(As part of my quest to visit every state, I will be spending some time throughout the year highlighting each of our 50 states.)
 
Today is Admission Day for Alaska.  On January 3rd, 1959, Alaska (purchased from Russia in 1867) became the 49th state.
Although Alaska is the largest state in geographical area, it is one of the least populated, ranking 47th of 50.  Due in large part to its connection with the oil industry, it is one of the wealthiest states. 
Alaska is a rugged state, with lots of outdoor adventure opportunities:  fishing, hunting, hiking, snowshoeing, dog sledding, etc.  During the summer, …read more

Details: Transiting the Panama Canal is one of my all time great travel experiences.
It’s a series of locks, and ships of all sizes line up to go through. Once you start going through the locks it takes several hours to complete the transit process.
If you’ve ever considered a cruise, this is a trip that I’d heartily recommend!
Photo credit: wikimedia
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I’ve been on numerous cruises, and have always found the combination of relaxing days at sea and busy days in port to be a terrific vacation combination.
Days at sea can be spent lying on deck in the sun (lots of sunscreen applied), wandering around the ship, enjoying the great food and drink available, relaxing with a book, participating in any number of shipboard activities, or simply doing nothing at all.
Friends have frequently asked if it’s boring being on a ship.  The short answer is no.
Evidently, lots of people must have these types of questions, because I’m noticing more and more …read more

Titanic:  The Artifact Exhibition will open at the Atlanta Civic Center, Atlanta, Georgia, on November 11th.   The website also lists other cities where the exhibit is on display.
The exhibition consists of more than 300 artifacts rescued from the sunken wreck by the RMS Titanic, Inc., the only company permitted by law to recover objects from the Titanic.  To date, the company has recovered over 5,000 artifacts presented in traveling exhibits around the world.  Another dive is planned for summer 2007.
This exhibition allows visitors to participate in a chronological journey of life onboard the Titanic, told through personal stories, recovered artifacts, …read more

If you want to travel outside the geographical boundaries of the Unites States, you’re going to have to have a passport.  Gone are the days when a birth certificate and drivers license would do the trick.
Canada, Mexico, and parts of the Caribbean have long been excluded from the requirement of a passport, but all that changes effective the end of the year. 
Travelers to and from these destinations will now be required to have a passport to enter the United States if traveling by common carrier — plane, cruise ship, train.  A year later, the passport requirement will be extended to …read more

Depending on the length of the cruise, there will be at least one, if not more, formal nights.
On cruises under a week, there is usually one formal night.  On weeklong cruises, usually two.  And on those over a week, usually three.  You will find a full itinerary listing meal events with your documents, in the cruise line brochure, or online.
The definition of formal varies from ship to ship, and person to person.  For the ladies, you will see floor length gowns, cocktail dresses, party outfits, or a simple long skirt and blouse.  For the gentlemen, you will see tuxedoes, suits, …read more

If you’re going to be gone for more than a few days, keep your mail safe by having the postal service hold it until your return.
If your mail is delivered directly to a box at your home, have it held if you are not going to be able to pick it up within 24 hours.
An overflowing mailbox says “I’m gone,” and marks you a target for thieves looking to steal your mail, your identity or burglarize or vandalize your home.
Your mail can usually be held for as few as three days and for as long as 30.  A form is …read more

As the Dawn Princess sailed out of San Francisco’s harbor, we passed under the Golden Gate Bridge, and these photos were taken from the top deck.
The Art Deco themed bridge, one of the most widely recognized San Francisco landmarks, opened for vehicle traffic at noon on May 28th, 1937. 
The Golden Gate refers not to the color of the bridge (it has always been painted orange), but to the Golden Gate Straight.
The bridge’s main suspension span is 1.7 miles long, and for 27 years held the world record for the longest suspension span.  It can be crossed by vehicle, bicycle or …read more

 
One of the considerations in booking a cruise, is the category of cabin you choose.
The type of cabins available have a variety of names, but basically fall somewhere along these lines:
Suites
Junior suites
Outside cabins with a balcony
Outside cabin with unobstructed view
Outside cabin with partially obstructed view
Inside cabin
Pricing depends on both the type of cabin and its location on the ship, and is referred to as the category.
On the cruise last week, I had an outside cabin with a balcony, one of the nicest cabins without being in a suite.  It was a floor to ceiling sliding door, which opened onto a balcony large enough to …read more

Whether in the air or on the sea, I can’t get away from the safety demonstration.
Remember — it’s important to pay attention!