I love road trips which, as a green living advocate, always makes me feel a little guilty what with the gas use and all. It’s true that the greenest vacation is one nearby, however, if you want to buy some flight or auto carbon credits to offset your travel energy, you may want to check out some far-off destinations.

Outrigger Log Cabin at The Cottages at Spring House Farm
The Cottages at Spring House Farm was named one of the “Top Ten Best Hideaways” by Outside Magazine and this getaway is green to boot. The Cottages, located at the foot of the …read more

As of Thursday over 600 lodging properties have earned the Green Eco-Leaf Rating by completing a 70 point comprehensive eco-audit survey administered by iStayGreen.org – the online social network of environmentally friendly travel.

I’m not too sure that this is the best way to find eco-friendly travel destinations though. The rating is flawed in a number of ways. For example, although the eco-audit is comprehensive in nature, travel properties fill out the audit on their own. I could be Joe hotel owner with no recycling program and non-organic sheets but who is really to stop me from calling my hotel green …read more

If outdoor recreation and wildlife is your idea of a perfect vacation, San Luis Obispo County provides a California Natural Escape.  With parks and beaches, a national monument, fresh water lakes, and the beautiful Pacific Ocean, this area provides an array of family friendly eco-activities.
Wildlife lovers will get their fill in San Luis Obispo County.  It’s a top birding destination (over 450 species have been noted here), it’s on the winter migration path for spot gray whales, it’s congregating ground and mating spot for elephant seals, and it’s a wintering ground for migrating Monarch Butterflies.  Sandhill cranes call it home, …read more

If you’re looking for a great summer vacation this year that’s not only fun but eco-friendly why not consider a Green Tortoise adventure?! Green Tortoise adventures are set up for fun and independent travelers – from adults to kids. The Green Tortoise bus travels to a multitude of places all over the country and in an earth-friendly manner.

Eco-benefits of Green Tortoise:

Green Tortoise coaches score 200 passenger miles per gallon for most trips.
In 2007 Green Tortoise started running their fleet (where possible) on bio fuels.
Green Tortoise sleeper coaches are designed so that you get to know your fellow travelers. Each …read more

Just in case you missed them…

Friday Favorites: Caves Reveal Climate, Amazon Sighting, Eco-Tourism, Soaring Solar and More (A perennial favorite)
Those Kicks Aren’t Done Kicking – Reuse Those Shoes! (mentioned in BestHealthMag.ca. Nice!)
Five Reasons Being Green Is Good for My Mental Health (by guest blogger Alicia from Mental Health Notes)
Is $4 Gas a Good Thing?
How is My Green Sunscreen Holding Up?
Green Giveaway – Learn to Create a Healthy Home CD (check here for the winner)
How Does Your Garden Grow?
Do You Know What You’re Putting on Your Face?
Why There is an Environmental Blog on the Health and Wellness Channel
Seems $4 …read more

I’m not saying that AAA hasn’t served us well. We were frequent visitors at their offices throughout our two year road trip and always walked away with resources we could use.
BUT,  had we known about the Better World Club, we may have signed up with them instead. What’s the difference? The Better World Club is the:
Nation’s Only environmentally friendly auto club. Membership Includes eco-travel Services, Discounts on hybrid car rental, insurance Services, Free Maps, Auto Maintenance discounts and bicycle roadside assistance. We donate 1% of annual revenues toward environmental cleanup and advocacy.
If you’re thinking about making the …read more

How timely!
An article in today’s New York Times actually adds stats and graphs to support the argument that escalating gas prices are doing more to enhance usage of public transportation and reduce traffic and pollution than policies:
“We’re at the point where people really are changing habits,” said Sam Schwartz, a transportation consultant. He said that if gas prices stayed high, the result could be close to the goal set by [Mayor] Bloomberg’s congestion pricing plan, which, if it had been approved, was expected to reduce traffic in much of Manhattan by 6.3 percent”
Earlier this year Mayor Bloomberg announced a plan …read more

Wait, wait. Before you bean me over the head with your pocketbook (which probably won’t hurt that much since it is so much lighter these days), let’s think about it.
Sure, gas priced above $4 a gallon broke some pumps here in Pennsylvania, but if something’s not broke, we usually don’t fix it. Maybe more expensive gas will fix some things?
An article at Time.com entitled, “Ten Things You Can Like About $4 Gas,” explores this question. Among the benefits are increased use of public transportation (hey, maybe that will mean improved public transportation and more realistic routes and times? …read more

Going green is the last thing most newlyweds must be thinking about on their honeymoon night. Right? Not so says the New York Times.
They report that there is a growing trend towards low-impact, environmentally-friendly, post-nuptial celebration. [Enter marriage consummation joke here.]
What ways are people making their honeymoon more green? Some are doing it via eco-travel by traveling only to sustainable destinations. Some are going to luxury hotel that utilize solar power and other eco-friendly options. Some are traveling closer to home. Some are volunteering at organic farms. Some are traveling to National Parks.
What if you still want the …read more

Hey! That’s me in the picture!
Earlier this week I mentioned that Healthbolt’s Liz Lewis had taken on a new task – helping up travel in a greener way. One of the weekly features at b5media’s new Traveling the Green Way will be “Green Tips from a Traveler.” This week’s traveler is me.
The site is new, but I love the lists of resources Liz has already managed to compile. I wish this were around when we were on our road trip.
What road trip? This one.
Anyway, this is a great new green resource and I am honored that Liz let me be …read more