Bead Shop Hoppin in southern California

So this Sunday we participated in the first annual Bead Shop Hop.  It has been going on the past couple of weekends, but because of scheduling it was our only chance to be involved.  There are 3 separate regions in Southern California, we decided to take a stab at region 1 which covers San Diego County.  This route is 222 miles and makes a long loop through most of the county.

I did the driving, Lorri was with me of course and Michelle Loon joined us for the trip.  We were going to cover as many shops as possible because there were 11 in this route.  The object is to go to the shop have a quick look, participate in a scavenger hunt and move to the next store.  Reality- two artists, beads, beads, beads and more beads.  There was so much eye candy, can you get in and get out?  Not really.  But you know what, thats ok!! It was all for fun and that was the most important part!!  We did cover 6 stores which took around 5-6 hours.

By our 3rd stop we were hungry.  Next door to one shop was Slakerz slider bar.  You want a good slider, go here.  The fries were cajon flavored or even garlic rosemary!!  Oh, so good!!

Our final stop was in Julian, that was a big goal because there we can get pie and ice cream at the Julian Pie Co.  That is the best way to finish a fun day!!  It was a great experiance. I liked being the chaufuer along with 2 navigators.  Everyone had fun out and about and we did actually see parts of the county I have never seen so that was very nice.  That makes for day trips to other spots in the county.  I look forward to that!!  Now below I will list all the links to the shops and other stops made for the hop..

Bead Shop Hop

Beads Crystals and More

Oskadusa

San Diego Beads

The Black Bead

Bead Gallery

Mountain Bead Works

Julian Pie Company

Artist info:

Lorri Gabbani - destinysplayhouse.blogspot.com

Michelle Loon - laloondesigns.blogspot.com

See how you can pack all your clothes in a carry on!

Check this out!!  Can save you fees on luggage!!

http://www.fox5sandiego.com/news/nationworld/sns-viral-video-how-to-pack,0,2850718.htmlstory

Hotels offer free nights, bonus rewards to head off slow time

By Rebecca Heslin, USA TODAY

Major hotel chains are throwing promotional offers at their loyal guests to fill rooms this fall and win repeat customers.

The offers — including free nights and up to triple bonus points — come as hotels enter a slow travel time compounded by a slow return of travelers to the road following recession.

The number of people traveling is up, as is their spending — but neither is back to pre-recession levels, analysts say. There usually are fewer leisure travelers on the road in the fall. And while business travel increases after Labor Day, it's still down compared with a few years ago.

"Demand is better this year than last, but it still isn't terribly strong," says Henry Harteveldt at Forrester Research. "There are a lot of enticing offers out there. They just aren't quite as rich or extravagant as a year ago, because they don't have to be."

Among the offers:

•Starwood is giving double points if guests stay up to nine nights through Dec. 14. Preferred Guest members can earn triple points on all nights if they stay at least 10 nights.

•Members of Hyatt's Gold Passport program can earn 10,000 loyalty bonus points after every five nights between Wednesday and Dec. 15.

•Rewards members who log two stays at Best Western before Nov. 21 get double points, or triple points for stays booked at bestwestern.com.

•Marriott Rewards launched a free-night promotion in which members can earn a free night's stay by paying for two stays with a Visa credit card between Wednesday and Jan. 15.

"The industry is offering slightly richer promotions this fall, but it's pretty across-the-board every year," says Laurie Goldstein of Marriott Rewards.

Travel analysts at STR Global forecast a 4.4% increase in hotel occupancy this year over last. The group predicts the average daily room rate this year will be about flat.

"This is good news for consumers, because rates were down in 2009 (by) 8.7%," says spokesman Jeff Higley.

Hotels also are offering more incentives, such as free Wi-Fi and breakfasts, which may outweigh offers of bonus points.

"There's very little blind loyalty among both business and leisure travelers right now," Harteveldt says. "They are willing to trade off inconvenience for savings, which is why hotels have to be more thoughtful, on top of being strategic, when it comes to rewarding loyal customers."

6 Healthy and easy ways to overcome jetlag

6 Healthy and easy ways to overcome jetlag.

by Brett Blumenthal - Sheer Balance, on Wed Apr 29, 2009 6:47am PDT1

Having just traveled internationally, I was reminded of how it feels to fall victim to a mega dose of jet lag. I had full intentions of quickly adapting to my new timezone, but unfortunately, I made a fatal error in my plan to adapt. I drank not one, but TWO cappuccinos late in the day. Bad decision when trying to overcome 6 hours of a time difference!

In the past, however, I have prided myself in adapting quickly...one day or so for a European destination. Not too shabby. This recent experience, however, has inspired me to share what HAS worked for a quick turnaround:

1.Exercise: Staying in good shape, before and after your flight will be helpful. Continue to exercise at your destination and eat right.

2.Stay Hydrated: When flying, you can easily become dehydrated due to the dry air on the plane. This can cause you to feel very tired. Be sure to drink plenty of fluids before, during and after your flight.

3.Do as the Romans Do: Once you reach your destination, adopt the schedule of the time zone you are in. Eat when the locals eat. Drink when the locals drink and sleep when the locals sleep.

4.Sleep Schedules: Do everything in your power to get a full night sleep at your new destination. If you need to, use a sleep aid (such as Simply Sleep) to help you fall off to sleep. Avoid using them, however, in flight and don't overuse them.

5.Shower: If you arrive in the morning, take a cool shower once you have landed. This will help you to feel refreshed and stimulate circulation, getting you ready for the rest of the day ahead. If you arrive in the evening, however, take a hot shower before bedtime to help relax and calm your body and mind so that you are prepared for bedtime.

6.Caffeine: Avoid caffeine after the equivalent of 1pm in your new destination. Caffeine can impact your sleep, making it difficult for you to get adjusted to the new time zone (as it did for me this last time!)

7.Alcohol: Avoid alcohol the evening before your trip. On the flight, however, you might consider a glass of wine to relax you and help you fall off to dreamland. Don't overdo it though...alcohol can disrupt sleep patterns and dehydrate you.

8.Eat Often: Especially on the first or second day of your trip, consider eating light snacks every couple of hours. This will help you to keep your metabolism cranked throughout the day, but will also avoid potential food comas from over eating and restlessness from too full of a tummy while trying to sleep.

Top five bargain destinations for fall 2010

Top five bargain destinations for fall 2010


By Christine Sarkis, SmarterTravel.com

Here's a secret: If you're looking for a great vacation at a great price, there's a good chance fall is the best time to go. In many destinations, you'll find better weather than in winter or spring, and you'll beat the high prices and crowds of summer.

I've monitored trends, industry news, and sale patterns to point you in the direction of places that offer the best bargains for the coming season. Below you'll find examples of deals presently available for fall trips. Like all deals, these are sure to expire; however, a little research on your part can yield similar results when you're ready to book.

Orlando

Early fall is Orlando's slowest travel time, and that means bargains that simply aren't around the rest of the year. Factor in new air service and hotel deals galore, and Orlando turns out to be a standout spot for travelers looking for good deals and plenty of fun this fall.

Virgin America debuts nonstop service from San Francisco and Los Angeles to Orlando on October 6, with rates from $139 each way. On the air-and-hotel front, United Vacations is offering either free Disney Dining or 46% off Walt Disney World vacations of three nights or more on select dates in October, November, and December. With the recent increase in Disney World admission prices, discounts are even more useful for keeping costs down.

Some hotels are cutting room rates as well. CheapOair recently reported Orlando hotel rates from $42 for late September stays, and Coco Key Resort is offering September nightly rates from $89.

Colorado

With its high elevations and abundance of deciduous trees, most notably aspens, Colorado delivers autumnal golds, reds, and oranges; sweeping mountain views; and fall festivals, all at affordable rates. Short-booking-window fall airfare sales have been cropping up all over the place in the last few weeks, so finding a good deal on airfare to Colorado is a real possibility this season, especially if you're ready to book when you find a great fare.

Deals are all over the state this autumn, but a few destinations shine for their combination of discounts and celebrations. Aspen will bring together vivid foliage, festivals, and cheaper rates. Numerous local hotels and rental properties have Perfect Aspen packages offering three nights for the price of two, with rates starting from $99 in September; call individual properties for details.

Meanwhile, Gunnison-Crested Butte is celebrating September Splendor in the Rockies with fall festivals, art walks, and more. Properties around the area have lodging deals with rates as low as $20 per person for fall stays.

For more affordable fall fun, get lost in Colorado's largest corn maze at Anderson Farms, about an hour north of Denver. Or, head to Estes Park for Elk Fest in early October, where visitors can safely observe wild elk during rutting season.

Fiji

Looking for a more exotic destination on a tight budget? Fiji might be just the ticket. A kids-fly-free promotion puts the tropical island within reach of families, and affordable tickets that include stops in Australia or New Zealand and Fiji can turn a beach vacation into a trip of a lifetime.

Families booking trips by September 30 for travel through February should consider Air Pacific's children-fly-free offer. For every adult flying on a qualifying ticket, one child can fly free (though you'll still need to cover taxes and surcharges). This is one promotion you can't book online; so call Air Pacific or a travel agent.

Not flying with kids? Discounted flights on Air Pacific make adult travel cheaper, too. Round-trip fares from Los Angeles booked by October 31 for travel through March are advertised as starting from $650. However, you may be able to find a flight for even less: On the Air Pacific website, the current base fare is $620. Another $328 in taxes and fees raises the price, but the total clocks in well under most equivalent flights.

Sale fares to destinations in Australia, New Zealand, and Western Samoa with stopovers in Fiji on Air Pacific run between $700 and $800, depending on the destination. And vacation package provider Pleasant Holidays has deals on November travel from $1,189 for airfare, five nights' accommodations, transfers, and perks.

Virginia

Want fall foliage without the high prices of New England? Virginia offers vivid fall colors, memorable drives, and affordable accommodations, even for those who didn't book months ahead of peak foliage season. In fact, according to Hotwire, Richmond, Virginia, saw a 6% drop in hotel prices compared to last year, putting it squarely within reach of bargain travelers.

This fall, we've been seeing a lot of airfare sales, but they are often short-lived, running for only a few days at a time. When you know your dates and are ready to book, check our reviews of current sales to find discounted flights to Norfolk, Richmond, one of the D.C.-area airports, or another regional airport serving the state.

Virginia makes it easy to save this fall with listings of special fall offers. For instance, you can find a two-night vacation rental with two passes to a historic spa for $139 per person. Or, take advantage of a fall foliage package from $125 a night at the General Francis Marion Hotel, including a $25 gas card and $25 dining certificate, for stays between October 1 and November 3. Other offers include deals on wine tasting, activities, dining, and more.

Aruba

Aruba, one of the few islands in the Caribbean outside the traditional hurricane belt, delivers fall bargains and low storm risk. In fact, many hotels on the island, including the Holiday Inn Sunspree Resort, Westin Resort, and the Divi Resorts, offer a hurricane guarantee, providing some combination of no-penalty rebooking or certificates for future stays in the event of a Category 1 or higher hurricane.

Hurricane guarantees provide peace of mind, but discounts are what inspires fall travel. Holiday Inn Sunspree Aruba is advertising up to 55% off all-inclusive rates for fall stays, with children under 12 free. The Radisson Aruba's Endless Summer Sale offers 35% off room rates, free meals and stays for kids under 18, and $200 in resort credits.

Discounted air-and-hotel packages are another way to save on an Aruba vacation. At press time, JetBlue Vacations was advertising reduced rates from $450 for five nights' accommodations and round-trip airfare from Boston (other departure cities available at a higher cost), and CheapCaribbean.com had sale packages to Aruba as well.

FOX News: How to Take a Bicycling Vacation

I thought you might be interested in this article: How to Take a Bicycling Vacation.

Sent via the FOX News iPhone App. Download the app here.

10 great ziplines across the USA

Don't look down: Navitat Canopy Adventures near Asheville, N.C., features sky bridges and custom platforms built into trees.

As leaves begin to change color, it's the perfect time to glide through treetops on a zipline. Part thrill ride, part eco-adventure, ziplines have taken off in the past decade, says Michael R. Smith, creator of ZiplineNirvana.com, a social media website for zipline lovers. Tours generally run from $80 to $180 for a three-hour experience. Smith says a good tour provides a sense of place, exploration and entertainment. He shares some of his favorites with Larry Bleiberg for USA TODAY.

Hocking Hills Canopy Tours

Rockbridge, Ohio

This course about an hour southeast of Columbus is one of the busiest in the country, attracting guests from across the region. The canopy tour includes 10 ziplines, passing over a cave, forest and river. The new Super Zip course lets you zoom along at speeds of up to 50 mph in a prone "superhero flying" position, Smith says. 740-385-9477; hockinghillscanopytours.com

Kapalua Adventures

Lahaina, Hawaii

This Maui installation is one of the country's largest and most spectacular zipline tours, Smith says. Some segments stretch more than 2,000 feet. "This one has breathtaking panoramic views, and because the runs are so long, you have time to look out at the landscape and the ocean," he says. "It's a real thrill ride." 808-665-3753; kapaluaadventures.com

Captain Zipline

Salida, Colo.

Guests literally fling themselves off a canyon edge on this central Colorado tour. "When you step off those cliffs, it's a pretty awesome feeling," Smith says. "Your feet are still running while you're in the air." And the landing is just as spectacular. "You come into this ball-bearing-type gravel, and you put your feet down and come to a Fred Flintstone-type stop." 877-947-5463; captainzipline.com

Sonoma Canopy Tours

Occidental, Calif.

This new tour features the towering redwoods of Northern California, about 90 minutes north of San Francisco. "It's really hard to grasp the enormous size of these trees," Smith says — until you're zipping through a forest of them. One segment has riders landing on a tree platform high above a creek and then climbing a spiral staircase leading to a sky bridge. 888-494-7868; sonomacanopytours.com

Berkshire East Canopy Tours

Charlemont, Mass.

New England's longest zipline "is breathtaking during the fall color change," Smith says. The attraction, about 70 miles east of Albany, N.Y., offers three options, ranging from a family-friendly introductory area to the heart-pounding Valley Jumping Tour course with the final run stretching a half-mile. 413-339-6617; berkshirezip.com

Cypress Valley Canopy Tours

Spicewood, Texas

One of the country's first zipline tours remains one of the best, Smith says. This family-run operation in the Texas Hill Country, about an hour northwest of Austin, takes visitors through giant old-growth cypress with views of streams and limestone walls. Afterward, cool off with a dip in a spring-fed pond. 512-264-8880; cypressvalleycanopytours.com

Tamarack Canopy Zipline Tour

Tamarack, Idaho

Visitors fly over creeks, canyons and dense forest canopies on this course about 130 miles north of Boise. Smith says the tour offers a variety of experiences and environments over its 4,400-foot length. "Some of the ziplines are sheltered, and you feel encapsulated; others are out in the open and way above the trees," Smith says. 208-325-1000; tamarackzipline.com

Navitat Canopy Adventures

Barnardsville, N.C.

North Carolina is a leading state for ziplines, and Smith calls this tour near Asheville one of the best in the nation. The design pays as much attention to aesthetics and the environment as to providing a thrilling ride. "The sense of being in a remote location is overwhelming," he says. "There are big sky bridges and custom platforms built into really unique trees." 828-626-3700; navitat.com

TreeTops New River Gorge Canopy Tour

Lansing, W.Va.

This tour swoops through hardwood forests and old-growth hemlocks above a canyon adjacent to the New River Gorge, which is famous for its whitewater rafting. Smith suggests visiting in spring, when the wild rhododendrons are in bloom and the water is roaring. "It's one of the most beautiful places I've been," Smith says. 877-811-5321; newrivergorgecanopytour.com

ZipQuest

Fayetteville, N.C.

This new course centers on a 150-foot-wide waterfall previously closed to the public. Set amid pines, mountain laurel and bald cypress trees, the tour offers eight ziplines, three sky bridges and three spiral staircases, including one suspended from a cable. "It explores this cool waterfall and a hidden ecosystem," Smith says. 910-488-8787; zipquest.com

The Best Labor Day Road Trips

The Best Labor Day Road Trips


Make the most of the end of summer by packing up the car and escaping for the weekend.

By Janelle Nanos

Highway 1: All-American Road

The long, lingering days of summer are starting to come to a close, and lazy weekends and warm-weather getaways will soon be nothing more than memories. Before you know it, you'll be back running shuttles to soccer practice and shoveling the driveway. Unless, of course, you plan one last summer fling.

Make the most of Labor Day this year by packing up the car and escaping for the weekend. With a map and a bit of wanderlust, you can manage to make summer linger for a few more days. That is, if you plan it right.

Highway 1: All-American Road

There's a reason Highway 1 is iconic, and if you haven't seen the breathtaking views from the California coastline, it's the only way to do it. Navigating the celebrated 123-mile stretch between Big Sur Coast Highway and San Luis Obispo North Coast Byway is no laughing matter--factor in switchbacks and narrow single-span bridge crossings--but the scenery more than compensates: The aquarium and canneries of Monterey, the greens of Pebble Beach, the soaring redwoods of Big Sur, sea otters loafing on the Pacific bluffs and the mysterious Hearst Castle perched on a cliffside.

Michigan's West Coast

Explore the bucolic beach towns along the western coast of Michigan, driving along U.S. 31 from Saugatuck to Mackinac Island. Lake Michigan's calm shorelines, great boating and pristine boardwalks boasting homemade corndogs are perfect for kids, as are the sloping sandy peaks for climbing at Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore. You'll have to ditch the car for the ferry trip to Mackinac--no cars are allowed on the island--so plan to grab a bike and explore the eight-mile loop of Lakeshore Boulevard on two wheels rather than four.

Big Bend National Park

Everything is bigger in Texas, and in Big Bend National Park, it's larger than life. The 30-mile Maxwell Scenic Drive cuts through some of the park's most spectacular vistas: dusty ranches of long-ago rangers, terra-cotta cliffsides and a jaw-dropping expanse of sky that opens up each evening to exhibit a sea of stars that puts any planetarium to shame. Get out of the car for a two-day rafting trip along the Rio Grande.

Blue Ridge Parkway

2010 marks the 75th anniversary of the country's most widely visited National Parkway, which connects Shenandoah and Great Smokey Mountain National Parks. The celebrations stretch from West Virginia to Tennessee. Walk in the Civil War footsteps of Stonewall Jackson and Robert E. Lee in Lexington, Va., or see the small town charms of Mount Airy, N.C., which was the basis for Andy Griffith's Mayberry. Stay at the Mountain Lake Resort in West Virginia; its idyllic cabins stood in for the Catskills in the classic summer rom-com Dirty Dancing.

Florida's Gulf Coast

Do your part to help Gulf Coast tourism by skipping Orlando and heading further west instead. Driving the coastline along Highway 98 from Tallahassee to Silver Springs, you'll pass through wildlife refuges and citrus fields, kitschy mermaid shows and the remnants of early Spanish settlements. Want wildlife? Watch out for gators and turtles at Wakulla State Park, or snorkel with manatees at Crystal River Archaeological State Park.

Self Defense on an Airplane Part 3

Here is part three of a video series hosted by Chrissy Russo of Fox 5 San Diego.  The video series can help help you be prepared to get through a tough situation.  These situations are portrayed on an airplane but these techniques can be applied to any situation you might encounter that can put your life in jepordy.

http://www.fox5sandiego.com/videobeta/91b841ba-8840-4361-a184-3220e0364712/Community/Self-Defense-on-an-Airplane-Part-3