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 Blue Ridge Mountains near Asheville, Chimney Rock, Lake Lure and Lake James, North Carolina, sits on 92 acres of rolling woodlands and nature preserve. There’s a wildlife sanctuary and timber and stone from the existing land along with reclaimed antique lumber was used to construct log cabins for travelers. Eco Club and The International Ecotourism Society (TIES) have recognized and listed the Cottages at Spring House Farm as a genuine eco-retreat and they’re the first property in the United States to be listed by Eco Club International. Ok, I totally want to go here – anyone else?

The Eco Paraiso Hotel: This resort, in the Yucatan Peninsula, Mexico, was designed and built to meet strict international ecological standards. Located between the Gulf of Mexico and the unique salt water inlet of Celestun, the landscape is obviously eco-drool worthy, but it’s also a protected 3 mile secluded virgin beach area for many species of birds and breeding sea turtles.

For ecological reasons the bungalow rooms have no air conditioning but do come with ceiling fans and a well-designed air circulation system. There’s also no TV in the bungalows that might distract you from nature. You won’t need TV though if you sign up for one of the many eco-excursions available.

Of course for the independently adventurous there’s always the good ol’ Green Tortoise Bus trips (awesome eco-fun at a great low price).

Bonus link: See some nature-travel-waterfall destinations.

Post from: Blisstree

Green Trips for Eco-Travelers

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 if I feel like it.

Secondly, iStayGreen notes that their success as a green travel site rests on, “You, our member. Your active participation in authoring property reviews, ratings, pictures, videos, and helpful tips help to build the content that is valuable to both you and the internet public. It also puts pressure on the travel and lodging industry to “Green Up” their businesses. At the same time it helps to raise the awareness of environmental concerns and their impact on the world.”

While I agree with some of the above statement, many people don’t know what green is at all. I’ve heard folks call a home with a garden a “Green home” when really issues like energy efficiency, water use, recycling, and more are the important issues. I don’t trust other people to tell me what’s green without doing my homework.

I DO however think that this is a good place to kick off that homework. If you spot a hotel or other vacation place on iStayGreen, you could see what others have to say, then look into it on your own. I also think that green travel is an underdeveloped market, so this site at least is spreading the word that green is good for travel.

Overall – it seems like iStayGreen is trying to create a decent social network for those interested in green travel, along with some revenue of their own by booking “Green hotels” so join up and give your opinions, or locate a summer hotel room if you like, but I just wouldn’t put too much worth on the Eco-Leaf Rating system.

Visit iStayGreen.org to learn more.

[image via stock.xchng]

Post from: Blisstree

Eco-friendly travel social network

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, as do bald eagles, peregrine falcons, and brown pelicans.  Water residents include sea lions, harbor seals, and sea otters.

Here are a few spots to catch a look at wildlife and sea life:

Piedras Blancas – Located along Highway 1, this spot is home to Northern elephant seals.  Viewing is best during winter, the birthing and mating season.

Pismo State Beach – Home to one of the largest Monarch butterfly winter gathering spots, estimated at over 50,000, these beautiful creatures peacefully interact with humans on the North Beach campground.  Great viewing November – February in a grove of eucalyptus trees.  Be sure to keep your eyes open, you’ll find them on the ground, in the air, and in the trees.

Morro Bay – This estuary along the Pacific Flyway is the location of the annual Morro Bay Winter Bird Festival every January.  The Museum of Natural History, located in Morro Bay State Park, has hands-on and interactive exhibits and displays that cover the eco-system and environment of the area.  The museum is on a hill and overlooks the water, giving you fabulous views in addition to a learning experience.

San Simeon – The Coastal Discovery Center is located on Highway 1, directly across from Hearst Castle.  Exhibits include rainbow trout, a tide pool sculpture, deep sea videos, and more.  FREE admission.

South of Morro Bay – Montana de Oro State Park, with 8,000 acres of cliffs, beaches, and canyons, is home to black tailed deer and the black oystercatcher.  Plenty to do for naturalists and backpackers along hiking, mountain biking, and horse trails.  Camping is available.

Bakersfield – Carrizo Plain National Monument has an area for wildlife viewing, and you’ll likely spot tule elk, pronghorn antelope, giant kangaroo rats, San Joaquin kit fox, sandhill cranes, and raptors.  It’s also home to Painted Rock (a sacred place to Native Americans) and the San Andreas Fault.  In spring, wildflowers burst into bloom all over the place.

Photo credit:  Courtesy of San Luis Obispo County Visitors & Conference Bureau

Post from: Blisstree

Family Wildlife Vacations in San Luis Obispo

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 bus sleeps up to 36 passengers.
• Green Tortoise recently partnered with Carbonfund and when you travel Green Tortoise, carbons are offset to make the trip carbon-neutral.

How it works:

• You book a trip on Green Tortoise – they have buses that go all over from place like Yosemite National Park, the Western Trail, Big Apple to New Orleans, Northern Locations like Great Lakes, Mt. Rushmore, Great Plains, Badlands, Glenwood Canyon, Arches, Canyonlands, Bryce Canyon, and Zion, and so many more destinations – it’d be hard to pick just one.
• The itinerary is flexible so if you’re hard core tip list maker who likes to stick to a set schedule, the Green Tortoise may not be your bag, but if you like things casual and fun, it’s perfect.
• You travel in a converted sleeper coach with fold down beds, personal reading lights and volume controls for the sound system. Most coaches are equipped with bathrooms.
• During some trips there are side camping trips so you can bring a tent and sleeping bag.
• There is food fund for most trips that covers about 70% of your meals. You do not need to bring your own food or cooking items because the whole bus cooks together (mostly vegetarian fare).

This is a great way to see the country plus make new friends. It’s also more cost efficient than traveling by yourself in a car or flying somewhere.

Visit the Green Tortoise website to learn more about how you can book your own summer adventure.

[green tortoise image via by radiobread via flicker]

Post from: Blisstree

Travel the Green Tortoise This Summer

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

Post from: Blisstree

Top Ten Posts at Daily Tomorrow This Month

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 switch, BWC will actually waive their sign up fee if you are transferring over from another club. Why would you do that? They give a few reasons. And they promise they won’t leave you stranded. Should you need roadside assistance:

Our Arrival Goal is 30 minutes in urban environments and 60 in rural environments. We currently respond in 38 minutes.

Nice!

And if Click and Clack like them, that’s good enough reason for me.

Post from: Blisstree

“Improve Your Car-Ma” with the Better World Club

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 that would close a large piece of Manhattan to cars on certain Saturdays in the summer. If more and more people are walking, bicycling and taking the subway, I wonder if there will even be a need.

Post from: Blisstree

Seems $4+ Gas Might Be a Good Thing in NYC

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? hint, hint, Mayor Reed…); a reduction in suburban sprawl; businesses that look to options like telecommuting or 4-day workweeks; less traffic, less pollution and, dare to dream, healthier Americans? Could higher gas prices make us get out of our cars and walk?

The arguments are compelling, but I’m not sure I am won over just yet. Why? Because my pleas for a weekend hike last weekend were nixed by my significant other. Why? Because he didn’t want to drive any where. Phooey. I don’t want to walk around my neighborhood – I already know what that looks like!

And as someone who had the opportunity to spend two years driving across the United States, learning about my country and the people in it, I am 1.) so grateful that we did it when we did, yet, 2.) very, very sad when I think that folks won’t easily have the chance to take an affordable road trip any time soon.

I am torn. How do you feel about this?

Image: Newscom.

Post from: Blisstree

Is $4 Gas a Good Thing?

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 luxury and none of the guilt? This site offers to utilize your wedding registry for carbon emission offsets.

I think I’d still rather have my wedding guests buy me a tent or a kayak. But if you’re looking for more tips on how to make all of your travels green, don’t forget to visit Liz at Traveling the Green Way. 

Post from: Blisstree

With This Ring, We Be Green…Eco-Honeymoons on the Rise

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 a little part of it. Go have a look, and gather some greenness for your next journey.

Post from: Blisstree

Guest Post at Traveling the Green Way