American Traveler Magazine Jan/Feb 09 by J Budell

AmericanTraveler Enriching Your Journey

January/February 2009

Compliments of the Airport

First-Class Destinations Y ellow sto ne i n W i nter | T r ave l G a m e s | Top f l i g h t Art

AMERICANTRAVELER %NRICHING 9OUR *OURNEY

magazine

Sandboarder: Lon Beale

Reaching millions of air travelers

Vincent Kituku:: kituku & associates

America â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Great People, Places, Opportunities . . .

David Lyons : Joe Bridwell

My Girl: Lane Timothy

all in the pages of American Traveler Magazine

Compliments of select airports throughout America

www.americantravelermagazine.com

Contents

Inside 6

Adventure Travel

16 | Business Class

Yellowstone in Winter

America’s first national park remains its most popular— except in winter. Of the 3-million annual visitors to this geological marvel, fewer than 150,000 come between December and April, making the snowy season an ideal time to experience a peaceful Yellowstone.

20 | On the Fly

24 | Safekeeping: News from TSA

26 | Top-Flight Art

Door County, Wisconsin

A Westerner’s Fresh Take on Winter Fun Writer Sabrena Suite-Mangum discovers there’s more to do in winter than zip downhill. When it comes to snowy entertainment this area 35 miles north of Green Bay has much to offer, from ice-fishing and snow-machines to fine dining and spa treatments.

28 | Carry On

29 | To Your Health

32 | First-Class Destinations

54 | Happenings

Education Report

The Power of Lifelong Learning Popular motivational speaker Dr. Vincent Kituku recounts the lessons of his native Kenya to communicate the importance of lifelong learning—especially in challenging economic times.

56 | Crossword Puzzle

58 | Kids’ Games

59 | Kakuro

62 | Travel Games

On the Cover

The World of Lane Timothy Travel often sets the stage for dreams-come-true. American Traveler’s cover artist Lane Timothy captures the essence of fresh hope in the 60” x 48” oil painting Among the Stars. To read more about the artist and the inspiration for his evocative travel series, turn to page 26.

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64 | Journey’s End

skiers: Door County Visitor Bureau

For event or activity information and lodging, contact:

TwinInFalls the middle of everything!

Centrally located in South Central Idaho, Twin Falls is the perfect home-base from which to experience all that life has to offer around the region. Parks, golf courses (yes, they’re available during our mild winter months, too!), and developed trails follow the majestic Snake River as it winds through the region—the steep canyon walls framing the setting for ﬁshing and boating. Head for the nearby hills and mountains to take in snowmobiling or skiing after the snow ﬂies.

208-733-3974 866-TWIN FALLS www.twinfallschamber.com

Small-town America lives on here with friendly faces meeting you at every turn. Discover antique stores and museums. Enjoy a family adventure by taking in a planetarium show or gazing at the wonders of the universe at the Herrett Center for Arts and Science. Urban delights amuse you. Enjoy gallery openings, concert halls, wine tasting, retail centers and quaint shops. Whether it’s adventure you’re seeking - or a quiet refuge - Southern Idaho is the place to be!

Watch, listen, or download video and audio podcasts about things to see and do in the Twin Falls Area at www.twinfallschamber.com or at iTunes.

www.twinfallschamber.com

Positive Space

Happy Thoughts Can Lift You Up

he goal of this publication is simple. We want to enrich the air travel experience. If your eyebrows are shooting skyward right now, know that you are not alone. The notion—that we, the traveling public, can somehow improve our high-flying lot—has drawn more than a few quizzical looks. What’s a magazine going to do about luggage restrictions, the high price of fuel, and a reduction in services? Plenty. While we can’t change the circumstances, we can help you meet them in the best possible way. In these pages you’ll find insight and information to streamline your journey. Look for expert packing tips, travel advice from frequent fliers, the latest news from the Transportation Safety Administration and more. There are stories about great adventures and lovely destinations and plenty of photos of America’s best places. These beautiful images serve to remind us that this nation has much to offer, and air travel is still the best way to traverse a continent in less than a day. All this helpful content is presented in a design that harkens back to a simpler time—an era when air travel was imbued with leisurely sophistication. Much is made of those early days, when fliers dined sumptuously with white linen and crystal, and flight attendants waited on their every whim. In truth, back then, planes were much slower, prone to chop through turbulence and inspire motion sickness. Airports were bare-bones facilities, typically relegated to major cities and only the well-heeled could afford the price of a ticket. While nostalgia is nice, the truth is we’ve still got it pretty good right here at this place in time. So, in light of ancient wisdom, I’d like to encourage you to focus on the upside and think about the benefits we enjoy. There’s plenty that remains absolutely remarkable about travel in the 21st century. At what other point in history could you breakfast in New York,

4 | American traveler January/February 2009

— James Barrie

lunch in Los Angeles and take a nap in-between? Whenever I start to get antsy about schedule changes, weather delays or long lines, I remind myself that my ancestors spent the better part of a month traveling by steamship from Europe to Ellis Island and that during World War II it took more than a week on a train to cross the country. Today, under the worst circumstances the journey spans less than 24 hours by plane. Air travel is still the fastest, safest, most rewarding way to get where you want to go. The next time you start to think otherwise remember James Barrie’s advice. In his book Peter Pan the author emphasizes that: Happy thoughts can lift you up. Positive thinking may not help you take wing, but there is an aircraft waiting to do its job. Contemplating the wonders of this form of transportation does much to make your spirits soar. Happy Skies,

Colleen Colleen Birch Maile Editor-in-Chief American Traveler magazine

P.S. Once you’ve established your positive attitude, take it one step further. Do something nice for the other guy. We’re all in this together. Try putting others first and see how good you feel. And, should you observe a particularly positive attitude or action or develop a great travel tip, write and tell us about the experience or idea. We’ll publish the best of the bunch. Send your uplifting email to: info@gopubinc.com. Please type “American Traveler Positive Space” in the subject line.

President Kelly D. Coles Editor-in-Chief Colleen Birch Maile colleen@gopubinc.com Art Director Janie W. Budell janie@gopubinc.com Copy Editor Jeanette Germaine Proof Readers Anna Bierman Tatro | Becky Macdonald Contributors Tony Banning | Bob Ecker | Kip Hawley | Ben Ikenson Dave L. Pearson | Sabrena Suite-Mangum Amanda Bjerke | Anna G. Hobart

Director of Sales and Marketing Teena J. Wright l 208-333-9990

teena@gopubinc.com Advertising Managers AZ, NM, TX, WY, ND, SD: Keith Sauls l 208-354-5400 keith@gopubinc.com MT, OR, UT, WA, Canada: Wendy Rivers l 406-586-0439

wndyrivers@theglobal.net CO, NV, Northern and Central CA: Susan Vernier Garcia l 970-927-9599 susan@gopubinc.com

Downtown Jackson Hole • 125 No. Cache www.danshelley.com • 307.733.2259

for all other locations call: 208-333-9990

American Traveler magazine, (ISSN 1945-2047) the nation’s premiere publication devoted to air travel is published bi-monthly by Go! Publications. The opinions expressed by authors and contributors to this publication are not necessarily those of the editor or publisher. Acceptance of advertisements does not imply official endorsement of the products or services concerned. While every care has been taken to ensure accuracy of content, no responsibility can be taken for any errors or omissions. No part of this magazine may be reproduced without the express permission of the publisher. Limited copies are available for $10 each. This magazine assumes no responsibility for safekeeping or return of unsolicited manuscripts, photographs, artwork or other material. Email is the preferred method of communication with this staff. © 2009 Go! Publications Inc. All rights reserved.

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For reprints of articles in this issue of American Traveler magazine, please call 208-333-9990.

Go!

P U B L I C AT I O N S I N C O R P O R A T E D

www.americantravelermagazine.com American traveler January/February 2009 |

6 | American traveler January/February 2009

in W

Snow shoers: Xanterra Parks and Resorts

ridescent mudpots steaming with sulfur . . . soaring waterfalls . . . gushing geysers . . . pristine mountain lakes . . . wide meadows . . . steep walls of mustard-colored rock. The diversity of the Yellowstone region defies belief. It’s no wonder that 19th-century reports of this peculiar topography were discounted as tall tales or hallucinations. Once documented, Yellowstone’s natural marvels merited preservation as the nation’s first national park. Since opening in 1872, it’s been a consistent tourist favorite. Visitors continue to pour in from across the nation and throughout the globe. Each year more than 3.15-million travelers take in Yellowstone’s wonders. On the average summer day, approximately 26,000 people pass through its gates. They

Yellow

. . . Of 3-million annual visitors fewer than 150,000 come to Yellowstone

wstone

Winter

By Tony Banning

between December and April.

come by motorcycle, car, truck, motorhome and tour bus. Vehicles snake along the looping highway, queuing up at every major attraction or wildlife spotting, stopping altogether when a bison parade crosses the road. In the temperate months, the park becomes an international village. Its hotels and cabins brim with guests. Gift shops and restaurants do a brisk business. More than 2,000 campsites are equally packed. A first-hand encounter with one of the world’s largest nearly intact ecosystems warrants the crowding. The throngs disappear by summer’s end. When the snow drifts deep, bears retreat, other wildlife head for Yellowstone’s lower elevations and balmy thermal-heated areas. The park’s pace slows. Only the road from Gardiner, Montana remains open. American traveler January/February 2009 |

RESIDENTIAL & COMMERCIAL

INTERIOR DESIGN

(307) 733-5960 • (800) 473-4369 3465 N. PINES WAY, SUITE #101 WILSON, WYOMING 83014 WWW.HARKERDESIGN.COM

8 | American traveler January/February 2009

images : Xanterra Parks and Resorts

Snowcoaches and a limited number of snowmobiles provide access to Yellowstone’s interior during the winter. In the north, The Mammoth Hot Springs Hotel, near the ever-changing Mammoth travertine terraces, remains open all winter. Built in the 1930s, its bare-bones rooms with shared bathrooms hearken to a more primitive era. Travelers accustomed to 21st-century niceties would do well to stay in the $20-million Old Faithful Snow Lodge. It provides exceptional lodging and dining within a stroll of the park’s most famous feature. Throughout the winter Old Faithful and other geothermal features still quiver, shake and erupt. The volcanic caldera remains active. So do year-

round resident bison, elk, bighorn sheep, coyote and wolves. Their pace slows as they scrounge for sustenance. The most significant shift in the seasons? The absence of humans. Fewer than 150,000 people come to the park between December and April. Yellowstone’s harsh winters are not for the faint of heart. However, special winter programs conducted by the Yellowstone Institute make a cold-weather experience easy, educational and entertaining. This winter’s offerings range from family-friendly wildlife excur-

During the winter, Lonestar Geyser, about two-and-a-half miles into the backcountry, is accessible by snowshoe or cross-country skis. It erupts approximately every three hours and sends a gush of steaming water more than 45 feet skyward.

sions via snowcoach to snowshoe expeditions. Nordic skiing treks into the interior and wolf-watching safaris to the Lamar Valley—often referred to as America’s Serengeti because of the preponderance of wildlife—are popular. Packages include lodging, some daily meals, the services of a naturalist guide and educational evening programs. Above all, they offer Yellowstone during its most peaceful season. Access Yellowstone all winter with air service to Billings or Bozeman, Montana. n American traveler January/February 2009 |

A Westerner’s Take on

Wisconsin Winter Fun

Peninsula State Park

consider myself a winter-fun expert. I married a recovering ski-bum and hail from Utah, the state claiming “the greatest snow on earth.” I tend to be a bit of a snob when it comes to defending the deep powder grandeur of the Rocky Mountains’ Wasatch Range. So with an air of smugness I consented to spend a long weekend in Door County, Wisconsin, way beyond my usual fun zone. I’m here to tell all of you winter vacation planners that this area 35 miles north of Green Bay has a lot to offer. Many of us in the West forget that there is so much more to do in the snow than zip downhill. Door County serves as the perfect entrée to other options like Nordic skiing. Outfitted by Nor Door Sport & Cyclery in Fish Creek, my husband Danny headed to Peninsula State Park. It features more than 16 miles of groomed, mostly double tracked ski trails. While he was gliding across the undulating terrain, the princess in me got warm and toasty with a little spa time. With a name straight out of the arid southwest, Saguaro Day Spa in Sturgeon Bay provided the perfect respite for my hyperactive mind. The Ayurvedic scalp massage effectively relieved stress, anxiety and mental

10 | American traveler January/February 2009

tension. And the attention to detail was over-the-top. Half the ladies in the waiting room were sipping mimosas. Après a spa-tacular experience, it was time to try something I’ve never even considered back home. We got on our “grumpy old men” attitudes and went ice fishing on Sturgeon Bay. I have a hard time eating anything with a face and I’ve never aspired to snare an innocent little Nemo. But I must tell you, this induction into the ways of the wild, wild Midwest was more fun than I imagined. Granted, I wasn’t successful in the narrow sense of the term. All the yellow perch, northern pike, brown trout and walleye touted by our guide from the Bushman Sport-Fishing Team are still lurking in the lake. My fun had more to do with ice shanty décor. These shelters range from rustic to remarkable. Some include televisions, card tables, even a fridge full of beer. (Just in case global warming accelerates dramatically?) I was delighted that wood stoves kept the interior a balmy 70-plus degrees. The heat was much needed. My designer pink and black galoshes did not provide adequate protection. My toes were as chilly as uncooked Jimmy Dean sausages. And I should know better. This Utah girl learned long ago that function always trumps fashion in freezing temperatures. I found more suitable footwear before hopping aboard a snowmobile for a tour of the Door Peninsula’s vast winter wonderland. More than 250 miles of trails cover the area. While my hubby scooted across the icy bay, I delighted in weaving through the trees. With all this outdoor adventure, we needed somewhere special to rest. Door County has a plethora of lodging ranging from bed-andbreakfast inns to second homes held in a rental

Peninsula State Park: Door county visitor bureau

by Sabrena Suite-Mangum

pool. We hit the jackpot at Pioneer Lane in Ephraim. The view of the bay alone won me over—love at first sight. An over-sized whirlpool tub, puffy bed linens on our king-size bed and romantic fireplace were just a few of the creature comforts that made our accommodations practically perfect in every way.

Ice shanty’s cozy decor

Skiing, snowmobiling and Shanty: Door county visitor bureau

Groomed cross-country ski trails

We packed in three solid days of exploring and left much undone—sledding, sleigh riding, and exploring Fish Creek, a historic arts community voted Midwest Living magazine’s number one getaway last year. Not to mention snowshoeing at Bailey’s Harbor and eating authentic Swedish pancakes with lingonberries at Al Johnson’s Restaurant in Sister Bay. Then there are the fish boils—dramatic and delicious culinary spectacles peculiar to the area. With so much to see and do, it’s no wonder my elitist Westerner’s attitude has evaporated like a spring thaw. I am already making plans for a Door County getaway next winter. You can too. n

More than 250 Snowmobile trails cover the area

For more information, visit www.doorcounty.com.

American traveler January/February 2009 |

education

Education: The Key to a Promising Future by Tony Banning

More than a half-century ago in the heady post-World War II era, American higher education underwent a transformation. The 1944 passage of the G.I. Bill provided free college or technical training for returning servicemen (and women.) With it, the doors of academia—once the domain of the well-connected upper classes—flung wide to welcome students of dramatically diverse backgrounds. Learning was truly democratized.

12 | American traveler January/February 2009

jobs because they had schooling.” The possibility of earning a college degree inspired him to obtain a bachelor’s degree at the University of Nairobi. Armed with his own “knife” Kituku set about cutting a piece of the international “cake” that is reserved for the well-educated. He received both a master’s and doctorate from the University of Wyoming and upon graduation went to work for a large utility company where he eventually became a highly productive human resources trainer. In 1997, he went out on his own parlaying a knack for motivational story telling into a career as a much sought-after speaker. He counts among his clients Fortune 500 companies, government agencies, and small businesses. Since 1998 he has been the motivational speaker for the Boise State University football team—upset winners of the 2007 Fiesta Bowl. His presentations blend common sense principles and effective strategies for success. They also emphasize ongoing education. “Over the years, I have held a deep conviction that education should not be merely a search for a certificate but a process that develops someone’s ability to think, act and own their choices. One’s major educational background should not be a barrier to exploring other opportunities. A person “should always be able to adjust should circumstances relegate their skills to a ‘no-longer-needed’ status. Successful education has to be a lifelong journey. When one stops learning, one stops growing,” he said.

The following pages offer insight into opportunities to continue to learn and grow.

Vincent Kituku: Kituku & Associates

xisting colleges and universities responded to the increased demand with satellite campuses and statewide public systems. Today American schools are so readily accessible and education so easily attainable that its underlying merits and potential power can be In this interview, motivational speaker Dr. Vincent Kituku (above) emphasizes the overlooked. For much of the importance of life-long learning. world, education is not an easily accessed right; it is not a responsibility; it is a hard-sought opportunity. That’s why native Kenyan and long-time U.S. resident Dr. Vincent Kituku emphasizes that honing or expanding knowledge and skills still hold the key to a promising future— especially in uncertain economic times. Kituku understands the power of life-long learning. By his own admission he seemed destined for failure as a child. “I suffered from chronic stomach problems and spent six years in three grades despite the fact that my father spanked me whenever I brought home mediocre marks,” he said. Then his father—a second-grade dropout— took him to the gates of Nairobi University and explained, “This is where men and women come to get knives to cut their portion of the national cake.” In high school, Kituku said he “noticed that educated Ugandan refugees fleeing Idi Amin’s brutal government were able to secure good paying professional

Idaho State University Idaho State University has consistently served the educational needs of the region—meeting the requirements of society and setting the pace for progress.

Pocatello

As the state-designated leader of health professions and medical education, ISU offers training for professionals and providers throughout Idaho. In addition to its Pocatello campus, ISU students attend classes in Boise, Idaho Falls, Twin Falls, Coeur d’Alene, and many rural towns in eastern Idaho. ISU is a research institution offering a wide range of more than 280 degrees and certificates— from technical/industrial courses to post-doctorate certificates. Idaho State University houses world-class health profession, pharmacy, business, technology and engineering schools; prepares a significant percentage of the state’s educators; and provides a solid grounding in arts, humanities, social and physical sciences. Its moderate-sized student body of approximately 13,000 students allows Idaho State University to offer all the benefits of a large metropolitan university, yet maintain the personal touch of a community college. A student-teacher ratio of 17:1 makes it possible for students to have meaningful interaction with their professors. www.isu.edu

Lawrence University

Appleton

At Lawrence University—the country’s only liberal arts college and conservatory of music devoted exclusively to undergraduates—more than 1,400 students come from around the world to discover something about themselves they never imagined possible. Founded in 1874 in Appleton, WI, Lawrence offers students a unique educational environment where personalized education is at the fore. Remarkable student-faculty collaboration creates unparalleled opportunities for individualized learning—two-thirds of the 2,900 courses Lawrence teaches each year have a class size of one student. And learning is not limited to the classroom. According to one national survey, Lawrence students are more likely than their peers at similar colleges to engage in the academic life with professors and classmates outside the classroom—locally, nationally, and globally. Students from nearly every state and more than 50 countries come to Lawrence not just for a quality liberal arts education, but for the camaraderie and collaboration this residential campus provides. Lawrence is a vibrant learning community driven by academic rigor, not intense competition, providing a distinctive educational environment that fosters creativity and exploration—all of which leads to graduates who are confident, adaptable, and successful in an ever-changing world.

800-227-0982 | www.lawrence.edu American traveler January/February 2009 |

Midland School CA

Santa Barbara County

Founded in 1932, Midland School is a coeducational, college preparatory boarding and day school for grades 9-12. It is located in Santa Barbara County on a 2,860-acre working ranch.

MIDLAND SCHOOL Accepting Day Student Applications

The school combines rigorous academics with intensive immersion in the environment, and maintains a philosophical commitment to authentic student leadership, diversity, simplicity, self-reliance and environmental stewardship. Through curriculum, sustainability projects, a job system, and everyday conversation, Midland’s goal is to produce students who are self-reliant, respectful of the natural world, capable of leading others, and equipped with the knowledge and skills to affect change. It is the blending of the coursework and ecological practices at Midland that makes this school unique. In addition, Midland offers competitive athletics, an equestrian program, arts and metals programs, and countless extracurricular clubs and activities. Ultimately, Midland students learn that they can make a difference in their communities, a vital quality in a society that desperately needs people who care about the world they have inherited and in turn will pass along to future generations. Midland graduates attend some of the most selective colleges in the country including Yale, UCLA, USC, Brown, Swarthmore, Colby, Stanford and Whitman. Midland currently enrolls 92 students and employs 20 teachers, all of whom live on campus. 805-688-5114 | www.midland-school.org

Bozeman

Montana State University

With expertise in subjects like Yellowstone science, paleontology, alternative energy, snow science and Native American studies, Montana State University is known for its unique educational opportunities. Professors are dedicated to the integration of teaching and research to provide the best possible learning experience. The curriculum ensures every student at MSU participates in a research or creative project during their undergraduate education. MSU has the distinction of being the only institution in a five-state region classified as having “very high research activity” by the Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching. Students have an abundance of research opportunities and graduates are heavily recruited for their practical knowledge and hands-on experience. MSU has a student population of 12,000 and a student-faculty ratio of 16:1. The university houses eight colleges: Agriculture; Arts and Architecture; Business; Engineering; Education, Health and Human Development; Letters and Science; Nursing; and University College; and offers more than 120 degree options. The academic advantages at MSU are equaled only by the area’s recreational opportunities. With three ski resorts within 45 miles, blue ribbon fly-fishing and all of the desirable qualities of a college town, Bozeman is frequently recognized for offering a high quality of life by publications like Outside magazine and Bizjournals.com. 888-994-2452 | www.montana.edu 14 | American traveler January/February 2009

www.midland-school.org 805.688.5114 Call to schedule a campus tour

Southern Oregon University

OR Ashland

Surrounded by mountains, lakes, and rivers, Southern Oregon University combines a high-quality education with a spectacular location. SOU’s practical liberal arts education spans 100 areas of study, including 34 bachelor’s and 10 master’s degree programs. SOU is an inclusive campus community dedicated to student success, intellectual growth, and responsible global citizenship. With a 21:1 student-to-faculty ratio, students enjoy small, individualized classes and a friendly learning atmosphere. Undergraduates frequently collaborate with faculty on research, publications and creative projects. Named to the EPA’s list of Top 20 Green Colleges and Universities, SOU was one of the first universities in the country to offset 100% of its energy use with clean, renewable power. SOU’s community-based learning program places 3,000 students a year in the community, building strong relationships with local business while providing students with valuable on-the-job training. Ashland offers a small-town feel with big-city culture. SOU is home to the Schneider Museum of Art and Rogue Valley Symphony and the Oregon Shakespeare Festival is minutes from campus. Designated a Center of Excellence in the Fine and Performing Arts, SOU is also recognized for its outstanding science, education and business programs. SOU recently partnered with Rogue Community College to build the Higher Education Center in Medford, featuring programs designed for working professionals. 800-482-7672 | sou.edu

Western State College

Gunnison

Western State College situated in the heart of the Colorado Rockies— an area named one of the nation’s 50 best places to live and play according to National Geographic Adventure Magazine’s September, 2007 edition. Providing one of the world’s greatest outdoor laboratories and learning environments, Western offers majors in 22 fields with programs in Geology, Anthropology, Biology, Environmental Studies, Art, Recreation and more. Western’s students come from every state in the nation and many foreign countries—90% travel more than 200 miles from home to attend Western. It’s no wonder; the spectacular Rocky Mountains provide the perfect backdrop for enhanced learning beyond the classroom. The campus is equally outstanding. Western’s new privately funded Borick Business Building meets the LEED Silver Standard for environmental building design, and is home to our programs in Business Administration, Accounting and Professional Land and Resource Management. Also, a complete renovation of and addition to Western’s Sciences Building was completed in 2002 and Kelley Hall, Western’s Behavioral and Social Studies Building, was renovated as of Fall 2008, meeting LEED Gold Standard for environmental building design. With yearround support for a host of club sports and outdoor activities, and an NCAA Division II intercollegiate athletics program, Western State College of Colorado is the clear leader in a “destination” college.

800-876-5309 | www. western.edu American traveler January/February 2009 |

Business Class

No Money? No Problem.

Profiting from Real Estate’s Perfect Storm

by Colleen Birch Maile

he real estate tsunami, that is washing tidal waves of gloom across the nation, has an upside, according to Andy Heller. Together with his business partner Scott Frank, Heller has been buying, renting and selling bank-owned properties aka “foreclosures” for almost 20 years. Until the publication of their 2003 book Buy Low, Rent Smart, Sell High, the two were what Heller terms “closet” investors. Scott Frank is an executive at a Fortune 100 company. Heller works in the international transport business. Yet, they have purchased more properties than many full time real estate investors. Never fazed by boom-times’ rapidly escalating values, Heller and Frank amassed portfolios that “are not dependent upon rapid appreciation to make money.” Their basic principles have assured the men, both in their early 40s, of secure retirements. At the heart of their success—helping people fulfill the American dream by converting bankowned properties into lease-option home ownership opportunities. Initially the two, who met in a Georgia State MBA class, intended to buy an old house and sell it. “This was way before ‘flipping’ real estate entered America’s general lexicon,” Heller explained. When their first purchase failed to sell after nine months on the market, Frank suggested a lease-option strategy he had learned about at a real estate investing club. However, they improved on it. “We took a look at it and decided that the process could be unfair to the other party, if the tenant doesn’t have a realistic opportunity to buy,” Heller explained. “But Scott’s a lawyer, so he drafted a better agreement and made home ownership a real possibility for people who could not otherwise get into a home.” The duo advertised that first home as a leaseoption and signed up a lease/purchaser in just three weeks. With their program, the purchaser typically has three years to buy the home at the agreed-upon price. Once the lease-option is executed, Heller and Frank view the purchaser as the homeowner. Among other terms, the lease/purchaser accepts responsibility for maintenance and repairs. “Each month during those three years we set aside 10% of the rent to be used toward a down payment. They’ve also 16 | American traveler January/February 2009

Andy Heller with his business partner Scott Frank

given us a lock-in fee and a security deposit; those funds also go to the down payment,” Heller explained. If the purchaser is unable to conclude the deal at the end of three years, the offer is usually extended but without the 10% monthly set-aside toward the down payment. Failure to sell the home according to a set timetable is not a problem, Heller said. “Sometimes they buy after three years, sometimes after six. If they default, the lock-in money goes to us. We can hold the property for a short time and make money, or a medium time and make money, or a long time and make even more money,” he explained. The recent rash of foreclosures presents a wealth of possibilities for Heller, Frank and students of their method. “We find three things happening that pose what is potentially a once-in-a-generation investing opportunity, what we refer to as an investor’s ‘perfect storm’,” Heller said. “First, there are record foreclosures. That means that it’s possible to purchase foreclosures all over the country, including places like California, Nevada and Florida where there simply wasn’t an inventory of bank-owned properties for sale just a short while ago. “Second, with loan standards tightening, fewer people can qualify for home loans and the demand for rental property in increasing. So are overall rental rates. At the same time the American dream of home ownership is alive and well. Lease-option helps them achieve that.

“Finally, there’s less competition. Without the attraction of profits from skyrocketing property values, there are fewer investors active today. Sadly, investors on the sideline do not realize that this is the time to be buying, while property is cheap, deals are plentiful, and the rental market is vibrant,” he said. The “buy low” part of Heller’s model is particularly relevant today, Heller explained. “Investors can purchase bank-owned properties, either from the bank, directly from the REO [real estate owned] department or from the agent selected by the bank” [the REO agent]. Heller pointed out that foreclosures are up today roughly 100% over the same time last year, but bank-owned foreclosures are up more than 300%. This means investors who learn how to buy bank-owned foreclosures can be assured of one thing if nothing else—an abundant supply of deals now and in the foreseeable future. Heller maintains that one of the great things about real estate is that even would-be investors without credit or cash can prosper in today’s environment. “You have to be realistic. If you have no credit, no cash, no job, you can still get involved, but you will be limited until your credit and cash situation improve.” Heller recommends real estate investing clubs as sources for contacts. “You can meet people from all walks of life interested in investing, many with very deep pockets seeking help with the legwork involved in finding deals.” To meet the needs of these time-strapped investors, newcomers without ample cash or credit can get their start by pursuing an investment strategy called “wholesaling.” “They can approach the bank’s REO department, uncover properties and then present the possibilities to a potential buyer who doesn’t have time to do the legwork,” Heller said. In exchange, the wholesaler receives a commission. “After the first four or five deals you don’t have to assign your deals anymore. The relationship you’ve established with the bank is your own, and hopefully they like you and they like to do business with you and you’re set.” Heller responded cautiously when asked if government intervention will affect his model. “This is uncharted territory. Hank Paulson

and Ben Bernanke don’t know what’s going to happen. I can’t tell, either. But I do feel comfortable saying that I don’t believe that the Feds will have any significant impact on investors. What it [federal activity] may do is delay some of the homes going into foreclosure. But once things start to go south, it’s hard for most people to turn things around. If the government helps 10-20% of these families stay in their homes, it’s not going to have a large effect on the investing community. “One of the most exciting things about bank foreclosures is that once you’ve bought one property from a source, you own that relationship for a lifetime. It’s not like buying a house from an owner or distressed seller. A bank or the bank’s preferred real estate agent has the potential to sell you multiple properties. Whether you are seeking to set yourself up as a wholesaler or seeking to ensure your financial security while currently well employed, Heller said that this market can be summed up in three words: “deals, deals, deals. Today there are more good opportunities to buy than I could have ever imagined just a few years ago. My world is a microcosm of what’s happening across the country,” he continued. “This is the greatest opportunity a real estate investor has had in decades.” n

In today’s challenging economy, Andy Heller has become a much-in-demand speaker, traveling several times a month to deliver seminars. “Our entry into the seminar market was opposite to most,” he explained. “We wrote the book because somebody recommended over coffee that our model made so much sense, we should share this with other investors. After Fortune magazine included the book among its top real estate recommends, we set up a website. Real estate investment clubs started asking me to come speak. Then, they wanted to learn the specifics of what we do. So we set up a way to teach our system of long-term wealth building,” he said. For more information about Heller and Frank’s company, Regular Riches LLC, visit www.RegularRiches.com.

American traveler January/February 2009 |

Business Class

Alleviating Pain, Achieving Gain

Building the Top Line in Uncertain Times

by Amanda Bjerke

eorge Ludwig, like many Americans, is a man at a crossroads. After a successful career in sales management and training at a Fortune 50 company, he launched his own Chicagobased research and development firm, George Ludwig Unlimited, nine years ago. Since then he’s helped dozens of companies fine-tune their sales methodology by meticulously investigating policies and practices, diagnosing problems and offering custom-fit solutions. His success would seemingly dictate expansion. But Ludwig is reluctant to hire a staff of consultants to mimic his procedures. “I consider my company a boutique consulting firm, able to diagnose where a company is hurting and what specifically it needs to do to heal. I am not sure that kind of in-depth examination and my personal enthusiasm for each project can be morphed into a larger sales training firm.” Ludwig noted that uncertain economic times present huge potential for his consulting business and, despite his passion for in-depth research, he acknowledged that certain strategies can benefit all companies. The importance of face-to-face contact is especially high on his list. “There’s a great deal of uncertainty in the marketplace right now. At a psychological level and a physical level, people who buy products business-to-business want to make sure they’re making a wise investment, that they’re not risking their jobs by making this decision. They’re more afraid of a mistake than when the top-line is busting out. That’s why it’s so important to go and see the customer. When the competition is in a more tentative position and we show up on site, that’s a huge statement. It shows we are 18 | American traveler January/February 2009

committed to service, committed to product, committed to the client. “Also when you are face-to-face with a customer, you can instill a sense of confidence and conviction—a sense of certainty that you have their best interests in mind; that your product or service is going to deliver all the benefits you say it will. There’s something about body language, looking someone in the eye that gives that sense of certainty. That’s something that can never be achieved on the phone or with an email.” Ludwig makes field studies a part of his service and even calls on customers with the sales people he evaluates and trains. He frequently compares sales people with physicians. “Like a doctor, we can’t diagnose a patient over the telephone or via email. We can’t really understand a client’s situation—what keeps them up at night—their pain, their goals, what they are trying to accomplish and why—from a distance. Like a doctor we have to work with them to alleviate the pain and help them achieve their desired gain. “Phone calls, email, even direct mail can augment our selling efforts to keep us at the top of the customer’s mind, but they can never help us establish a rapport. They can’t begin to allow us to connect at multi-levels verbally and non-verbally to build the trusting relationship necessary to make the sale.” Face-to-face contact is especially important in an increasingly competitive and challenging business environment. “If we don’t have that

personal contact, it makes it easy for the client to put off making a decision. If we never show up, they might let it slide 90 days. If we do show up and do all the sales steps properly, there’s a great chance we can get the business right now.” The message sales people deliver is also important, according to Ludwig. “So many times we focus on features or benefits a product or service delivers. That’s the right track, and in good times that may be enough, but in these times marketing, advertising, the whole message has to be more ‘spot-on’ in dialing into the emotional needs of the client. We need to address their uncertainties and help them alleviate the pain or achieve the gain. When a confident, enthusiastic salesperson comes bounding through the door sharing stories about how they have helped others be successful, they bring hope in a sea of uncertainty.” Challenges have a way of separating the cream of a sales team from those members who are not achieving their potential, Ludwig explained. “In good times sales people who are good but not great can make their quotas and get the job done. When things get more difficult, you can readily differentiate between the person who is a successful seller and those who are in the middle of the pack. This is the time to identify our Achilles heels, and take the steps necessary to shore up that area. Frankly, that’s why I am confident my business will continue to prevail; this is a great time for people to get added training.” Above all he emphasized the importance of keeping a positive attitude even in a difficult business environment. “It doesn’t matter how great your game plan or your mastery of the skills of sales, if you can’t run that three-pound computer that sits between your ears in a positive way, you won’t be as effective. Psychology becomes cultural in a company. Right now if even one or two [people] in leadership, one or two sales leaders buy into a negative mindset, it can spread like cancer. A negative attitude will derail any chance of success.” n

George Ludwig, former sales manager of a Fortune 50 company, is now a sales consultant who emphasized that in challenging times it’s important that individuals “conquer the crisis. We can’t count on the government to bail us out. We have to participate in our own rescue,” he said. Toward that end he offers the following advice: 1. Think of other times in your life when things looked bleak and yet somehow you mustered the strength and the emotional fitness to weather the storm and come out the other side. If you’re having a bad quarter, or even a bad year, look at the past and replay the tapes in your mind. Remember the old adage, “tough times don’t last; tough people do.’” 2. Life deals up defining moments. Some are created by the choices we make; others are caused by circumstances beyond our control. But we can always control what they mean to us and the way we respond. We must decide to prevail. There may be a financial winter if you will. We can’t waste time sitting in the basement. We have to get out face-to-face, to create momentum, create energy because we know that the springtime will come. 3. Uncertain times are the times for conditioning. Sales people always need to be on their game. It takes a great deal of conditioning. This is the time to go back to fundamentals. Get in shape mentally, spiritually, physically. Do 10 push-ups; build physical power. Connect to the creator, whatever your faith is, reconnect. Stay mentally focused on what you want, not what you don’t want. Connect to the compelling reasons you want to achieve your goals—whether it’s to give more to a charitable cause or make a purchase, think about why you do what you do. A compelling reason to achieve makes us endure.

American traveler January/February 2009 |

On Onthe theFly Fly

s p i T Top

Air travel, the world’s great equalizer, shrinks our planet and unites unlikely companions in a shared experience. On any given day, the skies are filled with passengers from every walk of life. Some cover hundreds of thousands of miles each year. In this column, frequent fliers share their best travel advice.

Subway Guy Travels Light

by Anna G. Hobart

20 | American traveler January/February 2009

Jared Fogle with his “before” pants

carriers I can. If your bags are already shipped through you can’t reschedule very easily.” His laptop is a staple. “I am always checking the airlines’ flight schedules. If it looks like there could be a delay it helps to know the options.” Flexibility and good humor are key to making the most of modern air travel, he said. “Basically I am just a happy camper. I can always find ways to adapt. There’s no reason to get angry in stressful situations. It’s always better to turn lemons into lemonade.” n

Jared Fogle: Subway ® Restaraunts

en years ago, Jared Fogle—aka the Subway Guy—became an accidental celebrity. That’s when his self-imposed daily diet of black coffee and two low-fat Subway sandwiches caught the attention of the restaurant chain and captivated the country. He lost 240 pounds and gained a long-playing role as Subway’s pitchman. There’s more to the work than starring in commercials and providing a trim photograph to promotional displays. For 250 days out of every year, Fogle flies across the country lending his presence to a roster of Subway-related events. We caught up with him in Boise, Idaho where he was taking part in the St. Luke’s Women’s Fitness Celebration. He explained that his unusual career was purely a matter of happenstance. Regional Subway executives heard about his remarkable weight loss and went looking for him. A local ad agency crafted a campaign, sales soared, the ads went national and he’s been part of the company’s marketing plan ever since. His fast-paced travel schedule fulfills one of Fogle’s childhood dreams. “I always wanted to travel all over the country and stay in nice hotels. That’s what I get to do now,” he said. “Three years into this I could say I’d been to every state.” Fogle who holds platinum frequent-flier status on three carriers said focusing on essentials is vital in today’s travel environment. “People tend to over-pack. I see them with all this stuff and I always wish I could talk to them after the trip and ask them ‘how many of those clothes did you really use?’ We all need to realize what isn’t necessary.” Traveling light has other advantages. “I try to limit myself to just one carry-on. That way if something comes up and I have to change

On the Fly

TV Host Stays Flexible

Samantha Brown on the Brooklyn Bridge

Samantha Brown: Joshua Cogan

s host of the Travel Channel’s Passport to Great Weekends and other related programs, Samantha Brown spends more than 230 days away from home every year. A small-town girl who grew up on an island off New Hampshire’s tiny coast, Brown never aspired to a globetrotting existence. “I went to school to be an actress. On these cable shows there are no scripts, so my ability to improvise serves me well.” In traveling, as in acting, “flexibility counts,” Brown emphasized. “I guess if I could share one important survival tip it would be to encourage people to change their way of thinking about things. Right now anything can happen. Flights can get cancelled or delayed and it’s easy to get frustrated if you feel like your time is being stolen. So I always tell people, change your thinking. This is not time wasted. This is time gained. Get a book; get a magazine. Read about something you know nothing about but would like to learn. If you gain new information, you realize you’ve actually gained time. You’ve learned something. It works for me.”

With the same “girl-next-door” breeziness that marks her TV persona, Brown shared downto-earth travel advice. “I used to roll my clothes but now I love compression squares. I think they are absolutely brilliant. I can get four shirts, three pants, a dress and underwear all into one tiny cube that fits in the carryon with room to spare.” Ask her about the potential for wrinkled clothes. “Mostly, I embrace wrinkles. I do look for wrinkle-free clothes, but sometimes I just wear wrinkles. I’m not opposed to ironing. Every hotel in America has an ironing board. In Europe I bring along a tiny bottle of wrinkle release.” In addition to the condensed cube of clothes, Brown’s carryon typically holds earplugs and a jar of peanut butter. “You can always find something in an airport that goes well with peanut butter. It’s especially handy when I’m traveling to Europe or Latin America. You get in late and you’re tired. This way I don’t have to speak another language to eat,” she said. n

savvy Secret:

Samantha Brown never leaves home without her two pinky balls. “You can get them at any toy store. They’re really hard rubber balls. When I get to my hotel room, I put them on the floor, side by side, and then I lay down on them so they’re up by my shoulder blades. I push up with my knees so the balls roll down my back, my glutes, my legs. Then, I stand on them and massage my feet. It saves me a $250 massage. And, I find that when I’m done I feel completely acclimated to wherever I am.”

American traveler January/February 2009 |

On Onthe theFly Fly

Going “Great” Places

s Miss America 2008 Kirsten Haglund logged more than 20,000 air miles each month. During her reign she crisscrossed the nation adding dazzle to everything from a pancake breakfast fundraiser at the Hollywood, California IHOP to an anti-smoking event at a Schenectady, New York supermarket. Along the way the 19-year-old from Farmington Hills, Michigan learned some valuable travel lessons—sometimes the hard way. “Don’t pack anything breakable. If it can break, it will. I carry a lot of toiletries, and if I put them in checked luggage, I always wrap them in plastic. I’ve had things leak, too.” Despite the occasional mishap, the aspiring singer-actress credits her travels with inspiring a newfound wonder at all America has to offer.

22 | American traveler January/February 2009

“We had lots of great family vacations when I was growing up, and from the time I was 11 years old I went away to ballet camp every summer. In high school I traveled with the choir, and I was fortunate to perform with the ballet in Edinburgh, Scotland, so I had quite a bit of travel experience. But my time as Miss America gave me the opportunity to go to some great places I would not have visited otherwise like Sheridan, Wyoming. I got to experience the distinct differences in the different regions, but I also discovered that people everywhere are basically the same—warm and friendly. I recommend that everyone take time to travel in America. It not only stimulates our economy; you learn a lot about naturally beautiful, culturally distinct places. ” As Miss America she encountered unique packing challenges. “I had to take lots of shoes. They weigh a lot. So do toiletries. I check two bags and strategize the weight so there’s a mixture of light and heavy in each suitcase. I also learned to wear shoes that slip off and on easily to make security easier and not to wear jewelry that sets off the metal detector.” Instead she stashed her ample bling in her carry-on bag along with plenty of reading material. Her other must-have onboard item? “My crown,” she said. n

Kirsten Haglund: Jacob Andrzejczak

Miss America

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Safe Keeping News from TSA

tsa

Combating the Threat of Liquid Explosives

or more than two years, passengers have been asked to show up at airport security checkpoints with their one-quart, re-sealable baggie full of three-ounce liquid and gel products. One of the most frequent questions we get at TSA is: Will we have to carry these baggies forever? We know that liquid explosives still present a very real threat to aviation security. This threat was highlighted this summer when a UK court found three individuals guilty of conspiracy to commit murder on an aircraft. The plot involved liquid explosives, and it was their actions that prompted a complete ban on liquids and gels on aircraft back in August 2006. Shortly thereafter, TSA implemented the current 3-1-1 rules (3 ounce containers/1 quart bag/1 bag per person). When it comes to liquids, everybody involved with checkpoint operations—passengers, airlines, airports and TSA employees—agrees that there has to be a better way. Intelligence shows that terrorists are always looking at different kinds of explosives formulas, as well as ways they could bring them onboard an aircraft. That won’t change any time soon. If we are to ease liquid restrictions, it will have to be because of improved processes and technology, not diminished threat. That said, there are some exciting innovations already underway at TSA to ease restrictions and continue to improve security. TSA is working with our partners around the world to share technology. This has resulted in a faster development process and will mean that

24 | American traveler January/February 2009

by Kip Hawley, TSA Administrator

there could be common design standards with major partners like Canada, the EU, and Australia. The good news is that by this time next year, we hope to remove all size restrictions on liquid and gel products, although these items will still have to be placed in a separate bin. And by the end of 2010, we anticipate that technology will be advanced enough that we can remove restrictions on liquids and gels altogether. Employing Technology to Detect Liquids TSA already uses several technologies that are effective against liquid and other novel explosives, and is working on others. Here’s a look at where we are and where we’re going. Standard X-Ray can effectively identify the presence of liquids and their containers. But it is not reliable in differentiating all threat liquids from non-threat liquids, which leads to lots of bag searches and restrictions. That’s why we’re increasingly moving to Advanced Technology (AT) X-Ray, which gives us a better, multi-view image of what’s in a bag and employs smarter software that can be upgraded as threats evolve. Between 500-600 AT X-Ray machines were deployed by the end of 2008, and close to double that number will be deployed in 2009. We’ve also deployed more than 6,500 Explosive Trace Detection (ETD) units at checkpoints and checked baggage areas to detect minute particles of explosives residue through the collection of trace samples. TSA has several hundred hand-held ETDs that are capable of detecting explosives particles as well as vapor.

tsa

baggie with bottles: Hailey Poyser

Computed Tomography (CT) Scanners are checkpoint-sized versions of the large checked baggage scanners that have MRI-like capability to detect solids and liquids. They are large and expensive so TSA does not have many of them. We will be deploying them in smaller airports to screen both carry-on and checked baggage. More than 300 bottle scanners—hand-held or bench-top devices—are deployed throughout the country to provide TSA with the capability to differentiate liquid explosives from common, benign liquids. We use them, along with chemical analyzer kits and spectrometers, to test exempt liquids over three ounces and for spot checking passengers and bags. About 40 Whole Body Imagers are currently being used at larger airports around the country, and about 80 more will be deployed by this coming spring. These are the walk-in portals that scan the body and can detect concealed items, including liquids.

Improvised Explosive Device (IED) drills every shift across the country, every day. While liquid restrictions are with us for the better part of the next year, we’re also looking at short-term solutions that will ease the burden on passengers. You may have noticed during this past holiday season that TSA started a “Family/Special Needs” lane at every airport. This lane is designed for families with small children, people with special needs, or anyone who needs a little more time getting through security. We’re also asking all travelers with “exempt” liquids—such as those for medical purposes that are allowed in quantities larger than three ounces—to choose this lane. n For more information visit www.tsa.gov.

Employing the Human Element It’s not just technology that is helping us detect liquids—it’s our people and processes. About 2,000 TSA officers have been specially trained in Behavior Detection; more than 500 canine explosives teams patrol airports; and every TSA transportation security officer in the country is receiving extra specialized training regarding evolving threats, including those posed by liquids. To keep current, TSA runs

American traveler January/February 2009 |

Top Flight Art

Cover Artist Lane Timothy

Painting an American Dream

Like most of Lane Timothy’s paintings, Among the Stars is large—four by five feet to be exact. “I used to work on a really big easel but I didn’t like working on a surface that wasn’t perfectly flat,” he said. “I prefer to see what the work is going to look like when it’s hanging on a wall.” To achieve that goal he screws the canvas into a particleboard wall in his basement studio. “There are nine foot ceilings so it accommodates the format and I also love being able to work at home,” Timothy explained. Thanks for the Memory, another four-byfive foot oil painting by Lane Timohy is shown at left. It graced a past American Traveler cover and depicts the iconic DC-3 passenger plane.

y any assessment, Lane Timothy’s career is going places. Top-drawer galleries in Santa Fe, Scottsdale and Palm Desert represent him. London-based Bentley Publishing Group distributes his giclee prints in 30 countries. Before he completes an oil painting, it is typically sold. At age 33,Timothy’s biggest challenge is keeping up with demand. The artist’s natural ability has attracted attention for much of his life. The Montana native was just a junior in high school when he nabbed top honors at the prestigious C.M. Russell Auction of Western Art. That was back when horses and cowboys—standard Western fare—dominated his work. After high school, he spent a year at the University of Montana before his art took him to Salt Lake City where he beat out college grads for a graphics position at an ad agency.

26 | American traveler January/February 2009

“It was a really good job, but it wasn’t what I wanted to do.” Instead, he went to Europe, studied the techniques of Old Masters and came home to Missoula to paint. “Before that trip I had worked in acrylic, watercolor, pastels, chalk, but not oil. I’m completely self-taught in that media.” Now, all he does is oil on canvas. Timothy’s figurative paintings benefit from dual fascinations with history and travel. His wife is his favorite model and his work deftly places her in different time periods. Prior American Traveler covers featured a pair of 1930s honeymooners, and a woman traveling via the iconic DC-3 aircraft popular from 1935 through the 1950s. This edition’s cover, like all of Timothy’s work, reflects a purely American back-story. “It’s called Among the Stars because I was trying to indicate that this woman has dreams. Maybe they’re of stardom, maybe just

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Lane Timothy’s evocative art is a mainstay at numerous charity auctions. Return to Me, shown here, was painted for Operation Homefront, an organization benefiting those currently serving in the armed forces and their families. The image captures all the emotion of a military farewell, an experience that transcends place and era.

happiness, but she’s full of hope and the belief that realizing her dreams starts by getting to the airport,” Timothy said. Viewers relate to the work at many levels. “I want them to complete their own story. They can decide who she is and where she’s going,” he said. The image also incorporates what Timothy refers to as his “down-home feeling. I think it reflects my Montana roots and also that greater sense that we live in a place where anything is possible.”

For more about the artist and his work, visit www.lanetimothy.com.

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Carry on

6 Secrets to Secure Packing To Check or Not to Check?

or packing expert and author Susan Foster, the answer is easy: “check, please.” She’s so adept at traveling efficiently that one 22-inch rolling bag can sustain her on a monthlong journey across Europe. Yet she has no problem entrusting that bag to the airlines. “I see virtue in traveling light, but that does not have to mean always using a carry-on,” she said. “I don’t want to drag my wheel-aboard along miles of airport concourses. I’m not strong enough or tall enough to lift a loaded bag into the overhead bin. I have faith that my checked luggage will be there when I want to claim it. I prefer to check my bags for everything beyond an overnight or very short trip.” As a “checked bag” devotee, Foster emphasized the importance of understanding the procedure. All checked bags are screened by the TSA, and a visit to her website (below) or www.tsa.gov will provide up-to-date rules and suggestions. Remember to either leave bags unlocked or use a TSA-approved lock to allow for a potential manual check of your bag’s contents. To avoid that possibility, Foster cautions that you should watch what and how you pack. The following common-sense recommendations can streamline the process: 28 | American traveler January/February 2009

Chocolate, cheese and other foods have the same density as explosives and may trigger a manual search. 2. Avoid stacking dense items such as books. Spread them out in a single layer for easier viewing. 3. Neatly wind and pack electric cords. 4. Group small items in clear see-through containers or plastic bags to make it easy for screeners to check and re-pack should they do a search. 5. Pack less or take two lightly packed bags. Over-filled bags take longer to check and are more difficult for security screeners to repack enhancing the possibility that your luggage could miss your flight. 6. Place shoes on top. They may contain metal parts that require hand inspection. Use clear, not cloth, shoe bags to speed inspection.

Susan Foster is the author of the recently revised Smart Packing for Today’s Traveler. For more information about her, the book, or for additional travel tips visit www.smartpacking.com. n

1. Do not pack food in checked bags.

To Your Health

9 Ways to Protect Your Back

ncreased fees for extra checked bags might temp you to cram all you can into a carry-on. Not a good idea. More than 50,000 Americans were treated for back injuries related to lifting luggage last year. That’s why the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons makes the following recommendations for road warriors:

1. When buying luggage look for sturdy pieces with wheels and a handle. Pay special attention to how much each bag weighs when empty. 2. Pack lightly. Carry a lighter bag in each hand rather than one heavy bag in one hand or over your shoulder. 3. Carry luggage as close to your body as possible. Don’t sling backpacks across one shoulder. If you must carry a duffel or shoulder bag, switch shoulders often. 4. If you must use a backpack, choose one with two padded, adjustable shoulder straps. Select a pack with several compartments to secure various-sized items. Pack heavy things low and toward the center. Always wear the pack on both shoulders. 5. Never rush when lifting your suitcase. When placing luggage in the overhead compartment, first lift it onto the top of the seat. Then, with hands situated on the left and right sides of the suitcase, lift it up. If the bag has wheels, place the wheel-side in the compartment first. Then, put one hand on top of the luggage and push it to the back of

the compartment. To remove the luggage, reverse the process. 6. Bend at the knees and lift luggage with your leg muscles—not your back and waist. Avoid twisting and rotating your spine. Stand beside your suitcase, bend your knees, grasp the handle then straighten up. 7. Ask for help lifting luggage if you need it. 8. Don’t carry heavy bags for long periods of time. Stop and rest. 9. Carry all rolling luggage up flights of stairs. 10. Check your bags whenever possible. n

American traveler January/February 2009 |

Out of Bounds Ruby Mountain Helicopter Experience features 200,000 acres of terrain and impeccable wilderness skiing just 20 miles east of Elko, Nevada. During each trip, skiers are guaranteed 39,000 vertical feet, plus gourmet meals and beautiful lodge accommodations at historic Red’s Ranch. Three-day and one-day trips available. Ruby’s central location between Utah and California, and close proximity to other western states, make it one of the most accessible heli-outfits in the U.S. and a great winter escape for family, friends or business associates, a great time for skiers with abilities ranging from intermediate to expert. n 775-753-6867 | www.helicopterskiing.com

Going on a ski vacation this winter? Leave your skis at home! Seriously! One small word can maximize your SKI RENTALS mountaintop experience. “Rent.” Leave cumbersome skis and snowboards at home, and take to the slopes with the latest innovations instead. Rental equipment lessens your baggage hassle, lightens your load and reduces travel stress. It also means more fun once you arrive at the destination. No more worries about a search for lost or delayed gear cutting into your vacation time. No cringing as your swanky skis or beloved board bounces down the oversized bagged chute. No concerns about cramming all that stuff into a rental car and schlepping it to your lodging. Best of all, renting means a chance to experience new equipment—to try before you buy. It’s a liberating adventure, giving your winter getaway an extra measure of peace and pleasure—priceless intangibles available at affordable rates. So, trust American Traveler’s travel experts and consider contacting the fine ski shops listed at right. They all offer for rent a selection of new, top-of-the-line, freshly tuned skis and snowboards. The sighs of relief are free. n 30 | American traveler January/February 2009

Door 2 Door Ski Rentals from Christy Sports Full Service Ski & Snowboard Rental Delivery CO - Steamboat*, Summit County*, Telluride*, Vail, Beaver Creek*, Aspen/Snowmass* ID - Sun Valley WY - Jackson Hole UT - Park City*, Salt Lake City* *Christy Sports locations available for all your retail needs. Mention American Traveler and receive a 10% discount off your family’s ski and snowboard rentals! 866-D2D-SKIS www.d2dskis.com n www.christysports.com

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overnight from your home or office directly to your destination. Visit united.com/traveloptions.

Door-to-Door Baggage. One of the many Travel Options by United.

hat a country! From soaring mountains to deep canyons, inland seas to towering waterfalls, American wonders are sights

to behold. Stunning cityscapes rival the continent’s natural

wonders.

Manhattan’s

dazzling

skyline

glistens at twilight in this David Lyons image of Commercial pilot and fine-art photographer David Lyons

32 | American traveler January/February 2009

the Brooklyn Bridge—among the nation’s most recognizable icons.

First Class

all Featured Photos: ÂŠDavid Lyons

Destinations

New York visitors should make time to stroll across the mile-long span. A pedestrian walkway elevated above the traffic provides amazing views. With sky above and the East River below, the bridge offers serene respite from the high-energy city. Informative plaques mark the way and detail the history of what remains an engineering marvel 126 years after its completion. Each day more than 5,000 pedestrians and 2,500 bicyclists cross the bridge. To join their ranks from the Manhattan side head to Centre Street and Park Row across from City Hall in lower Manhattan. From the Brooklyn side there are stairs at Prospect Street and Cadman Plaza East and a ramp at Johnson and Adams streets, just adjacent to the Brooklyn Federal Court Building.

American traveler January/February 2009 |

First Class Destinations

The Art Deco-style New Yorker Hotel, 481 Eighth Avenue, was completed in 1929 and retains its classic charm while benefiting from recent renovations.

Commercial pilot David Lyons grew up with an eye to the sky. The son of two aviation professionals, he developed childhood interests in both flying and astronomy. The dual passions fueled an interest in photographing the heavens. By the time he was in junior high, his prowess with a camera kept pace with his determination to become an airline pilot. He obtained his general aviation license while still a teenager and worked as a flight instructor all through college. After attaining his degree, Lyons went to work for an airline. His career allows him to capture the nationâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s most impressive sights. While based in New York City last summer he found a worthy muse in the cityâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s historic architecture. 34 | American traveler January/February 2009

First Class Destinations

Here is the life you’ve been waiting for.

The adjoining cities of Fargo, North Dakota and Moorhead, Minnesota invite you to settle in a place of opportunity. Consistently ranked one of the country’s best places to live, work and raise a family, Fargo Moorhead is a safe and clean metropolitan area with great schools, an abundance of high quality jobs and higher education options and thriving arts, culture and entertainment. To learn more and find job opportunities in Fargo Moorhead, visit us online. www.careerfm.com.

www.careerfm.com A program provided by the Greater Fargo Moorhead Economic Development Corporation.

The Chrysler Building located at the intersection of Lexington Avenue and 42nd Street was the world’s tallest building when completed in 1931. This close-up of its Art Deco detail afforded a chance to create what Lyons termed, “a slightly abstract image.”

After you’ve toured Manhattan, done Disney and conquered Vegas and L.A. there’s still much to experience all across the nation’s 3.6-million square miles. (That translates to more than 9-million square kilometers of fun.) The following pages offer tips about some of the USA’s lesserknown travel adventures and opportunities. All are easily accessed by air—still the most efficient way to get where you want to go.

To learn more about David Lyons and his fine-art photography, visit www.exactexposure.com. American traveler January/February 2009 |

First Class Destinations

Elko, nevada

Preserving the Cowboy Way

eehaw! Cowpokes and wannabes hankering for a taste of Western ways would do well to add Elko, Nevada, to their list of must-see destinations. Developed as a shipping center when the railroad came through northeastern Nevada in the 1860s, Elko occupies a patch of high desert at the edge of the Ruby Mountains. Ghost towns are among its closest neighbors. Vast ranches and huge wilderness expanses claim most of the real estate in this part of the world. In the midst of all that wide-open space Elko remains an outpost where time moves slow. Casinos give off a midtwentieth-century vibe; steakhouses serve thick slabs of beef; and preserving the cowboy way is something of a crusade. Elko, like many scenic Western towns, offers ready access to outdoor adventure—from ice climbing and heli-skiing in winter to mountain biking and rock climbing in summer. There are ample dude ranches and wranglers ready to fulfill every childhood cowboy dream. That’s true of lots of places. But only Elko is home to the Western Folklife Center, a repository for all things related to the unique culture of America’s West. Part exhibit gallery, part performance hall, it is located downtown on

36 | American traveler January/February 2009

Railroad Street in the historic Pioneer Hotel. This is the place to learn about everything from traditional crafts such as saddle making to the contributions various ethnic groups made to Western culture. For the past 25 years, the center has produced the annual National Cowboy Poetry Gathering. The event draws thousands to Elko. They come to hear poets and musicians spin tales and weave recollections of a life that still exists on the land surrounding the Nevada town. This year’s January 24-31 event includes a keynote speech by former Supreme Court Justice Sandra Day O’Connor, who grew up on a cattle ranch. A host of regulars also appear, including NPR personality Baxter Black, Polish hobo-cowboy poet Paul Zarzyski, and Grammy Award-winning quartet Riders in the Sky. If you missed this year’s event, no worries. Any time is a fine time to visit Elko and there’s always next year. Cowboy poetry—like so many aspects of Western life—is well preserved in this Nevada town. n

musician Corb Lund: Bert Entwistle

Canadian cowboy musician Corb Lund performs at the 2005 gathering.

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If your only view of Great Falls is from our fabulous airport or from 25,000 feet above ground, you’re missing a world of adventure. In addition to being near the grand Glacier and Yellowstone National Parks, we’ve also got first class museums, historic attractions, thrilling outdoor opportunities and much more.

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American traveler January/February 2009 |

First Class Destinations

Oxnard, California

The Channel Islands National Park

5 Adventures that Make for

or much of its history, this Central Coast community played neglected stepsister to neighboring cities such as surf-chic Ventura and pastoral Thousand Oaks. Despite pleasant beaches, a nice wharf and an emerging downtown, tourists just didn’t flock to the port city with the peculiar name. With the opening of a California Welcome Center just three miles from the airport in May 2006, Oxnard took great strides toward shirking its working class image. Last year, more than 40,000 people sought assistance at the center located at the intersection of highways 1 and 101. They discovered a wealth of information about the Central Coast region including things to see and do in Oxnard. Here are a few mustdo activities.

38 | American traveler January/February 2009

1. Channel Islands: Oxnard provides easy access to the Channel Islands National Park—a unique, albeit seldom visited, chain of tiny islands just 11 miles off shore. Guided tours offer visitors an up-close encounter with a bounty of sea creatures and waterfowl. Kayak adventures are especially popular. Several islands are uninhabited by humans. Rustic campgrounds offer a great respite from the bustle of Southern California just 100 miles away. 2. Whale Watching: Each winter tens of thousands of gray whales make their way from Alaska’s brisk waters to the tranquil sea off Baja California where they bear their young. From December 26 through early April a Channel Island excursion typically includes the opportunity to observe this placid parade of whales. Half-day whale watching trips are also available. A variety of concessionaires depart from the Channel Islands Harbor.

Channel Island National Park: Oxnard Convention and Visitors Bureau

A Whale of a Good Time

5. Eclectic Museums provide a perfect way to cap

Gray whale

a winter’s stay in Oxnard. Baby Boomers will delight in the Woolworth memorabilia housed in the original Woolworth building, 210 W. 4th street. The collection includes old menus, products and an array of 1950s vending machines and electro-mechanical games. They still work. Even the museum’s lunch counter deli is reminiscent of the original. Oxnard is also home to the Ventura County Maritime Museum at 2731 S. Victoria Avenue. It displays nautical models and ships. The Civil Engineer

Gray whale: National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration/Department of Commerce

Carnegie Art Museum: Oxnard Convention and Visitors Bureau

3. Channel Islands Harbor: This area was recently expanded to allow for more waterfront and with it came a new multi-purpose community worthy of a stroll. Seabridge is primarily a residential development touting its marina and seafaring lifestyle. The pedestrian-friendly community includes restaurants and coffee shops that make for great people- and boat-watching. Last summer the Scarlet Belle paddle wheeler joined the harbor lineup. It offers Sunday brunches, coastal cruises and is available for private parties. The harbor’s proximity to a burgeoning downtown area makes it as convenient as it is appealing.

4. Downtown has emerged as a delightful heart of the community with a vibrant arts and dining scene. The Centennial Plaza area features a 14-screen cinema multiplex, a nice variety of restaurants and galleries, and a centerpiece public park. Plaza Park is patterned after a 19th-century town common and features a concert stage that’s home to a free summer concert series and other events throughout the year. Just down the street from the cinemas, the community’s original Woolworth building has been renovated to house retail and office space. The project retained all the charm of the original 1940s design, and developers upped the nostalgia quotient by including what may be the only Woolworth museum in the world.

Carnegie Art Museum in downtown Oxnard

Seabee Museum is currently undergoing a $12-million construction project. The Murphy Auto Museum, just off Highway 1 at Stantham Boulevard, shows more than 50 antique cars including a large collection of Packards, a luxury automobile built between 1899 and 1958. The Carnegie Art Museum, 424 South C Street, provides more typical fare—a nice community collection emphasizing the work of 20th-century California artists. Temporary exhibits broaden the museum’s scope. Prices are very reasonable—just $3 per adult, with reduced rates for students and seniors and no charge for kids under six. n

American traveler January/February 2009 |

First Class Destinations

Santa Fe, New Mexico

Rail Service Enhances 400th Anniversary Festivities By Ben Ikenson Well, they say that Santa Fe is less than ninety miles away. And I got time to - Neil Young roll a number and rent a car. Oh, Albuquerque

eil Young won’t have to rent a car next time he makes the trek between the ABQ airport and New Mexico’s artsy capital city. (It’s actually only about 60 miles, by the way.) This January, the long-cherished dream of connecting Albuquerque to Santa Fe by rail has become a reality. And at just eight bucks per round trip, the Rail Runner Express is good for the pocketbook as well. The train has shuttled commuters between Albuquerque and nearby communities since July 2006. Its devotees laud the Rail Runner’s many advantages. In a survey conducted in February 2008, respondents indicated that even though 89% had access to other transportation, they chose the train because it was economical, environmentally friendly and relaxing.

40 | American traveler January/February 2009

It’s a sure bet tourists will equally benefit from the expanded service. Long known as “The City Different” for its delightful amalgam of Spanish, American and Native American culture, Santa Fe may be the only U.S. state capital without its own major airport. The small Santa Fe municipal facility serves private aircraft. However, commercial travelers must pass through Albuquerque’s International Sunport. And they do. Santa Fe’s rich history, vibrant arts scene and tranquil mountain setting attract visitors by the thousands each year. They come to browse the lively open-air markets, attend the world-class opera, visit arts studios and commune with the natural world. In the midst of a four-year-long celebration of its 400th birthday, Santa Fe is an especially attractive

destination right now. As part of the festivities, a fresh and innovative New Mexico History Museum will open this Memorial Day Weekend. Constructed adjacent to the historic Palace of the Governors—a 17th-century structure that has long-served as a bastion of artifacts detailing the development of America’s Southwest—the new museum will further enhance the traveler’s link with the past. The city also benefits from lodging options that appeal to every budget—from economical motels to luxurious spa-centric resorts. Quaint boutique hotels and bed-and-breakfast inns add to the mix. Restaurants specializing in Southwestern cuisine do much to underscore the unique culture of this very distinctive destination. n KC8?? FlyLansing-ATM:KC-FlyLansing-ATM

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American traveler January/February 2009 |

First Class Destinations

Where the Wild West Lingers

n 1895, legendary pitchman Buffalo Bill Cody first promoted his namesake settlement as a gateway to Yellowstone Park and “one of the Wild West’s last unsettled places.” Cody, Wyoming retains its founder’s vision, drwaing visiThe Irma Hotel tors to relics of Buffalo Bill’s day. The Irma Hotel, built by the impresario in 1901 and named for his daughter, retains the ornate cherrywood bar presented by Queen Victoria. Faux gunfighters take to the streets in nightly performances. Tourists, bound for the national parks, continue to seek a touchpoint with history. Now they find it at the Buffalo Bill Historical Center. Billed as the “Smithsonian of the West,” its five museums under one roof include: The Whitney Gallery of Western Art, a most

uncommon assemblage of icons including George Catlin, Thomas Moran, Albert Bierstadt, Frederick Remington and Charlie Russell. The Plains Indian Museum, a repository for an impressive collection of artifacts, sensitively presents the region’s earliest people—their culture, traditions and values. The Firearm Museum, a comprehensive collection focusing on American weapons—especially the Winchester, the gun that won the West. The Draper Museum of Natural History, 20,000 square feet of highly educational and interactive exhibits exploring the geology, wildlife and human presence in the Greater Yellow-stone Region. The Buffalo Bill Museum, devoted to the life and times of the man who more than 90 years after his death, still commands the lion’s share of hoopla in the town that bears his name. n

Irma Hotel: Courtesy Park County Travel Council

Cody, Wyoming

Aspen, colorado

Slumming like a local by Dave L. Pearson

42 | American traveler January/February 2009

family and friends—including Johnny Depp, Lyle Lovett and Sean Penn—shot his ashes from a cannon near this spot. In Thompson’s day, folks would make the drive out to Woody Creek hoping to meet him. The tavern’s not that easy to find. It sits along a county road; the turn is somewhat concealed from State Highway 82. It is not likely that the tavern would have gained much attention without Thompson’s patronage. As homage, the walls are covered with news clippings and paraphernalia related to the journalist. Other famous Woody Creek residents include Don Henley of the Eagles, actor Don Johnson and Nancy Pelosi. While I can’t guarantee their presence at the tavern, I can tell you the bar food is good. Thick burgers, juicy steaks, a nice assortment of Mexican dishes and lime juice margaritas are reason enough to stop in. The chance to meet up with the locals is an extra perk. Bring cash. Credit cards are not accepted, nor are reservations. n To get to Woody Creek, go west on Colorado Highway 82, threequarters of a mile past the Snowmass turn, then head right on Smith Road into Woody Creek Canyon. At the next fork, go left and continue for a little more than a mile. The experience is worth the effort.

ts status as a playground for the rich and richer defines Aspen’s recent history. Only the village’s weathered brick facades remind visitors that in the 1880s this scenic slice of heaven was a rough-andtumble silver town. Now Colorado’s most affluent zip code attracts the likes of Gucci, Fendi, Chanel and enough haute cuisine to make you feel like you’re on Rodeo Drive—only there’s snow. Maybe that’s why even the A-list locals like to get an authentic taste of the Rockies just northwest of town. Ten miles from the airport, the unincorporated hamlet Woody Creek reflects the extremes of Rocky Mountain life. Mobile homes and modest bungalows mingle with new upscale second homes. Life here centers around the post office and the Woody Creek Tavern, a rustic joint where it’s possible to rub shoulders with folks from all walks of life. The late great Gonzo journalist Hunter S. Thompson was a tavern regular before he took his own life just up the road at Owl Farm, his selfdescribed “fortified compound.” After his death,

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American traveler January/February 2009 |

First Class Destinations

Newport, Oregon

Aquarium’s Swap Harbor Seals and Hope for Pups

Aquarium: Cindy Hanson, Oregon Coast Aquarium

isitors to the Oregon Coast Aquarium may one day have the chance to enjoy the pitter-patter of little flippers. The Newport facility recently exchanged Pinky, a female harbor seal for a male harbor seal from the Seattle Aquarium in hopes of producing offspring. The new resident, a nine-and-a-half-year-old male, known only as Q is shown here. Two Oregon females, Swap and Boots are potential mates for Q. He’ll spend the winter frolicking with the girls in hopes of welcoming pups in spring 2010. In the meantime, Pinky will be lodging with Q’s former poolmate in another breeding effort. Should all attempts fail after two years, the seals will return to their original aquariums. Only marine mammals born in captivity or rescued and rehabilitated from an illness or injury but deemed unfit to survive in the wild live at the Oregon Coast Aquarium, a private, notfor-profit aquatic and marine science educational facility. It offers visitors of all ages a fun and interesting way to learn about Oregon’s unique coastal ecosystem. n

COOS BAY/ NORTH BEND, Oregon

!— Save the date

Southcoast Clambake Jazz Festival Salutes 150 Years of Statehood

44 | American traveler January/February 2009

JAZZ MUSICIAN: Sarah Wegferd / BACKGROUND IMAGE: Bill Smith

ny time is a good time to visit the charming coastal communities of Coos Bay and North Bend. Visitors can always enjoy great seafood, golf, beach combing, dune buggy rides and charter boat cruises. The annual Clambake Jazz Festival simply adds to the fun. This year’s event, slated for March 13-15, really ups the entertainment ante. Special events, awards and drawings celebrating Oregon’s 150th birthday will be held throughout the weekend. As always, festival organizers promise great crabbing from local docks, ample opportunity to feast on tasty crustaceans and great music. Bands from as far away as Denver will serve up a variety of feel-good music. Big band, zydeco, jump ’n’ jive, boogie woogie, do Just Dune Jazz wop, hot blues and cool soul sounds are all part of the mix. Of course, there’s also plenty of traditional Dixieland. The four main venues, including festival headquarters at the Mill Casino, boast a dance floor, and the nearby fishing village Charleston provides an added music site on Saturday. On Sunday morning Southwestern College hosts a Jazz Gospel Service. To learn more about the event, visit www.clambakejazz.org. n

First Class Destinations

Gainesville, Florida Capuchin monkeys

Unique Zoo Teaches As It Entertains

very zoo helps visitors understand a bit more about the animal kingdom. At Santa Fe Community College, a unique program also educates student zookeepers. The Teaching Zoo is operated as part of the school’s zoo technology program—one of the nation’s leaders in the field. Endorsed by celebrity zookeeper Jack Hanna, the facility also serves as Gainesville’s public zoo. It houses more than 80 species including bald eagle, white-throated Capuchin monkeys, Asian otters, African parrots and Galapagos tortoise. It is open every weekend from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. and on weekdays by appointment. The nominal fees—$4 for adults, $3 for children ages three and older and senior citizens—are the same every day. A tour guide—typically a college student—accompanies all visitors. The guides offer interesting facts about the animals and efforts to conserve them. Weekend tours are conducted at approximately half-hour intervals. Appointments should be scheduled at least three days in advance by calling 352-395-5601. Groups can sign up for a package combining a visit to the zoo with a planetarium show for just a Galapagos tortoise dollar more per person. n

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www.ﬂygainesville.com American traveler January/February 2009 |

First Class Destinations

North of San Diego, California

3 Reasons to Visit Oceanside

t first encounter Oceanside seems a typical SoCal community— long on sunshine, salty air and suburban developments. Just 30 miles north of San Diego, its six miles of pretty beachfront make it a popular place to live. Proximity to the Marine Corps’ Camp Pendleton infuses the community with an extra measure of youthful energy, and for smart San Diego County travelers, a trip to Oceanside is a day at the beach—and more. Here are some special attractions.

1. The Mission of San Luis Rey de Francia: The largest of California’s Spanish missions deserves its nickname the “king of the missions.” Named to honor Saint Louis IX King of France, it is a regal structure. Established in 1798 by Junipera Serra’s successor Fermin Fernando de Lasuen, the mission’s rich history parallels that of Southern California. The current structure, completed in 1811, is a massive architectural delight, incorporating elements of Moorish, Spanish and Mexican design. The surrounding grounds, including a lovelygarden, are equally appealing.

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Still maintained by the Franciscans, it is both a functioning church and museum. Visitors can readily imagine a time when this imposing building served as the centerpiece of a settlement sprawling across tens of thousands of productive acres and employing more than 3,000 Native Americans. For hours, fees and other information, visit www.sanluisrey.org.

2. The Pier: First constructed in 1888 and rebuilt five times since, the 1,942 foot structure remains the longest wooden pier on the U.S. West Coast. Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s a great place for a gorgeous seaside stroll. At the end, sits Oceansideâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s landmark, Rubyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Diner, a 1950s-style eatery featuring a menu right out of Happy Days. In addition to root beer floats, vanilla cokes and malts, an assortment of burgers, fries and other satisfying, albeit artery challenging, fare are the order of the day. The views are as delicious as the food. During peak hours, the wait can last 30 minutes or more, but proximity to the marina and 436_XXX_RDM_Airport-AmerTrav_m1.pdf

5/12/08

the oceanfront make time pass quickly. After eating, the walk back along the pier dispels calories and guilt.

3. The California Surf Museum: Surfers and wannabes will enjoy tracing the history of Californiaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s defining sport at this facility. Although it is one of several surfing museums dotting the Golden State, staff members are quick to point out that the state legislature made this the official repository for all things surfing-related. Even folks who donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t know a rocker from a stringer will enjoy becoming acquainted with the sportâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s evolution. The Surf Shapers exhibit details the contributions of surfing icons Duke Kahanamoku, Tom Blake, Hobie Alter and other pioneers. The gift shop offers souvenirs that ooze quintessential California attitude. The museum is located in downtown Oceanside at 223 North Coast Highway. There is no admission charge. For more information, visit www.surfmuseum.org. n

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First Class Destinations

Palm Springs, California

esides playing golf, sunning, shopping and swimming, visitors to the Palms Springs area can enjoy many unique activities. If you want to get out, see some remarkable scenery and stretch your legs two natural attractions are a must. Joshua Tree National Park is about an hour-and-a-half drive east into another world. In this rugged environment millions of â&#x20AC;&#x153;prayingâ&#x20AC;? Joshua trees raise their hands to the heavens. Many other unusual plants (and a few animals) also thrive in a desert equally noted for its rocks. Huge and towering formations of monzogranite, carved over millions of years, make this place a rock climbing dreamscape. Aficionados of the sport come from all over the world to scale these natural sculptures. Watching

the climbers provides its own entertainmentâ&#x20AC;&#x201D; Joshua Tree National Park and often inspires beginners to give it a try. Many rock-climbing courses are offered in this park. Closer to the city, yet equally spectacular, is the Palm Spring Aerial Tramway, which runs from the Palm Springsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; desert foothills to high atop the San Jacinto Mountains. This is a magnificent, gorgeous ride, as well as an amazing engineering feat. Traveling to 12,780 feet with a 5,873-foot difference in elevation can produce a temperature change of more than 40 degrees! Really, when itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s 110 degrees or above in Palm Springs, it can be a positively spring-

Tree and Tram: Mark Graves

This desert blooms by Bob Ecker

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Je vole GTR. Je vole GTR Volo GTR.

I ďŹ&#x201A;y GTR. Ich fliege GTR

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like 70 degrees at the Mountain Station. One of only three rotating trams in the world, this very steep, fun ride brings visitors from the desert into the striking, coniferous forest of the San Jacinto State Park. Fantastic walks, picnic areas and all kinds of hiking trails are available. But the views are the best reason to make this trek. From rocky overlooks off the Desert View Trail, one can observe the red-hued buildings of Palm Springs blending with pale desert geometry. Occasional cream puff clouds float by and remind you that weather is never far from the mountaintop. “It’s very quiet up here,” said Patty Barton, visiting from Manteca, California. “I love mountains and this [the tram] is such a great thing to do in Palm Springs.” n

Palm Spring Aerial Tramway

Imagine yourself in Missoula… Getting here is easier than you think!

Allegiant Air – Las Vegas, Phoenix Delta Connection/SkyWest Airlines – Salt Lake City Horizon Air – Seattle Northwest Airlines – Minneapolis United Airlines/United Express – Denver, Chicago

5 airlines providing non-stop service to 7 destinations and connecting flights to thousands of destinations worldwide.

www.flymissoula.com American traveler January/February 2009 |

The Wonders of Redding By Anna G. Hobart

â&#x20AC;&#x153;I consider the evening twilight on Mt. Shasta one of the grandest sights I have ever witnessed.â&#x20AC;?

50 | American traveler January/February 2009

Theodore Roosevelt, 1908

t the epicenter of California’s far-north country, Redding benefits from picture-perfect recreational opportunities all through the year. Lake Shasta, shown here, welcomes houseboats in summer and fishermen in winter. California’s largest manmade body of water boasts a 370-mile shoreline and when filled to capacity covers approximately 30,000 acres. At some points it reaches depths of 500 feet. It makes for prime year-round fishing. In winter, the number of anglers declines dramatically, but the fish are still there. Bass, trout, landlocked salmon and catfish make their homes here. Outdoor enthusiasts find a lot to love in winter—snowshoeing, Nordic skiing, dog sledding and more. Wildlife, including black bear, black-tailed deer, mountain lion and eagles make their home along the lake. Landmark Mount Shasta rises 14,179 feet above the clear waters, a perpetually snowcapped volcano.

American traveler January/February 2009 |

The Sacramento River rambles through the city’s center, connecting the urban environment with the pulse of a pristine countryside. In town, the world’s largest sundial bridge connects the 12-mile Sacramento River Trail with the east end of Turtle Bay Exploration Park. The $23-million dollar span was completed in 2004 and is heralded as a functional work of art. Hovering 26 feet above the water’s surface and extending 700 feet, it accommodates pedestrians and bicyclists and features a deck surfaced with illuminated translucent glass. An unusual cantilevered design resists wind and gravity. The single mast casts its shadow on a large garden-lined plate below. It’s easy to see the shadow progress with the rotation of the earth. All Redding visitors should make time for a stroll across its glowing walkway.

Santiago Calatrava designed this Sundial Bridge at Turtle Bay, Redding.

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52 | American traveler January/February 2009

River Trail: Redding CVB / Marlys Johnson

Downtown Redding benefits from a 12-mile trail meandering along the Sacramento River’s banks.

Is Redding’s sundial bridge a precise timepiece? Typically, sundials correctly aligned with the earth’s axis are accurate for their specific location. They may or may not agree with a cell phone or wristwatch due to a decision made nearly a century ago. Prior to the Standard Time Act of 1918, time was gauged locally and based upon the sun. Noon occurred when the sun was overhead. Time zones were created to facilitate train travel and cross-country business. The astronomical relationships that create time as we know it drive the accuracy of properly aligned sundials. However, because the bridge’s location over the river limited the Redding span’s alignment, this “sundial” is accurate only for a few hours on June 21, the longest day of the year. n

Calatrava’s masterpiece is the world’s largest sundial bridge. American traveler January/February 2009 |

| january Boise, ID | Ongoing through February 8

Gainesville, FL | January 28

Jun Kaneko

Riverdance

Best known for creating impressive, slab-built rounded sculptures, Japanese-American artist Jun Kaneko’s larger-than-life designs command wonder. His imposing ceramic works rise as high as 11 feet and weigh 1,000 pounds or more. This exhibition features an extensive representation of Kaneko’s sculpture, drawings and paintings created during the past two decades. www.boiseartmuseum.org

This thrilling celebration of Irish music, song and dance has tapped its way onto the world stage captivating audiences across the globe. Three farewell performances at the Phillips Center for the Performing Arts provide a chance to see it one more time. www.events.gainesville.com

Truckee, CA | January 29 – February 1 Salt Lake City, UT | Ongoing through February 15

An Innermost Journey

A survey and celebration of Shauna Cook Clinger’s career and artwork, An Innermost Journey showcases several of the artist’s large scale paintings reflecting the last thirty years of her career. The exhibition is comprised of two parts: the “outer focus” of commissioned portraits and the “inner focus” of symbolic self-portraits. www.umfa.utah.edu

US Snowboarding Grand Prix

Boreal Mountain Resort hosts a portion of this year’s national snowboarding event. Top riders in America vie for $300,000 in cash prizes at world-class venues. www.ussnowboarding.com

Eugene, OR | January 30 – February 1

Oregon Truffle Festival ASPEN, CO | NOW - February 1

Photo: Josh White

NOW YOU SEE IT

Walead Beshty, Fold (80 Degree Directional Light Source) November 27th 2006, Valencia, CA, Ilford Multigrade Fiber IV (2007). Private Collection

Nineteen contemporary artists challenge assumptions about the essence of an artwork’s materials. Including: Walead Beshty, Alexandra Bircken, Ceal Floyer, Tom Friedman, Felix Gonzalez–Torres, Wade Guyton, Anna Sew Hoy, Wolfgang Laib, Robert Morris, William O’Brien, Mitzi Pederson, Dieter Roth, Robert Ryman, Fred Sandback, Gedi Sibony, Rudolf Stingel, Lawrence Weiner, Jennifer West, and Erwin Wurm. More at 970-925-8050 or www.aspenartmuseum.org

Albuquerque, NM | Ongoing through March 29

Jamestown, Québec, Santa Fe: Three North American Beginnings

Grow your gray matter at this presentation tracing the story of three momentous New World settlements—English Jamestown, French Québec and Spanish Santa Fe. This exhibit offers insight into the indelible impressions each settlement left on an entire continent. www.cabq.gov/museum Casper, WY | January 23 – March 29

Next Generation

The Nicolaysen Art Museum highlights the diverse work of three contemporary artists alongside its permanent collection in this joint-focus exhibition. Portrait and landscape painter Tom Loepp, landscape painter Jenny Glenn Wuerker and ceramicist Mike Olson are showcased. www.thenic.org

54 | American traveler January/February 2009

Celebrate this delicacy with three days of tastings, tours and workshops. In its fourth year, this gastronomic sensation immerses participants in all things truffle. At the weekend’s conclusion, the Grand Truffle Dinner delights with creations by Oregon’s top chefs. www.oregontrufflefestival.com

Jackson, WY | January 30 – February 7

International Pedigree Stage Stop Sled Dog Race

The fur will be flying from Wyoming to Utah, as the largest sled dog race in the lower 48 blows through the frozen West. Top canines compete in the 14th annual version of the event. From musher meet-and-greets to Dutch oven dinners, spectators and participants gather in 10 Western towns from the Jackson Hole start to the Park City, Utah finish. www.wyomingstagestop.org

Rapid City, SD | January 30 – February 8

Black Hills Stock Show and Rodeo

Head to the hills and check out the 2009 Black Hills Stock Show and Rodeo. Events include: bull riding, calf roping, steer wrestling, barrel racing, saddle bronco riding and team roping competitions. www.blackhillsstockshow.com

Washington, DC | January 31

KidSpy Festival

Do you have the savvy to beat a lie-detector, the smarts to break a topsecret coded message, the wits to create secret writing and the moves of a Ninja? Bring the family and try all this and more at the International Spy Museum’s first ever Spy Fest. www.spymuseum.org

| february Steamboat Springs, CO | February 4-8

Nashville, TN | February 14-15

Winter Carnival

Nashville Symphony

This celebration embraces Steamboat Springs’ Western heritage and highlights its winter sports tradition. Festivities include ski jumping competitions, snowboarding jam session, soda pop slalom, tubing party, a brilliant fireworks display, the famous Lighted Man and more. www.steamboat-chamber.com

Lansing, MI | February 4-8

The Color Purple

Lansing’s Wharton Center presents The Color Purple adapted for the stage by Pulitzer Prize- and Tony Award®-winner Marsha Norman, with music and lyrics by Grammy® Award winners Brenda Russell, Allee Willis and Stephen Bray and choreography by Donald Byrd. www.whartoncenter.com Albuquerque, NM | February 8-15

Italian Film Festival

At the third annual New Mexico Italian Film Festival movie lovers catch a series of “classic” Italian films blended with more contemporary and brand new offerings. Movies and events take place at various venues throughout the city and all proceeds benefit the University of New Mexico Children’s Hospital. www.italianfilmfest.org Klamath Falls, OR | February 13-15

Winter Wings Festival, Bald Eagle and Waterfowl Celebration The Winter Wings Festival “tweets” bird lovers to receptions, field trips, workshops, and more. Vendors, live birds, and eclectic displays offer fun for the whole family. Photography enthusiasts can sharpen their skills at a special photography workshop and safari sponsored by Canon, USA. www.travelklamath.com

Surprise your sweetheart with a special Nashville Symphony Valentine’s concert featuring reigning virtuoso of the violin Itzhak Perlman. Gracing the bill in a rare Nashville appearance as both violin soloist and conductor, Perlman adds his flare to works by Beethoven, Brahms and Tchaikovsky. 615-687-6400

Place your event Ad Here Calendar listings consist of one four color photo and 40 words. We provide the production.

Please Call Teena Wright at 208-333-9990 Ext. 106 teena@gopubinc.com www.americantravelermagazine.com

Escondido, CA | February 14-22

Amgen Tour of California

Cheer on professional teams and athletes from around the world in this superlative cycling road race. Participants commence the Tour de France-style, nine-day race in Rancho Bernardo and wend their way through California’s varied terrain to the Escondido finish line. This “rolling festival” features Lance Armstrong’s highly anticipated return to competitive professional cycling. www.sandiegonorth.com Portland, OR | February 25-27

Trey McIntyre Project: White Bird Dance Traverse City, MI | February 13-16

Cherry Capital Winter Wonderfest

This three-day celebration offers music, pageantry, food, wine and winter sports. Competitive events range from the familiar (a 5K “frozen foot race” and a broomball tournament) to the bizarre (a cherry pit spitting contest and a frozen fish toss). www.grandtraverseresort.com

Using classical ballet as the point of departure, acclaimed dancer and choreographer Trey McIntyre creates emotionally charged dances that defy categorization, set to musical scores ranging from Beethoven to Beck, the Beatles to Pink Martini. Enjoy the Portland debut of the Trey McIntyre Project with an evening of dances bursting with dazzling creativity and heightened physicality. www.whitebird.org

Missoula, MT | February 13-22

Big Sky Documentary Film Festival

This year’s event highlights more than 100 extraordinary films from 40 countries, a selection chosen from nearly 1,000 submissions. The festival offers the most diverse exhibition of work to ever be screened under the Big Sky. www.bigskyfilmfest.org

American traveler January/February 2009 |

Games The answers to clues in bold face print can be found in the magazine’s pages. Solution on page 60 1

53 57

56 | American traveler January/February 2009

ACROSS 1 Top-Flight ___ 4 Collection of maps 9 Weapons 13 Foretell 14 Instruct 15 Before long 16 Killer whale 17 TSA’s _____ -one-one rule 18 Edible tuber 19 Fish eggs 20 Quick look 21 Renovate 22 Express support 24 Noble 26 Nae 27 Nicety 31 Cowboys who gather in Elko 34 Battery terminal 35 Tear 36 Bump or dip on a body part 37 Intestinal obstruction 38 Basic currency of Papua New Guinea 39 MGM’s mascot name 40 Icons 41 More delicate 42 Without sin 44 Plant 45 Capital of Italy 46 Colorado’s Steamboat _______

45 50

28 35

26 31

50 _____side 53 Employ 54 Acknowledgement of debt 55 Forsaken 56 New Zealand evergreen tree 58 Egg cell 59 Long, slim fish (cobia) 60 Greek physician from Pergumum 61 Solid oils 62 On sheltered side 63 Indian intoxicant 64 Fast way to get where you want to go DOWN 1 Worn to protect the clothing 2 Ran swiftly 3 White, green or oolong 4 Assert to be trie 5 Snicker 6 Songbird 7 Very skilled person 8 Fem. pronoun 9 Backward direction 10 Horse of mixed color 11 Additional 12 Steep and deep place for winter fun 13 Annoyed 20 Career golfers

21 Wiccan guideline 23 Upon 24 Sanctimonious 25 Finishes 27 Assumed prayer position 28 Gray or Brockovich 29 Trigonometric function 30 Box a bit 31 Hungarian sheepdog 32 Sign 33 Describing a hard, black wood 34 Isolated 37 As previously referred to 38 Flightless bird 40 Image 41 At the bow of a vessel 43 John Wayne’s County? 44 Leap 46 Seductively beautiful woman 47 Pertaining to snow 48 Defining a disease marked by high levels of uric acid 49 Adds 50 Earthen pot 51 Loop 52 Sea eagle 53 Hawaiian native dance 56 Soviet secret police 57 Exclamation of surprise 58 Not on

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AmericanTraveler

Kidsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; Page Seek and find these hidden words

D T Four of the hearts have a twin, draw lines to connect the matching hearts!

R R

start

DDF DDD L L T B N Z V N D R HT R H R R N T R T D NL R R ND P R R V N F HH DN L

Help the cupid find his way to the hearts! Then help him find his way out!

L love

heart R N cupid mom F sweet B H valentine hug chocolate fun H L candy N card T charm dad

finish

Good Luck!

58 | American traveler January/February 2009

Games

Kakuro Puzzle How to play: A Kakuro puzzle is simple. Just like

Sudoku, the playing area is made up of blocks of squares that run in rows (horizontal) and in columns (vertical). The shaded clue squares have diagonal lines with numbers above and below the line. The number above the line is the “across” clue and the number below the line is the “down” clue. Together, the blank squares following the number clues are an “entry.” The object of Kakuro is to fill in the entry using only digits 1 through 9 so that the sum of the entry equals the clue given.

In Kakuro, there are three simple rules to follow:

10 17

clue to its left (for across) or directly above it (for down). RULE #2: You may only use the numbers 1 through 9.

RULE #3: Within an entry, you may not use a num-

ber more than once. Unlike Sudoku, a number may be repeated within a row or column if it occurs in a different entry separated by a clue.

14 24

13 14

13 16

7 9

13 3

17 21

20 16

18 8

11 11

20 25

7 18

6 7

RULE #1: Each entry must equal the sum of the number

23 6

17 3

10 9

7 14

Solution on page 60

Number Combinations 3 4 5 6 7 8 1,2 1,3 1,4 1,5 1,6 1,7 3,2 2,4 2,5 2,6 3,4

6 7 8 1,2,3 1,2,4 1,2,5 1,3,4 2,3,4

9 1,2,6 1,3,5 1,4,5 2,3,5

10 1,2,7 1,3,6 1,4,6 2,3,6

11 1,2,8 1,3,7 1,4,7 1,5,6

2,4,5 2,3,7 2,4,7 2,4,6 2,5,6 3,4,5 3,4,6

12 1,2,9 1,3,8 1,5,7 2,3,8

2,4,8 2,5,7 3,4,7 3,5,6

9 1,8 2,7 3,5 4,5

13 1,3,9 1,4,8 1,6,7 2,3,9

2,6,7 3,4,8 3,5,7 4,5,6

Pairs

10 1,9 2,8 3,6 4,6

14 1,4,9 1,5,8 2,4,9 2,5,8

3,4,9 3,5,8 3,6,7 4,5,7

11 2,9 3,8 3,7 5,6

12 3,9 4,8 4,7

TRIPLETS

15 1,5,9 1,6,8 2,5,9 2,6,8

3,6,8 4,5,8 4,6,7

16 1,6,9 1,7,8 2,7,8 3,5,9

17 1,7,9 2,6,9 3,6,9 3,7,8

4,5,9 4,6,8 5,6,7

5,6,8

quadruplets

10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 1,2,3,4 1,2,3,5 1,2,3,6 1,2,3,7 1,2,3,8 1,2,3,9 1,2,4,9 1,2,5,9 1,2,6,9 1,2,7,9 1,2,4,5 1,2,4,6 1,2,4,7 1,2,4,8 1,2,5,8 1,2,6,8 1,2,7,8 1,3,6,9 1,3,4,5 1,2,5,6 1,2,5,7 1,2,6,7 1,3,4,9 1,3,5,9 1,3,7,8 1,3,4,6 1,3,4,7 1,3,4,8 1,3,5,8 1,3,6,8 1,4,5,9 2,3,4,5 1,3,5,6 1,3,5,7 1,3,6,7 1,4,5,8 1,4,6,8 2,3,4,6 1,4,5,6 1,4,5,7 1,4,6,7 1,5,6,7 2,3,4,7 2,3,4,8 2,3,4,9 2,3,5,9 2,3,5,6 2,3,5,7 2,3,5,8 2,3,6,8 2,4,5,6 2,3,6,7 2,4,5,8 2,4,5,7 2,4,6,7 3,4,5,6 3,4,5,7

20 1,2,8,9 1,3,7,9 1,4,6,9 1,4,7,8 1,5,6,8 2,3,6,9 2,3,7,8 2,4,7,9 2,4,6,8 2,5,6.7 3,4,5,8 3,4,6,7

21 1,3,8,9 1,4,7,9 1,5,6,9 1,5,7,8 2,3,7,9 2,4,6,9 2,4,7,8 2,5,6,8 3,4,5,9 3,4,6,8 3,5,6,7

13 4,9 5,8 5,7

18 1,8,9 2,7,9 4,6,9 4,7,8

22 1,4,8,9 1,5,7,9 1,6,7,8 2,3,8,9 2,4,7,9 2,5,6,9 2,5,7,8 3,4,6,9 3,4,7,8 3,5,6,8 4,5,6,7

14 15 16 5,9 6,9 7,9 6,8 7,8 6,7

19 2,8,9 3,7,9 5,6,9 5,7,8

23 1,5,8,9 1,6,7,9 2,4,8,9 2,5,7,9 2,6,7,8 3,4,7,9 3,5,6,9 3,5,7,8 4,5,6,8

24 1,6,8,9 2,5,8,9 2,6,7,9 3,4,8,9 3,5,7,9 3,6,7,8 4,5,6,9 4,5,7,8

20 3,8,9 4,7,9 6,7,8

25 1,7,8,9 2,6,8,9 3,5,8,9 3,6,7,9 4,5,7,9 4,6,7,8

21 4,8,9 5,7,9

26 2,7,8,9 3,6,8,9 4,5,8,9 4,6,7,9 5,6,7,8

17 8,9

22 5,8,9 6,7,9

27 3,7,8,9 4,6,8,9 5,6,7,9

23 6,8,9

28 4,7,8,9 5,6,8,9

29 5,7,8,9

24 7,8,9

30 6,7,8,9

For more original Kakuro puzzles, check out The Original Kakuro Book: The Latest Puzzle Craze Since Sudoku by the Puzzle Society™, published by Andrews McMeel Publishing and available at all major bookstores. Play Kakuro, Sudoku and crosswords on the web at www.puzzlesociety.com. Puzzle © 2006 Andrews McMeel Publishing. American traveler January/February 2009 |

Game solutions

Solution to Crossword on page 56

A P R O N

S O R E P U L I

O M E N

R A C E D E B O N

O C E L O R L I N A L E

T E A

A T T P E O R S N O T T S O I I D O C E R O M A N N K G G E B

T E H E E A L O N E A A H

L A S A C H R E E K R P E E K I N D N O D E E U S L S F T S O S P R H I R E U R I L E N A N G

A S T E R N

R O A N

M O R E

S N O W

E S S R I P K I N A I N E R W I N G S I O U O V U M F A T S F L Y

1 3

1 2 5 20 2 3 6 13 4 9 15 3 18 3 2 1 8 6 5 1 16 7 8 3 1 27 11 5 4 3 317 8 17 2 7 1 3 21 9 910 8 2 13 3 8 6 9 7 1 7 4 2 14 1 2 11 1 5 2 3 20 9 4 7

3 9

4 9

9 4

2 4

By Leigh Rubin

For more of Leigh Rubin’s humor check out his new, 2009 Rubes Zoo in a Box daily desk calendar, available at your favorite neighborhood or online bookstore, visit www.willowcreekpress.com/rubes or call: 800-850-9453

60 | American traveler January/February 2009

3 2 1 7 5 13 11 7 1 3 2 11 8 8 24 7 9 8 2520 4 7 9 9 1 8 3 6 2 1 3 35 7 1 6 15 8 1 7 3 4 18 1 3 2 8 4 99 5 3 2 1 30 9 2 1 6 20 3 8 9 16 11 17 17 10 14 9 1 24 9 5 8 23 17 2 3 4 7 1 6 13 7 4 9 7 1 14 16 11 9 5 2 3 1 7 2 30 12 9 7 8 6 9 3

rubes2@earthlink.net www.creators.com

RUBES®

Solution to Kakuro on page 59

Solution to Word search on page 58

D T R R

DDF DDD L L T B N Z V N D R HT R H R R N T R T D NL R R ND P R R V N F HH DN L

L R N F B H

HL N T

Business Class

FLY into Klamath Falls, OR and DRIVE the

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American traveler January/February 2009 |

travel Games

Don’t know much geography? You’re not alone. Even frequent travelers often spend so much time flying over the continent, they’re not aware of where they are or where they’ve been. Test your travel smarts with these quizzes.

BISMARCK BOISE MONTGOMERY TRENTON PHOENIX OLYMPIA FRANKFORT SPRINGFIELD OKLAHOMA CITY SALT LAKE CITY

Capital Ideas Think you know this country? Maybe you’ve memorized the names of state capitals, but can you find them on the above map? Try matching the cities listed at right with their location:

Frequent Flier Smarts: Let’s be honest, sometimes airport code names seem to make no sense. Have you ever wondered why Chicago’s O’Hare is abbreviated ORD? Or, why Orange County’s John Wayne Airport carries the SNA designation. Here’s the scoop. O’Hare was once known as Orchard Field. The mailing address for John Wayne Airport is in Santa Ana, California. Test your airport savvy by matching the codes with the facilities:

1. OGG

A. Louisville, KY

2. SDF

B. Maui, HI

3. SAN

C. Wilkes Barre, PA

4. MCO

D. Orlando, FL

5. AVP

E. San Diego, CA

6. ONT

F. Allentown, PA

7. ABE

G. Ontario, CA

A = Trenton, NJ, B= Montgomery, AL, C = Oklahoma City, OK, D = Boise, Idaho, E = Salt Lake City, UT, F = Springfield, IL, G = Bismarck, ND, H = Frankfort, KY, I = Olympia, WA, J = Phoenix, AZ ANSWERS: 1. OGG = Maui, HI, 2. SDF = Louisville, KY, 3. SAN = San Diego, CA, 4. MCO = Orlando, FL, 5. AVP = Wilkes Barre, PA, 6. ONT = Ontario, CA, 7. ABE = Allentown, PA

62 | American traveler January/February 2009

Travel and Dining Guide MEDFORD, OR

DANA POINT, CA Orange County’s newest Adventure Home to the 63-foot Catamaran the Ocean Adventure these naturalist guided tours will take you out to experience marine life such as the mighty 100 ft. blue whale, and dolphin that frolic in our warm coastal waters. 800-590-9994 www.danawharf.com

Welcome to Medford, Oregon, the center of the thriving Rogue Valley. Savor awardwinning artisan cheeses, chocolates, specialty foods, and nationally recognized wines. Enjoy great Northwest dining, eclectic shopping, and an endless list of activities and events. Get outside with fly-fishing, rafting and jet boating on the Rogue River, championship golf courses, and Crater Lake National Park. 800.469.6307 • www.visitmedford.org

PARK CIT Y, UT

ZION NATIONAL PARK

CRESTED BUT TE, CO

Best western zion park inn will provide the comfort and amenities while you enjoy the majestic beauty of Zion National Park. Restaurant, gift shop, convenience and liquor store, hot tub HSIA, Brian Head skiing one hour away. Ask for “ATM Package.”

Buy two airline tickets—Get one FREE! Crested Butte Mountain Resort, “Colorado’s Last Great Ski Town” has Colorado’s best snow and grooming! 1880’s towns, friendly locals and our laid-back lifestyle will help you disconnect and reconnect to what’s important in life! Inspire your passion! Details on: www.GunnisonCrestedButte.com 800-323-2453

PARK CITY and its three world-class resorts—The Canyons, Park City Mountain and Deer Valley— are just a 35-minute ride from Salt Lake City International Airport. And once you’re here, over 100 restaurants and bars, dozens of shops, galleries, spas and theaters are even more accessible. For Hot Deals, visit our website. www.parkcityinfo.com

Jackson, W y

COLORADO/UTAH

K E TC H U M, I D

Stiegler’s Austrian Restaurant and Copper Bar Stiegler’s has provided guests with great food, attentive service and the most charming ambiance in Jackson Hole since 1983. The menu includes authentic Austrian veal, pork and wild game specialties as well as continental classics. 307-733-1071

The Rodizio Grill An authentic Brazilian Steakhouse featuring a parade of waiters holding three-foot skewers stacked with a variety of over a dozen rotisserie grilled meats carved tableside by Brazilian Gauchos. Freshly made salads and homemade Brazilian desserts abound. Locations in Salt Lake City and Denver. www.rodiziogrill.com

Ketchum Grill offers contemporary American cuisine served in casual and rustic surroundings. We use locally grown produce to create food full of flavor that you and your guests will love. Featuring an award-winning wine list. Reservations online at www.ketchumgrill.com or call 208-726-4660 • 520 East Ave. Ketchum

800-934-7275

www.zionparkinn.com

To advertise in this section, call Teena Wright, 208.333.9990

American traveler January/February 2009 |

Journey’s End

Think You Know America? Do you know this place? New York City is rife with cultural landmarks, architectural wonders and pockets of natural scenery. They provide the backdrop for countless books, stage plays and movies. Cinema classics like An Affair to Remember, Plaza Suite or Breakfast at Tiffany’s can put anyone in a New York frame of mind. We can help, too. To win a free copy of the Paramount Centennial Collection version of Breakfast at Tiffany’s, just be among the first five travelers to correctly identify this location. The newly released two-disc set includes a documentary about the making of the movie, as well as the original theatrical trailer.

Frequent Reader Alert: The answer to our last Journey’s End challenge? The Badlands of eastern Montana. To enter, simply send a postcard or letter including your answer and the airport location where you picked up your complimentary copy of the magazine to: American Traveler Journey’s End contest Go! Publications, Inc. 205 North 10th Street, Suite B100 Boise, Idaho 83702 Be sure to tell us where you received American Traveler Magazine! Contest expires February 28, 2009 and is not open to employees or Go! Publications or their families. Offer void where prohibited.

64 | American traveler January/February 2009