Rolling Daily Spring 2017 by Deliverabilities

ROLLING DAILY FIRST CLASS IN EVERY WAY

TOURS | CHARTERS | CASINOS

ISSUE 01 MARCH APRIL 2017

FIRST CLASS

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DAILY TRIPS WITH PERKS

Perk

EVERY DAY! TICKETS START AT $18 Ride with First Class Tours to Coushatta Casino departing from FM 1960 Terminal and Eastex Terminal Every Day! Free play Monday â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Friday AM only.

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OVERNIGHT TRIPS WITH PERKS

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OVERNIGHT TRIPS! TICKETS START AT $49 PP/DBL

Ride with First Class Tours to Coushatta Casino departing from FM 1960 Terminal and Eastex Terminal Every Sunday!

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MARCH/APRIL 2017

COUSHATTA RESORT

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DISCOVER AUSTIN THE laid-back capital of Texas has long been a haven for countercultural types, with tattoo artists...

THE 30 BEST TRAVEL TIPS WE HAVE EVER SEEN It’s now been 6 years since I sold everything and left the United States to travel the world...

6 FOOLPROOF RULES FOR FINDING THE BEST RESTAURANTS ON THE ROAD

The aircraft touches down in strange latitudes, the shuttle drops you at your hotel, you...

A FAMILY GUIDE TO VISITING BATON ROUGE WITH KIDS Baton Rouge is often the forgotten little sister to the big easy...

On a combined business/ leisure trip to London last week, I ended up in a large living room with...

10 STEPS TO PLAN THE PERFECT FAMILY REUNION Planning a family reunion? Follow these 10 steps to a fun reunion for the whole family....

SLOT MACHINE STRATEGIES AND TIPS This article has two purposes. The first is to debunk some of the socalled “slot machine...

GROUP TRAVEL

TEXAS 45 THINGS YOU SHOULD DO IN TEXAS BEFORE YOU DIE Visit the State Fair of Texas in late September and early October. Eat a corny dog (and the fried...

THE ABC’S OF FISHING IN TEXAS She was fishing for answers, the lady on...

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MARCH/APRIL 2017

What has travel tips, all the best things going on in Texas as well as discounts and deals, can be viewed on any digital device, that trees absolutely love? Easy! Our new, all digital, travel magazine of course. Whether you are going on one of our weekly casino trips, or if you are planning a huge corporate retreat, there will be something in itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s pages that will speak to you! We hope that this next generation of customer communication will show you just how committed we actually are. If you are reading this on one of our coaches right now, you may be enjoying one of our newest coaches. We are thrilled to announce that we have recently taken delivery of 6 brand new coaches that are currently making a name for themselves in the market. New coaches, a new magazine, all together with a team who really knows how to treat a customer... Weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re working hard to show you just how we are truly First Class In Every Way!

-Jeff Rogers

Jeff Rogers President First Class Tours Houston, TX

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DISCOVER AUSTIN THE CAPITAL OF GOOD TIMES

The laid-back capital of Texas has long been a haven for countercultural types, with tattoo artists, bohemian coeds and techies biking side by side along the glistening shores of Lady Bird Lake. But these days, Austin is more chic than shabby. New upscale restaurants â&#x20AC;&#x201D; many that rely on local, organic ingredients â&#x20AC;&#x201D; are popping up all over the city, along with bars featuring artisanal concoctions. Meanwhile, the South by Southwest (SXSW) music, film and interactive festival (this year March 9 to 18) continues to draw an affluent crowd of technology geeks and celebrities.

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“THE “BARBECUE CAPITAL OF TEXAS” IS ONLY A 30-MILE DRIVE SOUTHEAST IN LOCKHART, WHERE YOU CAN SAMPLE BARBECUE FROM SEVERAL FAMILY-RUN PITS, EACH WITH ITS OWN ATTITUDE.”

AUSTIN BY: RACHEL LEE HARRIS 8

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THE laid-back capital of Texas has long been a haven for countercultural types, with tattoo artists, bohemian coeds and techies biking side by side along the glistening shores of Lady Bird Lake. But these days, Austin is more chic than shabby. New upscale restaurants — many that rely on local, organic ingredients — are popping up all over the city, along with bars featuring artisanal concoctions. Meanwhile, the South by Southwest (SXSW) music, film and interactive festival (this year March 9 to 18) continues to draw an affluent crowd of technology geeks and celebrities. On April 27 to 29, Food and Wine Magazine will court foodies with its first culinary fête in Texas. Then, in November, the Circuit of the Americas Formula One track will open, drawing race car fans from around the world. But the old Austin isn’t hard to find: You can still hear the twang of a country guitar in many doorways and chug of Lone Star www.firstclasstours.net

at just about any bar. Friday 3 p.m. 1. BIG AND BRIGHT Grab an over-the-top snack at one of the city’s many food trucks or trailers. At Gourdough’s on South First Street (1503 South First; gourdoughs.com), try the Mother Clucker: fried chicken strips set atop a giant glazed doughnut and squirted with honey butter ($5.50). Then stop at Roadhouse Relics (1720 South First Street; 512-442-6366; roadhouserelics.com) where the Pop artist Todd Sanders has covered his studio with artworks in the shape of neon cowboy hats and diner signs that look like something you’d find on Route 66 (starting at $1,500).

7 p.m. 2. EASTWARD HO! Head east on Sixth Street, where artisanal cocktail bars and highbrow Tex-Mex are giving the formerly collegiate road a new image. In a small, white house, the chef Eduardo Pineda, known as Lalo, has created an authentic Mexican cantina, complete with prayer candles and live music at sunset. At Papi Tino’s (1306 East Sixth Street; 512-4791306; papitinos.com), “platillos” of ovenroasted panela cheese with guajillo chiles ($7) will melt in your mouth, while the camarones a la diabla ($13), bites back. 8:30 p.m. 3. ACCORDION BREAK 10

Over at East Side Showroom (1100 East Sixth Street; 512-467-4280; eastsideshowroom.com), a steampunk bistro with live music that favors accordions to steel guitars, you can kill time watching a Marx Brothers movie while you wait for a table. Be patient — the barman will take his time preparing drinks like a Japanese Cowboy (Yamazaki scotch, orgeat, lime and Angostura bitters; $10). Those who can’t wait can order a draft of 512 Pecan Porter, poured from a brass periscope ($5). 10 p.m. 4. THE LATE SHOW Head west on Sixth to the Ritz theater, circa 1929. It’s now one of five Alamo Drafthouses (320 East Sixth Street; wwwfirstclasstours.net

MARCH/APRIL 2017

WHAT TO DO IN

AUSTIN

RODEO AUSTIN

March 11 - 25, 2017

BALLOONS OVER HORSESHOE BAY RESORT

AUSTIN URBAN MUSIC FESTIVAL

THE 16TH ANNUAL LONESTAR ROUND UP

MOTOGPTM GRAND PRIX OF THE AMERICAS

AUSTIN FOOD + WINE FESTIVAL

March 31 - April 1, 2017

April 21 - April 23, 2017 www.firstclasstours.net

April 14 - 16, 2017

April 7 - April 8, 2017

April 28 - April 30, 2017

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512-476-1320; drafthouse.com/austin; $10, $15 for a reserved seat) in the city where you can order drinks, bar food and dessert while watching your favorite cult classic. Talking will have you kicked out of “Escape From New York” long before the car chase across the Brooklyn Bridge. Saturday 8 a.m. 5. PIONEERING ARTISTS Ease into the morning at Jo’s Good Food, Hot Coffee (1300 South Congress; 512-444-3800; joscoffee.com). An Iced Turbo ($4), migas taco ($3) and rock ’n’ roll on the groovy shaded porch will set you right for a morning of arty exploration. At the University of Texas’ Harry Ransom Center (300 West 21st Street; 512-47 1-8944; hrc.utexas.edu; free), swing by the Gutenberg Bible in the main gallery on your way to the center’s viewing rooms, where you can dig through its cultural archives. A short walk across campus is the Blanton Museum of Art (200 East Martin Luther King Boulevard; 512-4715482; blantonmuseum.org), where the exhibition “Go West!,” on view through Sept. 23, is a magnificent portrayal of the early frontier, with paintings by William Robinson Leigh and Charles Russell.

frills operation that serves smoked brisket, shoulder clod and prime rib by the pound (starting at $11.40) and sausages by the link ($2.15). Buy some digestion time with a peek at the regal sandstone courthouse in the center of town on your way to Black’s (215 North Main Street, Lockhart; 512-398-2712; blacksbbq.com). Pictures of Edgar and Norma Black, the restaurant’s owners since 1932, adorn the walls leading to a buffet of “fixins” ($1.49 for sides; meats from $10.98 a pound). Feel free to douse your meat with Norma’s house-made sauce and come back on Sunday night for live music and swing dancing. 2 p.m. 7. THE GREAT OUTDOORS Back in Austin, work off your brunch by biking the Town Lake Trail (townlaketrail. org) along Lady Bird Lake, which cuts like a river through the center of town. It offers routes both north, to downtown Austin, and south, to Zilker Park, where you can stop for a swim in the Barton Springs pool (2101 Barton Springs Road; 512-867-3080; austintexas.gov/ department/barton-springs-pool). Barton Springs Bike Rental (1707 Barton Springs Road; 512-480-0200; bartonspringsbikerental.com) is a convenient spot to pick up your ride. Hourly rentals start at $7.50.

11:30 a.m.

8 p.m.

6. NO FRILLS, NO FORK

8. FARMHOUSE FOR FOODIES

The “barbecue capital of Texas” is only a 30-mile drive southeast in Lockhart, where you can sample barbecue from several family-run pits, each with its own attitude. Try Kreuz Market (619 North Colorado Street, Lockhart; 512398-2361; kreuzmarket.com), a no-

Before his recent stint on Bravo’s “Top Chef, Texas,” Paul Qui was a culinary sensation in Austin, first as chef de cuisine at Uchi, a contemporary Japanese restaurant, and now as executive chef of its sister restaurant, Uchiko (4200 North Lamar; 512-916-

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MARCH/APRIL 2017

4808; uchiaustin.com/uchiko). It’s billed as a Japanese farmhouse, and the seasonal tasting menus weave delicate plates of yokai berry with Atlantic salmon, dinosaur kale, Asian pear and yuzu ($17); hama chili, yellowtail sashimi, sliced Thai chili and orange supreme ($18); raw wagyu beef, seared on a river rock ($16); and a bacon tataki of Kurobuta pork belly, black lime and espresso fish caramel ($19). 10 p.m. 9. BACK TO BASICS At Donn’s Depot (1600 West Fifth Street; 512-478-0336; donnsdepot.com), a piano bar and saloon housed in an old train depot, couples of all ages are hoofin’ it on the dance floor while bar tenders who look as though they never go home serve old-fashions and bottles of Lone Star. The bands know just as much salsa and Old Blue Eyes as they do Willie Nelson or Johnny Cash. Midnight 10. MEXICAN NIGHTCAP Go to Lustre Pearl (97 Rainey Street; 512469-0400; lustrepearlaustin.com) in the Rainey Street district for hula-hooping, Ping-Pong and a round of Black Eyes (a can of Shiner Bock with a Jack Daniel’s chaser). At Clive (609 Davis Street; 512494-4120; clivebaraustin.com), you’ll find the very heart of Austin’s shabby-chic vibe. The bar is lined with white leather and copper-studded bar stools and its clever menu of drinks features Midnight Moonshine and a series of house-made bitters with flavors like cherry-vanilla and tobacco-ginger. But the real gem is in the backyard. Bar Illegal, a tiny candle-lighted space, serves nothing but straight-up mezcal, the fermented juice

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of roasted agave plant, from a Oaxacan distillery. Sunday 10 a.m. 11. KEEP AUSTIN HIP On the brunch and boutiqueshopping strip along South Congress Avenue, South Congress Cafe (1600 South Congress; 512-447-3905; southcongresscafe.com) is a modern take on the classic diner where you can find dishes like carrot cake French toast ($12) and smoked brisket hash ($14). Then head to Stag (1423 South Congress; 512-373-7824; stagaustin. com), where men can stock up on vintage ranchwear shirts ($42) and tins of Moustache Wrestler wax ($16.50). Hill Country Weavers (1701 South Congress; 512-707-7396; hillcountryweavers.com) is a K.I.Y. (knit-it-yourself) shop that sells contemporary patterns for knitting, crocheting and weaving ($5.50 each). 2 p.m. 12. VILLA WITH A VIEW On the shores of Lake Austin, the Austin Museum of Art at Laguna Gloria (3809 35th Street; 512-458-8191; amoa.org; $3 suggested donation) is a masterpiece in its own right. Clara Driscoll, the wife of a former owner of the Austin AmericanStatesman newspaper, modeled the house and gardens after an Italian villa, with garden paths that wind past modern sculptures, oak and Italian cypress. You will emerge from the marsh to find beautiful views of the lake. ¦ SEE THE ORIGINAL ARTICLE.

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Just a short 2 hour drive from Houston, Golden Nugget Lake Charles combines the glitz and glamour of Las Vegas with the hospitality and charm of the South – creating an exceptional one-of-a-kind gaming and entertainment destination in Louisiana. Since it’s unveiling in December 2014, the 242-acre casino and resort has attracted guests from all neighboring states. The Golden Nugget name is synonymous with exceptional service and luxury, including deluxe accommodations, 15 restaurants and lounges, a private beach and marina, a championship golf course and an innovative casino floor. Located off of interstate 210, Lake Charles is the fifth installment of the iconic Golden Nugget brand which is owned and operated by Houston-based restaurant, hospitality and gaming group Landry’s Inc. The craftsmanship and attention to GOOGLE detail is evidence of money well spent. The luxurious rooms and suites PHOTOS: feature plush bedding, premium amenities like idocking stations and picturesque lake and pool views.

PROPERTY FEATURES • • • • • • • •

1,600 of the newest slot machines 70 table games Poker room 740 luxury rooms and suites, with a tower addition in 2017 18-hole championship golf course 30,000 square-feet of meeting and convention space Wedding gazebo Marina with dockage up to 206 feet

G A M B L I N G 14

• World-class spa, salon and barbershop • State-of-the-art fitness center • Pool complex with swim-up bar, lazy river and waterslide • Shopping promenade • Arcade • A-list entertainment

P R O B L E M ?

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New for 2017!

MARCH/APRIL 2017

B US TOU R S PACKAG ES DAY TRIP PACKAGES (Minimum 5 Hour Stay)

Package A • Golden Nugget will pay $10 per passenger • Receive $5 Free Slot Play or $10 Food Credit • Group leader receives $15 Free Slot Play or $25 Food Credit *No minimum passenger count required.

Package B • Golden Nugget will pay $500 for Bus Transportation • Receive $5 Free Slot Play or $10 Food Credit • Group leader receives $15 Free Slot Play or $25 Food Credit *Minimum 40 passenger counter required.

Package C • Golden Nugget will pay $1,000 for Bus Transportation • Group leader receives $15 Free Slot Play or $25 Food Credit *Minimum 50 passenger count required.

*All passengers must be 21 or older. No deposit required. Any payment made by Golden Nugget will be sent to the approved motor coach company. Group leaders are not eligible to receive payment.

From upscale to casual, Golden Nugget Lake Charles also boasts a collection of Landry’s, Inc. awardwinning and nationally recognized restaurants that cater to every palate. Grotto Ristorante, Saltgrass Steak House, Landry’s Seafood House, Claim Jumper, Lillie’s Asian Cuisine, Cadillac Mexican Kitchen & Tequila Bar and the crown jewel of steakhouses – Vic & Anthony’s – are just a few of the impressive selections. Guests can also peruse through a shopping promenade featuring all of the latest fashions from designers like Tommy Bahama and Michael Kors, catch a game of golf, or bask in the sun at H20 – an opulent Vegasstyle pool, swim-up bar and lounge. To learn more about available Bus Tour Packages to Golden Nugget Lake Charles, please call 337.508.7221 or email BusTours@gnlcm.com. 2550 GOLDEN NUGGET BLVD.

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LAKE CHARLES. LA 70601

GOLDENNUGGETLC.COM

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Just a short 2 hour drive from Houston, Golden Nugget Lake Charles combines the glitz and glamour of

WEEKLY TRIPS AS LOW AS $17.00 Las Vegas withDAY the hospitality and charm of the South – creating an exceptional one-of-a-kind gaming and entertainment destination in Louisiana.

Since it’s unveiling in December 2014, the 242-acre casino and resort has attracted guests from all WEDNESDAY, THURSDAY, & SUNDAY! neighboring states. The Golden Nugget name is synonymous with exceptional service and luxury, including TICKETS START AT $17 deluxe accommodations, 15 restaurants and lounges, a private beach and marina, a championship golf FRIDAY & SATURDAY! TICKETS START AT $18 course and an innovative casino floor.

Ride with First Class Tours to The Golden Nugget Lake Charles departing Terminal and Eastex Terminal Located off of interstate 210, Lake Charlesfrom is theFM fifth1960 installment of the iconic Golden Nuggeteach brand which Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday & Sunday! is owned and operated by Houston-based restaurant, hospitality and gaming group Landry’s Inc. The

Perk

craftsmanship and attention to detail is evidence of money well spent. The luxurious rooms and suites feature plush bedding, premium amenities like idocking stations and picturesque lake and pool views.

CLICK HERE FOR TICKET AVAILABILITY

PROPERTY FEATURES • 1,600 of the newest slot machines WITH PERKS • World-class spa, salon and barbershop OVERNIGHT TRIPS • State-of-the-art fitness center • 70 table games • • • • • •

• Pool complex with swim-up bar, lazy river Poker room and waterslide 740 luxury rooms and suites, with a tower addition in 2017 • Shopping promenade 18-hole championship golfAPRIL course 11-12, 2017! TICKETS START AT $69 • Arcade 30,000 square-feet of meeting and convention space • A-list entertainment Wedding gazebo Ride with First Class Tours to The Golden Nugget Lake Charles Marina with dockage up to 206 feet

Perk

departing from FM 1960 Terminal and Eastex Terminal April 11-12, 2017!

G A M B L I N G CLICKPHERERFOROTICKET B AVAILABILITY L E M ?

P L E

New for 2017!

MARCH/APRIL 2017

B US TOUR S PACKAG ES DAY TRIP PACKAGES (Minimum 5 Hour Stay)

Package B • Golden Nugget will pay $500 for Bus Transportation • Receive $5 Free Slot Play or $10 Food Credit

GOLDEN NUGGET TRIP • Group leader receives $15 Free Slot Play or $25 Food Credit *Minimum 40 passenger counter required.

Package C

• Golden Nugget will pay $1,000 for Bus Transportation • Group leader receives $15 Free Slot Play or $25 Food Credit *Minimum 50 passenger count required.

*All passengers must be 21 or older. No deposit required. Any payment made by Golden Nugget will be sent to the approved motor coach company. Group leaders are not eligible to receive payment.

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C A L L

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LAKE CHARLES. LA 70601

GOLDENNUGGETLC.COM

1 . 8 7 7 . 7 7 0 . S T O P 17

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THE 30 BEST TRAVEL TIPS WE HAVE EVER SEEN BY: MATTHEW KARSTEN

It’s now been 6 years since I sold everything and left the United States to travel the world. These are the best travel tips I’ve discovered along the way. It all started when I took a one-way flight from Miami to Guatemala City, leaping nervously into the unknown and leaving much of my old life behind while 18

embarking on an epic travel adventure around the world. It’s been a wild ride, and I’ve learned a lot since I first left. To celebrate my “travelversary”, I’ve decided to share a collection of my best and most useful travel tips to help inspire you to make travel a priority in your life.

Feel free to share your own best travel tips at the end! 1. Patience Is Important Don’t sweat the stuff you can’t control. Life is much too short to be angry & annoyed all the time. Did you miss your bus? No worries, there will be another one. ATMs out of money? Great! Take an unplanned road wwwfirstclasstours.net

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trip over to the next town and explore. Sometimes freakouts happen regardless. Just take a deep breath and remind yourself that it could be worse. 2. Wake Up Early Rise at sunrise to have the best attractions all to yourself while avoiding crowds. It’s also a magical time for photos due to soft diffused www.firstclasstours.net

light, and usually easier to interact with locals. Sketchy areas are less dangerous in the morning too. Honest hardworking people wake up early; touts, scammers, and criminals sleep in. 3. Laugh At Yourself You will definitely look like a fool many times when traveling to new places. Rather than get embarrassed, laugh

at yourself. Don’t be afraid to screw up, and don’t take life so seriously. Once a whole bus full of Guatemalans laughed with glee when I forced our driver to stop so I could urgently pee on the side of the road. Returning to the bus and laughing with them gave me new friends for the rest of the journey. 19

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4. Stash Extra Cash Cash is king around the world. To cover your ass in an emergency, make sure to stash some in a few different places. I recommend at least a couple hundred dollars worth. If you lose your wallet, your card stops working, or the ATMs run out of money, you’ll be glad you did.

5. Meet Local People Make it a point to avoid other travelers from time to time and start conversations with local people. Basic English is spoken widely all over the world, so it’s easier to communicate than you might think, especially when you combine hand gestures and body language.

Some of my favorite stash spots include socks, under shoe inserts, a toiletry bag, around the frame of a backpack, even sewn behind a patch on your bag.

Learn from those who live in the country you’re visiting. People enrich your travels more than sights do. 6. Pack A Scarf I happen to use a shem-

agh, but sarongs also work great. This simple piece of cotton cloth is one of my most useful travel accessories with many different practical applications. It’s great for sun protection, a makeshift towel, carrying stuff around, an eye mask, and much more. I can’t tell you how many times a scarf has come in handy around the world. 7. Observe Daily Life If you really want to get a feel for the pulse of a place, I recommend spending a few hours sitting in a park or on a busy street corner by yourself just watching day to day life happen in front of you. Slow down your train of thought and pay close attention to the details around you. The smells, the colors, human interactions, and sounds. It’s a kind of meditation — and you’ll see stuff you never noticed before. 8. Back Everything Up When my laptop computer was stolen in Panama, having most of my important documents and photos backed up saved my ass. Keep both digital and physical copies of your passport, visas, driver’s license, birth certificate, health insurance card, serial numbers, and important phone numbers ready to go in case of an emergency.

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Backup your files & photos on an external hard drive as well as online with software like Backblaze. 9. Take Lots Of Photos You may only see these places & meet these people once in your lifetime. Remember them forever with plenty of photos. Don’t worry about looking like a “tourist”. Are you traveling to look cool? No one cares. Great photos are the ultimate souvenir. They don’t cost anything, they’re easy to share with others, and they don’t take up space in your luggage. Just remember once you have your shot to get out from behind the lens and enjoy the view. 10. There’s Always A Way Nothing is impossible. If you are having trouble going somewhere or doing something, don’t give up. You just haven’t found the best solution or met the right person yet. Don’t listen to those who say it can’t be done. Perseverance pays off. I can’t tell you how many times I’ve been told what I want isn’t possible, only to prove it wrong later when I don’t listen to the advice and try anyway. 11. Smile & Say Hello Having trouble interacting with locals? Do people seem unfriendly? Maybe it’s your body language. One of my best travel tips is to make eye contact www.firstclasstours.net

and smile as you walk by. If they smile back, say hello in the local language too. This is a fast way to make new friends. You can’t expect everyone to just walk around with a big stupid grin on their face. That’s your job. Usually all it takes is for you to initiate contact and they’ll open up. 12. Splurge A Bit I’m a huge fan of budget travel, as it allows you to travel longer and actually experience more of the fascinating world we live in rather than waste your hard-earned money on stuff you don’t need. In fact you can travel many places for $50 a day with no problems. That said, living on a shoestring gets old after a while. It’s nice (and healthy) to go over your budget occasionally. Book a few days at a nice hotel, eat out at a fancy restaurant, or spend a wild night on the town. 13. Keep An Open Mind Don’t judge the lifestyles of others if different from your own. Listen to opinions you don’t agree with. It’s arrogant to assume your views are correct and other people are wrong. Practice empathy and put yourself in someone else’s shoes. Embrace different possibilities, opportunities, people, suggestions and interests. Ask questions.

You don’t have to agree, but you may be surprised what you’ll learn. 14. Try Couchsurfing Couchsurfing.org is a large online community of travelers who share their spare rooms or couches with strangers for free. If you truly want to experience a country and it’s people, staying with a local is the way to go. There are millions of couchsurfers around the world willing to host you and provide recommendations. Expensive hotels are not the only option, there are all kinds of cheap travel accommodation options out there. 15. Volunteer Occasionally Make it a point to volunteer some of your time for worthwhile projects when traveling. Not only is it a very rewarding experience, but you’ll often learn more about the country and its people while also making new friends. There’s a great site called Grassroots Volunteering where you can search for highly recommended volunteer opportunities around the world. 16. Pack Ear Plugs This should actually be #1 on the list. I love my earplugs! Muffle the sounds of crying babies, drunk Australians, barking dogs, honking horns, dormitory sex, natural gas salesmen, 21

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and more. A traveler’s best friend. These are my favorite earplugs for comfort & effectiveness. 17. Don’t Be Afraid The world is not nearly as dangerous as the media makes it out to be. Keep an eye out for sketchy situations but don’t let that be the focus of your whole trip. Use common sense and you’ll be ok. Most people are friendly, trustworthy, generous, and willing to help you out. This goes for women too. I realize I’m not a woman, but I’ve met plenty of experienced female travelers who agree. 18. Get Lost On Purpose If you want to see the parts of town where real people live & work, you need to go visit them. The best way to do this is on foot — without knowing exactly where you’re going. Write down the name of your hotel so you can catch a taxi back if needed, then just pick a direction and start walking. Don’t worry too much about stumbling into dangerous neighborhoods either, as locals will generally warn you before you get that far.

you don’t know what it is. Ask local people for recommendations. Eat street food from vendors with big lines out front. I’ve been very sick only twice in my travels. Don’t be scared of the food. 20. Say Yes Often Be impulsive and say yes when someone randomly invites you to meet their family, try a new activity, or explore a place you didn’t know existed. It’s these unexpected and unplanned situations that add spice to your travels and always turn into the best stories later. Accept the kindness of strangers when you travel — you’ll have plenty of opportunities. 21. Slow Down Please don’t try to cram 6 countries into 6 weeks of travel. All the good stuff happens when you really take the time to explore. You’ll learn about activities that aren’t in your guide-

book and meet people who are eager to show you around. I can honestly say that NONE of my best travel experiences happened within the first few days of arriving somewhere. Spend more time in fewer places for maximum enjoyment. 22. Keep Good Notes My memory for details sucks. When I first started traveling the world 4 years ago, I didn’t keep a good journal, and now I’m regretting it. Information like the names of people I met, conversations I had, feelings about a new experience, or what a particular town smelled like. If you ever want to write about your travels, these details are handy. These days I use an incredible note-taking app called Evernote, which I use as my 2nd brain. So useful for all

19. Eat Local Food Think you already know what Mexican food tastes like? You’re probably wrong. Taste a bit of everything when you travel, especially if 22

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kinds of applications — from planning trips to journaling about them later. 23. Break Out Of Your Comfort Zone Challenge yourself to try things that normally give you anxiety. The more you do this, the more that anxiety will fade away.

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Not a hiker? Go on more hikes. Have trouble talking to strangers? Talk to everyone. Scared of weird food? Eat the weirdest thing you can find. The reason this works so well while traveling is because everything is already so different, what’s one more new/ uncomfortable experience?

24. Don’t Plan Too Much I cringe when readers ask how many days they should spend in a particular country or city. The truth is I have no idea what you’ll enjoy or who you’ll meet. I thought I’d rocket through Nicaragua in a week or two, but ended up living there for 4 months. My advice is to pick a starting point, 1 or 2 must-do

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activities, and an ending point (or not). Then just let the universe determine the rest.

26. Listen To Podcasts Podcasts are awesome. It’s like creating your own personal radio station and filling it with shows and music you always want to listen to. I never thought I’d actually look forward to a 10 hour bus ride. But with podcasts, it’s possible (well, as long as the seats are comfortable). Time will fly by as you listen to incredible storytelling, fun music, or interviews with experts. Here are some of my favorites: This American Life, The Moth, RISK!, Radiolab, Smart Passive Income, and Electro-Swing.

25. Pack Less Stuff You don’t need 1/2 the gear you think you do to travel anywhere. We’ve all done it. It’s a right of passage for travelers to slowly become better at packing less. My first backpack was 70 liters packed full, my current bag is only 38 liters. As a full-time vagabond, everything I own fits on my back. If you’re not sure about packing something, you don’t need it. It’s also possible to buy most things at your destination country if you discover you need them. 27. Treat Your Body Well Travel can throw your body

out of whack. When you’re moving from place to place it’s difficult to maintain a workout routine, and many of us slack off. Or we don’t sleep enough. Or we eat too many cupcakes. I’m guilty of not flossing my teeth. Remember to be nice to your body. Get enough sleep, stay hydrated, eat healthy, use sunscreen, and exercise often (check out this bodyweight routine, no gym required!). And, yes, flossing too I guess. 28. Stay In Touch Remember to call your family & friends from time to time. Maybe surprise them and go old-school by sending a postcard (it’s in the mail, Mom!). Travel isn’t lonely, far from it. You constantly meet oth-

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er people. But many of those relationships are fleeting. So maintaining a strong connection with the people who know you best is important. 29. Get Off The Beaten Path I know it’s cliché, but you should still attempt it. Seek out interesting and unusual places that don’t see much tourism. Many memorable travel experiences have happened to me in areas that are not easy to visit. By all means travel to popular sites, but don’t rule out other locations just because they’re not on the tourist trail. Although please realize that just because an area is remote or dangerous doesn’t necessarily mean you’ll have a life-changing experience.

travel. It’s too expensive. They can’t get time off work. Who will feed their pets? When I suggest solutions to these “problems”, they still don’t take action. Why? Because they’re often hiding behind the true reason: they’re scared. Unfortunately most people who wait to travel the world never do. You don’t need to sell all your worldly possessions and become a homeless vagabond like me. Just get out there more than you do now. Start with a weekend in a different state.

Then maybe try a week in the country next door. The new car, remodeling project, and iPhone can wait. If you truly want to travel more, you can make it happen. Career breaks are possible. You have friends who would love to watch your pets. It’s a big, beautiful, exciting, and fascinating world out there. Explore some of it now, rather than later. ¦

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30. Don’t Forget Travel Insur ance No one ever thinks they’ll get sick, injured, or robbed while traveling. But it happens. I’ve sliced up my head on a volcano, contracted Dengue fever, and lost my laptop to thieves. With travel insurance you don’t have to worry about huge hospital bills or stolen gear when it eventually happens. For all kinds of trips ranging from a weekend up to a few months long, I always recommend World Nomads Insurance. 31. Travel More! If there’s one thing I’ve noticed over the past 6 years, it’s that many people back home love to tell me how lucky I am while making excuses why they can’t

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FOOLPROOF RULES

BY: JASON SHEEHAN

for finding the best restaurants on the road

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“Do not plan, do not resist reptiles, do not be stupid, but do talk to unlikely characters” The aircraft touches down in strange latitudes, the shuttle drops you at your hotel, you close the door behind you, take a breath and wonder, “Now where should I go to eat?”

Rule no. 1: Leave your hotel

Museums, ancient ruins, business meetings, looking at monkeys, dolphins or weird bugs -- all that can wait. Traveling these days is almost as much about what you ate as what you did while you were away.

If you don’t leave the hotel, none of these other rules matter. If you don’t leave the hotel, you and I have nothing else to say to each other. You have to get out of the cocoon. It’s as simple as that.

And while there’s no way to guarantee three life-changing meals a day, there are some ways to up your odds of finding the good stuff while on the road. Here are some rules that have served me well across more than a decade as a food writer and itinerant restaurant critic needing to find my bearings fast in new cities without getting poisoned, wasting time or growing bored. This is not advice for the timid, the picky or travelers satisfied with what is near at hand. If you’re feeling adventurous, and don’t mind talking to prostitutes about goat meat, we can start with …

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The reason this is the first rule is because it is the whole ballgame, really. You must actually get up on your feet and move.

Are there exceptions to this rule for truly amazing hotel restaurants? Absolutely not. I don’t care if you’re staying at the Hotel de Paris in Monte Carlo and Alain Ducasse himself is downstairs at Le Louis XV handing out free corn dogs. First, explore. Get lost. Eat. Experience. Then, later, maybe you can have a Ducasse Dog. But first, you’ve got to earn it. Rule no. 2: Technology is stupid No matter how much money you spend on gadgets and technology, no matter how much time you waste poring over online reviews and the blathering of other

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travelers who have gone before you, it’s a guarantee that the one “local favorite” restaurant you’re most looking forward to visiting will have been recently smashed by a freak cyclone, closed down by the local equivalent of the health department or sold to the former owner’s idiot cousin who re-opened it as a combination discotheque and sushi bar. Yesterday. There’sathree-stepprocessI useforgettingimmediately and intimately acquainted with any new city. Step 1) Walk. Since someone with no fixed destination can’t ever get lost, it doesn’t matter where you aim. When you get hungry ... Step 2) Stop and look around. See where fate and the Brownian motion of the perpetually dispossessed has brought you. With any luck, you will find yourself with some bar or restaurant close by. If not, you haven’t walked far enough. Pick a door and walk through. Have a bite. Lift a pint or two. Do exercise some basic precautions (don’t eat in any restaurant where you’re the only customer, 29

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A good goat tongue story? That’s worth something. No one has ever told an interesting story about a ChickBut remember that no mat- en McNugget. ter where you find yourself, Rule no. 3: OK, technology it’s someone’s neighboris mostly stupid hood restaurant. Eat what they’re eating. Drink what This is really more of an they’re drinking. And once addendum to the second you’ve gotten your wind rule. Technology does have back … a place in adventure eating, Step 3) Walk some more. If but it is a very small and discreet one. you’re good, you can keep this up for hours, grazing your way through wherever For example, speaking as a man who once had to you’ve found yourself, discovering restaurants in reabandon a fair amount of al-time rather than virtually luggage after forgetting the and collecting interesting address, general location stories about the ways peo- and even the name of the ple prepare soup or dump- hotel where I was staying, having a cell phone picture lings or goat tongues. of your place of lodging drink bottled water, don’t eat tacos in Eastern Europe -- commonsense stuff).

can be a handy way to get home when you find yourself in a city filled with cabbies who don’t speak your language. Also, GPS maps can be the greatest thing in the world when that whole “a man with no destination can’t ever get lost” thing goes sideways on you and you find yourself in some place that you want to get out of in a hurry. Rule no. 4: Ladies of the Night, cops and cabbies This is a variation on the classic “find local experts” rule espoused by so many other travel writers. If you happen to have at

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your disposal some native guide who really knows where to find the best momo, kitfo or Hainanese chicken rice then by all means use him or her. Provided that expert is not the concierge at your hotel, because those people are almost always useless, on the take or psychopathically convinced that you need to eat at the nearest Hard Rock Café; and often all of the above. The best local experts to hit up are those people who, by trade, have to become

to finding a good meal in a strange town at two in the morning. Rule no. 5: Look for crowds This one is obvious: Look for crowds. But not crowds that look like you. Not hordes of smelly backpackers trying to score cheap tofu, business travelers mobbing some Americanesque steakhouse or gaggle of international foodies cramming into whatever “secret” noodle shop or hot

researching Vietnamese restaurants in Denver, Colorado. I’d found the right neighborhood and all the right places. I’d walked the blocks of Little Saigon and talked to the street creatures, followed the crowds and found the perfect place. It had everything -- great food, a long history, a charmingly weird owner, problems with organized crime. In short, a food writer’s dream restaurant. But for whatever reason, I just couldn’t get a handle on the place. I went back

“Do not plan, do not resist reptiles, do not be stupid, but do talk to unlikely characters”

closely acquainted with the streets.

tapas bar they’ve just been told is the Next Big Thing.

Cab drivers tend to take their meals all together, clustering at those restaurants that best represent the cuisines of whichever country they arrived from last week. Retail employees will always know the best places for a cheap lunch within 500 meters of their place of employment.

Look for lines of locals and trace them back to their source, or for those places where the bodies are packed so tight that they’re pressed up against the glass and spilling out the door.

And not for nothing, but strippers, escorts and working girls have never steered me wrong when it comes

Rule do. 6: Always drink the snake wine

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Busy equals “worth it” almost every time.

Once upon a time, I was

twice, then three times, then four. Over the course of a month, I probably had a dozen meals in the luxegone-shabby dining room, but just didn’t feel like I’d gotten its measure. Then one night, I’m there late eating my bun bo Hue and soft-shell crabs while the rest of the dining room emptied around me. I look up and the bar is full of laughing servers and skinny dudes in short-sleeve dishwashers jackets with grill scars on their arms, all hanging out and having a 31

couple of shift drinks.

snake, but still … a snake.

you’re done.

The owner is there, too. And having seen me haunting his floor night after night, he must’ve thought of me as a regular because now he’s coming over to my table, inviting me up to the bar, opening a fresh beer for me and asking me how I’d liked my dinner.

Shot glasses. Laughter that has suddenly taken on a hard edge. The owner pours. Not just for me, but for himself and the cooks. He slops a little on the bar and it smells like death. Like some kind of industrial solvent meant for stripping the rust off boats.

In the moment when the pig’s head or the grilled mouse or the unmarked jug of ruckus juice is laid before you, it does not matter if you’re a card-carrying vegan, a Mormon or a timid eater.

For a half-hour, an hour, I hang out at the bar with the cooks and the waitresses, just talking and laughing and having a good time.

“Snake wine,” he says. Picks up his glass. Waits.

I get involved in a conversation, carried out in broken English and Vietnamese, about Vietnam and whether I’d been or not (I hadn’t), and then the cooks are telling me that when I do go, I have to go to this town and this street where an uncle or a cousin still lives who will take care of me and show me the best places for banh mi and vit roti. I’m having a great time. And then the owner is behind the bar. He’s reaching up to a high shelf and pulling down a glass bottle filled with yellowish liquid. In the bottom, there’s a whole snake. Not a big

I take the shot. So does everyone else. There is much cheering and laughter. Equal amounts of coughing and swearing. The bottle was full of Vietnamese moonshine (plus a snake) that burns like pure ethanol going down and tastes like drinking liquid fire (plus a little snake). This particular bottle of snake wine had come all the way from Vietnam, from someone’s family. It was something special, not generally shared, but we were all having such a good time … Always drink the snake wine. It means always take what’s offered, always eat (or drink) it all, and always, always say thank you when

You man up, grab a fork and dig in like it is the best thing you’ve ever tasted in your life because, really, this is the thing you’ve been waiting for and hoping for through all those meals in all those strange places, isn’t it? An instant of honest contact, of camaraderie over dinner and being treated like you belong. Food, in these moments, is the way that people speak when they have no language in common. One taste, one plate, one glass of snake wine, all saying the same thing: “This is who we are and this is what we love. We’re so glad you finally showed up.” ¦

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STRATEGIES AND TIPS

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This article has two purposes. The first is to debunk some of the socalled “slot machine strategies” being sold by the ignorant and unethical. The other is to provide some legitimate slot machine tips that might actually help you win more often and have more fun while you’re at it. How Slot Machines Work The first thing you need to understand about slot machines is how they determine winners. These games use a computer program called a random number generator (RNG) to constantly generate numbers. Those numbers determine which stop each reel winds up on after you spin the reels. One important fact to remember is that this process is entirely random, and there’s no way to predict what’s going to happen on any given spin. Another important fact to remember is that each spin of the reels is an independent event. That means that the results of previous spins have NO effect on the results of the next spin.

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The final fact to keep in mind is that the random number generators are programmed in such a way that the casino has an insurmountable mathematical advantage. If you play long enough, then the casino will win, because that’s the way the game is set up. That doesn’t mean you can’t walk away a winner in the short run, but it has nothing to do with picking hot or cold machines. Slot Machine Strategies That Don’t Work Here are a few of the strategies that are touted as winning techniques on the Internet. Some of them are obviously ludicrous, while some of them seem to make sense but fall apart when examined with cold hard logic. 35

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GAMBLING PROBLEM? PLEASE The zig zag system is one of my favorite nonsensical strategies. The idea is that you look at the reels at the various machines in an attempt to find a pattern. For example, you want to find a “V” shape or an “X” shape being drawn by any particular symbol. The idea is that such a machine is ready to pay off soon. Of course, when you understand that the symbols on the reels are just for show, the entire strategy breaks down completely. Slot machines never become ready to pay off. Every spin is an independent event. Money management systems are often touted as a way to make sure that you’re a winner, but the reality is much different. The idea behind money management is that you set win goals and loss limit. The goal is to limit the amount of money you lose when the machines are cold, and to quit while you’re ahead when the machines are hot. Of course, we understand that slot machines don’t really get hot or cold, so in the long run, any type of money management scheme is irrelevant. Often, money management techniques are combined with methods of predicting whether or not a slot machine game is hot or cold. Author John Patrick has an

entire book of strange-sounding “strategies” based on this combination. One of these is called “the straight 60” strategy. The idea is that you’ll walk away from the slot machine once you’ve either won or lost 60% of your bankroll. The other stipulation in this system is that once you’ve had 9 naked pulls, you’ll also walk away. (A “naked pull” is one in which you win absolutely nothing on that spin.) So, for example, suppose you start with a session bankroll of $25. You’ll play until you’ve done one of the following: Lost $15.Won $15.Lost on 9 consecutive spins. Honestly, that’s a pretty simple system, and remembering it and putting it into practice is a no-brainer. But the idea that it’s going to help you win more money and/or lose less money is ludicrous. Nothing about the system changes the odds in your favor. Another system from that same book is called the “play and run” system. The idea behind this system is that you don’t spend more than 5 or 10 minutes at each slot machine game, then you run off with your winnings. Patrick suggests that you divide your bankroll into 5 or 10 sessions of 5 or 10 minutes each. Like all of his systems, you quit on any machine when you hit 9 naked pulls. wwwfirstclasstours.net

E CALL 1.877.770.STOP How anyone could think that this strategy would help them win more money playing slot machines is baffling.

playing with your slot card inserted. That’s just nonsense. We discussed how the random number generator works earlier.

Slot Machine Tips Now that we’ve discussed a few of the strategies on slot machine games that don’t work, let’s look at some real, hard-nosed, fact-based slot machine tips which might actually make a difference to your bankroll. These tips are all based on the realities of how these games actually work.

Tip #3 – Skip the progressives, unless you’re determined to win a life-changing amount. Since the potential rewards on progressive slot machines are so high, the machines pay out less often. They have to in order to afford the rare huge jackpot. For the casual gambler, playing a machine with lower jackpots provides more opportunities to win, even though the winnings are smaller.

Tip #1 – Play for fun. The house has a mathematical edge, and you can’t beat it. So you should go into your gambling sessions expecting to lose, but hoping for the occasional win. Your goal should be to have some fun while you’re at it. Tip #2 – Join the slots club. Almost all casinos have loyalty bonuses, rebates, and rewards for players who patronize their establishments. They provide you with a card to insert into the machine so that they can track how much action you’ve bought to the casino. They then return a tiny percentage (something like 0.1% or 0.2%) to you in the form of rebates, food, travel benefits, and entertainment. One slot machine myth you should ignore is that slots pay out less when you’re www.firstclasstours.net

On the other hand, if you’re determined to win a million dollars, stick with the progressives. Just understand that you’re still unlikely to change your life with a huge slot machine jackpot. The odds are similar to those of winning the lottery. Tip #4 – Don’t play with the rent money. This should be common sense, but if you’re gambling with money you can’t afford to lose, then you have a problem and should seek professional help of some kind. You cannot play slots professionally.

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poker isn’t for everybody, but I know lots of slots players who’ve made the switch once they tried it. Tip #6 – Slow down. Some slot machine players make 600 spins per hour or more. Keep this in mind though. The more action you bring to the casino, the more opportunities the house edge has to whittle away at your bankroll. So slow down. Talk to the gamblers next to you. Sip your drink between spins. Anything you can do to reduce the amount of money you’re putting into action each hour is going to make your bankroll last longer. Tip #7 – Don’t play the slots at the airport. These are the worst games in town in any gambling destination. Wait until you get to the casino to play the slots, and your money will last longer, and you’ll improve your chances of winning. ¦

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Tip #5 – Try video poker. These games are similar to slot machine games, but they provide better payout percentages and an opportunity to use strategy to improve your chances. Video 37

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A FAMILY GUIDE TO VISITING

BATON ROU With Kid

UGE ds Baton Rouge is often the forgotten little sister to the big easy, New Orleans, just down the muddy Mississippi River. But the â&#x20AC;&#x153;Red Stickâ&#x20AC;? has a lot to offer locals and visitors alike. We often have festivals and events filling our streets and a variety of local attractions to keep families busy in this beautiful, relaxed city! Once ruled by the French, British, and Spanish, this town is a melting pot of rich culture and history. As home to the Louisiana State University Tigers and the Southern University Jaguars, Baton Rouge has pride running thick through its blood and is unstoppable on game day. Former Governor Huey P. Long made sure that Baton Rouge stood out above the rest, building a bridge across the Mississippi River that was too low for ships to pass and a capitol building that was the tallest in the US. Our rich history, culture, and variety of activities will welcome your family and keep you coming back for more! This post is a compilation of some of our favorite destinations, in and around Baton Rouge, that kids and their families will love. Hope it helps you as you plan your trip!

NORTH BATON ROUGE See the animals at BREC’s Baton Rouge Zoo. With a wide variety of animals including a new tiger, bird, and otter exhibit, there is something for everyone. Stop and eat at Flamingo Café. Then head to the playground and petting zoo for some more fun!

Just outside of the zoo is BREC’s Greenwood Community Park. It is a beautiful, newly renovated park that features a huge lake for fishing, canoeing, and kayaking. The playground and splash pad are sure to keep kids of all ages entertained. You can also hike around the park and take in all the nature surrounds. If you are not much of a walker then Hooper Road Mountain Bike Trails and Comite River Park are where you need to be! Over 10 miles of bike trails between the two parks, that wind through woods, over bluffs, and along riverbanks and bayous, these parks will keep novice and experienced bikers happy.

The parks are open daily and require no advanced preparation– just a rider, a bike, and a helmet. Happy Trails!

ket, which is open every Saturday from 8am-noon. You can get lots of local, seasonal goods to help create a delicious southern meal. Not sure how DOWNTOWN to cook that southern meal? No problem! You Take a tour of the USS can watch one of the KIDD Veterans Museum. many cooking demonThis area located on the strations that happen banks of the Mississippi every Saturday. Find River pays tribute to the a cozy spot and chow men and women who down at one of the many fought for the United States military. See a war- eateries located inside the market, while you plane that flew during enjoy the sounds of local two wars, view artifacts musicians. Be sure to let from infantrymen, and the kids get their tokens walk aboard the fully restored Navy ship. Be sure to purchase their own goods! On the first Saturto see where it was attacked in 1945 and listen day of each month, the Baton Rouge Arts Market closely to see if you can joins in the fun showcashear voices of some of the 38 men that lost their ing handcrafted, local art including pottery, jewelry, lives. paintings, sculptures, and Explore the Louisiana Arts glassworks. and Science Museum and Irene W. Pennington Planetarium. With something to offer guest of all ages, LASM is a must see when visiting Baton Rouge. From art galleries to a real mummy, from interactive science exhibits to sky shows, families Let the kids play in the will be entertained for hours. There are even two Shaw Center for the Arts fountains while enjoying hands-on learning areas the scenery. Then head to for kids of all ages, inTsunami restaurant at the cluding babies and toddlers! Entry is free the first top of the Shaw Center for one of the best views Sunday of each month. in town and watch the sunset over the majestic Meet local farmers, bakriver. ers, and artisans at the Red Stick Farmer’s Mar-

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Roll down the hills at the Louisiana’s Old State Capitol and take a tour of the inside to see a glimpse of Louisiana’s

political past. Be sure to check out the award winning “Ghost of the Castle” to see the tumultuous history of the building. Go to the top of the tallest state capitol in the United States, the Louisiana State Capitol, and see a 360-degree view of our beautiful city! While inside, look for the bullet holes from when our old governor Huey P. Long was shot right there in the corridor. Bonus if you can find the fake movie blood that was never washed away. And don’t forget to try and spot the pencil stuck in the ceiling from when a bomb went off! When finished, stroll around the 27-acre perfectly manicured grounds and even catch a view of the governor’s mansion. Sit on the balcony of Schlittz and Giggles and watch as they throw the pizza dough to make

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one of the best pizzas in town.

LSU/MID CITY AREA Start at Milford Wampold Memorial Park to feed the ducks and geese, then stroll around the LSU lakes. Although the lakes look like a natural beauty set perfectly on the edge of LSU, they were actually manmade out of tupelo-cypress swampland. Donated in 1933, the owners stipulated the land had to be made into lakes and parks for public use and

must remain that way forever. To this day this still serve as a beautiful spot for just watching the sunset over LSU! Visit www.batonrougelakes. com for more on the history of the “Big and Little Lake” of LSU. Visit BREC’s City Park, which offers guest the Baton Rouge Art Gallery, a water fountain for the kids to cool off in, a children’s park, tennis, golf and a Raising Cane’s dog park for our furry family members!

Walk around Mike the Tiger’s Habitat. With over 15,000 square foot habitat, watch the only live tiger on a college campus taunt the opposing team whose locker room is conveniently located right next to Mike! While you’re there, stroll through the beautiful campus until you find the LSU Dairy Store and get some fresh cheese and ice cream! Step back in time while you explore Magnolia Mound Plantation. This colonial home and surrounding structures date back to the French Creole’s of the late 1700’s. You can explore on your own or take a guided tour and learn the rich history of this time period, while taking in the beauty of the surrounding stately oak trees. Have an afternoon snack on the patio of Magpie Café. Using fresh, local ingredients, this is certainly a place to taste! Not what you are looking for? Then head across the street to Zippy’s Burritos and Tacos. Experience the indoor/outdoor dining as the kids color on the chalkboard. Visit the original Raising Canes Chicken Fingers right outside the gates

of LSU. Although Canes is growing in popularity, the “mothership” is located right here in the Red Stick! After a failed business plan for a college class, Todd Graves decided to prove that a chicken finger restaurant could be successful. The rest is history…and dipped in Canes sauce! Looking for some delicious cajun food with cajun atmosphere? Look no further than Mike Andersons Seafood. The whole family will love looking at all of the fish tanks that fill the walls. Grilled, fried, or boiled, this is to place to go for good food! Try some pizza at a Baton Rouge staple, Fleur De Lis Pizza . This family owned and operated restaurant is staying old school and cooking up the same recipe that grandma made famous! Opened since the 80’s this simple menu will have your mouth watering.

SOUTH BATON ROUGE Highland Road Park Observatory features a 20inch reflecting telescope inside the main building’s retractable dome. Every Tuesday – Saturday night they open up the observatory for guest to come and view the skies through the state of the art telescopes. They often have events and lectures

on Friday and Saturday’s to help guests become more knowledgeable about our universe. Highland Road Community Park is situated in the hills of Baton Rouge and has a lot to offer! From tennis, archery, disc golf, to a slash pad opening Spring/Summer of 2015, this park has something for each member of your group. In the summertime, be sure to check out Blue Bayou Water Park, Dixie Landing! This large park is a two-for-one deal. Blue bayou features over 20 water attractions, while Dixie Landing has over 29 amusement rides. The two parks sit side by side, and 0ne pass allows patrons to freely move between the two parks. See lots of local critters at BREC’s Bluebonnet Swamp Nature Center. This 103-acre facility dedicated to conservation, education, recreation and tourism. You can stay inside and view exhibits from mineral to waterfowl. Or you can head outside to walk over a mile of long gravel paths and boardwalks that make their way through the swamp. You may see turtles, snakes, rabbits, coyotes, foxes, and deer! Stroll around the Mall

of Louisiana to beat the hot Louisiana summer heat! With lots of stores to make any shoppers heart swoon, the mall also features an indoor playground and large carrousel in the middle of the food court. Burden Museum and Gardens is another must-see in South Baton Rouge. With over 420 acres right in the heart of the Capitol City, this destination will show you the beauty of Louisiana, past and present. The Rural Life Museum will bring you back to southern living during the early 19th century with a large collection from farms, homes, and plantations. The LSU AgCenter Botanic Gardens is an expansive collection of specialty gardens, woodlands, wetlands and arboreta. Walk between trees along the 5 miles of trails and see the beautiful gardens that will impress any black or green thumb. Windrush Gardens replicates the tranquil gardens of European past. Winding paths amoung the majestic live oaks and creep myrtles, will allow for hours of peaceful strolling.

SURROUNDING AREAS Take a drive down I12, and visit Global Wildlife for a one and half hour guided wagon safari tour

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ing The Myrtles, which is one of the most haunted houses in America. If you get hungry, enjoy lunch on the patio of Magnolia Café. Looking for some scenic views but a little more local? Be sure to check out BREC’s Frenchtown Road Conservation Area. With over 495 acres, this is one of the largest nature preserves in East Baton Rouge Parish. Frenchtown or “The Land Between Two Rivers” currently has over 3 miles of trails which wind around the north and central parts of the park including access to the Amite River’s Beach, several Amite River overlooks, Head Northwest to St. and access to countless Francisville and take a na- Cypress-Tupelo sloughs. ture walk through Clarke Creek Nature Area also So as you can see, Baton known as Tunica Hills. Rouge has more than While technically in Misenough to keep you hapsissippi, it is close enough py, exploring, and making that you will want to exmemories! While in Baperience the natural hills, ton Rouge, you will get a creeks, and waterfalls. taste of big city fun withPut on your hiking shoes, out the big city headpack a lunch and go see ache. Here, the locals are this one of a kind beauty! friendly and southern hospitality is anything While in St. Francisville, but lacking. So pack your stroll through this quaint bags and fly into our own little town to see all it Ryan Airport or drive has to offer. Voted one right in! Fun awaits you of 20 Best Day Trip desand the whole family! ¦ tinations, you will not be bored! Visit one of the many plantation homes SEE THE ORIGINAL ARTICLE. located in and around CLICK HERE. St. Francisville, includof over 900 acres of beautiful Louisiana countryside. While on this tour don’t expect to see local wildlife. Instead you will see all the animals of an African safari, including giraffes, bison, zebra, camels, and more! And this isn’t your average boring tour. The animals will actually come face to face with you as you feed them. This unique and educational tour will have you wanting to buy a zoo!

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GROUP TRAV WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW TO SURVIVE TRAVEL WITH A GROUP NO MATTER WHO THEY ARE!

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VEL

On a combined business/leisure trip to London last week, I ended up in a large living room with a group of more than 20 young women who were trying to plan their day in London. Different travel styles emerged almost immediately: Captain Planner was making written checklists ranked by priority, categorizing items as Definitely, Maybe, If Possible and Maybe Next Week. The Tourist was listing off obvious landmarks and looking up prices for bus tours. Eeyore the Traveler was bemoaning every idea as boring, too far away or likely to have long lines, and wondering

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aloud if they should just stay home and read. The Laissez-Faire Traveler was sitting on the couch flipping through a magazine, saying every so often, “You guys are crazy; just pick one thing and then figure it out after you get there.” The Shopper had but one idea: go into town, get a drink and go shopping. These were just the stylistic differences; the choices of preferred sights offered proof that there’s no accounting for taste. At one end of the spectrum was a murderous schedule of high-culture museum visits; at the other end of the spec47

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trum was a slate of visits to the sites of famous murders. In between, just about every London landmark ever to grace a guidebook was mentioned at least once. There is no reconciling someone who wants to go to the Tate with someone who wants to take their kid to the Peter Pan statue and playground. Similarly, there are people who want always to be with large groups of people, and others who would rather travel in smaller groups, which they may find more manageable for reasons logistical, emotional or financial. If you find yourself trying to reconcile a dozen or more diverging interests, here are my tips for keeping the peace and the pace when traveling with a large group of friends, family, colleagues or acquaintances (or even frenemies, as the case may be). 1. Talk it out. The exercise of having everyone more or less in the same room, where preferences and approaches could be aired out, really seemed to help this group. After 45 minutes of discussion, it was very clear who wanted to do what, what time folks wanted to get started, whose tastes more

or less synched up, and which folks really wanted no part of the whole thing. Getting these right is really the heart of traveling together. Making sure everyone had a voice -- or at least enough air to get some words in -- was an important part of the exercise; despite their different styles and energy levels, everyone made some kind of positive contribution to the discussion. Even Eeyore was helpful, forcing everyone to be a bit more realistic (and it turned out rightfully so) about things like transit times and crowds. 2.Share your knowledge. Almost everyone in the large group had done a bit of research, much of it reflecting their own expertise and interests, so that when they all started throwing out ideas and suggestions, in the aggregate it was like having the ultimate guidebook writer sitting in the room with you outlining your perfect itinerary. 3. Have your own must-do or must-see. You don’t want to drop a few thousand dollars on travel, lodging, admission and bruising exchange rates only to get on a plane

home having failed to do the one thing you really wanted to do. Although I do sometimes recommend it (see Return Trips: Why the Second Time’s a Charm), few people take repeat vacations to the same cities -- so if you have a bucket list item that needs crossing off, don’t fail to make it happen. On this trip, I was traveling with my family, and our 4-year-old wanted to see the clock that Peter Pan lands on (Big Ben, obviously), as well as the playground with the ships and teepees -- but he also wanted to see the statue of Peter Pan. We scheduled the statue last, as it seemed the least compelling of the lot, and when a typical flash London rainstorm rolled in toward the end of the day, we never made it. He didn’t seem to mind, but when he got back to preschool a few days later, the first question the kids asked was “Did you see Peter Pan?” Despite having seen the clock and the ship, he couldn’t quite answer yes, and it was a (very) small disappointment, I could tell. 4. Let folks play to their strengths. As you get underway, it will become clear who has the

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best sense of direction, who can read maps fast and well, who is happiest asking questions and directions of strangers, who can speak a foreign language best, who excels at handling money, etc. Let those people do those jobs with which they are most happy and at which they are most competent. This way the workload gets spread around, everyone feels useful and valued, and things actually get done. If someone falls into one of these roles, encourage and thank them for it; it can be difficult and thankless work figuring out train schedules or restaurant bill portions for an unappreciative mob. Of course, in a large group there is always the risk that a “control freak” wants to do everything and make every decision, but I have also found that large numbers can tend to lessen the ultimate impact of these folks. 5. Speak up, but listen well. As during the planning phase, once you are under way make sure everyone has a voice in what happens during your ambles, and be respectful of their traveling styles. You will need to speak up

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if you want any say in the proceedings. In particular, if you have something that folks need to know -- you are calling home at exactly 2 p.m., or you are short on cash -- you need to share it. Conversely, pay attention when someone has a special request or requirement for meals, breaks or similar needs. For example, you will want to know if someone in the group is a vegetarian before you insist on eating at Maison du Boeuf or La Casa de Vaca. Not everyone necessarily needs to have an equal voice. If one person likes to be out front at all times, and another person likes to ride the caboose and simply follow along for the ride, it is often best simply to let them do so. Let the conductor steer the train, and the caboose rider catch the sights as they go by. Both will likely be happy in their chosen roles. 6. Don’t be over-ambitious. The single most common error in traveling with a group is to set too strenuous a schedule; even small groups are not as nimble as you and a bud can be, and you would do well to realize this up front. Setting yourselves up for, and then trying to execute, a forced march through countless

sites with a large group is represented as a ring of Dante’s Purgatorio, if I recall correctly. 7. Break ranks as necessary. There is no rule that says a group that starts the day together must finish the day together. On several of our outings, we started out with other folks, saw a couple of things in which we all had interest and then split up. In one case, we didn’t see the other people for a few days after that. No big deal; we had a great morning together and a great afternoon apart. 8. Have an alternate plan. On this score, you should have your own plan for an alternate activity or route in case the scheduled itinerary starts to collapse, folks get combative or you realize you want to move at a different pace than the group. In the end the quality of your trip is in your hands alone, and you need to accept that responsibility. 9. Look for group discounts. If your group is large enough, it may qualify you for considerable discounts at many attractions. These discounts are often best ar-

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ranged or even purchased in advance, but if this isnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t an option, it is simple enough to ask. 10. Try trip planning services. For big trips, you might consider a travel planning service that walks you through many of the steps above; check out Triporama. com, TripIt.com, TripHub.com, GroupTravel.com and Splitwise. com (for divvying up expenses). There are apps for some of these as well. In the end, while the original intention was to travel as a roving horde, the large group sitting around the living room ultimately split off into a handful of smaller groups -- pretty much the same individuals who were most comfortable at dinner together, or when walking around, or when picking roommates. That is, everyone went for their comfort zone, which has its own rewards. But the living room exercise was hardly for naught; on multiple occasions over the next few days, the groups stumbled across one another unexpectedly in pursuit of common interests, and the recombined groups showed a powerfully increased energy level. Everyone got to do what they wanted, sometimes on their own, sometimes together -- and always the better for it. ÂŚ SEE THE ORIGINAL ARTICLE.

CLICK HERE.

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10 STEPS TO PLAN THE PERFECT

FAMILY REUNION BY: MARY SNYDER

TOGETH 52

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Planning a family reunion? Follow these 10 steps to a fun reunion for the whole family. Whether you’re expecting a dozen cousins or several hundred relatives, planning a meaningful, memorable and fun family reunion is a challenge. It takes time, organizational skills and a sense of humor.

These 10 steps will help make your reunion a success—and keep you sane. 1. Make a plan. Start by picking a date and location. Professional planner Bill Gunkel of Reunions Unlimited recommends you begin planning at least 12 months ahead. Your best first step, he says, is sending questionnaires to family members to get input on when, where and what they want.

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Gather a committee to select three possible dates and locations. Send questionnaires asking family members to rank the options. While you can’t meet everyone’s needs, a survey is the best tool for finding out what works for most relatives. 2. Recruit and delegate. No one person can manage all aspects of a family reunion. Surround yourself with capable and enthusiastic committee members. As the chairperson, you’ll

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oversee the event, handle communications between committees, coordinate the volunteers—and occasionally play peacemaker. For small events with 20 or 30 people, you’ll need only a few volunteers. Large events require more volunteers and committees. Here’s a brief list of reunion jobs: Finance director: handles the reunion checking account, maintains the budget, makes purchases Lodging liaison: Finds accommodations and negotiates group discounts Food director: works with the caterer or handles the potluck 54

Correspondence officer: communicates with family members Entertainment director: organizes activities for a variety of ages Reservations officer: tracks who’s coming Mementos procurement: gathers mementos for display Welcome committee: makes name tags, agendas and signage; mans registration; helps people mingle 3. Create a command center. A reunion generates paperwork: Even with subcommittees, the reunion

chairperson needs copies of pertinent information, such as contracts with food vendors, updated registration information, and lodging details. You might keep everything in a simple file folder, or you may want separate folders for each committee in a file box. Keep your records organized—you’ll refer to them often 4. Build a budget. Cost can be a big factor in attendance, says Katy Anderson, owner of Reunion Masters in San Jose, Calif. “Keep your costs down or try to give the family plenty of lead time to budget.” She recommends 12 to 18 months. wwwfirstclasstours.net

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Give an idea of the price in the first mailing. For more-expensive get-togethers such as cruises, Anderson suggests offering monthly payment options. In mailings, asking each family to pitch in a set amount of seed money is a good way to offset startup costs. Get more dough with our fundraising ideas. Include financial updates in mailings. 5. Prepare a back-up plan. If your reunion will be outside, reserve a pavilion that can accommodate all the attentees in case of unexpected weather. Pack a few board games or crafts for the children can do indoors. 6. Get the word out. Send invitations as early as possible. You might opt for a simple flyer, an elaborate newsletter or a postcard. Use mailings to relay information and incite interest. Opt for e-mail if your family is plugged-in to keep costs down and give an easy point of contact. (You also can use family-centered Web sites such as Geni as a message hub.) Include family trivia in your communications. Encourage relatives to send stories, ideas and updates for the mailings. This involvement often leads to better attendance. www.firstclasstours.net

7. Offer something for everyone. Offer a range of activities to meet varied ages and interests. You also can have optional outings such as golf, mall trips or excursions to historical sites. For kids, aim for a mix of outdoor and indoor activities. Teenagers can organize the younger children’s games. See our family history reunion activities at Family Tree Kids! 8. Start with a bang.

ily heritage is one thing you all have in common. Celebrate it by setting out old photos and memorabilia. Incorporate food, music and decorations from your family’s ancestral homeland. Use the opportunity to make a family photo album (everyone brings pictures and create a page), a book of family stories, a video of reunion footage, or a family recipe book. 10. Maintain the momentum.

After the reunion, plan to Linda Johnson Hoffman, au- keep in touch until the next thor of The Reunion Planner one. Family newsletters and (Goodman Lauren PublishWeb sites are great for this. ing), suggests icebreakers Recruit volunteers to send to kick off the reunion. a newsletter, or create and “Getting everyone involved monitor a Web site or a proas they arrive is essential to file on a family networking setting the right tone,” she site such as Geni. ¦ says. Here are some suggestions: SEE THE ORIGINAL ARTICLE. Have a welcoming commitCLICK HERE. tee greet arriving guests. Create a blank family tree and have each member fill in his information. Provide an agenda of activities so no one gets left out. Create welcome banners Give away freebies, such as imprinted pens or notepads, at registration 9. Share your family’s story No matter how different your relatives are, your fam55

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TEXAS 45 THINGS YOU SHOULD DO IN TEXAS BEFORE YOU DIE Texas Independence Day is March 2. (On that day, back in 1836, the Texas Declaration of Independence was adopted at Washington-onthe-Brazos.) So, to celebrate, all things TEXAS we’ve come up with a list of quintessential Texas experiences – a bucket list of things you should do in the Lone Star state before you kick the bucket. Pack your bags, grab your friends and family, give us a call, and come take a tour with us across this wonderful state … www.firstclasstours.net

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1. Visit the State Fair of Texas in late September and early October. Eat a corny dog (and the fried cookie dough and the funnel cakes …) Admire the art deco buildings and artwork. Stare up at the new Big Tex. Ride the Texas Star Ferris Wheel, North America’s largest. 2. Visit a real Texas rodeo with bona fide cowboys and cowgirls ropin’ and ridin’ wild animals. The Texas Ranch Roundup in Wichita Falls includes some of the best in the state from the big, legendary ranches. 3. Drink in the bluebonnets and other wildflowers that bloom in springtime. Drive the Bluebonnet Trail in Hill Country at the height of the season. Closer to Dallas, visit the bluebonnet trails in Ennis in April. 4. Jump into a swimming hole in Central Texas. Some are spring-fed pools. Canoe

or kayak one of the beautiful, clear rivers in Central Texas, such as the Comal or Guadalupe. Or grab an innertube and float away. 5. Head to Padre Island. Watch the rare, protected Kemp’s Ridley turtles as they hatch and race to the water. Stay on the beach past sundown to see the Milky Way over the Gulf of Mexico. 6. Attempt to ride the Hotter’N Hell Hundred cycling event in Wichita Falls. It’s in late August! What were they thinking? 7. Go deer hunting in picturesque Hill Country. Did you know Hill Country is known as the “Deer Factory of Texas?” The area where Mason, Gillespie, and Llano counties converge supports the highest deer density in the country, with one deer for every 2 to 3 acres, according to Texas Parks &

ABOVE THE GREAT STATE FAIR OF TEXAS 60

Wildlife. Take in the beautiful Hill Country views. 8. Camp out with wild and exotic animals at the Fossil Rim Wildlife Center in Glen Rose. The 1,700-acre center is home to over 1,000 animals and 50 species of native and non-native animals. 9. Go eat some Tex-Mex. A hole-in-the-wall. Or a chain, like Gloria’s. Or one of these suggestions from Texas Monthly. Listen to dueling mariachi bands while chowing down on fajitas and schooners of margaritas at El Ranchito in Oak Cliff on a Saturday night. 10. Go to church. Perhaps a mega-church such as Lakewood Church or Second Baptist in Houston or the Potter’s House in Dallas. Or visit St. Mary Catholic Church in High Hill, which Fox News named one of the country’s most beauti-

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ful. With its ornate design, paintings and stained-glass windows, it’s known as one of the Painted Churches of Texas. 11. Visit the Texas Capitol and take the tour offered several times a day. “Completed in 1888 as the winning design from a national competition, the Capitol’s style is Renaissance Revival, based on the architecture of 15th-century Italy and characterized by classical orders, round arches and symmetrical composition.” Then walk several blocks and tour the Bullock Texas State History Museum, which explores the story of Texas. “From the 35-foot-tall bronze star sculpture that greets visitors as they arrive, to the campfire scene in the terrazzo floor in entryway that features a campfire scene with enduring themes from Texas’s past, every corner of the Museum proclaims the ‘Story of Texas’ in a bold and new way.” 12. Canoe or boat through the cypress trees and enjoy the swampy East Texas bayous that are Caddo Lake. Eat some fried catfish while you’re there. 13. Admire the roses in Tyler. Each October thousands of visitors head to Tyler for the Texas Rose Festival. Tyler is home to the largest municipal rose garden in the United States.

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14. Head to Gruene Hall, Texas’ oldest dance hall. Built in 1878, the 6,000-square foot hall has a high-pitched tin roof and its original layout. It offers live music every day. Since 1975, Gruene Hall has hosted hundreds of celebrities. In the 1800s, Gruene Hall held weekly dances and hosted traveling salesmen, high school graduations and badger fights. 15. Attend a taping of “Austin City Limits.” The PBS show is the longest-running music program in television history, the only television show to have been awarded the Presidential Medal of the Arts, and was recently recognized by Time magazine as one of the 10 most influential music programs of all time. 16. Catch the battle of the bands at the State Fair of Texas each fall between the marching bands of Grambling State University of Louisiana and Prairie View A&M -- oh, and there’s a football game, too. 17. Museums – and more museums. There are all sorts of great museums across the state. How to choose? Pick one of these three with great collections that were designed by Renzo Piano: the Menil Collection in Houston; the Nasher Sculpture Center in Dallas and the Kimbell addition in

Fort Worth. 18. Visit Scenic Drive and watch the sun go down and the lights come up over El Paso and Juarez. 19. Tour President Lyndon Johnson’s ranch, home of the Texas White House. It’s near Stonewall. “The LBJ Ranch was where he was born, lived, died, and was buried.” 20. Tour Texas’ presidential libraries -- George W. Bush at SMU; LBJ at UT-Austin; George Bush at Texas A&M. 21. Holy smokes batman! Hang out by the Congress Avenue Bridge in Austin and watch the bat show: about 1.5 million bats love the bridge because it’s humid and there are lots of hiding spots. 22. Visit the Inner Space Cavern in Georgetown -one of the best-preserved caves in Texas and home to prehistoric remains. 23. Explore Hueco Tanks State Park & Historic Site in El Paso. Ancestors used the rainwater pooled in natural rock basins, or huecos. You can hike, climb rocks, admire birds, study nature and stargaze. 24. Catch a Friday night high school football game, preferably the Permian 61

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IS THIS REALLY DALLAS?

Panthers in Odessa, the team that inspired a movie and network TV show. 25. Make an appointment to see The Hill, artist James Magee’s giant art project in the desert outside El Paso. Here’s how his website describes it: For more than 25 years, Magee “has been engaged in a massive, largely secret, almost solitary endeavor in the vast plains of West Texas.” It’s a series of buildings and sculptures on about 2,000 acres. In 2010, KERA’s Jerome Weeks interviewed Magee.

FRONT PORCH

28. Find some peace at a Buddhist temple. Try Wat Buddharatanaram in Fort Worth. 29. Visit a charming small town with a quaint downtown square – perhaps Waxahachie in North Texas or Fredericksburg or Boerne in Hill Country. (Or a bigger town with a charming square, such as McKinney.)

30. Head out to Marfa, the arts mecca in Presidio County in far west Texas. It has less than 2,000 residents, but NPR has described it as “a blue-chip 26. Check out the Dallas arts destination.” There Cowboys cheerleaders’ lock- are museums and gallerer room as part of your tour ies and sculptures. “Vegan of AT&T Stadium. food, straw bale houses and funky bars filled with 27. Watch Intocable in artsy kids clinking Shiner concert when the group Bocks with famous painttours Texas. Intocable starters and film directors. Their ed nearly 20 years ago in pearl-buttoned shirts and Zapata and now it’s one of cowboy boots can make the most influential Tejano/ the place feel like a WestNorteño groups. ern-themed outpost of 62

Brooklyn. And for a town of only about 2,000 people, you can amuse yourself nightly with screenings, readings and, of course, gallery shows.” 31. See the spectacular July 4 fireworks show in Addison – Kaboom Town, considered one of the country’s best fireworks shows. 32. Slide down Flagpole Hill in Dallas after a snowfall or ice storm. 33. Spend an afternoon at Klyde Warren Park in Dallas – soak up the sweeping views of downtown and explore the nearby Arts District. 34. Spend the day at the Stockyards in Fort Worth, then follow it with a night in Sundance Square. 35. On your roadtrip, take a break at Buc-ee’s. Admire the clean bathrooms – the wwwfirstclasstours.net

one in New Braunfels was once named the best bathroom in the country. 36. Visit the Texas Prison Museum in Huntsville. The Texas Prison Museum says it offers an “intriguing glimpse into the lives of the state’s leastloved citizens.” 37. Stroll along the San Antonio Riverwalk. Then drive past the beautiful historic homes in the King William Historic District. And tour the missions. (Update: Tour the Alamo, too, of course -- we meant to include this the first time around!) 38. Stop in Amarillo and look at the Cadillac Ranch, the public art installation that features painted Cadillacs. 39. Consume some Texas-centric foods: Blue Bell ice cream; Collin Street Bakery fruitcake; kolaches in West -- just to name a few. Eat some more Tex-Mex. Then wash it all down with Shiner beer. 40. Join a stargazing party and ponder the universe at the McDonald Observatory in the Davis Mountains in

west Texas. “The Star Party program is fun for the entire family, and is open to everyone. Enjoy night sky constellation tours and views of celestial objects through a number of telescopes (varying in size from a 4-inch giant binocular to a 24-inch Ritchey–Chrétien telescope) in the Rebecca Gale Telescope Park at the Visitors Center.” 41. Visit Palo Duro Canyon in the Texas panhandle – it’s the country’s second-largest canyon. Palo Duro Canyon State Park says: “Early Spanish explorers are believed to have discovered the area and dubbed the canyon ‘Palo Duro,’ which is Spanish for ‘hard wood,’ in reference to the abundant mesquite and juniper trees.” While you’re at Palo Duro, see TEXAS, the outdoor musical. 42. Visit one of Texas’ national parks. Hike to the highest peak in Texas at Guadalupe Mountains National Park, which is home to three species of horned lizards. Raft the Rio Grande through Big Bend National Park. Big Bend’s website says: “Big Bend National Park in Texas features broad expanses of

Chihuahuan Desert shrubland and grassland interspersed with smaller areas of high-elevation woodland in the Chisos Mountains. … Deep canyons along the river are among the park’s most striking features. The black bear, mountain lion, and javelina, along with bats, turtles, frogs, toads, and 450 species of birds, either reside in the park or use park resources.” 43. Venture to Southfork and look for Sue Ellen and Bobby or other members of the Ewing clan … 44. Who needs to head into space when you can explore Space Center Houston, home of the Johnson Space Center instead? 45. Stuff yourself silly with some Texas barbecue. Among the places suggested (and we don’t mean to start World War III): Snow’s in Lexington, Louie Mueller in Taylor, Franklin Barbecue in Austin. Kreuz Market in Lockhart, Pecan Lodge in Dallas. ¦ SEE THE ORIGINAL ARTICLE.

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THE ABC’S OF

FISHING IN TEXAS By Shannon Tompkins

FAMILY

She was fishing for answers, the lady on the phone explained with a nervous laugh that accented the hint of desperation in her voice. “We want to go fishing, but I don’t have any idea what we need, how to do it or where we can go,” she said. Her daughter and son, 8 and 10, respectively, had become obsessed with fishing after a visit to their out-of-state grandparents. Grandpa and Grandma took the youngsters and Mom to a pond where the youngsters (and Mom) had a ball using cane poles and earthworms to catch wwwfirstclasstours.net

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Y. FUN. FISHING.

“perch”, with the kids taking frequent breaks to chase frogs along the muddy bank and turn over rocks in the shallows to see what might be hiding beneath them. “It’s all the kids talk about,” she said. “They want to go fishing around here, but I don’t have a clue what to do. Can you help me?” Variations of that phone call from this past week are all too common. It’s mostly parents in Houston or it suburbs looking www.firstclasstours.net

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to introduce their children (and themselves) to fishing, giving them opportunities to have experiences that can lead to a lifelong connections to the natural world. But sometimes its a teenager or a young adult with an interest in angling but without a family member or friend to mentor them. And sometimes it’s an older Texan who just wants the opportunity to reconnect with an activity they’ve long enjoyed but can’t find an easy-to-getto and inexpensive venue where they can scratch that itch. Turns out, there are answers, some pretty good ones, to their angling prayers. Over the past decade or so, Texas Parks and Wildlife Department, often in cooperation with local governments and private groups and organizations, have developed several programs and strategies aimed at giving Texans who want to fish the instruction, tools and opportunity to do just that, all at little or no cost to the anglers. For those looking to learn the basics of recreational angling, TPWD has a “Go Fish!” program based in several of its state parks - parks that happen to also offer good fishing opportunities. The Go Fish! program is aimed at families, including children as young as 5, who

want to learn the basics of fishing. The program puts on workshops, all of them on weekend days, that provide basic instruction in the art and science of angling, including providing tackle and bait for those who don’t have their own. The Go Fish! program is offered at no cost to participants. The only cost is the per-person entrance fee to the state park, which is waived for children 12 and younger. A Go Fish! program is scheduled for Saturday, May 21 at Galveston Island State Park. The program, which begins with registration at 9 a.m. and runs until noon, is a cooperative effort between the state park and the Houston-based Nature Heritage Society. Participants will be able to put what they learn to use fishing from the parks’s bayshore on West Galveston Bay. For those interesting in learning about freshwater fishing, staff at Sheldon Lake State Park and Environmental Learning Center, located off Highway 90 and just outside Beltway 8 in northeast Houston, will hold a Fishing 101 class on Sunday, May 21. The onehour program begins at 1 p.m. on the Sheldon Lake fishing dock and includes instruction in basic tackle, fish handling and fish

identification. Cane poles and bait will be provided for participants. There’s no charge for the class or use of the tackle, and no entry fee to the park. Dozens of TPWD’s state parks offer regular fishing instruction programs, including basic fishing classes and some that offer specific instruction in fly-fishing A schedule of those classes can be found on the agency’s website, tpwd.texas.gov Even absent the fishing instruction classes, Texas’ state parks are probably the best place for learning how to fish and certainly for lowcost access to good fishing. Several years ago, TPWD implemented a “Free Fishing in State Parks” program, waiving all fishing license and stamp requirements for anyone fishing inside the boundaries of a Texas state park. Entry fees still apply, as do all regulations governing fishing methods, bag and length rules. But the fishing license waiver applies to all persons fishing from a bank or pier located in a state park and even fishing from a boat if the water body is fully contained within the state park’s boundaries. This puts some great fishing water within reach of anglers. About 50 of Texas’ 95 state parks offer fishing opportunities, both freshwater and saltwater. In the Hous-

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MARCH/APRIL 2017

ton area, that list of state parks includes Brazos Bend, Galveston Island, Huntsville, San Jacinto Battleground, Sheldon Lake and Sea Rim. Huntsville State Park’s Lake Raven and Sheldon Lake can provide outstanding fishing. Both hold good populations of easy-tocatch sunfish (Raven has one of the best redear sunfish fisheries in the region) with plenty of bank-fishing area and fishing piers. Both produce some fine largemouth bass fishing; just this past week, an angler on Sheldon landed (and released) a largemouth weighing almost 10.5

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pounds. Want to try fishing at one of the state parks, but don’t have fishing tackle? TPWD oversees a fishing tackle “loaner” program that lends rods-and-reels (mostly simple-to-use spincasting rigs), tackle boxes and basic tackle (hooks, sinkers, bobbers) to anglers. There’s no charge for the loan, although there may be a deposit required for some tackle. Anglers can use the tackle for as long as seven days. Almost all of the Texas state parks with fishing opportunities offers the tackle loaner program. A list

of tackle-loan program sites and contact information can be found on TPWD’s website. TPWD has over the past few years considerably ramped up its effort to provide fishing opportunities in urban areas - areas where there’s a high concentration of folks who would like to go fishing but can’t travel to the coast or the large inland reservoirs. To that end, the agency has worked with local governments - cities and counties - to create good fishing opportunities in urban and suburban parks through its Neighbor-

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hood Fishin’ program. Beginning each April and continuing though November, TPWD inland fisheries staff stocks swarms of hatchery-produced channel catfish into the Neighborhood Fishin’ ponds. Stockings of channel cats, with most of the fish measuring at least 12 inches and many considerably larger, are conducted every two or three weeks except during August when high temperatures water temperatures can cause problems for fish and fishers. Two of these hugely popular put-and-take fisheries are in the Houston area: Mary Jo Peckham Park Pond on Gardenia Lane in Katy and Community Park Lake on Glenn Lakes Lane in Missouri City. Normal fishing license regulations apply on the Neighborhood Fishin’ ponds, and anglers are limited to taking no more than five catfish per day, and there’s no minimum length requirement. To keep folks from “hogging” the lakes, each angler is limited to using no more than two fishing poles. The idea is to provide as much opportunity for as many anglers as possible in a setting that’s comfortable and safe for families and, especially, young anglers. TPWD usually stocks the lakes on a Friday to provide the best fishing for folks able to fish on the week68

ends, when most folks have time to fish. The agency posts its stocking schedule and other information, including location maps and some great basic fishing tips, on its website. All of these fishing-related programs - no-cost fishing classes; loaner tackle; license waivers in state parks, stocking programs in urban/suburban parks, even the annual Free Fishing Day (June 4, this year), when license requirements are waived, statewide - are aimed at helping make angling accessible to as many Texans as possible. And that’s a worthwhile goal; there are a lot of folks like that mom and her two children out there. ¦ SEE THE ORIGINAL ARTICLE.

CLICK HERE.

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MARCH/APRIL 2017

SEE THE ORIGINAL ARTICLE.

CLICK HERE.

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WHERE TO GO. WHAT TO DO. A DEFINITIVE LIST OF THE BEST, HOTTEST, HIPPEST, COOLEST, DOWNRIGHTAWESOMEGROUPTRAVELIDEASTHISSIDEOF...WELL ANYWHERE!

s e i r

o m e

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MARCH/APRIL 2017

HOUSTON CHILDREN’S FESTIVAL

BODY WORLD RX

HOUSTON LIVESTOCK SHOW & RODEO

LUNAR LANTERN FESTIVAL

JUNIE B. JONES IS NOT A CROOK (PLAY)

ART & NATURE IN THE MIDDLE AGES

@ Tranquility Park, April 1-2, 2017 Houston

@ NRG Park, March 7-26, 2017 Houston

@ the Dallas Children’s Theater, every Fri Sun through Feb 26, Dallas

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exhibit @ The Health Museum, running now through April 23, 2017 Houston

@ POST HTX, April 29-30, 2017 Houston

exhibit @ the Dallas Museum of Art, now through March 19 Dallas

WHERE TO GO. WHAT TO DO.

DENVER NUGGETS/DALLAS MAVERICKS GAME

TACO LIBRE

TOP 100 DINING & DRINKS

MARDI GRAS FESTIVAL

2017 KOMEN SAN ANTONIO RACE FOR THE CURE

RODEO AUSTIN

@ American Airlines Center, April 11 Dallas

@ Aztec Theater, March 21, 2017 San Antonio

@ the Alamodome, April 8, 2017 San Antonio

@ Dallas Farmerâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Market Shed, April 29 Dallas

exhibit @ The Health Museum, running now through April 23, 2017 San Antonio

@ Travis County Expo Center, March 11 - 25, 2017 Austin

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MARCH/APRIL 2017

BALLOONS OVER HORSESHOE BAY RESORT

NEW ORLEANS BOURBON FESTIVAL

FRENCH QUARTER FESTIVAL

BATON ROUGE BLUES FESTIVAL

@ Horseshoe Bay Resort, April 14 - 16, 2017 Austin

@ French Quarter, April 6-9, 2017 New Orleans

March 24 - 26, 2017 New Orleans

@ North Boulevard Town Square, April 8 - 9, 2017, Baton Rouge

ANNUAL KITE FEST LOUISIANE

@ WBR Soccer Complex, April 1, 2017 Baton Rouge

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WIN AT BLACKJACK

MORE OFTEN 74

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“The trick to winning money at blackjack is making larger bets when you have an edge over the house”

BY: AL MOE You can earn over $100,000 a year playing blackjack at casinos near you! Thousands of players have learned how to play the game of 21 at a professional level. You can learn to beat the casinos at their own game, and reap bonuses like free rooms, free meals, and free concert tickets from the player’s club for playing a game! Winning at blackjack The trick to winning money at blackjack is making larger bets when you have an edge over the house and smaller bets when you www.firstclasstours.net

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don’t. While learning to play blackjack, you’ll find the game has plenty of ups and downs, but learning the basics, like when to hit a 16 and when not to (hit when the dealer has a 7 or higher up card, stand when the dealer has a lower card) takes you from being a casino chump to almost playing even at the game. David Sklansky points out in How to Make $100,000 a Year Gambling for a Living, that blackjack is the only game where the odds change from being in the house’s favor to the players’, but laments that there are only so many casinos to play at. However, with casinos being built from coast to coast in the US, players are likely to see their playing careers extended if they follow some simple advice on bankroll management practice, and being casino savvy. Professional Blackjack Once you learn the rules to blackjack and understand basic strategy, you need to understand card counting. And, you’ll need to stay within your bankroll, bet more when winning, and cut back when losing. A professional blackjack player also needs to take it a step further by learning to count cards. As a card counter, you use

a simple plus/minus count to track when you hold an edge over the house and raise your bet to correspond with that edge. You’ll need to vary your bet from one unit when the house has the edge, to four units as your edge increases. However, a bet spread of at least 7-1 is necessary for a professional player to see a substantial return on your bankroll. And, a 12-1 spread is much better but riskier. Unfortunately, raising your $10 bet immediately to $70 when the count is in your favor will likely be noticed by the pit bosses. Continued large bets when you have the edge may get you thrown out of the casino, or at least asked not to play anymore blackjack. Earning $100,000 Playing Blackjack If earning a six-figure income from blackjack sounds like fun, it is. It’s also hard work. As with any other endeavor, practice makes perfect, and professional players have to make quick, accurate decisions at all times. If you live in Las Vegas or Atlantic City there are plenty of casinos to choose from. If you live elsewhere you may have to travel. You don’t need to play fulltime (2000 hours per year) to win $100,000. The more hours you play, the lower

your average bet needs to be. As a professional, you’ll have approximately a onepercent edge over the house, and earn about one-percent of your total wagers. If you play 100 hands per hour and vary your bet from $5 to $50, your average bet will be what you earn: about $20 per hour. To make $100,000 you’ll need an average bet of $50, and to vary your bets from around $10 to $125. Staying In Play Flying under the radar of pit bosses and casino managers is a job in itself. Follow these steps to start: Keep your playing sessions short (30 to 45 minutes) Play in different pits Play on different shifts Play at different casinos Wear non-distinctive clothes to blend in Vary your bet naturally through parlays and spreading to two hands Discretely pocket a few higher denomination chips if you are winning If you order alcohol as a diversion, take only a sip Card counters are notorious for not tipping. Don’t be greedy. The dealers are working and so are you, and not tipping is something pit bosses look for in winning players as a clue to possible

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counting. You have to consider the tips as an expense. Read about counting, practice more than you think you need to, and then practice another dozen hours before risking your money at the casino. Then, start at a low limit table, play perfect basic strategy, vary your bets a little (3-1 or 4-1) and enjoy the game. After youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ve proven to yourself you can win a little bit by counting cards you can start learning how to vary your bets to a 7-1 level and beyond. Watch the other players for clues! And finally, keep a log of every session, every club name, each pit you played in and at what time, and then adjust your future play to avoid those exact places and times. Make sure you are honest with yourself about your wins and losses. Keep your bets low until you have a larger bankroll to play to. ÂŚ SEE THE ORIGINAL ARTICLE.

CLICK HERE.

GAMBLING PROBLEM? PLEASE CALL 1.877.770.STOP www.firstclasstours.net

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DAILY CASINO TR WITH FIRST CLASS PERKS

18 Departs EAST $

Departs 1960 Terminal 310 FM 1960 | Houston, TX 77073 | 281.443.1200 CASINO

DEPART

ARRIVE @CASINO

DEPART CASINO

RETURN

DAYS

Coushatta

8:00 AM

11:30 AM

4:30 PM

8:00 PM

Every Day

Coushatta

12:00 PM

3:30 PM

8:30 PM

Coushatta

8:00 PM

11:30 PM

4:30 AM

8:00 AM

Coushatta

9:30 PM

1:00 AM

6:00 AM

L’auberge

9:00 AM

12:00 PM

L’auberge

7:00 PM

Delta Downs

8:30 AM

Golden Nugget 6:00 PM Golden Nugget 10:00 AM

12703 Eastex Freeway | Houston CASINO

DEPART

ARRIVE @CASINO

Coushatta

8:30 AM

11:30 AM

Coushatta

12:30 PM

3:30 PM

Every Day

Coushatta

8:30 PM

11:30 PM

9:30 AM

Fri-Sat

Coushatta

10:00 PM

1:00 AM

5:00 PM

8:00 PM

Every Day

L’auberge

9:30 AM

12:00 PM

10:00 PM

3:00 AM

6:00 AM

Every Day

L’auberge

7:30 PM

10:00 PM

11:00 AM

4:00 PM

6:30 PM

Tue, Thu

Delta Downs

9:00 AM

11:00 AM

9:00 PM

2:00 AM

5:00 AM

Thu, Fri, Sat

Golden Nugget 6:30 PM

6:00 PM

9:00 PM

Wed, Sun

Golden Nugget 10:30 AM

1:00 PM

12:00 AM Wed, Sat, Sun

9:00 PM

1:00 PM

First Clas

COUSHATTA DELTA DOWNS

10 Perk $5 Perk

Free Play

Sun 8PM-Fri 9AM

Casino Perks Every trip

*Perks not valid on Holidays o

SENIOR DAY

HELP US KEEP YOUR

PRICES LOW...

Use your casino card during your next trip. Your card earns valuable points while at the casino and helps First Class Tours keep prices as low as possible and perks as high as possible! We work hard to keep you playing! Good luck!

EVERY WEDNESDAY

$6.00 Off Any Daily Casino Trip.

over 60+ years Senior Code: SNRWED Offers can not be combined.

Terms & Conditions: Check-In number allows you to check in up to 90 minutes prior to departure. It does not guarantee you a seat on the bus. All seats are on a first-come, Casino Schedule Inside v1.indd 1

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MARCH/APRIL 2017

RIPS SUN-THUR

8TEX Terminal 19 Departs Texas City PER PERSON

n, TX 77039 | 281.590.8800

DEPART CASINO

RETURN

DAYS

4:30 PM

7:30 PM

Every Day

8:30 PM

11:30 PM Wed, Sat, Sun

4:30 AM

7:30 AM

Every Day

6:00 AM

9:00 AM

Fri-Sat

5:00 PM

7:30 PM

Every Day

3:00 AM

5:30 AM

Every Day

4:00 PM

6:00 PM

Tue, Thu

2:00 AM

4:30 AM

Thu, Fri, Sat

6:00 PM

8:30 PM

Wed, Sun

ss Perks

Lâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;AUBERGE GOLDEN NUGGET

10 Perk $10 Perk

Meal Voucher Every Trip

Free Play

only at Coushatta Casino & Resort

FRI & SAT PER PERSON

9300 Emmett F Lowry | Texas City, TX 77591 | 281.590.8800 CASINO

Coushatta

DEPART ARRIVE@CASINO DEPART CASINO RETURN

8:30 AM

12:30 PM

PARAGON

2ND FRIDAY

5:30 PM

Depart 1960 @ 6:00 PM Eastex @ 6:30 PM

Tuesday

Of the Month Apr 14 . May 12

9:30 PM

DAYS

PER PERSON

15 Perk

GOLDEN NUGGET OVERNIGHT

DISCOUNTS

GOLDEN NUGGET

$17 Fri & $18 Sat

Wed, Thurs & Sun

April 11-12, 2017, June 5-6, 2017 August 7-8, 2017

First-served basis. You must be present to check-in. All passengers must be 21 years or older and have a valid state or government identification (no photo copies accepted)

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3/23/17 11:56 AM

26 CHEAP THINGS TO DO, EAT AND SEE IN

NEW ORLEANS

Big cities can be a drain on the wallet with pricey options for entertainment, food, and transportation, but New Orleans, Louisiana, is particularly friendly for those traveling on a budget. Sure you can drop a wad of cash in The Big Easy, but it’s not necessary. Here are 26 cheap — and free! — things to do, eat, and see in New Orleans that won’t bankrupt your vacation.

3. Wander the Crescent City Farmers Market on Saturday morning. If you’re lucky, you’ll encounter cooking demonstrations and have the opportunity to learn a bit about New Orleans’ cuisine. Total cost: Free. 4. Take a walking tour of Algiers Point using a guide that can be picked up at the national park office. Total cost: Free.

1. Listen to the eclectic and quirky street musicians strumming on makeshift drums and stringed instruments. Total cost: Free but leave a tip if you’re inclined.

5. Indulge in fresh beignets dipped in powdered sugar and a warm beverage to start your morning at Café du Monde. Total cost: Under $5.00, depending on your beverage choice.

2. Order fresh crawfish for a taste of the local cuisine. During the spring, there are often free crawfish boils, but if you’re bound and determined to dine, check out Deanie’s Seafood to order up a dish of your own. Total cost: Under $10.00.

6. Get your art on at the Besthoff Sculpture Garden, which features more than 60 sculptures from artists all over the world. Total cost: Free. There is also a free audio tour which is accessible through visitors’ cell phones.

7. Take advantage of the city’s awesome photo opportunities. New Orleans has several Catholic churches including St. Louis Cathedral, St. Augustine, and Our Lady of Guadalupe, all of which are picture-worthy. Total cost: Free. 8. Give your legs a rest and ride a streetcar instead. Three different lines originate in the downtown area but then crawl out to other parts of the city. Total cost: One-way fares are $1.25. 9. Go for a float on the Canal Street ferry, which offers great views of the New Orleans skyline and transports people from the French Quarter to Algiers and back several times a day. Total cost: Free. 10. Walk in the footsteps of literary greats with a walking tour. A number of famed authors found inspiration

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in New Orleans including Tennessee Williams, William Faulkner, Truman Capote, Thornton Wilder, Walker Percy, and Anne Rice. Total cost: Free, if you look up a walking tour online before pounding the pavement. 11. Immerse yourself in the sights and sounds that fringe New Orleans when you ride along the city’s levee on a bike. Total cost: Rentals start at about $6.00 per hour. 12. Wander through the Garden District and admire the historic architecture. There are self-guided walking tours available, but an informal stroll is also worthwhile. Total cost: Free. 13. Learn about the history of Mardi Gras and what goes into the annual celebration of krewes, parades, and balls every year with a visit to an ongoing exhibit at The Presbytere. Total cost: $6.00. 14. Relax in a local park. New Orleans’ city parks have open areas shaded by robust trees, offering the perfect place to unwind after a busy day in the French Quarter. Audubon Park and Woldenberg Park are two favorites. Total cost: Free. 15. Cool off with one of New Orleans’ famed snowballs. Found around the town, these tasty cool treats are essentially crushed ice and flavored syrup. Total cost: As

low as $1.50.

Bywater art markets, and peruse the goods sold by 16. Admire the chilling but vendors in Jackson Square. famous above-ground tombs Total cost: Free. in the city’s cemeteries. You can take a guided 21. Sharpen your knowledge walking tour, but wandering about New Orleans and around on your own is Louisiana with a stop at the equally rewarding. St. Louis Royal Street Galleries (533 Cemetery No. #1 on Basin Royal Street), which has a Street is the final resting handful of exhibits that are place of Voodoo Queen budget friendly. Total cost: Marie Laveau. Total cost: Choose from three different Free. tours, each $5.00. 17. Party down at one of New Orleans’ festivals. Travel in spring and summer for an array of festival choices including the French Quarter Festival, NOLA Navy Week, and Vieux to Do, which combines three events. Don’t forget Mardi Gras in February! Total cost: Free. 18. Request a song by the dueling pianos at Pat O’Brien’s. While you’re there, order the Hurricane, the bar’s famous cocktail. Total cost: Your beverage of choice (the Hurricane is $8.00) and a tip for the pianists. 19. Tour the Old Ursuline Convent, the oldest building in the Mississippi River Valley, which has finely crafted woodwork, noteworthy artwork, and gardens. Total cost: $5.00. 20. Appreciate the work of local artists throughout the city. Stop by galleries on Julia and Royal Streets, browse the Mid-City and

22. Admire the architecture and curious personalities of the New Orleans with a casual stroll through the French Quarter. Total cost: Free. 23. Browse through the city’s collection of voodoo potions at the New Orleans Pharmacy Museum, the first licensed apothecary in the country and home to an extensive collection of antiquated medical equipment and cures. Total cost: $5.00. 24. Rock out at Wednesday at the Square, an annual spring concert series put on by the Young Leadership Council. Total cost: Free. Food and drink sales benefit the YLC. 25. Be awed by the Louisiana Superdome, home to many major conventions and sporting events, including Super Bowl XLVII, which will be held there in 2013. Total cost: Free.

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26. Leave your legacy at the Old Absinthe House, a building constructed in 1807 with a rich history steeped in the famous green concoction after which it is named. People have been leaving their calling cards on the wall for years, and you’re welcome to add yours. Total cost: Free. Total cost: Free.can take a guided walking tour, but wandering around on your own is equally rewarding. St. Louis Cemetery No. #1 on Basin Street is the final resting place of Voodoo Queen Marie Laveau. Total cost: Free. ¦ SEE THE ORIGINAL ARTICLE.

CLICK HERE.

FCT NEWS DRIVER OF THE MONTH

First Class Tours is proud to announce that driver, Andrew Flyes was awarded the â&#x20AC;&#x153;Employee of the Monthâ&#x20AC;? title. This award was given to Andrew for safely driving and going farther to satisfy our great customers. Andrew has been driving with First Class Tours since 1996, One of his most memorable trips has been just recently while working the Super Bowl, thank you Andrew!!!

THE NEW PARKING LOT After several weeks of construction, the parking lot improvements are almost fully complete. At nearly 20, 000 additional square feet and over 40 additional bus parking spaces and stripes to aid in parking this represents a major improvement to our lot. Now, buses can be kept cleaner and pre-trips can be completed on concrete. Additionally, light poles have been repositioned for greater safety and new LED fixtures installed for better lighting and decreased environmental impact.