces of nitrates on it. That is a no-no. Here is the now famous video.

And of course we all remember the horrific story of the retired man who was roughly treated during a pat-down so that urine from his urostomy bag leaked all over his clothing.

And now for the good... Arthur Frommer, well-traveled, of course, reported that there was no drama or abuse during his recent travels. I have to concur. I have had no trouble during my recent travels either.

And for a little light-hearted fun, here's a video made by Radiant Church of Surprise, Arizona.

It appears that if something out of the ordinary is presented to the TSA, they do not have training or a clear process for handling the situation. Left to their own devices, they seem to get heavy-handed.

Flip Camcorder - Best Present for Travelers - Best Prices Here

I just bit the bullet and purchased a Flip! Camcorder. You know, it's one of those tiny video cameras that fits in your purse. I've been asked quite a few times to submit video when I do travel stories and, thanks to the writers at Striped Pot, I now can do that!

There are times when a still photo just won't do. The Flip Camcorder will capture sound and action and bring back the whole travel story.

There are several Flips to choose from. I selected on that filmed in HD because my son suggested that I might want to have my videos shown in HD. And, I selected one with Image Stabilization as I am a great fan of Image Stabilization lenses and cameras. No more blurs! Look for the 3rd Gen camcorders as those are the newest.

More on the best Still Cameras

Nat and Kat Come in First - Nick and Vick Continue.... Oddly Enough

What an exciting episode of Amazing Race! The Hong Kong lights were so beautiful I almost considered putting Hong Kong on my list of things to do. Specifically... a night time harbor tour!

But what the Amazing Race is all about is the race. Who are the strongest physically and emotionally... and intellectually? It appears that Nat and Kat, the doctors, are a step ahead of everyone in all three categories.

Last on the list are the unfortunate couple, Nick and Vicki, who should have spent a little more time growing up, learning better coping mechanisms and hitting the books... rather than the piercing and tattoo parlor. They are still in the race only because Vicki has clearly sweet-talked tired Nick into staying. She may regret this... I know I do!

From L in Santa Fe, NM: I think Nick and Vicki should have been eliminated in spite of the fact this was a "non-elimination round". They gave up. Who decides (and when) anyway that it's a non-elimination round. Didn't they even get one of those before when they came in last? I think they were kept simply because they are controversial.