SEE PAGE 3
Vol. 18 No. 4
BOOK BY 7/31 & SAVE AS MUCH AS $100! PER ROOM
OHIO/WEST VIRGINIA • HUNTINGTON/PARKERSBURG REGION JUL./AUG. 2013
ULTIMATE ALASKA Winter Wonderland Tour • Feb 20–March 2 An extraordinary chance to glimpse the Northern Lights, the Iditarod Sled Dog Race and Alaska’s winter wildlife & wilderness!
See the “real” grandeur of Alaska that its summer visitors never see!
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LASKA IN FEBRUARY? Crazy, right? Make that “crazy awesome”! In today’s lingo that translates into unique, unusual and you-need-to-experience-itto-believe-it! It’s true: AAA’s Ultimate Alaska Winter Wonderland tour does depart on Feb 20, right in the middle of Old Man Winter’s reign. But that’s exactly what makes this trip so special. This is when the true Alaskans reclaim their stunning state from the hordes of summer tourists who descend upon it like so many mosquitoes (also absent in winter!). And it’s also the time of the wondrous natural phenomenon known as the Aurora Borealis.
And what can make it even more special are the discounts available to AAA members who book & deposit through July 31, 2013: Premier members save $100 per room, Plus members save $75 and basic AAA members save $50 off the regular AAA Member Rate. Begin in the interior city of Fairbanks with a nighttime excursion in search of the beguiling Aurora Borealis. This natural light display in the sky can vary in brightness from barely visible to the naked eye to bright enough to read at night. The Northern Lights were named after the Roman goddess of dawn, Aurora, and the Greek name for the north wind, Boreas.
THESE BOOTIES ARE MADE FOR RACING! — The Iditarod’s fleet-footed, 4-footed participants sport protective paw pads.
Visit Chena Hot Springs Resort, more than a century old and equally famous for its healing mineral waters and for Aurora Borealis displays visible 200 nights a year on average. You’ll ascend area hills for Northern Lights viewing; being 60 miles from Fairbanks, the resort’s free of light pollution, making it ideal for far-off aurora and up-close wildlife viewing opportunities. The next morning, settle into comfortable seats aboard the Alaska Railroad, whose cars feature grand picture windows and open-air vestibules — excellent for unobstructed photos of the Great Land. In winter, the land along your full-day route to Anchorage takes on a quiet, mystical character. Enjoy an entire day at leisure to explore Alaska’s largest city... or opt to flightsee through the Chugach Mountains or try dog sledding with an Iditarod musher. Motorcoach via the scenic Seward Highway, arguably one of the most beautiful stretches of highway in America, past Chugach State Park’s 3,000foot-high mountains jutting up on your left. On the right, the sprawling, sometimes 4-milewide flats of Turnagain Arm stretch like a plain to the oppoULTIMATE ALASKA continues on page 8
Don’t be myopic when it comes to sunglasses
Travel | Insurance/Financial | Automotive | Member Savings | AAA.com
PREPARING THE NEXT GENERATION OF AUTO TECHS
Just as sunscreen protects your skin, sunglasses shield your eyes from harmful UV rays. Sunglasses made with your prescription offer that protection while also providing your eyes with the correction they need. The AccuFit Digital Measurement System — found exclusively at LensCrafters — considers your unique features to ensure the best possible placement of the prescription in your sunglasses lens. When selecting sunglasses made with your prescription, look for lenses that best suit your lifestyle and activities: Green or gray lenses are best for bright sunlight. Brown or blue lenses improve contrast, making them a good choice for sports. Yellow lenses are ideal for early mornings and late afternoons because they make your surroundings appear brighter. A light brown lens is perfect for cloudy days when you still need protection from damaging UV rays. And anytime you’re dealing with glare, polarized lenses are the way to go. Check out the amazing selection of sunglasses made with your prescription at your local LensCrafters. Stylish frames from Ray-Ban, Coach, Prada, and Oakley—can be fitted with prescription lenses to keep you looking “cool” in the summer heat. Visit LensCrafters for The Semi-Annual Sale where you will save 50% off lenses with a frame purchase. PLUS, for a limited time, valued AAA members get an extra $5 OFF when you Show Your Card & Save®. Hurry, offer expires 9/9/2013. Visit www.AAA.com/visionsavings for details.
New travel guides for AAA Mobile iPad app
Top Destinations, a new generation of member-exclusive and downloadable AAA travel guides, was released in June as part of an update to the AAA Mobile iPad app. Series titles feature engaging and interactive designs with photos and color maps, original guide content and expert recommendations to point users to the best experiences top travel destinations have to offer. Included functionality enables users to save favorite details for referencing, trip-planning and sharing via Facebook and Twitter. “These new travel guides are unlike any other member travel information product,” said AAA East Central President Jim Lehman. “They pinpoint the very best things to see and do at member-preferred destinations and enable users to make the most of their visits to these locations.” The initial six titles are Las Vegas, Los Angeles, San Diego, Chicago, New York City and Orlando, Fla., and others soon will be added. Non members can view select sections in each, and a valid membership number is required for full access.
West Virginia Adopts Primary Seat Belt law
West Virginia Gov. Earl Ray Tomblin recently signed legislation making his state the 33rd to adopt a primary seat belt law. The new law, which becomes effective July 9, authorizes law enforcement to pull over a driver over and issue a citation if the driver or passenger is not wearing a seat belt in a moving vehicle. Violators will receive a $25 fine with no points assessed. AAA East Central supported the bill. “Passing this type of law is one of the most effective traffic safety countermeasures a state can take,” said AAA East Central West Virginia Regional President Wayne Northey, “so it is exciting to see West Virginia added to the list of states with such a law.” Previously, not wearing a seat belt was a secondary offense.
Set sail for savings with Royal Caribbean Cruises
Summer is sizzling onboard Royal Caribbean Cruises with signature features and amenities like onboard rock-climbing walls, waterparks, ice skating rinks, world-class dining and Broadway style entertainment. And AAA Travel is adding some scorching hot extras like prepaid gratuities, specialty restaurant dining, complimentary spa treatments and onboard value savings booklets when you book and deposit a balcony or higher category stateroom on 5-night or longer Royal Caribbean sailings by July 31, 2013. SEE PAGE 9
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AAA MOTORIST
Pack AAA savings into your summer vacation Exclusive discounts on hotels, theme parks, car rentals and more
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At AAA.com/travel, AAA’s round-theclock online vacation center, you’ll find
INTERNET WEB SITE: www.AAA.com AAA MEMBER SERVICES
412-363-5100 or 1-800-441-5008 AAA MOTORIST: 412-365-7017 APPROVED AUTO REPAIR 412-365-7411 or 1-800-233-9733 EMERGENCY ROAD SERVICE 412-362-1900 or 1-800-222-4357
EXPRESS TRAVEL RESERVATIONS
airline tickets, tours, cruises, rental cars
412-363-7283 or 1-800-354-8761 INSURANCE SERVICES: PA/WV: 1-800-207-7947 OH: 1-800-589-8308.
MEDIA RELATIONS: 412-365-7157 PUBLIC AFFAIRS: 216-606-6701 SAFETY: 412-365-7211
Lodging Discounts
Travel Discounts
AAA DIRECTORY triptiks, tourbooks, maps, license, address change
rom the Statue of Liberty to the Golden Gate Bridge, the country is bursting with fun, familyfriendly vacation destinations. But making memories that last a lifetime can be expensive. Before you pack your bags, it’s important for you to plan ahead, set a budget, build some fun into your travel time and prepare the car. Decide early in your vacation planning which items are splurge-worthy and where you can save some money. AAA membership provides extensive discounts to make a summer getaway more affordable. Here are just some of the many travel-related discounts available to AAA members: AAA members who stay at AAA preferred hotels receive discounts ranging from five to 15 percent off the best available rate and the comfort of a 100 percent satisfaction guarantee. A direct comparison of hotel rates offered on competing sites showed that AAA.com offered the lowest hotels rates available 69 percent of the time. Preferred hotels include Best Western, Hyatt Hotels & Resorts, the Hilton Family including Hampton; Marriott brands including Renaissance; and Starwood Hotels & Resorts including Sheraton and Westin. Use the AAA Diamond Ratings to identify properties that meet your needs.
JULY 2013
DRIVER EDUCATION 800-329-2415 TDD for the hearing-impaired: 412-363-7144
SAVE BIG — AAA membership makes summer getaways more affordable. everything needed to research, plan, reserve and book an air, land or sea vacation — whether it’s a weekend getaway, a romantic cruise or the trip of a lifetime. Click on Hot Deals to save on an ever-changing selection hotel, flight and flight & hotel specials. Simply enter your origin and destination to see what’s currently on sale.
Car Rental Discounts
Hertz, AAA’s exclusive car rental partner, recently acquired the Dollar Thrifty Auto Group and AAA’s partner-
ship agreement has been expanded to include both brands. The addition of the Dollar Thrifty brands to the AAA car rental portfolio provides members with more choice for economy rentals. AAA members will now receive a 10% discount on published Dollar retail rates, and an 8% discount at Thrifty Car Rental on all car classes when booked in advance. In addition, members can receive a 10% discount on navigation units (GPS). Hertz offers members a wide variety of money-saving discounts and exclusive offers using a Hertz/AAA CDP Number (your club code – 215). AAA member benefits include the guaranteed best rate available at time of reservation by booking channel. AAA members now enjoy all the benefits of Hertz Gold Plus Rewards membership absolutely free and earn points towards free rental days.
Attraction Tickets
AAA offers discounted admission tickets to dozens of the most popular theme parks and attractions for a summer getaway. Choose from world-class destinations like Walt Disney World Resort, Universal Studios Orlando, amusement parks like Cedar Point, Dollywood, Busch Gardens Williamsburg, zoos, waterparks and more. Visit AAA.com/ Tickets for a complete list of Print at Home and Tickets by Mail.
NEVER BEEN EASIER TO SAVE
Get easy, on the go access to AAA services including, Roadside Assistance, Maps, Directions and Travel Planning, and Member Exclusive Discounts with AAA Mobile, our free, all in one app for iPhone and Android smartphones. Visit AAA.com/mobile for more information. Travelers can find AAA Approved and Diamond Rated hotels and restaurants in the printed TourBook® guides available at AAA offices, the eTourBook guides at AAA.com/ebooks, online at AAA.com/Travel.
AAA BRANCH OFFICE LOCATIONS ATHENS, OH 130 E. State St. ...................740-593-6677 BRIDGEPORT, WV 169 Barnett Run Rd............304-842-2221 CHILLICOTHE, OH 141 W. Main St. ..................740-702-3838 COLUMBIANA, OH 118 South Main Street.......330-482-3836 EAST LIVERPOOL, OH 516 Broadway ....................330-385-2020 GALLIPOLIS, OH 360 Second Ave. .................740-446-0699 HILLSBORO, OH 125 W. Main St. ..................937-393-3489 HUNTINGTON, WV 1126 Sixth Ave. ..................304-523-6423 IRONTON, OH 624 S. Fourth St..................740-532-3242 JACKSON, OH 126 E. Gay St. .....................740-286-5077 LOGAN, OH 82 W. Main St. ....................740-385-8595 MARTINSBURG, WV 284 Retail Commons Parkway. .............................304-263-4619 MORGANTOWN, WV Morgantown Commons 6520 Mall Rd.......................304-983-6480 PORTSMOUTH, OH 1414 Twelfth St. ................740-354-5614 VIENNA, WV 1100 Ninth St., Unit D........304-295-7101 WASHINGTON COURT HOUSE, OH 334 E. Court St. ..................740-335-3950 WAVERLY, OH 217 W. Emmitt Ave. ...........740-947-7775 WEIRTON, WV 3126 West St. .....................304-748-1616 WHEELING, WV 846 National Rd. . ..............304-233-1810
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Preparing the next generation of auto techs Ohio/West Virginia Huntington/Parkersburg Edition Official publication of AAA East Central Published bi-monthly by AAA East Central 1414 Twelfth Street Portsmouth, OH 45662-5614 USPS 0016-186 ISSN 1074-097X Periodicals Postage Paid at Portsmouth, OH and additional mailing office Postmaster: Send address changes to AAA Motorist South Central Ohio 1414 Twelfth St., Portsmouth OH 45662-0371 Subscription Rate: $1 included in Primary Membership dues. All others: $2/year.
Publisher.....................................James E. Lehman Managing Editor ............................Doug O’Neil Ohio Editor ............................. Babbette L. Bays Editorial Offices 1414 Twelfth Street Portsmouth, OH 45662-4235 5900 Baum Blvd, Pittsburgh PA 15206-3854 412-365-7017 e-mail: motorist@aaaec.com
AAA EAST CENTRAL Chairman: ................................................Richard S. Hamilton Vice Chairman:....................................... James E. Broome, Jr. Vice Chairman:....................................... Douglas W. Caldwell Vice Chairman:.........................................Mary Lynn Laughlin Vice Chairman:.................................... Martha Hartle Munsch OFFICERS: President: ................................................... James E. Lehman Treasurer & CFO: ........................................... Michael R. Pratt Secretary: .......................................... Raymond M. Komichak GOVERNING BOARD OF DIRECTORS Glenn B. Bachman, James E. Broome, Jr., Steve D. Bullock**, Douglas W. Caldwell, Charles O. Casto, Edward C. Coaxum, Jr., Robert S. Collins, Robert H. Compton, Jon E. Denney, Debra A. Dinnocenzo, Floyd R. Ganassi**, Richard S. Hamilton, James H. Kanicki, Mary Lynn Laughlin, William Duff McCrady, James M. McDonnell**, Thomas V. McKernan Jr., Martha Hartle Munsch, Gary K. Munsie, Terrence L. Walton** EAST CENTRAL REGION BOARD OF DIRECTORS Debra A. Dinnocenzo, Chairman, Neil D. Bassi, Vice Chairman, Carol Asam, Christian Asam, Jack A. Barkley, William E. Bierer**, Ellsworth T. Bowser**, Peter Burton, Marianne B. Campbell, Charles O. Casto, Michael A. Cochran, Daniel J. Collins Jr.**, Robert S. Collins, Robert H. Compton, James J. Dodaro, Jack G. Ellis, Floyd R. Ganassi**, Mona N. Generett, Charles W. Groce , Richard S. Hamilton, Mark Henschen, Luke Howe, Richard Kallenborn, Herbert G. Koenig, Mark S. Mansour, W. Duff McCrady, Martha Hartle Munsch, W. Lee Oswalt, III, Michael Parkes, John D. Petruso, Louis Pomerico, Leonard L. Scheinholtz**, James C. Stump, Jr., James F. Ward *ex officio **emeritus directors
Huntington Regional Board of Directors William H. Blenko, William C. Campbell, Noel P. Copen, Earl W. Heiner Jr., Samuel Kapourales, Charles Lanham, Robert M. Levy, Thomas J. Maxwell, James H. Morgan, William D. Stark, Maurice G. Taylor Jr. Marion County Regional Board of Directors Robert H. Martin Northern West Virginia Regional Board of Directors Carol Asam, Christian Asam, Forest Bowman, Nikki Bowman, James B. Bruhn, Wayne J. Northey, Sharon Sakacsi, Harold J. Shamberger, Thomas Shamberger, Thomas H. Van Landingham, Monte Williams Parkersburg Regional Board of Directors Charles O. Casto, Joe C. Hushion, Art Oliver Jr. Weirton Regional Board of Directors George J. Anetakis, George M. Molnar, Joyce C. Pashke, James White Copyright ©2013 by AAA East Central.
The 2013 Ford/AAA Student Auto Skills competition By Wayne Northey President, AAA West Virginia ehicles are becoming more complex every year, and so is the need for a skilled workforce to service them. One hundred of the nation’s best young automotive minds recently converged on the Motor City to compete for the title of the nation’s top high school technicians. Held June 9-11 at Ford World headquarters in Dearborn, Michigan, the 64th Ford/AAA Student Auto Skills Competition National Finals featured the top high school automotive technology students from all 50 states. Each state was represented by a two-student team and their high school instructor. Designed to showcase career opportunities in the automotive service sector, the annual event matches high school students in a side-by-side contest to repair deliberately and identically disabled vehicles. Most have logged hundreds of hours of preparation getting ready to battle their tech-savvy peers. When the dust settled, the duo of Logan Boyle and Cody Collins, under the guidance of instructor Drew Barnes from Vale High School in Vale, Oregon, claimed the crown as America’s top auto technicians. With jobs in the auto industry on the rise, up over 30 percent since last April according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the Ford/AAA Student Auto Skills challenge serves as a springboard for students to launch their careers. And as automotive technology evolves, so does our perception of auto technicians.
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Wayne Northey If you’ve looked under the hood of a late model car recently, you’ll understand why today’s auto repair techs must not only be proficient with a socket wrench, they must be equally well versed in computer and electronics systems. Skilled technicians today require more knowledge than an automotive engineer of 15 years ago and the industry needs to attract dedicated young people to keep America’s 250 million vehicles operating safely and trouble-free. AAA’s partnership with Ford is also working to change attitudes; break down barriers and open doors that might otherwise be closed to this career path. This year’s finalists included two female competitors making a run at the national title, in what has been a traditionally
male-dominated field of endeavor. The road to Dearborn began in January when nearly 13,000 high school juniors and seniors took an online exam testing their automotive technology knowledge followed by state competitions all across the country. It culminated with a race against the clock and each other to identify glitches and repair deliberately-installed “bugs” in identical 2013 Ford Explorer XLTs. In addition to awards that included trophies and tools, the students competed for a share of the nearly $12 million in scholarships available through the state and national competitions. This year’s national champions also earned a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to gain hands-on experience during a job shadow experience with Wood Brothers Racing’s legendary 21 Motorcraft/Quick Lane Ford Fusion team and driver Trevor Bayne, winner of the 2011 Daytona 500. One of the highlights of the week-long internship was serving as honorary pit crew at the Coke Zero 400 in Daytona Beach. AAA’s commitment is to provide motorists with solutions for all their automotive needs and that includes ensuring they have reliable, quality auto repair options both now and in the future. The Ford/AAA Student Auto Skills competition is just one of the ways that AAA and Ford are creating an awareness of career opportunities in the automotive service industry and promoting the development of an educated workforce, well equipped to respond to increasingly sophisticated auto repair challenges.
membersonly
Everything you need in the palm of your hand AAA eTourBooks for on-the-go travel information
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lanning a summer road trip? Let AAA’s digital travel guides lead you to your vacation destination. These awardwinning e-publications help you navigate the big cities or hike the national parks with AAA’s team of professional travel editors. AAA members have relied on the printed TourBook® guides for nearly a century. Now they can pack a wealth of AAA travel information on the portable wireless devices you are already carry. Available exclusively for AAA members at AAA.com/ebooks, AAA eTourBook guides provide detailed trip-planning information for top travel destination locations across North America, including national parks. AAA now publishes 101 eTourBook titles and these destination-specific guides contain listings for AAA Approved and Diamond Rated lodgings and restaurants, AAA travel editors’ picks for attractions, nightlife, and events, suggested 3-day itineraries,
insider tips and images, and more. Some titles even include maps displaying key local areas and highway networks. The Washington, D.C., eTourBook guide includes a color-coded map for the city’s Metrorail system. Member downloads of eTourBook guides recently surpassed 250,000 and the 10 most frequently requested titles are Orlando, Fla.; Washington, D.C.; New York; San Francisco; Las Vegas; national park titles for Grand Canyon and Yellowstone; Boston; Seattle; and Honolulu.
The Las Vegas title recently received Digital Book World’s top Publishing Innovation Award for non-fiction content. Free to members, guide content is refreshed daily to ensure you have access to the most up-to-date travel information when you download a title. Each one is provided in the file formats designed for today’s digital technology. Sync files to your Kindle, Nook or Sony Reader, or download directly to your iPad or smartphone, to put everything you need for your next trip in the palm of your hand. Just go to AAA.com/ebooks on your personal computer, click the “Destinations” button and select a title. If you do not already have a user name and password, you can register on the login page. Download the file to your personal computer and transfer it to a compatible e-reader device. Some devices may require the use of thirdparty software, such as iTunes. Tap into the possibilities with AAA eTourBook Guides at AAA.com/ebooks.
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Tips to expedite your insurance claim Making sure your insurance claim goes smoothly
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iling an insurance claim can seem like an overwhelming task, but it doesn’t have to be. The National Association of Insurance Commissioners has put together the following tips to help policyholders facilitate the process: Know your policy — Your insurance policy is a contract between you and your insurance company. Know the terms of that contract, including what’s covered, what’s excluded and the amount of any deductibles. File claims as soon as possible — Call your agent or your insurer’s claims hotline as soon as possible. Your policy might require notification within a certain time frame. Provide complete, correct information — Be certain to give your insurance company all the information they need. Incorrect or incomplete information will only cause a delay in processing your claim. Keep copies of all correspondence — Write down information about your telephone and in-person contacts, including the date, name and title of the person you spoke with and what was said. Also, keep a record of your time and expenses. Ask questions — If there is a disagreement about the claim settlement, ask the insurer for the specific language in the policy that explains the reason why the claim was settled in that man-
Your policy should cover the cost of temporary repairs, so keep all receipts. Also, maintain any damaged personal property for the adjuster to inspect. Don’t make permanent repairs — An insurance company may deny a claim if you make permanent repairs before the damage has been inspected. Try to determine what it will cost to repair your property before you meet with the claims adjuster — Provide the claims adjuster with records of any improvements you made to your property. Ask the claims adjuster for an itemized explanation of the claim settlement offer. Don’t rush into a settlement — If the first offer made by an insurance company does not meet your expectations, be prepared to negotiate. If you have any questions regarding the fairness of your settlement, seek professional advice.
MAKING A CLAIM — When an emergency strikes you don’t want any additional problems. ner. If this disagreement results in a claim denial, make sure you obtain a written letter explaining the reason for the denial and the specific policy language under which the claim is being denied. If you have a dispute with your insurer about the amount or terms of the claim settlement, you should con-
tact your state insurance department for assistance. Make temporary repairs to protect property from further damage — Your auto/homeowners policy might require you to make temporary repairs. If possible, take photographs or video of the damage before making such repairs.
FOR MORE INFORMATION
Trust AAA to steer you right on all your current and future Auto, Home and Life insurance needs. Combining your coverage with one insurance company could make a significant difference in your premium. Call 866.802.8210, or visit AAA.com/insurance for more information or to schedule a comprehensive Insurance review.
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AAA identifies motorists’ breaking point on gas prices Most offset high gas prices with driving or lifestyle changes
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alf of U.S. adults consider gas prices to be “too high” when they reach $3.44 per gallon, indicating a potential breaking point on gas prices, according to a new consumer price index developed by AAA. Roughly two-thirds of Americans (62 percent) are offsetting high gas prices by changing their driving habits or lifestyle. The report presents the findings of a national telephone survey conducted on March 28-30. AAA combined the answers from 974 respondents to determine the potential consumer breaking point for high gas prices. “It was not long ago that motorists were shocked to pay more than $3 per gallon for gasoline, but now that is standard at stations nationwide,” said Jim Lehman, president AAA East Central. “Today’s average consumer feels the tipping point on on fuel prices is closer to $3.60 per gallon, and rising costs are forcing many motorists to change their driving habits.” AAA’s gas-price index tracks consumer attitudes by determining at what price the cost of gasoline becomes too high. The results from the open-ended survey demonstrate how attitudes can be expected to change as prices rise above significant milestones: • 46 percent believe gas is too high when the price reaches $3.00 per gallon; • 61 percent believe gas is too high
THE NEW NORMAL — Gas prices have stayed above 3.00 per gallon for the past two years. when the price reaches $3.50 per gallon; • 90 percent believe gas is too high when the price reaches $4.00 per gallon. “It is possible there is a new normal in terms of consumer attitudes now that gas prices have remained above $3 per gallon for more than two years,” notes Lehman. “Most people have resigned themselves to paying higher gas prices and are cutting back on driving, shopping and dining out to save money.”
Consumers report changing their driving habits or lifestyle in a number of ways to offset recent gas prices, including: • Driving less – 86 percent; • Reducing shopping or dining out – 71 percent; • Driving a more fuel efficient car – 54 percent; • Delaying major purchases – 53 percent; • Working closer to home – 39 percent; • Carpooling – 33 percent;
• Using public transportation more regularly – 15 percent; • Other – 18 percent. Younger consumers ages 18-34 are more likely to offset recent gas prices by working closer to home or using public transportation more regularly than adults ages 35 and up (48 percent vs. 35 percent and 25 percent vs. 10 percent, respectively). These results could suggest a generational shift in terms of attitudes towards driving, but it is too early to say whether these attitudes would continue into the future. Gasoline prices have been averaging around $3.60 per gallon, but prices currently vary by more than $1 per gallon nationwide. While the national average has not surpassed $4.00 per gallon since 2008, the national average has remained above $3.00 per gallon for 28 consecutive months. PRICE CHECK
AAA members searching for lowest gasoline prices should look no further than their own personal computer or mobile device. AAA’s Fuel Price Finder at AAA.com, shows local prices and station locations within a ten-mile radius of your address. On the road, use the AAA Mobile app for iPhone and Android to display local prices and station locations. For more information or to download AAA Mobile, visit the AAA Mobile solutions page at AAA.com/mobile.
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continued from page 1
MUSH!
MUSH!
Hurry in s! g n i v a s g i b r o f MEMBERS SAVE 1 OF 3 WAYS Premier...... $100 Plus ..............$75 Basic ............$50
ULTIMATE ALASKA
PER ROOM...NEW BOOKINGS ONLY
Winter Wonderland Tour • Feb 20–March 2 site shores of Cook Inlet, where mammoth sloping mountains abruptly stop their flat expanse. Each turn reveals another scenic wonder! Visit the Alaska Wildlife Conservation Center to see wildlife close up and then the Alaska Sealife Center for an indepth look above and below the water. Spend 2 nights and a full day at leisure at the luxurious Alyeska, Alaska’s only 4-diamond hotel & restaurant and its premier year-round resort. Nestled in a lush valley surrounded by mountain peaks, hanging glaciers and spectacular ocean views, the Alyeska offers luxurious accommodations and convenient access to the magnificent Alaskan wilderness. Relax at the on-site spa or take advantage of optional activities such as
dog sledding, snow machining (Alaskan for “snowmobiling”), flightseeing, downhill skiing or showshoeing. An included tram ride offers spectacular views of the valley. Back in Anchorage, tour the historic downtown and lakes Hood & Spenard. Visit the Alaska Zoo for a behind-thescenes tour. End the day at the Mushers’ Banquet festivities and dinner for participants (the human ones, at least!) of the world-famous Iditarod Sled Dog Race. See the winner’s trophy, meet & mingle with mushers and enjoy a great meal all in one evening. Meet 4-time Iditarod champion Martin Buser at his Happy Trails Kennel. Hear personal stories while glimpsing the grandeur Alaska has to offer along
BOOK & DEPOSIT THROUGH 7/31/13 the Iditarod Trail. Return to Anchorage to visit the Iditarod Headquarters and see firsthand a replica Iditarod Trail station. Next morning, grab a great spot along 4th Avenue for the city start of the Iditarod festivities. See mushers from all over the world and enjoy a variety of other Iditarod-related activities. In the afternoon, catch some of the many fascinating cultural opportunities on offer at the Alaska Native Heritage Center. Venture north on your last day, stopping in Wasilla (hometown of Alaska’s best known ex-governor) for the day’s on-your-own lunch items. At Willow, the official Re-Start of the Iditarod Dog Sled Race, watch the mushers and their teams dash off on their arduous 1,131-
mile journey to Nome. Ultimate Alaska’s before-discount AAA Member Rate of $2,955 is per person double occupancy, is subject to availability and includes roundtrip airport/hotel transfers, accommodations, luggage handling, sightseeing transportation/admissions, 14 meals, the services of a AAA Tour Manager (if the minimum-participation goal is met), an in-Alaska guide and hand warmers. Ask a AAA Travel Agent about available addon airfare from your gateway city. Given the popularity of last year’s departure, don’t wait to reserve your spot! Call 1-800-354-8761 or visit AAA.com/ GoAlaska now.
a Alasky! o G / A.cotme itinerar A A t i s Vi comple for
MOOSE NOT BE TOO COLD! — Don’t let winter temps prevent you from enjoying this once-in-a-lifetime adventure; you’ll surely be rewarded with sights that will warm your heart!
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Member Benefits • Exclusive Offers
1-800-354-8761 • AAA.com/travel
AAA Member Exclusive
REALLY RED-HOT R E M M U S FREE EXTRAS SIZZLING ON RCI CRUISES: Prepaid Gratuities! Specialty-restaurant Dining! Complimentary Spa Treatments! Onboard-value Savings Booklets!
AND MORE!
SHIPS REGISTERED IN THE BAHAMAS
Book & deposit on a balcony stateroom (or higher level) on 5-night-orlonger Royal Caribbean sailings...
between Aug 1 & Sept 30, 2013:
• Prepaid gratuities for 1st & 2nd guests per stateroom (up to $24 per night) • Dinner for 2 in an onboard specialtydining restaurant ($50 value)
between Oct 1 & Dec 31, 2013:
• 2 Passport to Savings onboard-value booklets per stateroom ($350 value each) • 1 complimentary spa treatment per stateroom ($100 value) • Prepaid gratuities for 1st & 2nd guests per stateroom (up to $24 per night) • Dinner for 2 in an onboard specialtydining restaurant ($50 value)
And, if the RCI cruise you choose is ALSO a AAA Vacations® sailing, you may also get... • Priority check-in to avoid time-consuming lines • In-stateroom chilled Champagne upon arrival • Up to $50.00 shipboard credit per stateroom DATE
NTS
SAMPLE AAA VACATIONS® SAILINGS SHIP
ITINERARY
8/31
7
Vision of the Seas
Scandinavia & Russia: Roundtrip from Copenhagen DK
9/7
7
Oasis of the Seas
Eastern Caribbean: Roundtrip from Ft Lauderdale FL
9/8
7
Freedom of the Seas
Eastern Caribbean: Roundtrip from Pt Canaveral FL
9/15
7
Brilliance of the Seas
Canada/New England: Roundtrip from Boston MA
10/12 7
Oasis of the Seas
Western Caribbean: Roundtrip from Ft Lauderdale FL
10/13 7
Allure of the Seas
Eastern Caribbean: Roundtrip from Ft Lauderdale FL
11/3
7
Allure of the Seas
Western Caribbean: Roundtrip from Ft Lauderdale FL
11/3
7
Freedom of the Seas
Eastern Caribbean: Roundtrip from Pt Canaveral FL
11/9
7
Oasis of the Seas
Western Caribbean: Roundtrip from Ft Lauderdale FL
12/1
7
Allure of the Seas
Western Caribbean: Roundtrip from Ft Lauderdale FL
12/1
7
Independence of the Seas
Western Caribbean: Roundtrip from Ft Lauderdale FL
Sizzling Summer offers end 7/31/13 NEW BOOKINGS ONLY. NOT COMBINABLE WITH ANY OTHER OFFER.
Choose from hundreds of cruises at AAA.com/cruises. For AAA Vacations® cruises, look for departures with the AAA logo!
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AAA MOTORIST
1-800-354-8761 AAA.com/travel PASADENA
JULY/AUGUST 2013
Member Benefits Exclusive Offers
CALIFORNIA New Yearʼs Getaway including reserved seats for the worldfamous Tournament of Roses Parade!
Dec 29–Jan 3 AAA Member Rate: $3,955 Start in LA, touring historic Farmers Market, glitzy Rodeo Drive and star-studded Hollywood. At the Chinese Theatre (née Grauman’s, then Mann’s), see celebrity signatures immortalized in cement. Follow the bronze medallions studding Hollywood Boulevard’s Walk of Fame. At Hollywood & Highland, a shopping & entertainment complex housing the new home of Academy Awards extravaganzas, enjoy a great view of the iconic HOLLYWOOD sign from the upper level. Continue to downtown LA if time permits, then relax and get acquainted with your fellow travelers at a welcome dinner at at a bayfront restaurant in Long Beach. Day 2 takes you to Pasadena to see floats in the final stage of parade preparation; watch volunteers & professionals hand-apply flowers. Tour Burbank’s Warner Brothers Studios for a behind-the-scenes look into making films and TV shows; be alert for star sightings! Return to your hotel to relax poolside or enjoy beachside paths for walking, jogging and biking. Dining on your own allows you to explore Long Beach. On Day 3, drive to Simi Valley’s Reagan Presidential Library & Museum, the nation’s largest and most elaborate; see a full-scale Oval Office replica, Air Force One, a re-created White House state dinner and numerous videos & displays. Drive the Pacific Coast Highway through exclusive Malibu to fun & funky Santa Monica; explore its
variety of sights in your free time. Attend an exclusive New Year’s Eve party in Long Beach on the magnificent Queen Mary — a luxurious setting for sophisticated dining, dancing and bidding farewell to 2013 in grand style. Usher in 2014 with a toast from the best seat in Long Beach for a gigantic fireworks display off the ship’s stern! Day 4 finds you in Pasadena, at your reserved seat for the Roses Parade — 60 flower-covered floats, marching bands, equestrians. Stop at Victory Park to view the floats up close. Enjoy lunch in see-&-be-seen West Hollywood, then drive to your all-suite hotel on San Diego’s waterfront. Explore this unique city on Day 5; see Cabrillo Monument atop Point Loma, with commanding views of the Pacific, the harbor and the city skyline. Drive through Mission Bay, continue to Old Town (California’s birthplace) and La Jolla, a chic beachside hideaway where you’ll have time to explore. Established in 1868, Balboa Park is the country’s oldest and one of its largest city parks. Take a guided tour on a doubledecker bus at San Diego Zoo, then board the luxurious Lord Hornblower, designed to resemble the grand steamships that once plied the harbor; enjoy entertainment, dancing and a sit-down dinner while cruising past glittering harbor lights under radiant stars in the sky before debarking at the Embarcadero. All too soon, fly home on Day 6.
Rate is per person (double occupancy), is subject to availability at time of booking and includes roundtrip flights (Columbus–Los Angeles, San Diego–Columbus, roundtrip airport/hotel transfers, accommodations, hotel luggage handling (1 per person), 10 meals (including 2 dinner cruises), 2 cocktail parties, reserved parade seat, taxes/gratuities on included items, local tour manager and services of a AAA Tour Manager (if participation goal is met). Additional airline fees for baggage may apply; contact your travel agent for details.
Linking you & your next vacation! CRUISES AAA.com FLIGHTS RENTAL CARS TOURS – DOMESTIC & INTERNATIONAL AAA FEATURED VACATIONS HOTEL/MOTEL ACCOMMODATIONS AAA DRIVE TRIPS LAST-MINUTE SAVINGS
Research & book travel arrangements from the comfort of your home – 24/7. TRAVEL WITH SOMEONE YOU TRUST.®
JULY/AUGUST 2013
AAA MOTORIST
PAGE 11
1-800-354-8761 AAA.com/travel ATHENS . . . . . . . . . . . 740-593-6677 CHILLICOTHE . . . . . . . . 740-702-3838 GALLIPOLIS . . . . . . . . . 740-446-0699 HILLSBORO . . . . . . . . . 937-393-3489 HUNTINGTON . . . . . . . 304-529-7107 IRONTON . . . . . . . . . . 740-532-3242 JACKSON . . . . . . . . . . 740-286-5077 LOGAN . . . . . . . . . . . . 740-385-8595
Member Benefits Exclusive Offers PARKERSBURG/VIENNA . . .304-295-7101 PORTSMOUTH . . . . . . . 740-354-5614 WASHINGTON C H . . . . 740-335-3950 WAVERLY . . . . . . . . . . 740-947-7775 EVENING/WEEKEND EXPRESS RESERVATIONS CENTER
German Christmas Markets
ENJOY AT LEAST 9 MARKETS & MORE!
4 nights in Nuremberg 3 nights in Munich
1-800-354-8761
____________________________________________________________
GENERAL TRAVEL DISCLAIMER: AAA Travel Agency makes every effort to provide accurate, up-to-date prices as of press time and cannot assume responsibility for typographic errors. Rates/offers are per person based on double occupancy, unless otherwise indicated, and are subject to availability and airline/operator changes. International rates/offers are subject to currency fluctuations and additional tax & security charges. Rates that include airfare include all taxes, government fees and surcharges. Additional restrictions may apply. Rates/offers are available at all AAA East Central travel agency locations. For tour details, contact AAA or visit AAA.com/ travel. AAA Featured Vacations are specially priced, unique departures; therefore, tour operators, cruise lines and other travel providers often exclude them from additional discounts or specials they offer. AAA Featured Vacations include services provided by third-party tour destination service companies; see your AAA Travel Agent for details.
DOUBLE DELIGHT FROM AAA & RCI!
2 vacations in 1
Experience the Old World tradition of welcoming the festive Christmas season at public marketplaces large and small. Dec 2-10 • AAA Member Rate: $2,959 AAA Member Rate includes roundtrip flights (Columbus-Frankfurt, Munich-Columbus), roundtrip airport/hotel transfers, accommodations, motorcoach transportation, hotel taxes/service charges, hotel baggage handling, 13 meals, Neuschwanstein tour, services of a AAA Tour Manager (if minimum-participation goal is met) and in-Germany escort. Visit AAA.com/GoEurope for details. Additional airline fees for baggage may apply; contact your travel agent for details.
CRUISING HAWAII THE BEST WAY TO SEE IT ALL...AT YOUR OWN PACE!
New Orleans
Western Caribbean
3 DAYS / 2 NIGHTS
8-DAY / 7-NIGHT CRUISE
City tour, including Katrina-impacted sites Mississippi River cruise on the steamboat Natchez Louisiana swampboat tour Mardi Gras World Demonstration & dinner at the New Orleans School of Cooking
Serenade of the Seas
AAA’s unique 9-night Hawaiian vacations feature a 2-night pre-cruise stay in Honolulu, an Oahu tour (featuring the USS Arizona Memorial & more) and a 7-night cruise of 4 islands — Oahu, Maui, Hawaii & Kauai. AAA Member Rates Jan 9-18: from $1,705 Jan 30–Feb 8: from $1,809 Feb 27–March 8: from $1,809
$25.00 per person onboard credit Cozumel, Mexico George Town, Grand Cayman Falmouth, Jamaica 3 full days at sea
MARCH 27–APRIL 5 • AAA MEMBER RATE: from $1,499 Rate is per person (double occupancy), is subject to availability at time of booking and includes roundtrip airport/hotel/pier transfers, 2-night hotel accommodations/taxes/service charge/baggage handling (1 piece per person), 5 meals (on land), cruise accommodations/entertainment, most onboard meals, government fees and services of a AAA Tour Manager (if minimum-participation goal is met). Ship’s registry: Bahamas. Visit AAA.com/travel for more details. Ask about available add-on airfare.
© CHAD MCDERMOTT / FOTOLIA.COM
Pride of America
Rates are per person (double occupancy), are subject to change/availability at time of booking and include hotel/pier transfers, 2 nights at the Marriott Waikiki Beach Resort & Spa, USS Arizona Memorial/Pearl Harbor tour, 7-night cruise accommodations/entertainment, most onboard meals and government taxes/fees. Ship’s registry: USA. Ask about available add-on airfare.
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AAA MOTORIST
JULY/AUGUST 2013
1-800-354-8761 AAA.com/travel
Member Benefits Exclusive Offers
Italy’s Charming Hill Towns
AAA MEMBERS SAVE $350.00 BY BOOKING THROUGH 7 / 31 / 13
Tuscan & Umbrian Countryside
PER PERSON
GO WILD! Spectacular South Africa
APRIL 24–MAY 9
mcv Cincin!
Take the road less traveled
INCLUDES AAA TOUR MANAGER WITH YOU THROUGHOUT AFRICA!
AAA MEMBER BENEFIT SAVE $200.00
28 MEALS AAA MEMBER RATE $8,439
PER PERSON
These are included!
Rome • Orvieto • Spoleto Bevagna • Montefalco Assisi • Florence • Siena Monteriggioni • Volterra San Gimignano • Montalone Feb 28–March 10 AAA Member Rate: $4,349
• Cooking class in a 16thcentury Umbrian farmhouse • Home-cooked meal with a local family in Umbria • Sample local sausage, wine & cheese in a hill town, the “Balcony of Umbria” • The Guarnacci, 1 of the most famous Etruscan museums
Rate is per person (double occupancy), is subject to availability at time of booking and includes roundtrip flights (Columbus–Rome, Florence/Pisa–Columbus), roundtrip airport/hotel transfers, accommodations, hotel luggage handling (1 per person), 16 meals, air & hotel taxes (subject to change) and in-Italy guide. Additional airline fees for baggage may apply; contact your travel agent for details. Visit AAA.com/GoItaly for details. AAA Member Choice Vacations© door-to-door transfer service not available on this departure.
Johannesburg • Soweto • Blyde River Canyon • 3 Rondavels • Bourke’s Luck Potholes • Kruger National Park • Port Elizabeth • Knysna • Oudtshoorn • Stellenbosch • Cape Winelands • Cape Town • Victoria Falls • Zambezi Cruise
APRIL 24–MAY 14 AUSTRALIA & NEW ZEALAND
Bunratty Folk Park Medieval banquet in a 15th-century castle Cliffs of Moher Flying Boat Museum Killarney National Park, including Muckross House
Ring of Kerry, the Skellig Experience & Moll’s Gap Waterford Crystal tour Russborough House Dinner & song at a pub Dublin: tour & free time ...AND MUCH, MUCH MORE!
Oct 13-20 • AAA Member Rate: $1,399 Rate is per person (double occupancy), is subject to availability at time of booking and includes roundtrip airport/hotel transfers, accommodations, guided motorcoach sightseeing, entrance fees, 11 meals (including Bunratty Castle medieval banquet/entertainment & Merry Ploughboy pub dinner/entertainment), in-Ireland tour director, hotel luggage handling (1 piece per person), hotel taxes & service charges. Ask about available add-on airfare. Visit AAA.com/GoIreland for itinerary and more information.
PROGRAMS OPERATED BY CIE TOURS INTERNATIONAL Edinburgh • Spean Bridge Woolen Mill • Loch Ness cruise • Highland evening • Culloden Battlefield • Blair Athol Whickey Distillery • Edinburgh Castle • Ferry to Northern Ireland • Belfast: Titanic Center • Dublin: Book of Kells, canal dinner cruise • Rock of Cashel • Blarney Castle & Woolen Mills • Killarney: “jaunting car” • Ring of Kerry • Skellig Experience • Sneem • Moll’s Gap • River Shannon ferry • Cliffs of Moher (pictured) • Medieval banquet • AND MORE! Nov 9-19 • AAA Member Rate: $1,699 Rate is per person (double occupancy), is subject to availability at time of booking and includes roundtrip airport/hotel transfers, accommodations, guided motorcoach sightseeing, entrance fees, 16 meals (including medieval banquet, canal dinner cruise), in-Ireland tour director, hotel luggage handling (1 piece per person), hotel taxes & service charges. Ask about available add-on airfare. Visit AAA.com/GoIreland for itinerary and more information.
INCLUDES AAA TOUR MANAGER WITH YOU DOWN UNDER!
OUTBACK
30 MEALS AAA MEMBER RATE $9,439
to the
GLACIERS
AAA MEMBER BENEFIT SAVE $400.00 PER PERSON
Melbourne • Alice Springs • Ayers Rock • Great Barrier Reef (catamaran & glass-bottom boat rides) • Cairns • Sydney • Christchurch • Franz Josef Glacier • Queenstown • Milford Sound Cruise • Mt Cook National Park • Optional Tours Available Rates are per person (double occupancy), are subject to availability and include roundtrip flights from Pittsburgh, roundtrip airport/hotel transfers, sightseeing per itinerary, accommodations, in-country guide, meals as indicated, government taxes/fees and AAA Tour Manager (if minimum-participation goal is met). Additional airline fees for baggage may apply; contact your travel agent for details. Visit AAA.com/GoAfrica and AAA.com/GoAustralia for complete itinerary and important pre-travel information. AAA Member Choice Vacations© door-to-door transfer service not available on these departures.
JULY/AUGUST 2013
AAA MOTORIST
1-800-354-8761 AAA.com/travel
PAGE 13
Member Benefits Exclusive Offers
AAA Featured Vacations Napa Valley & San Francisco
New Mexico Balloon Fiesta
So many delights in one tour — from San Francisco’s endless charms to the natural splendor of the Muir Woods redwoods. Cross Golden Gate Bridge to enjoy 5 vineyards (participate in a “Blend Your Own Merlot” event) and 3 nights at Tuscanstyle Vino Bella Resort in Napa. Savor a 4-course dinner on the Napa Valley Wine Train. With your hotel at Fisherman’s Wharf as your base, tour San Francisco’s famous landmarks, cruise by ferry across the bay and enjoy free time for shopping and exploring. 2 meals. Oct 7-12 • $1,949
Explore Albuquerque, the Land of Enchantment’s largest city. At the International Balloon Fiesta, witness the mass ascension of hundreds of balloons. Explore landmarks along Route 66, visit Old Town & its Plaza and tour the Indian Pueblo Cultural Center. Ride Sandia Peak’s Aerial Tramway and visit an artisanal winery. See the Balloon Fiesta’s evening “Glowdeo” & fireworks. Explore historic Chimayo village, artistic Taos and charming Santa Fe. Take a guided desert wilderness hike with llamas! 14 meals. Oct 9-15 • $2,309
AAA MEMBER RATES are per person (double occupancy), are subject to availability at time of booking and include roundtrip airport/hotel transfers, accommodations, motorcoach sightseeing & admissions as indicated and more. Ask about available add-on airfare. Visit AAA.com/USA for complete itinerary details.
LEAVE YOUR CAR AT HOME!
are specific cruise, motorcoach or air tour vacations created or selected by AAA Travel for their value, amenities and/or inclusions. Look for the AAA Featured Vacations logo to identify out-of-the-ordinary offerings.
MOTORCOACH TOURS: 1-800-887-1976 Rates are per person, are subject to availability at time of booking and include roundtrip motorcoach transportation from the Portsmouth area, accommodations (for multiday tours, based on double occupancy), sightseeing/admissions, taxes/gratuities for included features, baggage handling (for multiday tours), meals as indicated and the services of a AAA Tour Manager. Visit AAA.com/USA for complete itinerary details and pick-up points.
Cincinnati Reds vs St Louis Cardinals Take Me Out to the Ballgame! Aug 4 • AAA Member Rate: $89 Sign up today with AAA and let us “Take You Out to the Ball Game” as we board the bus for the beautiful river city of Cincinnati, Ohio. From May 4, 1869, when the Cincinnati Red Stockings became the first all-professional, nine-player-team franchise, this National League baseball team has become a household name throughout Ohio and the mid-west. Today the Reds will take on the legendary St Louis Cardinals at a day game, start time 1:10pm. We’re sure the Reds hope to make this season one of the great ones. Speaking of great, The Great American Ball Park has been home to the Cincinnati Reds since the 2003 season.
Harper’s Ferry & the Civil War West Virginia, Maryland & Pennsylvania Aug 7-9 • AAA Member Rate: $559 Travel to Harper’s Ferry National Historical Park for an afternoon tour. Best known for John Brown’s raid on the Armory in 1859, this quaint and historic town offers picturesque streets, exhibits, museums and battlefields. Travel to Charles Town WV and check-in to the Hollywood Casino for the next 2 nights with $25 per person for slots play, in addition to live poker, table games and live & simulcast horse racing. Travel to Gettysburg’s Gateway Theater for the movie “Fields of Freedom” about 2 young Confederate soldiers dealing with the realities of war. Next, visit the Gettysburg Visitor Center to experience the Cyclorama, Museum and the movie “A New Birth of Freedom.” After lunch, enjoy a narrated tour of the Gettysburg Battlefield which honors the Civil War soldiers who died there. 3 meals.
WV Highlights with Hatfield History plus Greenbrier Resort & New River Train Sept 10-12 • AAA Member Rate: $669 Travel to Williamson WV to tour the Matewan Massacre site that occurred during a United Mine Workers labor dispute in 1920. Enjoy a narrated sightseeing tour of some of the Hatfield & McCoy feud sites. Learn the history of these events that occurred in the West Virginia backcountry. Savor a Stolen Pig dinner and local entertainment. Explore more of West Virginia aboard the New River Train from Huntington to White Sulphur Springs. The scenic New River Gorge area, known as the “Grand Canyon of the East,” features waterfalls, whitewater, remote river & rail coal towns and the New River Bridge. Visit beautiful Greenbrier Resort for lunch and the Bunker Tour; this Cold War bunker was a secret facility for 30 years and was designed to support high-ranking government officials for 60 days in case of a national emergency. Return to Huntington, stopping at the Tamarack for more West Virginia culture, with time to shop and enjoy dinner. 6 meals.
Autumn in New England: CT, RI, MA, NH, ME, VT Oct 5-13 • AAA Member Rate: $1,799 Overnight in Hershey PA and along the Connecticut shoreline. Tour Newport RI; follow Ten Mile Ocean Drive and visit Cornelius Vanderbilt’s Breakers Mansion. Cross Cape Cod Canal to tour Hyannis and Hyannisport MA; see the John F Kennedy Memorial, the Korean War Memorial and St Francis Xavier Church. Take the high-speed ferry to the storybook island of Martha’s Vineyard; board a local bus for a “down island” tour to learn about the island’s history and life-style, including the gingerbread houses of Oak Bluffs and the cliffs of Gay Head. Spend some time shopping in the historic whaling port of Edgartown. Follow the Freedom Trail in historic Boston; see famous sites, including the US Navy’s oldest commissioned ship — the USS Constitution, aka “Old Ironsides.” Walk through the North End for views of Paul Revere House, Old North Church and other sites. Travel along the New Hampshire coast to Ogunquit ME. At Perkins Cove, board a lobster boat to learn how lobstermen make their living. Stroll along “The Marginal Way” (a walking path) or relax on a bench and watch the crashing surf. Take a narrated tour of Kennebunkport ME to see the George Bush Estate and the Wedding Cake House and to learn the history of shipbuilding towns. Visit the Franciscan Monastery then depart for Portland’s waterfront, Longfellow’s boyhood home and Portland Head Lighthouse. Enjoy a classic “downeast” lobsterbake with sing-along entertainment. Follow the northern New England color trail from the coast of Maine to the White Mountains of New Hampshire. Make your way from Conway to Lincoln, across the famous Kancamagus Highway, one of New England’s most scenic byways, all at the height of the fall foliage season. Have your camera ready for an enclosed gondola ride to the summit of Loon Mountain for amazing panoramic views of the Mt Washington Valley. Board the Hobo Railroad to ride through the river valley and enjoy a picnic lunch on board. If time permits, stop for a quick photo at Quechee Gorge State Park (“Vermont’s Little Grand Canyon”) and its impressive rocky gorge. Visit the New England Maple Museum in Rutland VT; see the largest collection of maple sugaring artifacts in existence. Watch demonstrations on Vermont’s sweetest commodity, then travel to Pennsylvania for the night. Depart for home with great memories of your awesome autumn trip to New England. 14 meals.
2013 HOLIDAY TOURS “Country Christmas” at Opryland Hotel: Nashville TN Dec 5-8 • AAA Member Rate: $899
Greenbrier Holiday: White Sulphur Springs WV Dec 7-8 • AAA Member Rate: $359
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Renewing your “WOWs” with AAA Discounts & Rewards Celebrate a whole new way to save at AAA.com
T
he savings are sensational at AAA Discounts & Rewards. We’re making it easy for AAA members discover great deals on the names they want and the products they need — all at unbeatable prices. AAA Discounts & Rewards is an innovative new shopping experience on AAA.com that features deep discounts, limited offers and everyday savings on dining, electronics, home, apparel, entertainment, pet care and more, from approximately 30,000 participating merchants nationwide — including national chains like Macy’s, Best Buy and The Home Depot. There’s power in numbers, and that means AAA is able to leverage the purchasing power of millions of members in return for big savings from merchants who want your business. The AAA Discounts & Rewards shopping portal at AAA.com/discounts features an intuitive, easy to navigate interface to help you find exactly what you are looking for with just few simple clicks. Check out the Hot List for local offers, or use the AAA Discounts & Rewards Shopping Engine to find their favorites. Members can also receive recommendations based on their interests. In addition to discount offers, you’ll earn WOWPoints on most purchases, a unique online currency, that you can “burn off” at your favorite participat-
AAA East Central members can access the AAA Discounts & Rewards page from AAA.com/discounts. Feel free to browse through all the offers, however, you must first register at the time of transaction. Registration is free — a valid AAA membership and email address are all you need. Offers are available online, by phone, and sometimes in-store via a printed coupon and include limited time offers, deep discount offers and everyday offers. Members can even buy local restaurant gift certificates and earn WOWPoints at the same time. Why wait any longer? Register online at AAA.com/discounts. Then shop, save and earn on national and local brands, restaurants and retailers.
DOUBLE UP ON DISCOUNTS — Save serious cash and earn WOW PoInts at the same time when you shop at AAA Discounts & Rewards. ing merchants. The majority of merchants will give at least one WOWPoint for each dollar spent, with many of them giving two, four, or more times the WOWPoints per dollar spent. One hundred WOWPoints equals $1 and members can start burning their points with as little as $2 or 200 WOWPoints. • WOWPoints are as flexible as cash; • 100 WOWPoints earned = $1.00;
• No limit to the points you can earn; • No blackouts, no inflated redemption prices and no restrictions; • WOWPoints never expire. They remain valid as long as you are a AAA member; • Double Dip — WOWPoints can be earned on top of your points from your AAA Member Rewards Visa credit card.
FOR MORE INFORMATION
To learn more about the AAA Discounts program including Show Your Card & Save and AAA Prescription Savings, or to sign up free for AAA Discounts & Rewards visit AAA.com/Discounts.
Don’t get burned by summer travel season AAA predicts 8 million motorists will need assistance
S
ummer travel season is revving up and no one wants to see their vacation ruined by a roadside breakdown. Between the major summer holidays of Memorial Day and Labor Day AAA expects to rescue over 8 million motorists. Unexpected breakdowns can and do occur. That’s why you need the safety and security of AAA roadside assistance. But the best way to avoid a breakdown is to ensure your vehicle is properly maintained. AAA recommends that motorists brush up on their maintenance before hitting the road: Service Your Battery — AAA will assist nearly 1.6 million motorists with dead batteries this summer — replacing more than 500,000 batteries at the roadside. Summer heat breaks down car batteries internally and accelerates the rate of corrosion on the terminals. Most car batteries have a three to five year service life and having your battery tested by a professional technician to help avoid unexpected trouble. Air Conditioning Check — A vehicle without air conditioning can be hot and potentially dangerous during the summer. Automotive air conditioning systems do not require routine maintenance, but if you have noticed a decrease in cooling, have it examined by a qualified technician.
door. Finally, inspect the tread depth and overall condition of the tires. Worn tires are much more likely to suffer punctures and other problems. Belts, Hoses and Fluids — Replace accessory drive belts that are cracked, glazed or frayed, as well as coolant hoses that are visibly worn, brittle, bulging or excessively soft. Check for leaks around hose clamps and at the radiator and water pump. Check the engine coolant level, along with that of other important under hood fluids such as the engine oil, brake fluid, transmission fluid and power steering fluid. A low fluid level could indicate a leak or other problem that should be checked out by a professional technician.
CURRENT AFFAIRS — AAA anticipates it will jump start or replace more than 1.6 million batteries this summer. Wipers and Washer Fluid — Rain, insects, grime and other debris on a windshield will compromise the driver’s vision and safety. The life of a wiper blade is typically six to 12 months. If your wipers leave streaks or cannot clear the windshield in one swipe they should be replaced. Check the windshield washer fluid level and top it off with a solution formulated to aid in the removal of insects and other debris.
Tires — Roughly one million drivers will call AAA for help with a flat tire during the summer travel season, and many of those problems could be avoided with a quick tire inspection. Make sure all five tires are inflated to the pressure recommended by the vehicle manufacturer—this can be found in the owner’s manual or on a sticker usually attached to the driver’s door jamb, or sometimes inside the gas cap
BEFORE YOU GO
This summer, AAA will remedy over half of motorists’ car problems at the roadside but an estimated 3.5 million drivers will need to be towed to a place of repair. If it’s almost time for scheduled maintenance, have your car serviced before a trip by a competent professional like those who participate in AAA’s Approved Auto Repair (AAR) program. Visit AAA.com to locate the AAA Approved Auto Repair facility nearest you.
JULY 2013
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Ireland wants you to “come home to visit” This year, the pipes are calling you back to the Emerald Isle
E
veryone, it’s been said, has a bit of Irish in them and without a doubt the Emerald Isle’s greatest export has been its people. Now Ireland wants you to “come home to visit.” It’s all part of a yearlong extravaganza called “The Gathering: Ireland 2013,” and the timing couldn’t be better. The Gathering taps into that yearning in ways generations of Irish descendents should find irresistible. Yes, big and boisterous events like Limerick World Food Day and the Imagine Arts Festival in Waterford abound, but with the emphasis on grassroots participation odds are you’ll find something of interest wherever you go. Bunratty Castle and Folk Park, near Limerick, is a great place to begin. The 25-acre living history museum vividly recreates 19th century Ireland with rural farmhouses, shops and of course a pub. Towering 700-feet above the coast are the fabled Cliffs of Moher. Those who brave the chill can actually watch the gales sweeping in from the Atlantic. On a clear day, the Aran Islands are visible in Galway Bay. In Foynes, the Flying Boat Museum recalls the early days of air travel, when transatlantic traffic landed here to refuel. It’s also the birthplace of Irish Coffee, invented to warm weary passengers. The Ring of Kerry — a 100-mile route that winds around the Iveragh
Experience the delightful scenery of the Wicklow Mountains on the way to Blessington, and stately Russborough House, a Palladian mansion filled with treasures. From the elegant Georgian townhouses, to the charming Hapenny Bridge over the River Liffey, Dublin is a cosmopolitan city with a quality all its own. Visitors can view the 1,200-yearold Book of Kells at Trinity College, or enjoy a Guinness in an authentic Irish pub. Here the art of conversation finds effortless expression and no one remains a stranger for long.
IF YOU GO
ON THE EDGE — Timmy the dog relaxes on the Cliffs of Moher. Peninsula — is Ireland’s most popular scenic drive. Here the mountains tumble into the sea in a landscape that’s woven like a fine Irish tweed. On Valencia Island visit the Skellig Experience and learn about the monks who lived on these rocky islands. Those hoping to find out if they’re descended from Irish gentry, can stop by Moll’s Gap for expansive mountain vistas and to tour Muckross House, an elegant Georgian mansion. Historic Blarney Castle is about 5-miles from the ancient city of Cork.
High up in the battlements is the Blarney Stone, believed to be half of the Stone of Scone, and said to bestow the gift of eloquence for a kiss. In the port town of Cobh, visit the Cobh Heritage Centre, which traces the history of emigration to America. Learn about the many hardships of Irish emigrants as they made their way to the New World. Waterford is Ireland’s oldest city. This is history you can touch and feel as you explore the heart of Ireland’s traditional crafts at Waterford Crystal.
AAA’s 6-night Irish Heritage tour departs October 13-20, 2013. Highlights include medieval banquet at Bunratty Castle, Cliffs of Moher, Ring of Kerry, Blarney/ Cobh Heritage Centre, Waterford Crystal Tour, and Dublin City Tour. This AAA Featured Vacation includes motorcoach transportation, hotel accommodations, 11 meals, admissions, sightseeing and guide as per itinerary, hotel taxes, service charges, and baggage handling. Ask about add on airfare. FOR MORE INFORMATION
Please see this issue’s Departures Guide or log on to AAA.com/Europe for more European vacation ideas.
GM busting myths about pickup truck efficiency Tailgate up or down — an age-old mystery solved
A
erodynamic and truck are not words you normally see in the same sentence. With their tall, boxy exteriors pickups seem like the antithesis of those slippery, wind-cheating shapes you see on exotic sports cars. Some vehicle shapes are inherently more aerodynamic than others, but designers have been learning how to tweak every vehicle to reduce friction and drag. Carefully balancing details like the front air dam, sideview mirrors and rear tailgate can yield significant benefits in fuel economy. To study the way air passes over, under and around vehicles GM engineers turn to their state-of-the-art Aerodynamics Lab. The 750-foot-long tunnel has a 43-foot-diameter fan powered by a 4,500 horsepower electric motor that can generate winds of up to 138 mph. “We can’t stop air; we can only guide it through the path of least resistance,” said Dianne Bloch, GM aerodynamic performance engineer. “The biggest misconception is that it’s all about single components. But a certain side mirror design doesn’t create a certain amount of drag, its interaction with the rest of the vehicle does.” In designing the all-new 2014 Sierra
CHEATING THE WIND — The 2014 GMC Sierra pickup underwent extensive wind tunnel testing. full-size pickup truck Bloch examined every millimeter of the truck to find areas of improvement, debunking some popular myths along the way. Bloch’s team detected the most harmful air between the cab and bed was coming over the cab and down through the gap, so new sealing was added to prevent unwanted airflow. A long-disputed topic among truck owners is whether a tailgate raised
or lowered is better for aerodynamics. Bloch says a tailgate in the up position is more efficient. As air flows over the truck, it falls over the cab and pushes forward on the rear of the truck. With the tailgate down, the benefits of that airflow are diminished. “Replacing the tailgate with an aftermarket net is worse than having no tailgate at all,” Bloch said. “Imagine dragging a solid object and a fishing
net through water. The net is going to require more muscle.” Bloch says all those aftermarket accessories have an impact on aerodynamics. Add-ons like bug deflectors on the hood, wider tires or aftermarket bumpers can raise the drag coefficient, which is the measure of how air pushes on a vehicle as it moves down the road. The result: added noise and increased fuel consumption. So what accessories can truck owners add to help aerodynamics? Tonneau covers for the bed help smooth airflow over the truck, and Bloch says soft covers are more beneficial than hard covers because they form to how the air wants to flow. Running boards can also help air flow smoothly down the truck’s sides. “Round, tube-style running boards can provide a minor improvement to the truck’s drag coefficient,” said Bloch. “Fully integrated, flush-mount running boards are even better.”
FOR MORE INFORMATION
Visit AAA.com for information on all things automotive including tips on buying, operating and maintaining a vehicle.
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AAA Emergency Road Service: Understanding your coverage
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his is an overview of Emergency Road Service coverage for Basic members. Additional benefits and services are available for those with AAA Plus, AAA Plus RV, or AAA Premier membership. Contact your local office or call the TeleService Center at 412363-5100 or 1-800-441-5008 for details.
making the call to obtain service In case of an automotive emergency, call the AAA number listed on your AAA membership card. You’ll be connected to our 24-hour ERS dispatch center or the AAA club in the area from which you are calling. To help speed our response, be prepared to: 1. Provide your name, your membership number and the club code listed on your membership card. 2. Give the exact location of your vehicle and the nature of the trouble. 3. Describe the year, make and color of vehicle disabled. 4. If possible, provide a telephone or cell phone number where you can be reached. (Helpful hint: Keep your cell phone number in your wallet or attach it to the phone for easy access) if you cannot be with the vehicle Except for situations involving a highway emergency, the member must initiate the request for service and identify any person who will serve as the member’s designated agent. Depending on the type of service requested, your designated agent may be required to assume the responsibility of signing a release form. Your designated agent also must have possession of your current AAA membership card, the owner’s card and keys and be with the vehicle at the time service is rendered. Service to unattended vehicles is at the sole discretion of the service provider. cancel unnecessary calls If the requested service is no longer needed and the AAA service representative has not yet arrived, please call AAA immediately, as each service call is charged to AAA and against the member’s record. service inclusions 1. Mechanical First Aid. The AAA emergency service representative will make minor mechanical repairs or adjustments to place a vehicle in driving condition. If needed and available, parts and the labor cost to install them are to be paid for by the member. If the vehicle cannot be put into condition to proceed under its own power within a reasonable length of time, towing service as described in item 5 will be provided. 2. Flat-tire Service. If the vehicle’s spare tire is inflated and serviceable, it will be installed in place of the vehicle’s flat tire. If not, towing provisions will apply. Note: Tire rotation, installation/ removal of tire chains and snow
gible for service. Commercial vehicles (excluding taxis and limousines) are eligible for services. Motorcycles are ineligible for all services. weather emergencies During severe weather conditions, AAA reserves the right to suspend service temporarily if the vehicle is already in a place of safety, such as a private or public garage, driveway, etc. AAA will provide service to the vehicle after the weather emergency is over.
tire changeover are not emergency road services. 3. Battery Service. A battery boost will be provided in an attempt to start the vehicle. If it cannot be started in this manner, towing provisions will apply. 4. Fuel Delivery Service. A limited supply of fuel will be delivered to a member’s disabled vehicle enabling the member to reach the nearest service station. The member will be charged for the fuel at current pump prices. 5. Towing Services. When your vehicle cannot be safely driven after attempting any of the listed emergency services, your vehicle will be towed (once per breakdown) to the facility rendering the service, or up to three miles in any direction from the point of disablement at no charge. Charges for service that exceeds the benefits listed will be at the prevailing hourly or mileage rate for the region where service is provided. In instances when your vehicle becomes disabled while towing a light-duty trailer, service will be provided for the trailer. You will be required to pay for trailer towing. 6. Extrication/Winching. Your vehicle will be pulled out of a ditch by being extricated/winched when it can be safely reached from a normally traveled or established thoroughfare (driveways must be cleared of snow or ice). If special equipment, additional service personnel or vehicles are required, the associated costs will be at your expense. 7. Lockout Service. If your keys are locked inside the vehicle, service will be sent to gain entrance. If your keys are lost, broken or the service provider cannot gain entrance to your vehicle, locksmith service up to $60 or, if a AAA locksmith is not available, reimbursement for locksmith service up to $60
will be provided. In cases where the vehicle cannot be made operable, towing services will be provided according to our towing provision. 8. Service Limitations. Members requiring more than four road service calls during their membership year will be charged for the fifth call and each succeeding call at the time of service. 9. Emergency Check Acceptance. Members’ personal checks are accepted for emergency service and repairs by affiliated emergency road service stations for the exact amount of expenses up to $250. This program covers only emergency service and repairs to put a member’s vehicle in safe running condition. A valid membership card must be presented in addition to other identification required by the station. 10. Special Assistance. When your vehicle cannot be made operable upon providing the services listed in this brochure, AAA will assist you in finding the nearest open place of repair. If a repair facility cannot be located, we will assist you in obtaining lodging or alternate transportation, which will be at your expense. types of vehicles serviced Service applies to all properly licensed and inspected four-wheeled motor-driven vehicles of the passenger, pleasure or recreational type - provided that services can be safely delivered. If specific towing equipment is requested, but not required to safely transport the vehicle, the associated cost will be at your expense. Dual-wheel campers/motor homes are eligible for all services except towing, extrication/winching and tire service. Dual-wheel unloaded pick-up trucks are eligible for all services except tire services. Rented passenger vehicles are eli-
alternate service If you have followed the procedure to obtain emergency road service, and AAA service is not available, you may obtain your own service, pay for it and submit the original receipt to your AAA club within 60 days. Reimbursement will be based on the prevailing commercial rate for the region where the vehicle was disabled. In instances where the AAA contractor access is legally restricted (toll roads, limitedaccess highways), reimbursement will be provided for all covered services. If AAA service was available but not requested, reimbursement may be limited to the amount the club would have paid normally for the covered service. AAA will make no reimbursements on charges incurred when a member’s vehicle is removed from the street or under direction of the police because of illegal parking or other traffic violations. Members having more than four road service calls during their membership year are not eligible for alternateservice reimbursement. member’s risk Before servicing any vehicle when there is a possibility of damage to the vehicle or other property as a result of the service, a service representative will inform the member that the member must assume the risk of damage. Any such circumstances should be fully recorded on a release form. While AAA-affiliated service providers are selected to provide the best emergency road service to our members, such providers are independent contractors and are not agents of AAA. AAA assumes no responsibility for any injuries to persons or property, including damage to the member’s vehicle, as a result of an emergency road service request. AAA will make every reasonable effort to work out a settlement between a member and an affiliated service provider of the member’s claim for damages resulting from unsatisfactory emergency road service. Contact the TeleService Center within 10 days of the incident so that a prompt investigation can be made while all facts are available. ©2013
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Some surprising news on distracted driving A landmark study quantifies distracted driving By Tom Vanderbilt ew people have devoted as much time and intellectual energy to the problem of distracted driving as David Strayer, a professor of cognition and neural sciences at the University of Utah. Strayer has studied the issue for more than a decade, bringing his findings to forums ranging from state legislatures to The Oprah Winfrey Show. His latest research for the AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety, takes a novel approach. After fitting drivers with electrode caps to record brain activity, researchers measured their reaction times and hazard-detection accuracy both in a driving simulator and on the road. After analyzing the data, Strayer created a “category 1 through 5” scale to define how much certain tasks distract drivers. His findings may surprise you. • Phone conversations had much the same effect whether the driver used a hand-held or hands-free device (2.45 versus 2.27 on the 5 point scale). • Listening to an audio book required more attention (1.75) than did the radio (1.21). • Speech-to-text systems were much more demanding—a “category 3” distraction. • The highest level of distraction (5.0) came while drivers worked on complex math and memory exercises.
prompted AAA to support Strayer’s work. Jake Nelson, AAA director of traffic safety and research, says these findings don’t warrant a call for a ban on voice-activated technology. “We simply want to say, hey, we’ve learned something new here that we want to sit down and talk about,” he says. Tom Vanderbilt (tomvanderbilt.com) also writes for The Wall Street Journal and Smithsonian. His most recent book is the New York Times bestseller Traffic: Why We Drive the Way We Do (and What It Says about Us).
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THE STRAYER SCALE
Levels of distraction on a scale of 1 (least distracting) to 5 (most distracting):
OFF THE CHARTS — Researchers measured reaction times both in a driving simulator and on the road. What in the real world of driving is even remotely similar to these tests? Strayer wondered the same thing. Then he recalled a new car he test drove that included a system for buying movie tickets. “You’re not sure what’s playing, what times are available, what theaters,” he says. “You reserve your seat, give your credit card info—that entire series of operations is going to be at least a category 3, and it wouldn’t surprise me if
some of those pushed into category 4.” All of this is happening while your eyes are on the road. But, as the phenomenon of “inattention blindness,” or the ability to miss something right in front of you, has shown, people who seem to be paying attention can be distracted. “Eyes off the road is a bad thing,” says Strayer. “It’s just that eyes on the road doesn’t mean it’s safe.” It’s the increasing availability and complexity of in-car technologies that
• Single-task condition: 1.00 • Listing to the radio: 1.21 • Audio book: 1.75 • Conversing with friend on hands-free
mobile phone: 2.27
• Conversing with friend on a hand-held
mobile phone: 2.45
• Interacting with a speech to text device:
3.01
• Driving while doing a series of math and
memory tasks: 5.00 WHERE AAA STANDS
The club supports legislative bans on texting while driving, and bans on wireless use for drivers under 18. AAA also urges all drivers to accept personal responsibility to be alert and attentive on the road.
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Princess Cruises launches Royal Princess Expect to be treated like royalty on Princess’ newest ship
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soaring atrium, a dramatic over-the-water SeaWalk, an intimate dining experience surrounded by a soft curtain of light. The all-new Royal Princess set sail in June with a host of innovations that enhance and expand on the classic Princess Cruise experience. The 3,600 passenger Royal Princess is an intoxicating mix of classic Italian ambience, gourmet dining and stellar entertainment aboard a floating resort where you can relax or revel to your heart’s content. Passengers descend a pair of marble spiral staircases to the Piazza “the social hub of the ship.” The cavernous threedeck-high atrium is 50 percent larger than current Princess ships. Lounge lizards can congregate at Crooners, a Rat Pack-era martini bar, while tea lovers will be drawn the unique Tea Tower, complete with a tea sommelier and a choice of 250 blends. Staterooms are generous with a contemporary and inviting décor. Each one features Egyptian cotton linens, pillowtop mattress, a refrigerator and 37” flat screen television with movies, cable and satellite programming. All outside cabins feature Princess’ trademark balcony staterooms, perfect for saluting the sunset. Royal Princess encompasses many of the hallmark features that define the Princess experience, while introduc-
A SHIP OF STATE — Royal Princess is redefining the Princess cruise experiexperi ence. ing a few new ones all her own. One of the ship’s most striking features is the SeaWalk, extending 28 feet over the starboard side on the top deck. Hovering 128 feet above the ocean, this dramatic glass-bottomed walkway offers unparalleled views. Directly adjacent to the SeaWalk passengers will find a host of lounging options, beautiful palm trees, and two fresh water pools flanking an island. At night, the top deck transforms into the Water and Light Show with dancing
fountains synchronized to music and lights. The computerized fountain features 85 water jets, shooting streams of water 33 feet into the night sky. Movies Under the Stars, Princess’ signature poolside theater, features a 30 percent larger screen coupled with a high-tech visual and audio system for an unforgettable open-air movie-going experience. Passengers can enjoy movies, sporting events, and concerts complete with complimentary popcorn. Princess Live! raises the curtain on a
whole a new era of cruise ship entertainment. The onboard television station features game shows, interactive cooking shows, art house films, enrichment classes, murder mysteries, and “Meet the Experts” presentations from the crew. Royal Princess will also introduce another industry first — a dedicated pastry shop. Indulge your passion for fresh-baked goodies throughout the day, including croissants, pastries, hot desserts, freshly baked waffles and French toast at breakfast. Chef’s Table Lumiere is a spectacular new dining event that moves the Chef’s Table experience light years into the future. Guests will be magically surrounded by a curtain of light — providing a soft wall of privacy that envelopes a custom-made glass table located in the Concerto Dining Room.
IF YOU GO
Royal Princess’ maiden season will include cruises on the line’s signature 12-day Grand Mediterranean itinerary throughout the summer, followed by Eastern Caribbean cruises beginning in the fall. FOR MORE INFORMATION
Please see this issue’s Departures Guide or AAA.com/cruises for special values on Princess Cruise vacations.
Climb Cheat Mountain on the Cass Scenic Railroad Historic railroad park celebrates 50th anniversary
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estled in the mountains of West Virginia, Cass Scenic Railroad State Park transports visitors back in time to an era when steam-driven locomotives were an essential part of everyday life. Trips to Cass are filled with rich historical artifacts, unparalleled views of a vast wilderness, and close-up encounters with the sights and sounds of original steam-driven locomotives. The Cass Scenic Railroad is the same line built in 1901 to haul lumber to the mill in Cass. Now part of the state park system the “railroad to the sky” began carrying passengers in 1963. Running from Memorial Day weekend through the end of October, the locomotives are the same Shay locomotives used in Cass for more than a half-century. Many of the passenger cars are old logging flat-cars that have been refurbished. Today, the old lumbering town of Cass remains relatively unchanged. The restored company houses are now rented as vacation cottages. Visitors can take a guided walking tour of the maintenance shops that restore and maintain the locomotives and passenger cars, or visit the company store and museum prior to departure. Once you board the train, the great pistons of the restored Shay locomo-
LONG TRAIN RUNNING — The Cass Scenic Railroad was originally built as a logging train in 1901 (Photo: WV Dept. of Commerce.) tive begin to pulse, driven by hundreds of pounds of steam pressure. Invented to do the impossible, the Shay logging locomotive was designed to climb the steepest grades, swing around hairpin curves and negotiate frail temporary tracks. With thick, black smoke belching
from its stack, the train pulls away from the station on the 11-mile route to Bald Knob. As the train rounds the curve up Leatherbark Creek, you’ll pass the Cass Shop, where the locomotives are serviced and repaired, and a locomotive graveyard of antiquated railway equipment on the sidetracks.
As the pressure builds, the locomotive is driven at full steam, and the laborious journey up the mountain toward the two switchbacks begin. The plaintive sound of the whistle accompanied by the chuff of the stack, and the hypnotic cadence of the wheels will carry you back to a time when there was nothing but land, not a country at all, but the raw material from which a country is made. The train soon passes through the first switchback, reverses up a steep grade, and ascends to the second switchback where the process is repeated. As the train gains altitude, the forest changes from mixed hardwoods to red spruce, and finally into open fields and Whittaker Station. On its way up to the Bald Knob overlook at 4,700-feet, the train traverses a grade of up to 11 percent, or 11 feet in altitude for each 100 feet of track. A 2 percent grade on conventional railroads is considered steep!
YOUR FIRST STOP
AAA offer members personalized travel planning assistance, travel publications, and easy online trip planning tools and information at AAA offices and online at AAA.com.
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Protecting yourself from cyber crime
JULY 2013
Any devices you travel with may be vulnerable
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college professor noted that criminal activity increases with the sale of ice cream. What do they have in common? Summer! And with peak vacation season approaching, travelers may need to watch out for increasing cyber criminal activity as well. Did you know that 556 million people fall victim to cyber crimes each year? That’s 18 per second! When traveling either domestically overseas, you are more likely to use an open Wi-Fi service and be exposed to cyber crime. There are ways to keep your identity and data safe when you travel. Here are 10 tips to help you foil cyber criminals from XCom Global, a provider of mobile Wi-Fi hotspots in 195 countries: Connect to Secure Wi-Fi — Setting up and connecting to password protected or private Wi-Fi hotspots will limit who can access your computer. Create Strong Passwords — Use different, complex passwords for each account — a combination of numbers, letters and symbols is best. Verify Links — Don’t open or pass on links or attachments unless you know they are safe. Even if the link is sent to you by someone you know, be sure you are confident they intended to send you the link before opening it. Update Your Software — Keep your security software, web browser and operating system current and updated.
ing transactions and use VPN (Virtual Private Network) software when conducting business. VPN software brings the security of a private network to an insecure network. Turn off Wireless — When you are not using it, turn off your wireless connection. And be sure you do not have your device set to automatically enable Wi-Fi. Protect Your Mobile Device — Be sure to keep your Bluetooth set as “undiscoverable.” The safest way to shop on the Internet is with a credit card. You are protected under the federal Fair Credit Billing Act, and you have the right to dispute charges on your credit card and withhold payment during a creditor investigation.
BE CAREFUL OUT THERE — Old-school criminals are being eclipsed by cyber crime. Backup Your Data — Have a plan to back up your data, even from your smartphone, on a consistent basis. And be sure that all business-related data is encrypted. Use Secure Sites — The key here is a Secure Socket Layer, or SSL, which uses encryption technology to scramble the information you send to an online merchant. Look for an “s” displayed after “http” in the address bar of your browser. This https:// indicates a Web
site is secure. Look for online merchants who are members of a program such as Verisign, the market leader for SSL authentication. Confirm the Network Name — When using Wi-FI, check with the venue to be sure you are connecting with their exact network name and not a fake network set up to exploit you. Connect to Networks Safely — Be careful what you transmit when on open and public networks. Avoid bank-
REWARD YOURSELF
The AAA Member Rewards Visa® credit card rewards you with points on all qualifying purchases that can be redeemed for a variety of rewards, including a AAA travel voucher. There’s also $0 Liability Guarantee helps protect you from fraudulent card transactions. FOR MORE INFORMATION
To apply for a AAA Member Rewards Visa® credit card, just stop by any branch office or visit us at AAA.com/credit card or call 1.866.665.3581 and mention code VABFFQ.
aroundtown SUNDAY SUNDAE CRUISE — (July 7) Board the sternwheeler “Island Belle” and embark on a threehour adventure on the Ohio River which includes a brief stop at Blennerhassett Island to have everyone’s favorite summer treat — a hand dipped ice cream sundae. Reservations are recommended. Sponsored By: Blennerhassett Island Historical State Park. Hours: 6:30 pm. to 9:30 p.m. Contact: 304 420-4800 or www.blennerhassettislandstatepark.com. MARIETTA RIVERFRONT ROAR — (July 12-14) The hottest race boats in the world unleash full-bore exhilaration during professional powerboat racing! Come enjoy the best in tunnel boat racing and get to see the boats close up and meet the drivers and crews. Live entertainment at the Pepsi Pavilion. Location: Ohio River Levee, corner of Front and Greene Streets, Marietta, OH. Contact: 740 373-5178 or www. mariettaohio.org. WEST VIRGINIA INTERSTATE FAIR & EXPOSITION — (July 16-20) Family oriented fair with carnival rides, top-name entertainers, livestock exhibits, crafts, 4-H exhibits and great track events like ATV drag racing. Hours: 12:00 p.m. to 11:00 p.m. at the Fairgrounds, 2230
Butcher Bend Rd, Mineral Wells, WV. Contact: 304 489-1301 or www.wvinterstatefair.org. SWEET CORN FESTIVAL — (July 19-20) The Marietta Sweet Corn Festival celebrates the area’s wonderful agricultural history. Enjoy hot buttered sweet corn served fresh on the cob and piping hot. Bring the whole family to experience a wide variety of delicious foods, prepared by local restaurants, events for all ages, contests galore, farm animals, historical exhibits and country music entertainers. Hours are: 11:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. at Muskingum Park, 300 Block of Front St, Marietta, OH. Contact: 740 373-5178. PICNIC WITH THE POPS — (July 20 and August 17) Enjoy an evening under the stars at Huntington Symphony Orchestra’s Picnic with the Pops concerts. The July 20 performance will feature music from James Bond movies. Enjoy memorable musical moments from the longest and most successful film series ever. The August 17 performance will feature West Virginia-native jazz singer and America’s Got Talent winner Landau Murphy. Gates open at 5 p.m. Concert begins at 8 p.m. Event location: Harris Riverfront Park, Huntington. Rain location:
Big Sandy Superstore Arena. For more information and to purchase tickets, visit www.huntingtonsymphony.org or call 304-781-8343. WALK FOR INDEPENDENCE — (July 20) The tenth annual 2K Walk for Independence 2013. Walk for people with disabilities in West Virginia. This year a 5K has been added. The time is at 8:00 a.m. at Ritter Park, Huntington. For more information contact: 304-525-3324 or www.mtstcil.org. MIDWAY FORD 100 — (July 20) Ona Speedway marks its 50th anniversary with full slate of racing this season. Admission: Adults: $10, $20, $30. Children 11-17 years old: $7, $18, $20. Children 10 yrs and under: Free. The time is at 7:00 p.m. at Ona Speedway, U.S. 60 and Howells Mill Road, Ona, WV. Contact: 304-453-2464 or www.hughes-motorsports.com. HOT DOG FESTIVAL — (July 27) The top hotdog vendors in the Tri-State area compete to be top dog. Live entertainment throughout the day. Great food. Kids entertainment. The time is from 8:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. at Pullman Square, 900 block 3rd Ave., Huntington. For more information contact: www.hotdogfestival.com, or Kym York Blake at 304-633-1108.
PARKERSBURG NEWS AND SENTINEL HALF MARATHON — (August 17-18) More than 1,000 runners and walkers from almost 30 states and more than five countries participate in the Parkersburg News and Sentinel Half Marathon each year. This 13.1 mile race is the largest sporting event in the Parkersburg area in terms of event size. Prize money is awarded to the top finishers, and trophies are awarded in several categories, including age groups. The event also features a Two Mile Race on the same day, and on the following day Kids Races are held at the Parkersburg High School Stadium Field. For more information, visit www.newsandsentinelhalfmarathon.com. DODDRIDGE COUNTY FAIR — (August 20-24) The 37th Annual Doddridge County Fair includes activities such as motorsports, queen’s pageant, children’s events, a talent show, 4-H and FFA exhibits, livestock shows, award-winning food vendors and more. Come on out to the Doddridge County Fair and enjoy the rides, games and entertainment for the whole family! Event location: Doddridge County Park, Snowbird Road, West Union. For more information, visit www.doddridgecountyfair.com.
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