Destinations by LASA Ezine

MIAMI: TOURISM IN THE SOON-TO-BE ATLANTIS

How Will Travel Change For You?

PLUS:

• The Odds & Ends of Roadtripping • Inside the Impossible Hotel

Reference Map Written By: Caelynn Moon

Use this map to help plan your route for anything from a day trip to an around the country roadtrip!

Key:

Park

Waterpark/ Aquarium

Roadside Attractoins

Sources: iloveny.com; lasvegas.com; tennesseevacation.com; travelportland.com; travelandleisure.com; united.com; delta.com; americanairlines.com; usairways.com; lufthansa.com; fuelcostcalculator.aaa.com; Fodors.

com; topeventusa.com; Festivals.com; indiewire.com; Mckinney Falls State Park; Panther Junction Park Headquarters; mysticaquarium.org; louisvillezoo.org; kentuckyartisancenter.ky.gov; silverwoodthemepark.com; ct.gov; jacobswellspring.org; stateparks.com; schulmantheatres.com

Table of Contents 04 Author Biographies

17 Fare Play

Is the Sun Setting on Miami?

18 The Impossible Hotel

Ideal Vacation Destinations

22 Attractions & Nature

The Odds & Ends of Roadtripping

The Wackiest Tourist Traps

24 Best Festivals in the US

Converting Distance to Dollars

State Parks Vs. National Parks

How Will Travel Change for You?

Destinations

BIOGRAPHIES

Get to know the destinations team!

Aaron Garay

Cyrus Cutter

Caelynn Moon

Seamus Quinn

Aaron has been across the country from New York to California. He loves spending time outdoors whether it’s relaxing on a beach, swimming in a lake or just playing basketball. He has loved music as long as he can remember, especially songs that he can rock out to in his room. Aaron first learned he loved to travel when he took a trip to Alaska when he was 8. His destination of choice is Portland, Ore. with its many restaurants and enormous book stores.

Cyrus likes sports, sleeping, going outdoors, traveling, and learning. His favorite class is audio-video production, and he enjoys going outside to play soccer and basketball or just enjoy nature. One of his favorite trips was going on a cruise to Cozumel, Mexico. Cozumel is primarily a tourist destination but the water is very clear and the weather is usually amazing. He has also been to lots of places in the United States such as New York, Miami and Los Angeles.

Caelynn’s favorite class and subject to obsessively study for is Latin. When she’s not cramming for tests or up to her eyeballs in homework, she loves relaxing with her family and eight pets. Other hobbies of hers include attending church and Latin Club meetings, eating really fancy chocolate, listening to heavy metal and rewatching movies. Since she was two she’s been going to the Enchanted Rock annually for her grandpa’s birthday.

Seamus loves to get outside and enjoy the city and fresh air. When he’s not playing baseball or hanging out with his friends, Seamus is exploring downtown and all it has to offer. He is definitely a city child and loves exploring new places. One time, he ate a banana peel. No matter how many cities he visits, his favorite city will always be New York. A special Seamus travel tip? Next time you’re on a road trip, don’t be afraid to take a detour and see what there is to see.

Letter From The Editors We have enjoyed contributing to this magazine from the day we started drafting the covers, to the day the final verson was printed. This is not only because of our passion for travel, but also because of the experience of creating something we can be proud of from nothing, and because of our time bonding as a team. Our goal is to open your eyes to new and exciting places that you have never heard of before so that new opportunities will be available to you. We want all our readers to be able to take frequent trips without having to spend a fortune. That’s why our magazine is centered around the idea of “bang for your buck”. With our magazine as a companion, anyone can travel across the country without breaking the bank.

Explore the Horizon

Boating and deep sea fishing For information call (555)555-5555 Photo Courtesy Of Alberto Ziveri

Is The Sun Setting On Miami? By Seamus Quinn

As sea levels keep rising, it may not be too long before this coastal gem finds itself underwater.

Photography by Terry McMaster

hen you think about great

american cities to vacation to, a few come to mind: New York City, Los Angeles, Chicago and almost without a doubt, Miami. With its amazing beaches, beautiful restaurants, fun family attractions and a thriving nightlife, Miami is one of the biggest tourist destinations in the country. However, Miami may be all but gone sometime soon. “[Our city will] be destroyed for our future generations and a lot of places that I enjoy right now, some people won’t even know about their existence and get to see them.” said Lauren Goode, a student at the University of Miami. “It would be very sad not only if [Miami] was torn down but if it was from environmental reasons, which is something

“no one knows

This graphic shows the whole state of Flordia would go underwater in a melting of the ice caps- Graphic by National Geographic

so unnatural that it shouldn’t be a problem.”

factor in sea level rise is temperature increase.

[which] have economical and social impacts.”

Unfortunately with global warming causing major sea level rise, this may happen very soon.

“If you have a Coke and you leave it out in the sun then later open it up, it wants to explode because they are building up pressure because of the temperature increase,” Partin said. “It’s the same thing with the ocean. The warmer it gets the higher the sea level becomes.”

That gets us to the heart of the problem: Do we have the money or elected officials that can put these strategies into action? Goode says no.

Dr. Jud Partin, a geologist at The University of Texas, doesn’t see the situation improving soon. “No one knows exactly when hotspots like Miami Beach would be submerged, but it’s not getting better,” Partin said. “Soon homes are gonna be evacuated and people are gonna have to make the choice if they want to try to stick it out or move north to a place with better stability.”

when hotspots like Miami Beach would be submerged, but it’s not getting better”-Jud Partin Partin said that

currently the main

In order to save Miami, we’re going to have to cool down the earth. But that’s not as easy as it sounds. “Fixing the problem would be find a way to lower global temperatures,” Partin said. “And then a whole host of mitigation strategies that are being debated right now, all of

“It’s something that isn’t given a lot of attention,” Goode said. “The environment should be one of our top priorities and it’s not up there.” Goode thinks we should think more when we go to the polls in order to help the situation. “People need to vote and vote with good intentions and be very aware of the candidates that you’re voting for in higher governmental office and the platforms they stand on towards

the environment. That’s really what it comes down to we need a platform that politicians want to achieve and make sure we have politicians who will help.” Many Miamians are doing whatever they can to try and get the governments attention.

revenue and generate jobs and stimulate the economy.” If the environment isn’t a priority now, it will be soon. Tourism is a major part of Miami’s economy, and with a city underwater, Miamians will probably suffer. “Of course that would affect the tourism,” Goode said. “With most of the city underwater, all the people that make their money on tourism would have to relocate.”

“We have many political activist clubs” Goode said. “But I don’t think it’s enough. we have to reach out to our politicians get a green movement going on “Right now it would an eco movement. we’d probably skyrocket have to reach out to just because people do our politicians get a wanna visit before it does green movement going flood.” Goode said. “But on an eco after, that movement. part of the ith most I think economy of the city the main would be problem is almost underwater the money.” nonall the people existent.” that make Which With sea their money on brings up a levels tourism would rising at good point. Even if we do have to leave the rate get the right that they auren oode politicians are, Miami for the jobs, won’t be where will the money the only city becoming come from to fund all non-existent in the this? “It’s absolutely upcoming future. How gonna cost some money, many will be effected? as to do what we need to Partin said “how many do,” Partin said. “But cities are there on the with that money also coast.” comes job building. it would cost money but it So what does the future might actually generate hold for Miami? How

“W

.”-

With a large sea level rise, the unique art deco style of Miami beach may be gone. Photo from Public Commons

many people can and will stay? how many people will need to be evacuated? will downtown be gone or will tips of skyscrapers peak out of the ocean?

“Most of these questions are still unanswered,” Partin said. “I think that depends on the amount of sea level rise and the amount of people willing to stick it out and say ‘you know what I love it here so much I’m going to stay here

in spite of that; or this is terrible I’m going to move to some other place in this large country, enjoy my life and not have to battle the ocean. So [people staying in Miami] is more of a personal choice. You can live in Alaska off the land. You can live in Miami Beach if you choose and weather the conditions, but with the climate the way it currently is, there are surely rough years ahead for Miami.” 9 Destinations

Ideal Vacation Destinations

Do you mostly want to spend time outdoors? No Yes

Want to hike on your trip? No Yes

Written By Aaron Garay The perfect vacation spot can seem time-wasting and almost impossible to find. With the flowchart below, it’s simple and quick to find the perfect destination.

Would you prefer to stay Would you rather see in the US? skyscrapers or beaches? No Skyscrapers Beaches Yes

START Does the destination have to be family friendly? No Yes

Want to visit the Big Apple? No Yes

New York City, N.Y.

How does a casino night on the town sound? Bad Good Las Vegas, Nev.

This desert oasis has made its fortune off of the glamorous casino lifestyle. This city is almost always considered an ‘Adults Only’ destination and is most commonly used in cinema as the destination for bachelor and bachelorette parties. The Las Vegas Strip is where most of the party life can be found, however off the Strip, Las Vegas also features the National Atomic Testing Museum and other wild rides such as commercial Indoor Skydiving.

The Big Apple, as it’s sometimes called, is the ideal weekend getaway for the family that wants to experience city life. New York is home to iconic American symbols such as the Statue of Liberty or the Empire State Building. This city looks to the future with Times Square yet maintains it’s natural side in the enormous Central Park.

Cancun, Mexico

This world renowned resort destination is famous for it’s tropical beaches and elegant tourist attractions. With family friendly sites like the ancient Chichen Itza and the Isla de las Mujeres, it is the ideal vacation for anyone who needs an escape.

Portland, Ore.

Laying claim to being one of the weirdest cities in the United States, Portland, Oregon features the Oregon Museum of Science and Industry, or OMSI, and Powell’s City of Books, the largest independent new and used bookstore in the world. Surrounding Portland are hundreds of kid-friendly hiking spots that the whole family of hikers can enjoy. This quirky, urban sector has a huge food culture with food cart cuisine from all over the world and the famous Voodoo Doughnut shop which usually has a line wrapping halfway around the block.

East or West Coast? West

East

Smoky Mountains, Tenn.

Located in the midst of the Smoky Mountains, this combination of towns add a new twist to the classic mountain vacation. Hikers and outdoors enthusiasts love to climb the Smokies and visit the tiny LeConte Lodge six miles up to the summit of Mount LeConte. The Wonderworks museum, a major attraction of Pigeon Forge, features weird, hands-on displays of physical science. On the other side of the valley, in Gatlinburg, a branch of the Ripley’s Believe It or Not Museum attracts locals and tourists alike. Directly between the two towns is the Dollywood amusement park, founded by Dolly Parton herself. These towns add a carnival element to the otherwise serene mountainscape.

Sources: iloveny.com

tennessee vacation.com lasvegas.com travelportland.com travelandleisure .com

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The Odds and Ends of Road Tripping Written By Cyrus Cutter

Traveling on the road is a great way to experience the countryside and get the most distance out of each dollar, so why donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t more people do it?

Photo Courtesy of stockphoto.com

ccording to the Bureau of Transportation an upwards of 1.7 million people board domestic flights in the United States each day. For some of these people there may be another option to consider, even when compared to the speed and convenience of flying. Travel has been around for a very long time, Photo Courtesy of Kristina Evans but now it’s primarily used for business and recreation. Flying in This is a typical class C RV you may find at a place like Five Star Super RV Center in Washington. commercial airlines, Many renters and purchasers choose this class of RV for the great balance of comfort and great price. however, has been around for less than really getting the same that people seem to a great experience 100 years. Before this exposure that you’d get enjoy taking trips in on recreational trips, everyone simply traveled if you took an RV out a car or motorhome travelling on the road on the road. But, despite with your family and is the more personal or renting an RV can be the rise of flying, travelled down all the experience you get useful for many other road tripping is still little roads and towns,” along the way to the occasions. If you need a something said destination, making way of going places and to Michelle the trip more than just a place to stay for almost oadtripping has consider. Williams, what happens at the any occasion, there is an

been a big part of my life ever since I got into this business, and I’ve loved it since because I have three boys and we love to go places. -Julie Whitty

“When you travel on the road you get to see all the country and the sights and the people, I think that’s a big advantage you don’t get otherwise, like if you’re in a plane or a train you’re just going to be passing through the places and not

employee at Outdoors and More RV Rentals. Planes are more removed from the country setting and the small towns along the way to a destination. However, they do have a great speed advantage.

destination. When you fly the trip takes a matter of hours, then it’s over.

One of the main reasons

Besides giving you

“If it’s something I’m doing, as opposed to flying, in a recreational manner it’s stops along the way I guess, like I said just kinda getting to meet people and just really see the different scenery there is out there to be seen,” said Kurt West, American Dream Vacations employee and traveler.

RV to meet your needs.

RV renters include “folks doing festivals or events, going on road trips, coming to Austin that need additional lodging and can’t find a hotel, they’re building a house and want to stay on site, thinking about purchasing but want to rent first,” West said. The employees at RV rental stores have a lot of exposure to the people travelling on the road Destinations

This is a color coded map of gas prices throughout the US which you could use to get an idea of how your fuel expenses will change from place to place. The most important thing that you get form this map is that anywhere in the mid United States is going to be great for minimizing travel expenses.

and to the experiences they report. This along with the fact that most of them travel themselves means their opinion says a lot about the experience that being involved in road travel brings. “It’s a fun business cause people are coming here not because they have to,” West said, “but because they want to go out and have fun and be with a lot of people. They’re happy and trying to enjoy themselves.” Vacation is centered around experience so the experience that a certain method of travel

provides is extremely important. But, you can only do what is within your price range so cost efficiency is also a very important factor to must consider when going on a vacation.. “Well, if it’s somewhere I’m going for work it’s the cost,” West said. “You can take more people in an RV, and they usually get 8 to 10 mpg so we think we’re doing our part with helping the environment,” said Whitty. However, one thing the road can never compete with is the efficiency of planes for long distance

travel. RV’s can take you pretty far due to the comfort they provide with a very large travel space, but the distance they can practically travel is still limited. “You can go 1000 miles and have a nice trip,” Whitty said. “I mean people go in our RV’s anywhere from 1,000 to 3,000 miles,” For reference, 1,000 miles is far enough to go from Austin to Phoenix, and 3,000 miles is far enough to go from the East Coast to the West Coast. Whether or not road travel is underused, which it very well may be, it’s definitely an

effective way to take a vacation and have fun. “It’s a good experience and you get time with your family and you get to experience the countryside all over,” said Whitty. All this makes road travel a strong option to consider when you’re taking a vacation, moving, or even going on a business trip. “It may be that many people who could or should go on road trips don’t for one reason or another but to me it’s the people who do get out and have a great driving vacation, and I think the majority of them enjoy it” said Williams.

The Wackiest Tourist Traps

Written By Seamus Quinn The basket-shaped building? The world’s Largest Pecan? How about the biggest Ketchup Bottle? Next time on the highway, make a short detour to some of these crazy roadside attractions.

1. THE BLUE WHALE: Catoosa, Okla.

On the side of Route 66 outside Tulsa is the Blue Whale. The structure was built by a man as an anniversary gift to his wife, says Kate Abbot of Time magazine. Built by a local watering hole, the whale and surrounding park is a great place for a picnic and swim before heading back on the road.

DA MARFA STORE: Valentine, Texas 2. THE PRA ay 90 in the Texas desert 2 hours 30 minutes outside of El Paso is

On highw Prada Marfa, an art installation by German Artists Michael Elmgreen and Ingar Dragset. According to Travel and Leisure the art piece is permanently locked and contains 20 left foot shoes and 6 purses.

3. THE WORLD’S LARGEST PECAN: Seguin, Texas

Sitting just off interstate 10 near San Antonio is the world’s largest pecan. In front of the seguin city hall, the pecan measures 5 feet long, two feet wide and nearly a thousand pounds, according to the Roadside America website. The city of Seguin has the motto “home of the largest pecan,” and has for over 20

KET: Newark, Ohio 4. THE WORLD’S LARGEST BAS a 7 story tall, basket-shaped office

Just 45 minutes outside of Columbus is is building, claiming to be the largest of its kind in the world. The building ed enlarg the corporate headquarters of the Longaberger Company and is an replica of the company’s medium market basket, says Roadside America.

5. THE WORLD’S LARGEST CATSUP BOT TLE: Collinsville, Ill.

Right off Interstate 70 and minutes away from St. Louis lies the old ketchu p company town of Collinsville and the World’s Largest Catsup Bottle. Built as the town’s water tower by Brooks Catsup company in 1949, the bottle stands at 70 feet by 100 feet steel base.

6. LUCY THE ELEPHANT: Margate, N.J.

a 65 feet Located just south of the casino capital Atlantic City, Lucy the Elephant is y. According to zoomorphic architecture structure complete with a main hall and balcon but now Lucy Travel and Leisure, Lucy was originally constructed for selling real estate, attracts thousands of tourists to Margate every year.

7. THE LONDON BRIDGE: Lake Havasu City, Ariz.

On the California Arizona border just south of interstate 40 is the ORIG INAL London Bridge. Unable to handle the London traffic, the bridge was auctio ned off to an Arizona oil baron for 2.46 million dollars. The bridge currently hold the record as the world’s largest antique.

SOURCES: travelandleisure.com, time.com, roadsideamerica.com, maps.google.com

Destinations

Converting Distance to Dollars Written By Cyrus Cutter Going on vacation is great but it can be hard to calculate the amount of money a vacation will cost. To make this easier we have a map with specific price ranges and the distance. Simply pick a price range and instantly know how far a trip that amount of money can cover.

If you wish to travel within a 600 mile radius (green) of a particular city the gas cost will be from $150 to $200 for the round-trip. For this price, from Austin, Texas, some places in the 600 mile range are El Paso, Texas, Wichita, Kan. or Altamira, Mexico. For a further trip, say in the 1,000 (blue) mile range fuel would end up costing in the range of $270 to $310. Places of this approximate distance from austin are Sioux Falls, S.D., Jacksonville, Fla. or Phoenix, Ariz. Now to travel anywhere in the U.S., including tip to tip, from anywhere else in the U.S. can cost up to $1000 dollars round-trip just for gas. To rent a suitable car for this cost it costs around $150 to $400.

Sources: Enterprise car rental services customer information line, fuelcostcalculator.aaa.com, American Adventure RV Rentals, freemaptools.com

Fare Play

Airfares can vary from airline to airline and from day to day Written By Aaron Garay Many people complain that they are overpaying for airline fees. To find out how to save money, hassle, and time, look at our comparison of airline costs. All prices are taken directly off of the airlinesâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; own web sites to eliminate bias. Used under the Public Domain

Airline

United Airlines

Delta Air Lines

American Airlines

US Airways

Southwest Airlines

First Class Fare (Next day fares from Oct. 14 2013) From AUS to LGA From AUS to LAX

Economy Class Fare From AUS to LGA From AUS to LAX

$873

$484

$873

$406

$1098

$480

$461

$416

$991

$439

$461

$417

$806

$498

$648

$307

$594

$565

$462

$406

Baggage Policy in Economy Class

First Bag: $25 Second Bag:$35 First Bag: $25 Second Bag:$35 First Bag: $25 Second Bag:$35 Additional Bags:$150 First Bag: $25 Second Bag:$35 Third Bag:$125 4th-9th Bag:$200 First and Second Bags fly Free

Key to Fares: RED = Over $900 ORANGE = $475-$899 GREEN = Less than $475 Destinations 19

The Impossible Hotel Written By Aaron Garay

When hotels struggle, Anthony Melchiorri swoops in to save them. So why do some end up better off than other?

Photo By Ed Darrel

Corpus Christi Bayfront in Corpus Christi, Texas

room, or on how to clean a room. It really depends on the hotel.”

ow do you stop a failing, poorly managed hotel from going out of business in less than a week? Anthony Melchiorri knows.

Usually, after the hotel is given the tools they need, it can support itself and will sometimes thrive. When Davidson was asked to give an example of a hotel that had achieved success, the La Jolla Cove Suites immediately came to mind.

With over years of hotel management experience under his belt, Melchiorri started hosting the Travel Channel show Hotel Impossible in April, 2012. As the host, he finds hotels that are “The La Jolla Cove failing and, with the Suites in La Jolla, owner’s consent, California is doing makes any changes very well right now,” that he believes Davidson said. the hotel needs in order to achieve According to Davidson, success. According the La Jolla Cove Suites to coordinators of the is an example of the show, the success that is common changes he on Hotel m going to makes differ Impossible. give you the every However, keys to success episode. even with hether or not Melchiorri’s “It depends you decide to help, some on what that turn the car on hotels particular never become is when you are hotel truly going to feel a needs,” successful. said Caryn change Davidson, In 2012, nthony a publicist Melchiorri elchiorri for Hotel ventured to Impossible. Corpus Christi, Texas to help “It could be a new hotel owner Gregory computer reservation Markwardt revive his system at the front desk. dying Hotel Corpus It could be retraining the Christi Bayfront. staff, the housekeeping Markwardt manages on how to inspect a Hotel Corpus Christi

“I’

-A M

.”

Photo Courtesy of Travel Channel

Anthony Melchiorri Helping to clean and renovate the Penguin Hotel

Bayfront from San Antonio, Texas. The New York Times once quoted Melchiorri that the best way to find a great hotel is to “Go online and look at reviews. I find them to be extraordinarily accurate. Go to thirdparty Web sites, oyster. com or TripAdvisor.” According to

Oyster.com, Hotel Impossible “Gave the hotel’s entrance area and cafe a much needed facelift--including upgraded signage, landscaping additions, and de-cluttering of the cafe’s windows.” To see if these changes affected the productivity of Hotel Corpus Christi Destinations 19

Photo Courtesy of Bobak Ha’Eri

La Jolla Cove, La Jolla, Calif.

Bayfront, 20 random samples of ratings given to the hotel on tripadvisor.com were taken. Ten ratings predate April 2012 and ten are from after April 2012. On average, the ratings that are from after the show was filmed are .3 stars higher than the ratings before the filming of the show. Although this is an improvement, many people are not convinced that the hotel is actually functioning better than before.

On yelp.com, username Hays C. wrote “The improvements Anthony made are no more...it has reverted back to the way it was before the show.” On tripadvisor.com 20 random samples of ratings were taken for the La Jolla Cove Suites. Just like with Hotel Corpus Christi Bayfront, 10 of the samples are from before Melchiorri’s renovations, and 10 are from after. Unlike Hotel Corpus Christi Bayfront, the average increase was an astounding 1.9 stars,

leaping from an average rating of 2.2 stars, to an average rating of 4.1 stars. There is clearly a huge difference between the current success of the hotels. The question that stands is ‘why?’. Davidson attributed any difference in success to the owners of the hotel themselves. “Success varies. He gives them the tools to be a success. It depends on how well the owners follow through,”she said. Unlike the La Jolla Cove Suites, it seems that

Hotel Corpus Christi Bayfront never seized it’s opportunity to recover from failure. While the La Jolla Cove Suites rebounded from near catastrophe, Hotel Corpus Christi Bayfront only delayed what now appears to be their inevitable failure. “I’m going to give you the keys to success,” Melchiorri had said to Markwardt. “Whether or not you decide to turn the car on is when you are going to feel a change.”

Mars Inn & Suites Stay with us for out of this world comfort. For more information call: 555-5555, Or visit our website: marsinnandsuites.com

Photo Licensed under Creative Commons

Attractions & Nature Written By: Caelynn Moon

Many families can’t decide on where to go, here’s some fun ideas to get you started!

Connecticut

Mystic Aquarium

Driving time from each other: 1hr 40min

What to do: Get up close and personal to some reptiles or catch a movie in the 4-D theater! Where: Mystic, CT Hours: 10 a.m.- 4 p.m Admission Fee: $104* Contact: 860-572-5955

Burr Pond State Park What to do: Have a picnic lunch, hike the trails, fish, swim or even rent a canoe! Where: Torrington, CT Hours: NA Admission Fee: $6-15 (parking) Contact: 860-424-3000

Kentucky

Driving time from each other: 1hr 39 min

Louisville Zoo

Artisan Center

What to do: Check out some award winning exhibits like Glacier Run and Gorilla Forest! Where: Louisville, KY Hours: 10 a.m.- 4 p.m. Admission Fee: $92* Contact: 502-459-2181

What to do: See arts and crafts made in Kentucky and try some local cuisine! Where: Berea, KY Hours: 9 a.m.- 6 p.m. Admission Fee: Free Contact: 859-985-5448

Idaho

Driving time from each other: 26 min

Silverwood Theme Park

What to do: Ride a roller coaster, get soaked in the water park or get mystified at a magic show! Where: Athol, ID Hours: 11 a.m.- 6 p.m. Admission Fee: $134* Contact: 208-683-3400

Round Lake State Park What to do: Hike, fish, and spend the night at one of their campsites! Where: Sagle, ID Hours: NA Admission Fee: $12 (per night) Contact: 208-263-3489

Texas

Driving time from each other: 1hr 14min

Schluman Theatres Lost Pines 8 What to do: Watch a movie, play games in the arcade, get dinner and even go bowling! Where: Bastrop, Texas Hours: NA Admission Fee: None** Contact: 512-321-2007

Jacob’s Well What to do: Go swim in this artesian spring, or take a tour on a Saturday! Where: Wimberley, Texas Hours: NA Admission Fee: Free Contact: 512-847-2140

*Estimate based on a 4 person family with children ages 3-7. **Movie ticket, food, and bowling must be paid for separately.

Sources: www.mysticaquarium.org/visit, www.louisvillezoo.org, www.kentuckyartisancenter.ky.gov, www.silverwoodthemepark.com, www.ct.gov, www.schulmantheatres.com, jacobswellspring.org

State Parks vs. National Parks

Written By Seamus Quinn Thereâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s always been a debate between going to the famous national parks, or staying local and going to a state park in your area. Thereâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s definitely pros and cons of each, and decided to finally put the argument to rest.

Questions How much does it cost to enter the park?

What are advantages of visiting your park?

What is the general infrastructure of your park?

Answers State: The price will vary not only park to park but state to state, but most state parks cost from $2-5 daily for a campsite, according to Oregon State Parks and Texas Parks and Wildlife Department. National: The entry fee at these parks vary from park to park. Many national monuments are free to get into and most national parks cost in the $20-30 range for a seven day pass according to the national park service. State: A state park will be more secluded with less tourists than a national park, which would allow you to be more in touch with nature and or your family. Both parks mostly offer the same activities, but state parks do it at a cheaper cost, according to Texas Parks and Wildlife, which gives you more bang for your buck. National: These parks are big shots in the park world. A trip to a national park may be more expensive than a trip to a state park, but most national parks have prettier natural attractions as well as a better infrastructure in the park. State: It depends on which state and even park, but the majority of state parks are pretty updated and clean in their bathhouses and campsites. Many state parks donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t have resort type lodging like most national parks do. National: National Parks get more funding from the federal government than all the state parks do from state government. In general, this means that national parks have higher quality bathrooms and campsites.

WINNER: National Parks- When planning a family vacation, make a stop at a National Park,

because of its overall experience and beauty that cannot be matched by any state park SOURCES: nps.gov, tpwd.state.tx.us/state-parks, oregonstateparks.org

Destinations

Best Festivals In The United States Written By Cyrus Cutter Festivals are a great way to vacation for a reasonable amount of money. One advantage of festivals is that they allow for an experience that is centered around a common point of interest so everyone at there has something in common. However, picking the right one is not easy. That’s what we’re here for.

Depending the price range, five different festivals offer different entertainment options

Tickets For $50 to $300 Tickets For $0 to $50

For FamiliesEvery year in Fredericksburg a German heritage festival called Oktoberfest takes place. It’s a great place for fun, food, art and music

For Adults- The Twilight Concert Series held in Salt Lake City is a great music festival for a geat price. It’s $5 for daily pass and $35 for a a nineday pass.

Tickets For $300+ For FamiliesThe Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta in New Mexico is the biggest balloon festival in the world and a parking pass only costs $50.

For AdultsBonnaroo is a music festival in Manchester, Tenn. It’s four days that on a 700 acre farm with tons of popular acts for $225.

For Adults- Sundance Film Festival in Sundance, Utah is the largest independent film festival in the US. There are so many films being shown that there’s not enough time to see them all. It is pricey though with tickets ranging from $300 to $2500

Sources: twilightconcertseries.com and Mason Jones of twilight concert series, festivals.com, topeventsusa.com, bonnaroo photo courtesy of Shawn Mariani

How Will Travel Change For You? Written By: Caelynn Moon

verybody secretly, or not so secretly hopes for some great new invention to come out to make something quicker and easier. Some people, like Deena Sasser, a historian at the Virginia Museum of Transportation, hope “to see teleportation as a viable option, as well as autonomous vehicles (self-driving) and vehicles that use easily renewable energy sources such as solar, electric, and wind power.”

Courtesy of: DA Anderson

Pictured Above: Organic Transit’s ELF, a new eco-friendly form of transportation.

zero emissions, and being eco-friendly this unimpressed, the Model S provides shelter from the design is great, but what features a glass roof which elements. These are great about people that have a keeps out 81% of heat. But what’s actually to take anywhere, they longer commute? The car, which is designed happening? can run on the person’s to be as streamlined as own effort, or if they’re This is where Tesla Motors possible, has retracting While Sasser’s hope of going to work it can run on comes in with their new door handles and a teleportation may not be energy so the person can design, the Model S.This “hidden” charging port. currently available, avoid getting too sweaty. zero emission vehicle runs On the inside one can find many of her hopes are When asked about current completely on battery, a 17-inch touch screen, or soon will with about 35 charging enough space to seat seven he and all and future be fulfilled. designs, stations in the US. people, two USB ports future vehicles Robert However, the cars can also and lots of storage space. from rganic Organic Cotter, CEO be charged with any outlet This vehicle will help save ransit are Transit, an of Organic in approximately an hour money on any roadtrip and eco-friendly designed to fill Transit said, and a half. For those still would allow for a company, “the ELF the space between has come out and all future a bicycle and a with a solar vehicles from obert and electric car [Organic otter powered Transit] are bicycle, designed to otherwise known as the fill the space between a ELF. This 150-pound bicycle and a car.” For Photo By: Tony Evans contraption can hold over people who live in the city Pictured Above: The Model S by Tesla Motors. twice its weight, produces and are concerned with

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Destinations

Photo By: Steve Jurvetson

Pictured Above: Google’s new self-driving car.

comfortable ride. What about the blind and elderly? For them, there’s Google’s new autonomous vehicle. This once-secret project is not available quite yet, but it is now being worked on in the public’s eye. The car has a camera that senses objects such as pedestrians, stop signs, and traffic

lights and tells the car when to stop. The car has been test driven numerous times by Google’s engineers with overwhelming success.. These new vehicles have been test driven over 200,000 miles without any major issues. The main idea of this whole project is to create a safer means of transporation. Made confident by

their success, they have partnered with NASCAR in a program called Google Racing. Google’s hope is to be able to drive their unmanned racecars faster than anyone or any other car within the upcoming decade. What other new inventions are there besides these forms of road travel? Today private and

public corporations have been working to make commercial space travel might not be an issue, but it definitely would available to the public. One example of this is the British comapny Virgin Galactic, owned by Sir Richard Branson. While it may be available soon, it’s not quite at the stage where a family can just go up to space for maybe $500. For all those people

Photo By: DA Anderson

Pictured Above: Virgin Galactic’s space shuttle, the White Knight.

who’s lifelong dream is to be able to go see space firsthand, cost might not be an issue, but it definitely would be for an average family planning a day trip According to a spokesperson for Virgin Galactic, they are “offering the space experience at what is actually a revolutionary

price” at $250,000 per

seat. The trip would last approximately two hours from boarding to disembarkation.” While they currently only have about 640 people signed up to fly into space, they expect irgin alactic to fly 1000s is offering the within space experience the first ten at what is years actually a that revolutionary they price provide irgin alactic this option. pokesperson

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Their “ultimate aspiration is to fly every day with multiple vehicles, but [they] will start slower with just the one vehicle and ramp up.” Originally, it was unsure when the first flight would take place, but then on Nov. 8, 2013 it was announced that NBCUniversal partnered with Virgin Galactic to film the first commercial flight to space on SpaceShip Two. They say that their planned flight will take place in 2014 and the passengers

will be the founder of Virgin Galactic, Sir Richard Branson, and his two grown up children. All of these new technologies - the ELF, Model S, autonomous vehicle, and space shuttle - green or not, they represent the next step for mankind, and perhaps someday everyone’s hopes will come to fruition. Until the time comes, we will only be able to keep dreaming of the future and encouraging those that seek to tackle this modern day challenge. Destinations

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