Local Travel Tip

Since 9/11 airline travel has become much more of a hassle for both airline employees and the travelers. The airport has been a hectic enough place in the past, but now with new security it has become a headache for some people. If this wasn’t enough, add holiday traffic in the airport on top of this. Survival in the airport, especially during Thanksgiving seems like a daunting task for some people. Here are a few tips to surviving:

Baggage:
-Mark your luggage clearly so it won’t get lost and so it’s easily spotable on the carousel
-Pay all fees before hand online so you have no surprises
-Follow the online guidelines for liquids and powders, among other items. Don’t wrap gifts! They may unwrap them at the airport.

Seats:
-Get there on time
-Check online itinerary
-Print out boarding pass before you arrive at the airport, it will save time and hassle

Health: Drink your orange juice!
-Make sure you are healthy before you travel, this will protect other travelers from illness, but you will be able to navigate the commotion much easier as well

Relax:
-While you wait, try to relax. Sit back and observe the people around you and think about all of the stories they have to tell. It’s like magic. Suddenly the airport isn’t half as bad!

Take it one thing at a time:
-If there’s a delay, don’t panic. Just wait patiently, it will all work out in the end. Do stand up for yourself and know what the airport owes you for cancellations of flights, etc. However, when the first delay hits don’t start conjuring up ideas of cancellations, followed by flying all over the nation to get to your destination intermingled with more delays, only to end up a week late at you desired destination. Most likely this one delay is all that there will be! And if there’s more-worry about that when it happens. The key: Don’t worry!

Entertainment:
-Take something to do if there is a delay. Especially if you have children, this will help the time pass by much quicker.

When I first arrived here in Utah, one of the first things I heard about as a “must see/do” was the Heber Creeper. The Heber Creeper is an old fashioned train ride around the Heber Valley/Provo Canyon area. It features two 1907 Baldwin steam locomotives and three vintage diesel electric locomotives. Over 95,000 passengers ride this attraction per year. Passengers are allowed to move between cars on most rides. Some cars are open to the air, while others are not.

I had a chance to go on the Provo Canyon Limited, which is a scenic three hour train ride. Provo Canyon is quite beautiful at certain times of the year. I really enjoyed the atmosphere of the older train and being able to relax and enjoy the nature going by. I was able to go with my Aunt and her family, including two of my cousins who were between ages 2 and 5. While a little unsure about the whistle at first, they loved the train! It was so much fun to be able to spend time with them.

For those of you who more action oriented the Heber Creeper does offer several holiday related events through out the year however. Right now, they are offering the family friendly Haunted Canyon Ride. On this ride passengers are encouraged to wear their Halloween costumes, but dress warmly.

Also upcoming are the December related events including the Bells’ n’ Whistles, The Polar Express, and the Tube n’ Train. In Bells’ n’ Whistles passengers ride the train for awhile and then take a horse-pulled sleigh ride up to a ranch where warm treats are enjoyed. The Polar Express is a special treat for any child, including Santa, elves, story reading, and warm treats. Tube n’ Train is popular among the young adults, where the Heber Creeper is taken to a location where snow tubing complete with tow services are provided. More information can be found at: http://www.hebervalleyrr.org/excursions/pcl.php

This new German mobile home, called the Mannermobile RV, was constructed to appeal to men and not women. Inside this “boys only” tin can, you will find a Wii, Playstation 3, two flat panel TV’s, two different surround sound systems, a man-friendly kitchen which features a microwave, coffee maker, and various liquor dispensers.

More entertainment is available in the mobile which comes from satellite TV, Internet access, and even a Blu-ray player.

There is a shower, but it doesn’t work. After all, real men don’t need to shower, but if they do, a sign on the mirror reminds men that “real men shower outdoors”. The actual shower is located outside, on the rear of the RV.

Outside is also where you’ll find a grill, fold-out Foosball table and dart board.

You will for sure be decked out man-style with this bad boy!

There are many options when you are looking at various forms of transportation.

• Animal-powered transport
  • Cart
  • Carriage
  • Chariot
  • Sledge, Sled, Sleigh

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