Well, it's been a busy month, so I haven't had a lot of time to create unique and entertaining Travelbloggity posts. But, in keeping with my self-proclaimed travel guru status, I have traveled many many miles this past month, road-trip style. We moved to Pittsburgh from Bumpass, Virginia, (a seven hour drive one way), and we drove it no less than three times over the past three weeks. In trip number one, I single-handedly drove the Haunted Bus up to Pittsburgh to meet my husband for our closing. (Which went well except for when he crashed the bus into the gate as we were pulling into the storage facility.) Trip number two was with the huge rental truck, the van pulling the camper, our two girls, and a bunch of our stuff.
Trip number three was with the tiny rental truck, the van pulling the trailer, my husband, and the cats. (Luckily the kids weren't along for this road trip.) Since we have three cats, we thought it wise to separate them on the trip "for their own good." David got Sparky and Mufasa in the van, and I got to take Ross Perot, the most skittish of the trio, in the rented Penske. It was a long seven hour drive made even more difficult by the scaredy-cat who looked to me for physical protection the entire time. We started the journey sanely enough, with the cat locked up in a tiny little cat carrier, howling rhythmically. But, seven hours later, when we finally pulled into our new house, the cat carrier was splayed open on the floorboards, and Ross Perot was precariously perched across my shoulder blades, claws deep into my sweatshirt, feigning sleep. It was tough. Much of the time on the road I spent defending my personal space and trying to get Ross Perot to sit in the passenger seat like a civilized animal. The rest of the time I spent imagining "tips for successful travel with your cat" which would make a great blog entry. I thought I could easily come up with some positive, creative ways to simplify the process of moving a feline. But, unfortunately, between my husband and I, we were only able to come up with some "DO NOTs" for the next time we do a short road trip with cats. And, for anyone else's benefit, here they are:
1. DO NOT waste $30-$40 on a cat carrier unless you and the cat are committed to using it the whole ride.
2. DO NOT stuff cat number one and two into cat carriers right before cat number three's very eyes. He is not as dumb as he appears.
3. DO NOT bother with "litter box breaks" for traveling cats.
4. DO NOT bother with "feeding breaks" for traveling cats.
5. If your cat is a free-roamer in the car (see "DO NOT" rule number one), DO NOT open your window and slow down the vehicle as you approach your destination.
And, finally, number 6. DO NOT travel with cats unless it is absolutely necessary.
Monday, October 27, 2008
Thursday, October 2, 2008
Where did I park?
I just returned from a three day business trip to OK. I flew, and parked my car in the economy parking lot(economy being $7 a day!). Here's a great tip for remembering where you parked your car at the airport:
Use your cell phone to take a picture of the numbered spot. Then, when you come back from your trip, no need to rack your brains trying to remember where you parked, just whip out the phone and look at the picture. It's a great solution for those who have cameras in their phones. However, I do not have a camera in my cell phone. So, here's what I do: in my contacts, I have an entry called "Parking." I just save the current parking spot number in one of the fields, and I can easily call it up when I'm back in town.
The trick with this tip is to make sure you delete the old parking spot number!
Use your cell phone to take a picture of the numbered spot. Then, when you come back from your trip, no need to rack your brains trying to remember where you parked, just whip out the phone and look at the picture. It's a great solution for those who have cameras in their phones. However, I do not have a camera in my cell phone. So, here's what I do: in my contacts, I have an entry called "Parking." I just save the current parking spot number in one of the fields, and I can easily call it up when I'm back in town.
The trick with this tip is to make sure you delete the old parking spot number!
Wednesday, September 17, 2008
"Hold the Mail"
I just got back from an impromptu 7 days out of town. I started out to Virginia Beach to see my folks for one maybe two nights. I shot out of town with the kids and not even a car potty, since the drive is only 2 1/2 hours. They napped, so it was no big deal. The next day, however, I got a call from my husband who is working in Pittsburgh. He went into the hospital. So, instead of returning home to check the mail and feed the cats before going to Pittsburgh, I just shoved the girls into the car and we headed staight from Virginia Beach on an eight hour road trip, woefully un-prepared.
Luckily, I packed my computer. So, having a wireless DSL card, I found some videos online for the kiddies to watch. (I always have an inverter in the car, so I can plug in my computer.) That helped. And somehow we made it without too much fussing.
When we got there, I realized I was in for more that a one-night visit to a husband in the ER. He was going to be there all weekend. At least. So, I called a friend to dump more dry food for the cats (they are pretty independent, thanks to that cat door). Then I went to usps.com where you can electronically request the post office to hold your mail. Now that is handy, and something everyone should know. If you are ever suddenly out of town for over three days, you can make this online request and it saves you getting a neighbor to come out daily and empty your mailbox.
Luckily, I am back home now, with all my junk mail delivered in one lump sum. Husband is doing fine and back at work in Pittsburgh. Now I have to concentrate on packing for the big move...
Luckily, I packed my computer. So, having a wireless DSL card, I found some videos online for the kiddies to watch. (I always have an inverter in the car, so I can plug in my computer.) That helped. And somehow we made it without too much fussing.
When we got there, I realized I was in for more that a one-night visit to a husband in the ER. He was going to be there all weekend. At least. So, I called a friend to dump more dry food for the cats (they are pretty independent, thanks to that cat door). Then I went to usps.com where you can electronically request the post office to hold your mail. Now that is handy, and something everyone should know. If you are ever suddenly out of town for over three days, you can make this online request and it saves you getting a neighbor to come out daily and empty your mailbox.
Luckily, I am back home now, with all my junk mail delivered in one lump sum. Husband is doing fine and back at work in Pittsburgh. Now I have to concentrate on packing for the big move...
Sunday, September 7, 2008
Receipts.
I travel on business a little more than I travel for pleasure. Sometimes the two intermingle, as I tend to bring a daughter or two with me if the destination holds some draw. But, since my work doesn't pay for the kiddies, I have to keep receipts separate, or sort through them all after the fact. And, let me tell you, that takes forever. So, my simple solution is this: while traveling, I always get a receipt. If the receipt is for something that is non-work related, I fold it in half and put in in the billfold section of my wallet. But, if the receipt is work-related or reimbursable, I fold it lengthwise in half before stuffing it in the same billfold. Then, when I return from traveling, I pull out all my receipts and separate them into the business fold and the non-business fold (aka "the pleasure fold"). It simplifies things a bit.
However, there are times when getting a receipt is tough, or just slips my mind completely. On a business trip to the Middle East last year, I had such a situation when I shelled out 30 bucks to a cab driver and then had no proof of the act. But I turned it in on my travel report anyway, I mean, thirty dollars is thirty dollars! In order to reimburse me for the out of pocket expense, my boss asked me to write an explanation of the missing receipt. She had no idea what she was in for!
The aforementioned "written explanation for the missing receipt" is below. (A little exposition before you read: I produce robot tournaments, and I travel to a number of them in far away places. I coordinate with the local planners to make sure that they have everything we need for a successful tournament. If we don't, the buck stops here. So, obviously, I have my priorities.)
Travel to Doha, Qatar: Elizabeth Whitewolf’s written explanation of the missing receipt
Qatar is a small country with a desert climate, surrounded on three sides by the Persian Gulf. It has few fresh water resources and, thus, should have an ample reserve of plumbing supplies; however, there seem to be no 1" PVC cross pieces anywhere inside the country. The local planner had searched in vein for the three cross pieces needed to complete the Botball regulation game board, but they were nowhere to be found in the entire country, and he refused to cross into Saudi Arabia for the cause. So, we eventually decided that I would smuggle the needed PVC pieces in my checked luggage. Otherwise, there would be no robot tournament.
I bought three 1" PVC cross pieces, packed them tightly between my sandals and my Botball ladies polo, and headed to the Richmond airport for my Wednesday night flight. But somewhere between leaving the house and my arrival at the airport, the outgoing flight became dangerously delayed. I would have missed my connection, so United thoughtfully rebooked me for the following morning: an American flight and then two British Air flights all the way to Doha. I would arrive a mere 18 hours after my scheduled arrival. All I had to do was show up at 9am in the morning...except the following morning did not go as planned.
Hours after arriving at the Richmond airport, I found myself stranded in Chicago O’Hare International Airport, abandoned by both American Airlines and British Air, who refused to take me any further because of “United’s re-booking error.” As far as I could tell, the "re-booking error" boiled down to this, United had failed to notify the Queen's airline of the re-booking. The beautiful British Air counter rep was not impressed with my printed paper ticket issued by United, and she would not let me board the overbooked flight. In a flawless British accent and much pomp, she turned me away. So I had to try to convince the ticket agent at American and then United that I was Wronged. (And, of course, both airlines were housed in different terminals.) I indeed had a paid ticket to Qatar, and I was already hours past my original arrival time in Doha, but nobody seemed able to help me. After telling my story twice to smiling ticket agents and three times to unfortunate standers-by, it dawned on me that my luggage, being mute and without opposable thumbs, had an even lesser chance of making it to our final destination than I did. So once I sorted out my mess and got booked on a flight to London (thanks to United who finally fessed up), I turned my efforts to my luggage. After all, there were important PVC pieces in there which we couldn't do without in Qatar.
I visited the luggage claim desk at American and my story about the inevitable loss of my suitcase was met with a blank stare. Twice. So I made my way to the United luggage claim desk and got much of the same stare but with a hint of mockery. At that point I chalked my suitcase up as gone. It was not going to make it. Thinking only of the Botball tournament, I went immediately outside and hailed a cab. “Get me to the nearest hardware store!” I demanded, and I watched as the meter climbed steadily… 5 dollars…7 dollars…12 dollars... We finally arrived at an Ace Hardware and I ran inside, “I’ll only be a minute,” I said to the driver. And it was true. I found those PVC pieces in no time flat. Returning to the cab the meter was at 14 dollars, and we sped back to the airport. In retrospect, I realize that maybe I should have stopped at a Wal-Mart store on the way back; you know, for clothes or toiletries, or anything else that would no doubt go missing with my suitcase. But, my mind was focused on work , and at least I had that handled, so when we pulled up to the terminal, I handed the driver thirty dollars in cash (the meter read $24). I slammed the door and checked my watch. I still had time, about an hour even, but I had no receipt. I turned and cried to the rapidly receding taxi, “Wait! Please! My receipt...” I even whole-heartdly ran a few paces after it, but with no sign of brake lights, I gave up. I sighed, and walked in to the airport to begin another 17 hours of air travel.
However, there are times when getting a receipt is tough, or just slips my mind completely. On a business trip to the Middle East last year, I had such a situation when I shelled out 30 bucks to a cab driver and then had no proof of the act. But I turned it in on my travel report anyway, I mean, thirty dollars is thirty dollars! In order to reimburse me for the out of pocket expense, my boss asked me to write an explanation of the missing receipt. She had no idea what she was in for!
The aforementioned "written explanation for the missing receipt" is below. (A little exposition before you read: I produce robot tournaments, and I travel to a number of them in far away places. I coordinate with the local planners to make sure that they have everything we need for a successful tournament. If we don't, the buck stops here. So, obviously, I have my priorities.)
Travel to Doha, Qatar: Elizabeth Whitewolf’s written explanation of the missing receipt
Qatar is a small country with a desert climate, surrounded on three sides by the Persian Gulf. It has few fresh water resources and, thus, should have an ample reserve of plumbing supplies; however, there seem to be no 1" PVC cross pieces anywhere inside the country. The local planner had searched in vein for the three cross pieces needed to complete the Botball regulation game board, but they were nowhere to be found in the entire country, and he refused to cross into Saudi Arabia for the cause. So, we eventually decided that I would smuggle the needed PVC pieces in my checked luggage. Otherwise, there would be no robot tournament.
I bought three 1" PVC cross pieces, packed them tightly between my sandals and my Botball ladies polo, and headed to the Richmond airport for my Wednesday night flight. But somewhere between leaving the house and my arrival at the airport, the outgoing flight became dangerously delayed. I would have missed my connection, so United thoughtfully rebooked me for the following morning: an American flight and then two British Air flights all the way to Doha. I would arrive a mere 18 hours after my scheduled arrival. All I had to do was show up at 9am in the morning...except the following morning did not go as planned.
Hours after arriving at the Richmond airport, I found myself stranded in Chicago O’Hare International Airport, abandoned by both American Airlines and British Air, who refused to take me any further because of “United’s re-booking error.” As far as I could tell, the "re-booking error" boiled down to this, United had failed to notify the Queen's airline of the re-booking. The beautiful British Air counter rep was not impressed with my printed paper ticket issued by United, and she would not let me board the overbooked flight. In a flawless British accent and much pomp, she turned me away. So I had to try to convince the ticket agent at American and then United that I was Wronged. (And, of course, both airlines were housed in different terminals.) I indeed had a paid ticket to Qatar, and I was already hours past my original arrival time in Doha, but nobody seemed able to help me. After telling my story twice to smiling ticket agents and three times to unfortunate standers-by, it dawned on me that my luggage, being mute and without opposable thumbs, had an even lesser chance of making it to our final destination than I did. So once I sorted out my mess and got booked on a flight to London (thanks to United who finally fessed up), I turned my efforts to my luggage. After all, there were important PVC pieces in there which we couldn't do without in Qatar.
I visited the luggage claim desk at American and my story about the inevitable loss of my suitcase was met with a blank stare. Twice. So I made my way to the United luggage claim desk and got much of the same stare but with a hint of mockery. At that point I chalked my suitcase up as gone. It was not going to make it. Thinking only of the Botball tournament, I went immediately outside and hailed a cab. “Get me to the nearest hardware store!” I demanded, and I watched as the meter climbed steadily… 5 dollars…7 dollars…12 dollars... We finally arrived at an Ace Hardware and I ran inside, “I’ll only be a minute,” I said to the driver. And it was true. I found those PVC pieces in no time flat. Returning to the cab the meter was at 14 dollars, and we sped back to the airport. In retrospect, I realize that maybe I should have stopped at a Wal-Mart store on the way back; you know, for clothes or toiletries, or anything else that would no doubt go missing with my suitcase. But, my mind was focused on work , and at least I had that handled, so when we pulled up to the terminal, I handed the driver thirty dollars in cash (the meter read $24). I slammed the door and checked my watch. I still had time, about an hour even, but I had no receipt. I turned and cried to the rapidly receding taxi, “Wait! Please! My receipt...” I even whole-heartdly ran a few paces after it, but with no sign of brake lights, I gave up. I sighed, and walked in to the airport to begin another 17 hours of air travel.
Tuesday, September 2, 2008
30 days in a Motel...
Our family is moving to Pittsburgh in mid October. Meanwhile, my husband is actually working there without a house. So I found him the cheapest accommodations I could, Motel 6. While investigating Motel 6, I discovered that it indeed is the most inexpensive chain of motels around. And, there is a great feature on their website that I will certainly take advantage of, being such a cheapskate. There is a roadtrip planner, which maps out your route and lists all the Motel 6's along the way. The map is interactive, and it also lists driving directions underneath. How cool is that?
Click here for the Motel 6 roadtrip planner. It is perfect for the budget traveler. The room we got in Pittsburgh is only $39 a night, and they advertise rooms as low as $22 a night. How can you go wrong with Motel 6, after all, they'll "leave the light on for ya."
Click here for the Motel 6 roadtrip planner. It is perfect for the budget traveler. The room we got in Pittsburgh is only $39 a night, and they advertise rooms as low as $22 a night. How can you go wrong with Motel 6, after all, they'll "leave the light on for ya."
Monday, August 25, 2008
The foldy stool.
My kids are just a little too short to reach the sinks at most hotels and camp grounds, not to mention all of the rest stops in between. I found a little plastic stool that folds completely flat at a hardware store. It cost about $12, and I bring it along when we travel, sometimes in my suitcase and sometimes in the car. It was especially helpful at camp last week because it doubled as a chair. In hotels, I just set it up in the bathroom and then I don't have to help with the teeth brushing and the hand washing.
Friday, August 22, 2008
About paying bills...
We have been "camping" for ten nights. The word resides in quotes because our camping involves a pop-up camper, electricity, and usually a water hook-up, in addition to showers and toilets within walking distance. The camping trip was longer than expected; originally we had planned on a mere six night camp extravaganza. But, with our move to Pittsburgh coming up, we decided to stop and purchase our first house while on the road (another reason to have a wireless data card, house shopping on a road trip!). So, our trip was extended by five days. It was a long trip, changing campgrounds three times, but it was fun. And exhausting.
We were driving home last night, relieved to be back in Virginia after so many nights in the camper. As we pulled onto our road, I said to the girls, "Well, here we are at Paynes Mill Rd. Camp. Let's pick out a nice site near the bathrooms." They laughed after the initial wave of panic subsided and they realized it was only a joke. David pulled the camper into the driveway and backed it in next to the house (we have no neighbors anywhere near us). "Well, here's a nice spot, right next to the bathhouse" he said. Then we jumped out to start unpacking the car. I grabbed a bunch of dirty clothes and my computer bag, and headed into the stifling hot, completely silent, and dark house. Yup, the electricity had been turned off. And, since we have an electric well pump, no running water. Home sweet home.
This extended vacation, coupled with an overlooked electric bill in late July, brought on the perfect storm of irresponsibility. Apparently one should pay their bills, all of them, before traveling. Being on the road for 11 days, I had missed the first cutoff notice from the electric company, the second notice, and the cutoff event itself. So, late on a Thursday night, with no electricity and no water, what is a camping family to do, but camp. We set up the camper, grabbed our flashlights, used the baby potty which we always travel with (well, the kids did), and brushed our teeth with water from the water jug. Then we unrolled our sleeping bags, and went to sleep in the same place we had been for the previous 10 nights, in our camper. It was our most primitive campsite yet.
This morning, thanks to the magic of phone payments, we were once again blessed with electricity. Now we can start on all that laundry.
We were driving home last night, relieved to be back in Virginia after so many nights in the camper. As we pulled onto our road, I said to the girls, "Well, here we are at Paynes Mill Rd. Camp. Let's pick out a nice site near the bathrooms." They laughed after the initial wave of panic subsided and they realized it was only a joke. David pulled the camper into the driveway and backed it in next to the house (we have no neighbors anywhere near us). "Well, here's a nice spot, right next to the bathhouse" he said. Then we jumped out to start unpacking the car. I grabbed a bunch of dirty clothes and my computer bag, and headed into the stifling hot, completely silent, and dark house. Yup, the electricity had been turned off. And, since we have an electric well pump, no running water. Home sweet home.
This extended vacation, coupled with an overlooked electric bill in late July, brought on the perfect storm of irresponsibility. Apparently one should pay their bills, all of them, before traveling. Being on the road for 11 days, I had missed the first cutoff notice from the electric company, the second notice, and the cutoff event itself. So, late on a Thursday night, with no electricity and no water, what is a camping family to do, but camp. We set up the camper, grabbed our flashlights, used the baby potty which we always travel with (well, the kids did), and brushed our teeth with water from the water jug. Then we unrolled our sleeping bags, and went to sleep in the same place we had been for the previous 10 nights, in our camper. It was our most primitive campsite yet.
This morning, thanks to the magic of phone payments, we were once again blessed with electricity. Now we can start on all that laundry.
Wednesday, August 13, 2008
On the Road: Camping in Ohio
Here we are at Pymatuning State Park, camping with the kids (plus two) and extended family. It is nice to camp with others because there are more pairs of eyes to keep on the kids, plus people can "pair off and entertain themselves."
So, onto a travel tip, since that's what this blog is all about: Get a mobile broadband card.
($60 a month unlimited connectivity.) If you are too cheap and need some convincing, here are seven reasons to get one:
1. I am right now sitting in a camp chair next to Pymatuning Lake, watching the sunrise and, yes, typing my blog.
2. Google Maps right there in your car, complete with traffic updates.
3. Audio streaming in the car. When I drove back from Oklahoma by myself with the two girls, there was no one to take over the wheel. So, in order to keep sane, I went to the This American Life website and streamed show after show after show. Ira Glass kept me going for hours at a time.
4. Video streaming at camp. The night before last in Pennsylvania, David and I watched a Netflix movie in the camper, online.
5. Email. Instant messaging. YouTube. Realtor.com. (A few of my obsessions that I couldn't give up for a week of relaxation at camp.)
6. We use our mobile broadband card at home. Hooked up to a wireless router, it works great. And we're not paying for internet connection on top of the mobile broadband charge.
7. Airports, Starbucks, McDonalds, and all of those places with wireless that charge you for connectivity- screw them! Your $60 a month will actually save you money in those hot spots. You will feel the true value of your investment while you're sitting next to the guy who is shelling out $9.95 for a 12 hour period of connectivity.
Ok, if you have not run out to buy a broadband card based on my seven good reasons, then just go get an iPhone. It's cooler anyway.
So, onto a travel tip, since that's what this blog is all about: Get a mobile broadband card.
($60 a month unlimited connectivity.) If you are too cheap and need some convincing, here are seven reasons to get one:
1. I am right now sitting in a camp chair next to Pymatuning Lake, watching the sunrise and, yes, typing my blog.
2. Google Maps right there in your car, complete with traffic updates.
3. Audio streaming in the car. When I drove back from Oklahoma by myself with the two girls, there was no one to take over the wheel. So, in order to keep sane, I went to the This American Life website and streamed show after show after show. Ira Glass kept me going for hours at a time.
4. Video streaming at camp. The night before last in Pennsylvania, David and I watched a Netflix movie in the camper, online.
5. Email. Instant messaging. YouTube. Realtor.com. (A few of my obsessions that I couldn't give up for a week of relaxation at camp.)
6. We use our mobile broadband card at home. Hooked up to a wireless router, it works great. And we're not paying for internet connection on top of the mobile broadband charge.
7. Airports, Starbucks, McDonalds, and all of those places with wireless that charge you for connectivity- screw them! Your $60 a month will actually save you money in those hot spots. You will feel the true value of your investment while you're sitting next to the guy who is shelling out $9.95 for a 12 hour period of connectivity.
Ok, if you have not run out to buy a broadband card based on my seven good reasons, then just go get an iPhone. It's cooler anyway.
Monday, August 11, 2008
On the Road: Camping in Pittsburgh
Our compact little family of four has inherited two more kids for this road trip. Now here we are, camping in Pittsburgh, with four kids age 3-6. The eight hour drive here was the hardest part, which actually wasn't that hard at all. The problem was that I wasn't prepared for three girls and a boy. I have all of my Dollar Tree road trip toys bought in identical pairs, and they are all girl toys. So, I abandoned that plan and had them share their road trip boxes, which I filled with markers, crayons, paper, and coloring books. One road trip box for the back seat and one for the back-back. That, combined with a sing-along and some books was enough to keep them entertained until they finally slept. We left at 6pm and they slept around 10pm.
Now here we are at camp, and it is great having four kids. They can pair off and entertain one another. My mom always says, "have them in pairs," and she should know, she has three.
Now here we are at camp, and it is great having four kids. They can pair off and entertain one another. My mom always says, "have them in pairs," and she should know, she has three.
Tuesday, August 5, 2008
Another thing about Priceline, parking
David went to Pittsburgh last weekend, and he called me up to find him a hotel room, since I am the wife/travel agent. I went to Priceline because my Holiday Inn rewards points were used up thanks to the 45 hour road trip to and from Oklahoma last month. So I did what I don't usually suggest, I booked a hotel on Priceline. Admittedly, I got a good deal (you can usually swing a really good deal if you book on Priceline for that very night), a $199 hotel room for $58 (pre-tax). Sounds too good to be true?? As is typical with Priceline hotel rooms, it was. With taxes, it was more like a $70 room and then when David got there, and extra $16 a night for parking. Yup, hotel parking... not even a consideration on Priceline, and I have stumbled up against it before. Be aware when you book hotel rooms in city downtown areas that they may tack on 10-20 dollars a night for parking (even more in NYC), though its not usually a problem elsewhere.
Thursday, July 17, 2008
On the Road: Priceline plane tickets
Since David and I couldn't compromise on when we would leave Oklahoma and start heading back to Virginia, I put him on a plane back home, and stayed with the two girls.
Being cheap, I first priced the tickets on Kayak, they were about $1200 (and this is round trip, even- never buy one way tickets, they are always MUCH more expensive). Then I went to priceline and named my own price. Every time I got rejected, I changed the return flight date since we were only needing the first half of the ticket anyway. I eventually got a ticket for $277, total.
I love priceline, it is always exciting bidding on travel arrangements. I have done lots of priceline travel, but the safest bet for that site is the plane tickets only. Hotel rooms bought on priceline don't always live up to expectations. For instance, once when my little family of three was living with the circus in St. Louis, my parents decided to come out to visit. We were living in the Haunted Bus, which is a converted school bus, essentially an RV without the bathroom. There was no room for the parents. So they booked their trip online, flight and hotel room. They arrived and discovered that their hotel room was walking distance from the arch, right near the river. It was a beautiful building with beautiful views... if you paid full price. They checked in and got their room assignment, headed to the elevators. It appeared that their room was DOWN one floor. It was underground. They went down and when the elevator opened, they entered a hallway/workzone. The underground level was under construction, and the quality of their room was proof of the needed renovation. My dad pulled the sink off the wall just brushing his teeth! Luckily my parents are good-natured. They had a great time visiting, and spent as little time in their hotel room as possible. After all, they had a circus to visit!
Here I am in June 2004, when me, my husband, and our 8 month old daughter, Emilie, were living in the "Haunted Bus" on the circus lot in St. Louis. Our neighbors were the Flying Pages, a trapeze family. this is how my mom, the real estate agent, described our living arrangements, "Here is Liz and Dave's circus lodging AKA Haunted bus. The couch is at the front flanked with an end table on one side (doubling as a refrigerator) and garbage can on the other. Across from the couch is the kitchen. It is equiped with a microwave, hot plate, utility sized sink, counter, cupboards and TV. Out of view and behind me, when taking the photo, is the bedroom closed off from the living area by curtains. It has a double bed, 2 dressers and the baby crib. The covered patio is off the front and sports a picnic table and grill. Pretty nice set up."
Being cheap, I first priced the tickets on Kayak, they were about $1200 (and this is round trip, even- never buy one way tickets, they are always MUCH more expensive). Then I went to priceline and named my own price. Every time I got rejected, I changed the return flight date since we were only needing the first half of the ticket anyway. I eventually got a ticket for $277, total.
I love priceline, it is always exciting bidding on travel arrangements. I have done lots of priceline travel, but the safest bet for that site is the plane tickets only. Hotel rooms bought on priceline don't always live up to expectations. For instance, once when my little family of three was living with the circus in St. Louis, my parents decided to come out to visit. We were living in the Haunted Bus, which is a converted school bus, essentially an RV without the bathroom. There was no room for the parents. So they booked their trip online, flight and hotel room. They arrived and discovered that their hotel room was walking distance from the arch, right near the river. It was a beautiful building with beautiful views... if you paid full price. They checked in and got their room assignment, headed to the elevators. It appeared that their room was DOWN one floor. It was underground. They went down and when the elevator opened, they entered a hallway/workzone. The underground level was under construction, and the quality of their room was proof of the needed renovation. My dad pulled the sink off the wall just brushing his teeth! Luckily my parents are good-natured. They had a great time visiting, and spent as little time in their hotel room as possible. After all, they had a circus to visit!
Here I am in June 2004, when me, my husband, and our 8 month old daughter, Emilie, were living in the "Haunted Bus" on the circus lot in St. Louis. Our neighbors were the Flying Pages, a trapeze family. this is how my mom, the real estate agent, described our living arrangements, "Here is Liz and Dave's circus lodging AKA Haunted bus. The couch is at the front flanked with an end table on one side (doubling as a refrigerator) and garbage can on the other. Across from the couch is the kitchen. It is equiped with a microwave, hot plate, utility sized sink, counter, cupboards and TV. Out of view and behind me, when taking the photo, is the bedroom closed off from the living area by curtains. It has a double bed, 2 dressers and the baby crib. The covered patio is off the front and sports a picnic table and grill. Pretty nice set up."
Monday, July 14, 2008
On the Road: living in a hotel
Our happy little family of four has been sharing a hotel room for the past eleven days. It hasn't been so bad, but I can understand those people who insist on an adjoining room for the kids. It makes sense.
For us, though, we are just too cheap. So at bedtime, my husband and I put the girls down in their sleeping bags on the floor. They get a book or two to look at, while we hog the king-sized bed with one or more computers. Either we are both working/surfing or we share a computer and watch a DVD together with headphones. Usually the girls will fall asleep while we are quiet and out of eyesight. But sometimes it takes a little convincing.
Last night, while hubby and I were settling down to watch Semi-Pro, the girls were quiet, at least until the soundtrack to the movie turned quiet. Then we noticed some suspicious giggling, so I switched on the bedside lamp to discover Madeleine, clad in nothing but her pullup, spread sideways over Emilie's form draped in her sleeping bag. Maddie was rocking back and forth, using nothing but her fingertips and toes for grip on the floor, her stomach clenched, supporting her full weight on Emilie's body. Back and forth back and forth... she looked like she was flying. She didn't appear to be giggling, however. In fact, she wasn't smiling at all, her face was contorted with her effort to arch her back, tighten her abs, and grip/push with her toes and fingers. The giggling was instead coming from the lump of pink sleeping bag being squashed and rocked. Apparently that was more fun.
So we threatened them and eventually they fell asleep, as they do every night. Once they are asleep, we can usually flip the lights back on and operate almost normally in the room with them. They are used to sleeping through these things.
In the past when traveling with the kids, I have brought a baby monitor. Good quality baby monitors can work pretty far and can especially help with bedtime. You can put the kids to bed, and slip out into the hallway, another room, or sometimes the lobby with the monitor to wait it out. Once all is quiet, you can sneak back in and turn the TV back on!
For us, though, we are just too cheap. So at bedtime, my husband and I put the girls down in their sleeping bags on the floor. They get a book or two to look at, while we hog the king-sized bed with one or more computers. Either we are both working/surfing or we share a computer and watch a DVD together with headphones. Usually the girls will fall asleep while we are quiet and out of eyesight. But sometimes it takes a little convincing.
Last night, while hubby and I were settling down to watch Semi-Pro, the girls were quiet, at least until the soundtrack to the movie turned quiet. Then we noticed some suspicious giggling, so I switched on the bedside lamp to discover Madeleine, clad in nothing but her pullup, spread sideways over Emilie's form draped in her sleeping bag. Maddie was rocking back and forth, using nothing but her fingertips and toes for grip on the floor, her stomach clenched, supporting her full weight on Emilie's body. Back and forth back and forth... she looked like she was flying. She didn't appear to be giggling, however. In fact, she wasn't smiling at all, her face was contorted with her effort to arch her back, tighten her abs, and grip/push with her toes and fingers. The giggling was instead coming from the lump of pink sleeping bag being squashed and rocked. Apparently that was more fun.
So we threatened them and eventually they fell asleep, as they do every night. Once they are asleep, we can usually flip the lights back on and operate almost normally in the room with them. They are used to sleeping through these things.
In the past when traveling with the kids, I have brought a baby monitor. Good quality baby monitors can work pretty far and can especially help with bedtime. You can put the kids to bed, and slip out into the hallway, another room, or sometimes the lobby with the monitor to wait it out. Once all is quiet, you can sneak back in and turn the TV back on!
Sunday, July 6, 2008
On the Road: 21 hours to OK
We left Thursday morning"ish", drove to Roanoke where we picked up the rental van. (One thing I didn't consider on my Cheap-Skate Car Rental post was this: paying for parking at the airport, since this is where I am renting the cheap van from... that will add up to about $70.) From Roanoke, we made it to Nashville before we cashed in some Holiday Inn points for a free hotel room. It was about an eleven hour drive the first day. Friday we drove ten hours, stopped in Seminole, OK to catch the local fireworks, and then continued on our way. We arrived at destination Ada, OK at 10:30pm. All-in-all, it was about 21 hours in the car.
The girls did great. The week before we left I splurged $20 at the Dollar Tree and bought new toys and activities (mostly Princess themed...). I also bought two plastic boxes, one for each girl. So we were ready. The first hour they decorated their boxes with stickers. We declared them their "road trip boxes," and each time they got something to play with or do, they would put into their road trip box. (Madeleine even pilfered away half a bag of chips in her box for later.) Each hour or so they would get a new surprise, the next hour a snack, then a surprise, then a snack, then a surprise... You get the picture. By the end of the road trip, they each had a pretty full road trip box, and we only stopped at a restaurant for one meal the whole 1200 miles.
The girls did great. The week before we left I splurged $20 at the Dollar Tree and bought new toys and activities (mostly Princess themed...). I also bought two plastic boxes, one for each girl. So we were ready. The first hour they decorated their boxes with stickers. We declared them their "road trip boxes," and each time they got something to play with or do, they would put into their road trip box. (Madeleine even pilfered away half a bag of chips in her box for later.) Each hour or so they would get a new surprise, the next hour a snack, then a surprise, then a snack, then a surprise... You get the picture. By the end of the road trip, they each had a pretty full road trip box, and we only stopped at a restaurant for one meal the whole 1200 miles.
Tuesday, July 1, 2008
Cheap-skate car rental
We are driving from Virginia to Oklahoma on Thursday, and I don't trust our van to make it. Nor do I trust myself to make it, since the van doesn't have any air conditioning. So, renting a van to do a 2400 mile road trip??? Yes, indeed.
Usually I don't worry too much about car rental costs because I only rent them for business trips. Well, this two-week trip is part business part pleasure (if you count 20 hours in the car with two kids and the husband "pleasure"), so I'm in cheap skate mode. And here's how I worked the cheap zone, I'm quite proud of myself on this one.
14 day mini-van rental from Richmond, $1050 (2000 free miles).
This would not suffice, so I google-mapped my route and started getting rental quotes from nearby cities on the way west. (Good comparison quotes at Kayak.com) I found the cheapest rates were in Roanoke, VA. So I logged into my Budget FastBreak account. (ALWAYS join the frequent renter program when you rent a car. It can save lots of time at the airport pickup counter because they usually have a special line for you, plus you can link your reward points to the airline of your choice. Even if you never plan to rent there again- join.) So, I got a further discount from Budget:
14 day rental mini-van from Roanoke with Budget account, $870 (2000 free miles).
Then, I googled the term "Budget car rental discount codes," and I got tons of hits. Most were the typical waste of time, but I found a gem, and I will share it here (I KNOW this will double my readership of five...) www.rentalcodes.com. I found the code I needed, went back to Budget and entered it.
14 day rental from Roanoke with Wal-Mart discount code, $670, with unlimited miles.
Voila. An hour spent and 400 dollars saved.
Usually I don't worry too much about car rental costs because I only rent them for business trips. Well, this two-week trip is part business part pleasure (if you count 20 hours in the car with two kids and the husband "pleasure"), so I'm in cheap skate mode. And here's how I worked the cheap zone, I'm quite proud of myself on this one.
14 day mini-van rental from Richmond, $1050 (2000 free miles).
This would not suffice, so I google-mapped my route and started getting rental quotes from nearby cities on the way west. (Good comparison quotes at Kayak.com) I found the cheapest rates were in Roanoke, VA. So I logged into my Budget FastBreak account. (ALWAYS join the frequent renter program when you rent a car. It can save lots of time at the airport pickup counter because they usually have a special line for you, plus you can link your reward points to the airline of your choice. Even if you never plan to rent there again- join.) So, I got a further discount from Budget:
14 day rental mini-van from Roanoke with Budget account, $870 (2000 free miles).
Then, I googled the term "Budget car rental discount codes," and I got tons of hits. Most were the typical waste of time, but I found a gem, and I will share it here (I KNOW this will double my readership of five...) www.rentalcodes.com. I found the code I needed, went back to Budget and entered it.
14 day rental from Roanoke with Wal-Mart discount code, $670, with unlimited miles.
Voila. An hour spent and 400 dollars saved.
Saturday, June 14, 2008
Family Road Trips. Toilet in the car. seriously.
When I started potty-training Emilie (who is now four and a half), I developed this habit that has saved my carseat plenty of times. It is this: travel with a potty.
Ok, if you are still reading, you haven't dismissed me as crazy. So hear me out... the little training potties for toddlers work well and fit nicely in the trunk or floorboard of any car. When your little one has GOT TO GO and there is no exit in sight, there is always the shoulder. We pull far off the road, pull out the potty (sometimes literally right next to the car) and dig out some napkins from the glove box. (Napkins in the glove box don't even count as a travel tip. You should ALWAYS have them. If you don't, you obviously haven't been driving too long- or else you just recently had a catastrophic spillage in your vehicle and haven't had time to re-stock.)
So, here are the finer points of the potty in the car (click elsewhere if you are a sensitive reader). If your daughter has to go number 1, use the potty, use the napkin to wipe, but DON'T put it in the potty. Put in instead in the trash bag. Then you can empty the potty at the tree or the side of the road. (Come on, that is where you would have sent your son to go anyway, so what's the big deal?) Then, put the relatively empty potty back in the car and continue on your road trip without much time wasted. However, if it is number 2, try your best to hustle to the nearest exit. Only use the car potty for number two in an emergency situation, and if that occurs, you have to stop at the nearest exit anyway to dump out your potty in the gas station's toilet (which is, admittedly, a bit awkward).
And that is it for the car toilet. It is not a perfect solution, but it works and can save lots of time if used correctly.
Ok, if you are still reading, you haven't dismissed me as crazy. So hear me out... the little training potties for toddlers work well and fit nicely in the trunk or floorboard of any car. When your little one has GOT TO GO and there is no exit in sight, there is always the shoulder. We pull far off the road, pull out the potty (sometimes literally right next to the car) and dig out some napkins from the glove box. (Napkins in the glove box don't even count as a travel tip. You should ALWAYS have them. If you don't, you obviously haven't been driving too long- or else you just recently had a catastrophic spillage in your vehicle and haven't had time to re-stock.)
So, here are the finer points of the potty in the car (click elsewhere if you are a sensitive reader). If your daughter has to go number 1, use the potty, use the napkin to wipe, but DON'T put it in the potty. Put in instead in the trash bag. Then you can empty the potty at the tree or the side of the road. (Come on, that is where you would have sent your son to go anyway, so what's the big deal?) Then, put the relatively empty potty back in the car and continue on your road trip without much time wasted. However, if it is number 2, try your best to hustle to the nearest exit. Only use the car potty for number two in an emergency situation, and if that occurs, you have to stop at the nearest exit anyway to dump out your potty in the gas station's toilet (which is, admittedly, a bit awkward).
And that is it for the car toilet. It is not a perfect solution, but it works and can save lots of time if used correctly.
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