Travel Itineraries for Fictional Books and Movies

I'm not sure when it all started, but I first made reference to the marvelous idea when I saw The Da Vinci Code rage gather steam. People signed on to various Paris and/or United Kingdom tours and allowed a guide to one ton location to film shoots or famous landmarks depicted in the Da Vinci Code. I loved it. The idea continued with the Harry Potter series of movies and now Sherlock Holmes.

I was sent an e-mail from VisitBritian.com and VisitLondon.com yesterday. Both were touting available itineraries that explored movie set and historical locations for the Sherlock Holmes movie that comes out on Christmas Day. According to the website, even Madame Tussaud's Waxworks in London is getting into the action. They are making several Robert Downey Jr, Sherlock Holmes, wax figures to be strategically placed throughout London for gimmick advertising. All this in time for the worldwide release on Christmas Day (Boxing Day in the UK). Historical movie sites include Freemason's Hall, the Docklands and St. Paul's Cathedral in London as well as sites in Kent and Liverpool. This adventure could be loads of fun. Especially, if it was an independent itinerary self-catered to your wishes.

Now, I personally love Sir Arthur Conan Doyle's characters. Holmes' tall, lanky, even gangly, physique combined with his unusual and quirky methodical behavior enticed me to challenge wits with him every time I sat down to read one of his capers. This movie , on the other hand, employs Robert Downey, Jr. as Holmes and Jude Law as Dr. Watson. I don't get it. Holmes, as I have described above, is not the Toulouse-Latrec look-alike that Downey, Jr. is. And Watson is a dumpy, middle aged, shell-shocked army surgeon, not Jude Law. I don't get it. But this is not the point of the post.

For the traveling/movie lover in you why not plan an itinerary around one of your favorite books or movies. I can help. Give us a call/text at 702.767.6912 or e-mail at theTravelValet@gmail.com. Instead of just owning the Blu-ray disc, why not live the adventure?

Al, the Travel Valet

Visiting Stonehenge on Boxing Day

We all have some sort of "Life's To Do List" or "Bucket List". I do as well. And on my list near the top of the first page is visiting Stonehenge. Why I have never visited the ancient ruin is easy? It is smack dab in the middle of nowhere, kinda like Spokane. You really have to make an effort to get there. Now remember, I grew up in Texas and getting anywhere within that state kills at least one day. But when traveling overseas, killing a day is rarely an option. So, as the years passed and many of other Bucket List entries were checked off, Stonehenge just sat there staring back at me. I could never formulate the appropriate agenda and not waste a day. Well, I may have figured it all out (44 years later). Visit Stonehenge on Boxing Day!

Now, if you ever wanted to meet the most ridiculous holiday...ever, then visit England on Boxing Day. It is flat out a total waste of a day. I don't care if the banks are closed; they always are. Hell, they shut down as often as the public school systems in Nevada (And we wonder why our kids can't read, multiply or formulate a complete sentence. My daughter informed me last week that she watches Dirty Jobs in her 3rd period college prep class. What?!? If I wanted my daughter to watch reruns all day, I would pull her out of school, buy her a giant bag of Cheetos and call my first college roommate for some marijuana. Seriously, is this where public education has gone??).

Back to Boxing Day. To be honest, I had heard of Boxing Day and had seen it written on calendars along with Flag Day and Arbor Day. Honestly, I never thought anyone actually celebrated it. I remember once in fourth grade, our teacher took us out in the front of our elementary school and we planted a tree to commemorate Arbor Day, but we were nine year olds. Anyway, England takes this day seriously. All public service in London is shut down including the buses and Underground from late Christmas Eve on the 24th to mid morning on the 26th (Boxing Day). Could you imagine New York City's MTA shutting down for the better part of three days? There would be...I don't know...I can't fathom it. But, London does it. And curiously, the population of each city is within 1,000,000 souls of the other. Wow.

According to FactMonster.com, Boxing Day is of an unknown origin that probably starting sometime in the Middle Ages. It is celebrated the Day after Christmas in England. Australia, Canada and South Africa also partake, but not necessarily on the same day. Not sure why. Some historians claim that Boxing Day derives its name from the "boxed" gifts servants would receive from their employers for having to work on Christmas Day. Best I can tell, everyone is getting two days off.

So, while the Brits are taking off an extra day for Christmas, I'm taking the opportunity to fill the wasted day with a trip to Spokane, I mean, Stonehenge.

Happy Boxing Day!!!

Al, the Travel Valet

PS. When you visualize Stonehenge? Do you see Chevy Chase in National Lampoon's European Vacation as Clark Griswald knocking it down like dominoes by backing into it in a rented Cooper? Or, is it just me?

Scary Flight??? There's an App for That

<---- You are kidding me, right?

With over 100,000 applications available for the iPhone and iPod Touch, some don't live up to the hype. Virgin Atlantic's Flying Without Fear is most definitely one of the those.

Let me start my rant by saying I understand there are more than a few jittery travelers with flying phobias. Rational or not, I also understand there is real fear involved. I have been in two very real (to me) close encounters on planes, one on an American Eagle puddle jumper off Puerto Rico in 1987 and another in September 2001 (this one we won't discuss). I do empathize with those who have been involved, or those whose friends or relatives have been involved in aviation accidents or close calls. I am not here to ridicule anyone with flying anxiety, just the fear mongers who try and profit from it.

Also, I am sure this $4.99 iPhone/iPod Touch Application won't help.

Flying Without Fear basically strings together everything my twelve year old schnauzer knows about the fears of flying and wraps it beautifully around Sir Richard Branson's "comforting" words. By the way, my dog tries to dig a hole in the floor behind the washing machine every Fourth of July. And when we lived in Central Florida, the lightning capital of the world, this dog shook for three straight years; this dog understands FEAR. But she is a dog!!!

And what does Sir Richard have to offer? Oh yeah, he has "an App for That". How did he get a Title? I bet...he bought it. Unless it comes with a prescription of Xanax, I wouldn't waste the five bucks. I guess Sir Richard wants to upgrade his title to "His Majesty, the King".

One last thing, Virgin Atlantic claims a 98% success rate using this tool (application). By all means, please tell me how this is measured.

Happy Holidays,
Al, the Travel Valet

Prepping for the Holidays....

So, as I'm getting ready for the holidays and my family's London vacation, I finally remember to transfer all my pictures from my camera's memory cards to the portable hard drive via the computer. This is a task I always forget. Not sure why. Hum? Maybe it's my age and I'll still think I can just go buy extra 35mm film.

Anyway, I never seem to remember this and as I'm traveling I'm forced to be very selective in my picture taking because I'm limited in my memory space. This stinks because I like to take at least 25-50 of these every time I visit Cabo San Lucas....


and one of these every time Ben tolls.

I can take 200 pictures of seals sun bathing at Fisherman's Wharf and forty pictures of the Golden Gate engulfed in fog. I justify this camera abuse utilizing the "artistic license" card. Maybe the light will be different 20 seconds from now or the seal blinked. For whatever reason, this strikes me as funny. If I was really still buying 35mm film, this foolish pleasure would never happen.


Happy Holidays!

Al, the Travel Valet and very amateur photographer

Just Picked This off Snopes.com

I know I try to stay away from politics and religion here on the Travel Valet, but I just can't let this go...

Check out the picture on your left. Have you seen it yet?.......What you are looking at are two Democratic Representatives from the State of Connecticut playing solitaire on their notebook computers while the Republican House Minority Leader is pleading in the background for Congress to submit a balanced budget. In this economy, don't you think your representative would at least listen even if he and she she did not agree. Now, I'm not a constituent of either of these representatives, but if I were there would be some HELL to pay. Are you a constituent of either of them? If you want their names and addresses I have them and all you have to do is send me an email to thetravelvalet@gmail.com and then I'll forward the info along to you. Unbelievable!!!

Al, the Travel Valet

So Long US Airways Part II - The Final Chapter

Continuation of the true US Airways story...

"Well," as I turned to face him, "what would be your suggestion?" I was starting to steam. I focused hard with my eyes into his face hoping my Superman super powers would ignite his little blue smock. Yea, with might, I tried. But my valiant efforts went unrewarded. The smock must have been laced with Kryptonite. He stood defiant.

"Well," His ferret-like head bobbed in beat on his bony shoulders with his short, quick reply, "I suggest you take your luggage to back of the plane. There should be plenty of storage in the rear." This is the very same attendant who pleaded with passengers to cough up the $30 check the bags below. LIAR!!!

I almost "outted" him right there, but decided I could rise above it and pick my fight after I arrived at my destination. I really didn't want to spend another minute at the airport nor have to defend myself to airport security when I am "the customer" who paid several hundred dollars for each of the seats. I bit my tongue and turned toward the rear of the plane. The aisle was crammed passengers jostling with their own carry-ons. This would take awhile. My first attempt to roll one of our suitcases in front of me and the other behind didn't last long. I couldn't manage my way around the passengers. So, I threw both cases over my shoulders and carried them as the Greek Titan, Atlas, supported the Earth. It was ridiculous. I'm not Atlas and was very concerned one of the cases might fall from its perch onto an innocent's head. Mark made zero attempt to offer assistance, and his crew mate standing at the back near the galley, just watched. I really was angry and humiliated now.

Eventually, which equals about five minutes, I found room for one and then the other farther back, near the lavatory. I was now standing directly in front of the rear-stationed flight attendant sweating profusely. She just stood there staring blankly into my eyes. Not once offering assistance or even saying a word. I was aghast. Why are they called flight attendants, anyway?? What exactly do they "attend" to? They no longer offer food unless your are willing to swipe your credit card for a six dollar bag of "gourmet" Lays potato chips. But what I find really entertaining is they will walk by six times with a trash bag in hopes you will do their work for them. That is hilarious. They don't offer anything that we can discard, but just in case we bring aboard a $4.95 bottle of water that we had to purchase on the concourse after the security check, these blank-staring "attendants" want to make sure we have at least six opportunities to discard the bottle before we consider cramming it into the magazine pocket before us. Wow!

Now, what is exactly is their purpose? If they don't attempt to accommodate, can't we just have a giant list of rules plastered to each bulkhead and an "aisle" monitor with an Uzi to enforce them. Seriously, why not?

I'm done with US Airways. I hope they go the way of Braniff and Eastern. That is something, I'll help them with and they don't need to walk by me six times with a garbage bag. I'll do it myself, thanks.

PS: What was really ironic in this tale was pretty much everyone saw what transpired and several offered to help me by bringing my bags forward since I was sitting in Row 4. Of course, the attendants made no effort.

Al, the Travel Valet

Send me an email and let me know what you think at thetravelvalet@gmail.com or just sign in and leave a comment here.

Pick of the Day(59-13-1)...NCAAB -Western Kentucky -6.5

Economy Hodgepodge

I was reading yesterday on Yahoo! news that Harrah's Entertainment (HET) reported a $1.6 billion loss for last quarter to their stockholders. Which isn't that mind blowing in today's economy except for the fact that Harrah's paid it's CEO, Gary Loveman, a $2,400,000 bonus (that's 2.4 MILLION, folks)at the beginning of the same quarter. According to wtop.com, Harrah's has reported a loss in each of it's last 5 quarters the smallest being $1.05 billion for the same quarter last year. I'm not really sure why he gets that bonus, are you? If it looks like AIG and smells like AIG...

Al, the Travel Valet

Pick of the Day(59-13-1)...West Virginia

So Long US Airways - Part I

I finally think I'm over the swine flu, avian flu, rotavirus, Norwalk virus, the croup, pneumonia, bronchitis, polio and the Rocky Mountain spotted fever that has plagued me since late summer. I sure hope death will come easier. I got sick the last week in August and still feel the effects. Jeez.

Strange observation...even with my potpourri of misdiagnosed illnesses, I managed to get everything completed each day, but write. What sucks is...writing is the only thing I really want to do. Not sure if it's a reflection of my or our culture's priorities that are out of whack. I was raised to blame myself and not others...I will.

I recently returned from Texas. Very nice trip, but that's for another post. Weather was wicked the first 48 hrs; it was that same weather front that eventually dumped a ton of snow in the Northeast screwing up travel at the major hubs. Speaking of air travel...

US Airways has cut 50 percent of their daily flights to Las Vegas. Quite frankly, I'm glad. Their service is abhorrent!!! I would hate to mistakenly purchase tickets on another of their flights while searching for a good deal. No deal is worth their ridiculously chaotic and half-cocked service. They are under staffed and have laid off all of their young talent. Leaving behind a tenured crew of jaded, smarmy, sloth-like and arrogant JACKASSES waiting for a pension. It's awful!! Story time...

My wife and I sat at DFW on a Sunday afternoon watching some inept service attendant (referred to as the "gatekeeper" onward) try to bargain with approximately 200 passengers on a full flight to relinquish their coveted seats to the 20 or so standby passengers that were overbooked by US Airways. Seriously, how can airlines continuously get away with such practices?

What if you called up your bank and ordered 8000 British Pounds Sterling for your upcoming trip to England and upon arrival to pick up the money, the banker hands you a giant box filled with 169,352 Mexican pesos? You look at him blankly and say, "what's this?" He says, "well we really didn't have any extra pounds, so we substituted pesos. It is the same amount of money. Maybe you can change your holiday plans and vacation in Cancun." He smiles and walks away. You, on the other hand, have a pirate's chest of Mexican coins and no tickets to Cancun. Poor business practices, huh? (Maybe that's why we pay frivolous taxes. So we can keep bailing out the two industries).

Back to the story...The gatekeeper was also in charge of boarding passengers on time according to some elementary "zone system" that no one seemed to understand or cared to pay attention to. And to top it off, since US Airways charges $30 per bag, even the laziest of consumers are carrying on their luggage. Intermittently, the gatekeeper would stop with her "Let's Make a Deal" skit to inform passengers that the overhead compartments would be full by the time we boarded "Zone Three". The passengers in "Zone Three" should approach the the counter and allow their bags to be stowed below the plane with the six other bags in the cargo hold. It is only a modest fee, she reiterated. Modest Fee??? What? Who are trying to sell your tainted Kool-aid to? $30 feeds an entire African village for a month. I know this because, I saw it on TV!! It must be true.

"Zone Three" must mean all passengers in Row 4, Seats A & B because my wife and I were the only fools left when "Zone Three" was called to board. Except of course for the ten or so stand-by passengers that couldn't wheel-and-deal food vouchers and first class seats for next Thursday's flight to Boise. Idaho is sorta close to Nevada, you know. You think this crap is funny, just wait. This story is only beginning.

Now, I'm not a total idiot. I suspected where all this nonsense was headed. My geometrically FAA-compliant carry on rolling bag was gonna be an issue. It was. When I finally entered the plane, the last passenger...Remember, my wife and I were "Zone Three". You know, Row 4, Seats A & B. The overheads were full.

For future reference, Row 4, Seat C, must be in Zone One. The fine gentleman occupying this seat was one of the first to board with the baby strollers. Confusing? Don't try to figure it out. I'll tell you how he did it. He must have convinced the harried gatekeeper that his rolling carry-on, his lap-top, his overcoat hanging bag and his day (messenger) bag only equaled "one plus a personal item", AND it allowed him an opportunity to board with the mothers and infirmed because he needed additional time to get situated.

Anyway, while on the gangway just outside the plane's door, the first-class flight attendant, his real name is Mark (I don't care if he finds out I'm about to lambaste him, the story is true), is on the intercom repeatedly instructing the passengers to "face their carry-ons forward with the handles facing out". This procedure will allow for more room and quite possibly Row 4, Seats A & B will have an opportunity to a very feed a hungry African village next month instead of paying to have their luggage checked and stored below. My wife climbed into the miserable "middle seat B" next to the smartly clad gentleman with the four carry-ons. I told I would figure something out. It was the least I could do. The first thing I saw was, directly above my row in the overhead, someone not complying with Mark's pleas. I figured I could be of service and stow at least one of our two carry-ons in the process. Immediately, from behind and below I was verbally assaulted. Mark, from his perch guarding (?) the cockpit door, squealed, "Don't touch that! I put it there. It is to be left alone." I turned to him. He was giving me a look like I soiled his new rug. A "grimaced pucker" is how I would describe the look. Kinda frightening.

I'll finish the story tomorrow. Same blog time. Same blog channel.

Al, the Travel Valet

Pick of the Day(58-13-1)...Yankees

The Blind Side: Evolution of a Game - A Book Review

The Blind Side: Evolution of a Game is the seventh novel by author, Michael Lewis. After his highly acclaimed debut, Liar's Poker, this is Lewis' at his best. The story weaves back and forth between the evolution of the NFL's Left Tackle position and the unbelievable story of Michael Oher.

The book opens with the disturbing recollection of New York Giants' linebacker Lawrence Taylor's destructive sack of Washington Redskins' Joe Theismann. Taylor's bull rush off the left side of the offensive line, the quarterback's blind side, resulted in a gruesome career ending compound fracture of Theismann's leg.

It was a sack, if you saw it live or on Monday Night Football back in November, 1985, you will never forget. I was a freshman in college and had gone bowling with some friends that night. The Monday Night Football game was playing on the adjacent monitor to where we were keeping our bowling scores manually. I didn't see the live play, but saw the replay when O.J. Simpson, Joe Namath and Frank Gifford were beside themselves announcing the event. The bowling alley went quiet. Balls stopped rolling and pins stood motionless. The aftermath of the collision was hard to witness and even harder to stomach. A collective gasp echoed down the silent lanes. The scene was surreal. The NFL and the left tackle position had changed forever.

While this recounting made for a good opening chapter, this book is about something much bigger...Michael Oher.

A child of dangerous intercity Memphis streets, Michael Oher wandered the streets from age seven and was fending for himself by the age of nine. Michael's absent father was eventually murdered during the boy's formative years and Michael's mother was addicted to crack cocaine. Michael repeated first and second grade and had attended eleven different schools by the time he was finishing middle school. During Michael's seventh grade year he missed more days of school than he attended. His GPA hovered around 0.90, but the system kept passing him off to the next grade. By the time Leigh Anne and Sean Touhy picked Michael off the street, he was a non-communicative dissociative illiterate and also a 6'3", 275 lb., 15 year old black kid with only one pair of shorts, two shirts and no physical address.

I will not spoil the story, but sufficed to say, Michael Lewis utilizes a sense of humor with sound prose and amazing metaphors to create a damn fine read. Check it out before Hollywood spins a different tale and screws it up.

Al, the Travel Valet
Pick of the Day(57-13-1)...Twins

Back From the Dead

I apologize to everyone who has been eagerly awaiting my return. I was on my own death-watch for the past few weeks. Okay, maybe a slight exaggeration on my part. The flu and my weak bronchial response to the illness really knocked me out. I'm still terribly dazed by the medications and flu grogginess, but will make an attempt to rejoin the literary and internet world today.

I find it astounding that with all our scientific and medical advancement in the past fifty years an otherwise perfectly healthy adult can still be obliterated by the flu for several weeks. The pharmacological and health care industry in the United States is a frickin' joke. The industry focuses on symptom management, not health and wellness. "Let's prescribe something for that nasty cough." (Not what's causing it). I'm so over this.

Don't think for one instant I'm promoting the Obama, Hilary or Pelosi heathcare reform nonsense. That is not the answer! That route is just a means for the further promotion of Socialism!!!

The problems lie within the FDA and its communal relationship the pharmaceutical companies and a seriously corrupt insurance industry. Our healthcare has turned into an outrageous scam that will only worsen as the Baby Boomers age. These two fields have gone the same way as the auto and fuel industry. If this were an unregulated field it would go bankrupt, but since the government feels we can't take care of ourselves, healthcare has become more profitable than oil. The focus on profit margin has crippled research and development and redundant anemic bureaucratic oversight has cost the economy billions and priced a very large portion of society out of vital care. Now, the government wants to overhaul the mess it created at the taxpayer's expense claiming it will not affect the deficit. Hogwash!!! That is not possible. Our Democratic lawmakers tripled our deficit in under a year bailing out two industries that would have fixed itself under the free market system at no cost to anyone except those who damaged themselves in the first place. Government intervention in a free market economy doesn't protect it's citizens, it handicaps them to dependency. Folks we are headed down a path that there is no return. Look at history, please. Rome faltered. So will we.

I'm not saying I have the answers. I don't. Sometimes we must take a step backward to make progress. Let's reexamine what made our country great. Focus on the Constitution and what we stand for. The document was created by great statesmen. Let it work. Don't over-govern. Allow our greatness, like cream, to rise. It will. (It 's the physics of natural order) Greatness always rises.

Al

Catchin' Zzzzzzzz

There's no glossy interpretation...sleeping on a plane is challenging and ugly. The air is dry, the blankets are scratchy, the seats get smaller every other year(we aren't getting bigger, are we?) and the lights and noises of the cabin are intrusive. The planes are fuller than ever with reduced capacity and less flight service. To top it off, airlines charge for the use of pillows so our necks bob with the turbulence. It is just ugly.

As the story goes, my father used to drive me in my infant years around town in the front seat of the old Ford when I couldn't sleep. It supposedly settled me enough to sleep. I'm have no memory of this, of course, but the story contradicts my current predicament. I cannot sleep while in transit. Not even a little. It's so bad, I will probably awaken in the hearse on the way to the grave. I have absolutely no idea why this occurs, but it is real. I have tried over-the-counter, prescription and "under-the-counter" medication. My body/mind will not relax; I'm neither nervous nor anxious, just not sleepy. It is odd.

For the rest of the world, sleep may be possible. Try chamomile tea or glass of milk. Some swear by padded eye masks and ear plugs. Others won't go anywhere without noise reduction head phones (Bose) or a buckwheat pillow/neck collar. I say try them all and discard those without benefit. Lack of sleep and poor hydration are the two main causes of jet lag. And jet lag can be nasty, even ruining the first several days of a much earned vacation. Don't take this too lightly. I try and will continue to try everything. Maybe someday I will find something that works for me. Happy snoozing.

Al. the Travel Valet
Pick of the Day(56-13-1)...Phillies

Returned from Texas with a New Appreciation....

Just returned from Texas with a new appreciation...for humidity! Holy Mackerel!!! We landed in Austin early Thursday afternoon. The temperature hovered near 100 until about 3pm and then Satan decided to open his bathroom window while taking a shower, 102F & 90% humidity. After spending thirty-five years in the sweat soups of Texas and Florida one would think I would be accustomed to this insanity. I'm not; I almost dissolved.

It was the first Thursday of the month so, we decided to checkout the First Thursday Markets on South Congress. It was so damn miserable outside that the market vendors were closing up shop around 5:30. No one wanted to play. Next, we went indoor and dug into some Guero's tacos. Conditioned air is a good thing. Guero's Taco Bar lived up to the hype and delivered an excellent afternoon diversion. After a house margarita and a few chicken especial tacos we opted to forego the ubiquitous bats under the South Congress Bridge for the climate controlled environs of a city driving tour. That ended Thursday.

On Friday, the rains came. An afternoon deluge left us pondering our options in a Target parking lot while a two inch flow of water raced across the parking lot toward drains unseen for what seemed an hour. We decided to head for the safety of the Crowne Plaza Hotel. On the on ramp to the highway water flooded into the rental car from under the floorboard. Seriously, it was raining hard. The night ended with a forgetable visit to the Pappasito's cantina.

Saturday started with a very pleasant brunch at Kerbey Lane Cafe. I'm pretty sure they put a little vanilla in their pancake batter. Kinda addictive, don't you think? After a few marvelous hours in the Central Market, we crept along the University of Texas campus to Scholtz Garten. There we drank cervezas and people watched at the oldest business establishment in Texas before and evening of grandiose college football at the stadium. What an amazing day!! On Sunday, we overslept our checkout time and made it to the airport in time for a Salt Lick BBQ sandwich before boarding a Frontier flight for cooler Las Vegas. That just sounds ridiculous, cooler Las Vegas.

Al, the Travel Valet
Hook'em
Pick of the Day(55-13-1)...Cubs

Europe's Central Courtyard

La Grand Place

Very few urban squares/piazzas will make the initial impact of Brussels' Grote Markt. It is an eye-popping beauty, pin-up poster worthy. The ornate Baroque facades of the powerful guild houses date back to the 15th century offer eye candy at every turn. The cherry of this grand square is the Gothic Hotel de Ville which opened in 1402, creates a splendid stage for...anything. this Grand Place is a "wowzer" if there ever was one.

Believe it or not, most of Brussel's intercity was bombed out by Louis XIV of France in the 1600's destroying some 5000 wooden buildings. The buildings on this square survived some of the onslaught. Could you imagine what might have been? Exquisite.

The Grand Place provides a stage and backdrop from quite a few bigtime productions: the biannual Flower Carpet (Tapis de Fleurs) takes place every other August on even numbered years and the Ommegang Pageant takes place annually in July. The Ommegang pageant is a medieval reenactment of the 1549 procession of Holy Roman Emperor Charles V. Both are don't miss opportunities if your plans can swing it.

While Brussels isn't a cost effective travel destination, a day trip to the Grote Markt (the Grand Place) with a wax-paper flute of Belgian fries in one hand and a draught of Duvel in the other can make for one affordably unforgettable day. Cheers.

Al, the Travel Valet

Pick of the Day(54-13-1)...Phillies

Scenic Train Travel

Nothing stimulates the romance of travel like a choo-choo. What's funny, I don't why know this is true. Maybe it's the confines or the repetitive thumping of a imperfect wheel on a steel rail or possibly the casual speed of the train relative to the scenery. I don't know. My guess is... it's the movies that created, dramatized and glamorized train travel. Humphrey Bogart or Clark Gable chasing after a train to catch Ingrid Bergman or Eva Marie Saint will do it every time. Since I'm not a child of the Fifties, that's my parent's generation, I was educated through westerns and war movies on television. What's not more romantic to a young boy than to climb on a train escaping your mother's apron strings and seeing the world? WOW!

Trains stimulate the adventurous imagination more so than planes. Again, I'm not sure why. It's just, planes seem so "business". If you have a weekend or even better, a week to indulge yourself in adventure then take a train ride. Here are a few I highly recommend:

Rocky Mountaineer - http://www.rocky-mountaineer.com/ - this train travel company's routes bubbles over with scenery. Everywhere you look in the Canadian Rockies you will find majestic alpine mountains and abundant wildlife. The Rocky Mountaineer takes advantage of this opportunity as well it should. There are several routes to choose, all are good, but I recommend a Vancouver to Jasper National Park through Fraser Canyon...amazing.
The Mount Ranier Scenic Railroad - http://www.mrsr.com/ - a 90 minutes ride through the foothills of Mount Ranier in a vintage 1920's locomotive makes for a fine day.
The Royal Scotsman - http://www.royalscotsman.com/ - This fabulous train takes you on an elegant 4-day journey. What great way to see the ever changing countryside of Scotland.
Deccan Odyssey - http://www.thedeccanodyssey.com/ - A 21 coach train travels eight days safely through India passing thriving beach communities, quaint towns and impoverished villages from Mumbai to Maharashtra. Quite the eye opener.
The Blue Train - http://www.bluetrain.co.za/ - South Africa's Orient Express travels 27 hours from Cape Town to Pretoria. Very elegant, a little pricey, but a interesting experience overall. 1.5 Thumbs Up
Xining, Qinghai-Lhasa Tibet - This rail line opened to passengers in late 2006. The 1000+ kilometer trip from Beijing to Lhasa (the capital of Tibet) is an architectural masterpiece through the Himalayans rising over 16,000 feet at it's highest point. A ticket for this 650 mile trip is less than $75. Unbelievable.

Interested in more? Don't hesitate to email me at theTravelValet@gmail.com

AL, the Travel Valet
Pick of the day(54-13-1)...White Sox

From Regent Street to Somerset House

Exhausted by the thought of another harried Christmas/Holiday Season? Dreading the annual visit from Uncle Whatshisname? Or not living up to your mother's discerning eye? Then why not travel to England this Christmas and experience a European Christmas without the need for translation?

London's shopping season opens in mid November when Regent Street ceremoniously turns on it's Christmas lights for a pedestrian parade, and then London bursts wide open with yuletide passion. This historic city prefers to spread out it's Christmas cheer over its expanse. From the Marble Arch to Harrod's to Regent Street to the Natural History Museum to Somerset House, the city of London comes alive with the electric spirit of Christmas. Bundle up against the weather and get lost in London's winter beauty. See the Norwegian fir dazzle Christmas joy across Trafalgar Square. Visit Hyde Park's Winter Wonderland where fairy lights twinkle over a traditional German Christkindlmarkt. And finally, off to Somerset House where possibly the most beautiful setting for an ice skating rink can be found. Top the day off with some hot cocoa and you will have a holiday to remember. No Uncle Whatshisname, no harried Target/Macy's/Wal-Mart shopping, no cooking and cleaning for twenty and no disapproving relative huffing "under their breath, but within earshot". Just a marvelous holiday in a marvelous locale. Want to join me?

Oh...did I forget to mention Harrod's, Selfridges and Harvey Nichols?

Al, the Travel Valet

theTravelValet@gmail.com

Pick of the Day(53-13-1)...Cardinals

Westminster Abbey: England's Snow Globe

So, you prefer the History Channel to history books and Cliff's Notes to the classics. You are not the only one who has admitted this to me. And the honesty is appreciated.

You want to experience English history, but don't want to work for it. You don't say? Well, I have an idea just for you, Westminster Abbey.

Westminster Abbey is the greatest church in the English-speaking world, where kings and queens have been buried since 1066. To know the history of the abbey is to understand the history of England. The abbey was built in 1065 and its name means "church in the west" (west of St. Paul's). There is 1000 years years of history in these walls with 3000 tombs and the remains of 29 kings and queens. There are literally 100s of memorials to writers, poets, politicians and warriors behind some of the world's most exquisite stained glass. A peak into Westminster Abbey is a peak into England's history, but a two hour walking tour is a 1000 years of history crammed into one excellent episode on the History Channel. Let's take a gander.


Westminster Facts:
Hours: 09:15-16:45 Mon-Sat - Cloisters open until 17:45
Nearest Tube Stations: St. James or Westminster
Tele: 020 72 22 5152
Website: http://www.westminster-abbey.org/

Jeremy Irons narrates a fabulous audioguide which is included in the price of admission. No photos inside, but as always, their will be plenty of photos for sale in gift shop. The abbey is always crowded, but the mass of tourists thins each afternoon around 14:00. A walking guided tour by well-informed vergers is offered for a nominal fee (This is the only way one can see Edward the Confessor's tomb). I think the Jeremy Irons audio is more than adequate along with the free abbey map at the door. You will have no choice but to follow the hordes clockwise through the church. Just be glad this is only a one loop tour. Here is a list of the abbey don't miss sites.

• North Transept and view of Nave


• Tomb of Edward the Confessor - He's the guy who built the church.


• Tombs of Queen Elizabeth I and Mary I - there is only one effigy (Elizabeth). She was still pissed at her sister.


• Chapel of King Henry VII - ended War of the Roses with his marriage to Elizabeth of York


• Royal Air Force Chapel - this is the former tomb of Oliver Cromwell. Charles II had Cromwell's 2 year dead body exonerated, hanged, drawn and quartered, and then nailed to the gates of the walled city. Seems he needed a little revenge after watching Cromwell hang his father, Charles I, outside the Banquetting Hall. Boy had some rage issues, I guess.


• Tomb of Mary, Queen of Scots - Elizabeth had her imprisoned for 12 years before decapitating her. When Elizabeth, the Virgin Queen, died without an heir, James I, the son of Mary of Scots was crowned king. he buried his mother here in the most beautiful portion of the abbey.


• Coronation Chair - This gold-plated wooded chair has kissed the royal butt of every king and queen since 1308, sans 2.


• Poet's Corner - my Holy Grail.


• Cloisters and Abbey Museum - these buildings housed the benedictine monks until Henry VIII kicked them out in 1540 with the Dissolution of the Monasteries


• The Nave - This is where you will find Winston Churchill's memorial, "Scientist's Corner" and Tomb of the Unknown Soldier.

This isn't just the history of the abbey that you just encountered, but the history of England, London and the English-speaking world. This is England in a snow globe or the history of England on a zip-drive. If you are interested in finding out more, send me an email at theTravelValet@gmail.com.

Al, the Travel Valet

Pick of the day(52-12-1)...Rangers, Giants

Do you Really Need a Passport in Texas?

A 2009 survey conducted by the online booking portal kayak.com found that Americans are woefully uneducated about passports. In this survey of 1000 American respondents, 26% thought that Americans would need a passport to return from Maui and a whopping 50% were certain one needed a passport to return from South Padre Island (in Texas). What???

I didn't see the original survey nor did I meet any of the monkeys that took it, but my belief is these Americans are geographically challenged. I guess South Padre Island could be construed as a Mexican resort beach. I just don't know.

Here are a couple tips that can help with Immigration and what the government neglects to tell you before you departure.

You may be denied boarding or reentry into the United States if:

• Your passport is going to expire within 6 months


• You don't have enough blank pages remaining on your passport.

At least four months before you plan to travel, make sure you have at least two pages on your passport for every foreign country you plan to visit. if you are cutting it close on pages, it's worth it to order extra pages from a passport office or American consulate. Your passport can't expire while you are out of the country, period. A general rule of thumb is that you should have at least 6 months remaining on your passport beyond your travel dates. I know this sounds obsessive, but the alternative is the chance of being denied entry or exit of a country. The fines and costs of returning home once your travel is halted can become exorbitant and the hassle will be prohibitive.

The recent law changes have made crossing borders more difficult and the laws more confusing, but if you just assume you will need a passport for every border crossing everywhere then you will be fine. So, when you take the family to South Padre Island for one last weekend of beach time before school starts remember to bring along your passport. Just kidding.

Al, the Travel Valet
Pick of the Day(51-12-1)...Cubs

Digging for Treasure

While not one myself, I am very close to a few treasure seekers. You know the type. The ones that will scour, sift and rummage through countless shelves, racks and piles to save 80% on a 70% off sale burning $30 worth of gas and an entire day off from their paying gig in hopes of "sticking it to...". I don't even know who.

I have tried to understand their justifications, but I can't. I'll just say bless 'em and then get the hell out of their way. They probably say the same thing about my addiction to Saturday college football, To each is own, I suppose.

Although I'm not a shelf scourer or bin tosser, I am a devout people watcher and I have learned over the years that there are excellent people watching opportunities at these "fests". And, I have learned to incorporate a touch of this into my leisure life just for the chance to see the donut-glazed stares of harried women leaning over a table filled with 80 pounds of panties scrambling for the two "medium" sized pair amongst the thousands of "extra-smalls" and "XXXLs".

Grab yourself a beer, a glass of wine or just a bottle of water and venture out on your next day off to one of these famous markets for a little treasured people watching. Here is a list of some of the world's best people watching and bargain hunting events. Try incorporating any of these into your next trip if their locales are not within a day's commute. Trust me; it's worth it.

Portobello Street Market - London's premier flea market (even if the bargains are rare) in trendy Notting Hill. This Saturday morning extravaganza is an eye full of London offerings. Like dessert for your senses, Portobello Market is rich in colors, smells and oddities. Spend a few hours rummaging or watching others in this open air bliss of madness. Go early if you are really a bargain hunter and check out the antiques. Hint: a great remedy for jet lag!

New Caladonian Antique and Flea Market - aka. the Bermondsey Market - this has much better prices and is less touristy that the Portobello or Camden markets. These bargain hunters are serious; they show around 4:30 0r 5:00 am armed with flashlights (torches) to find the best deals before daylight. While this is over-the-top effort for me, I know people very close to me who will wait in line on frigid December mornings to make sure they get their mitts on a Wii for Christmas. I would imagine this is hilarious fun, but I regret I will not be attending. I'm not even sure I can laugh at 4:30am. Do those muscles even work before coffee?

Marches Aux Puces De Clignancourt - What flea market list would be complete without the mother of all flea markets. Marches Aux Puces translates to March of Fleas. How can you not like that? This is also where we dirty Americans derived the name. Situated on the northern outskirts of Paris, this original and one of the larger markets is really twelve markets that grew together over the years. Each day, between 2500 and 3000 stalls are occupied with gloriously cool French junk. Obviously, the better your French, the better the deal. But don't let a language barrier deter you. Half the fun is trying to figure out what is going on all around you. It's a trip.

127 Corridor - Billed as the "World's Longest Yard Sale" stretching 654 miles from Covington, Kentucky to Gadsen, Alabama, it sounds more like a Jeff Foxworthy joke than a market. I'm told this week-long, once a year event is chock full of flavor, bric-a-brac and southern hospitality. I guess I'll take their word for it. I would be remiss not to mention the 127 Corridor Market here, but I prefer my flea markets slightly more self-contained like my next choice.

Rose Bowl Swap Meet- Limited to the confines of Pasadena, California's Rose Bowl and the hours of 9am-3pm on the second Sunday of each month is more my style of flea markets. Let's cram 100,000 people and vendors into a confined bowl and watch them banter over a used surf board or lawn ornament. That's what I call "people watching". What kind of stinks here is these Cali capitalists charge admission, $8-15, depending on how long you want to stand in line to get in and what time you wish to enter. This gratuitous cash grab eliminates some of my favorite kinds of bargain hunters, the super cheap. Mostly, you will find curious middle class locals at this event along with the traveling carny-like vendors barking "Hey, Rube! I got da' best stuff, check it out."

First Mondays in Canton - This market, as its name suggests, is only open on the first Monday of the each month, yet is inundated with 100,000+ bargain shoppers. This market specializes in Texas arts and crafts, some of it truly fabulous. First Monday has a state fair atmosphere and county fair ambiance. Refreshing Texas hospitality seeps from everything. Covering over 1000 acres of endless stalls, this is not for rookies. They even pass out maps in hopes of shoppers not getting lost. If you think you are just going to pop in and have a look-see, think again. First Monday is an all day event as well it should be since you have to drive 60 miles east from Dallas to get there. Oh, and did I mention the people watching. Hee-Haww!

Al, the Travel Valet
Pick of the Day(50-12-1)...Yankees

My Summer Vacation...

I remember elementary school vividly, thirty-five years ago. But I can't remember Tuesday, five days ago. Before one of you thinks, "what's wrong with this guy?", let me finish. It's not because I have some short-term memory issue. It's because last Tuesday was a regular routine day for me and elementary school was an adventure. We need to remember to look through the eyes of our children this summer and encourage that sense of adventure, theirs and ours.

Most American families are reeling in this recession. Worrying about their mortgage payments, the aging family sedan and the cost of remaining status quo has taken precedence to the annual family vacation, as well it should. But lest we forget, our children will not be children for long. And the opportunity we have to influence our children dwindles everytime a new "WiFi hotspot" is established. Even if there is not a lot of "extra" money to spend this summer. Spend it on the opportunity to bond with your children. It doesn't take much to "wow" a child.

Here are a few ideas that don't cost too much.

Go to the Beach, Forest, Mountains or Hills - Nature costs nothing. Raid the refrigerator and make some crazy-fun picnic. Break the "vegetable" rule for a day. Pack treats.
Go hiking, swimming, camping, exploring, beach combing or star gazing. Bring a Frisbee and the family pet. Start a campfire and roast weenies and marshmallows. Just because you think it may be boring, look into your child's eyes and tell me that it's not worth it. It's amazing how much fun your children can have on a tank of gas.
Museum Hop - If you live in or near the big city, plan a fun day of public transportation and museum hopping. Only spend a few hours at each place checking out the highlights. Remember this is for the children and their attention spans are not in tune with yours. Eat food from street vendors in the park, a pretzel can make someones day. Visit the biggest public library or check out the fire station to mix things up.
Tune into your Child's Hobbies - What are your child's favorite things? Focus on them and plan an itinerary around it. If he likes to bicycle, drive him to some trails or hills and ride them together. He will enjoy and laugh each time you have to push your bike to the top and scream on the way down. If she loves animals, go to the zoo, aquarium or Natural History Museum. If they are adrenaline junkies, encourage roller blading, skateboarding or an amusement park with white-knuckle rides. Try it yourself. Let them show you how. There is going to be some laughs at your expense, but it will be worth it.

Focus on your attitude and their desires. Family vacations are about quality family time without interruption. Trust me, we need it as much as they do. Watching your child's eyes grow, face smile and belly laugh goes a long way in recharging a parent's batteries. Best yet, when the first day of school returns and the teacher tells your child to write an essay on their summer vacation...there is no pause.

Pick of the Day(49-12-1)...Blue Jays

Grandest European Cities

"What are the five grandest European cities?" I was asked this yesterday and to answer the question took me 24 hours. My first instinct was to answer with my favorites. But I thankfully hesitated and pondered the question. Even though this is a subjective question, this is what I believe to be my very best answer in ascending order...

5. Amsterdam - This is Scandinavia's centerpiece. Every continent needs a San Francisco and this is Europe's version. Young, liberal and forward-thinking, this Rembrandt masterpiece come-to-life will convince you that there is still plenty of youthfulness in your blood as you meander the cobbled streets and canals on your borrowed bike. A lovely start to any amazing journey.

4. Venice - Romantically captivating, this city known for it's canals, lovers and pigeons is breathtaking one moment and heartbreaking the next. St. Mark's Square is possibly the grandest of all Italian piazzas and picture postcard beautiful. This city of tiny islands is slowly being taken back by the sea rotting from its foundations upward and quickly becoming a tourist trap. Only the very wealthy and those fortifying the tourist trade still reside on the islands. That is sad.

3. London - This is the English-speaking zenith. Even though London has outgrown its walls by a thousand fold, this city is where an enormous portion of Americans can trace there roots. If not there hereditary roots, then surely their educational and linguistic roots. London is and has been the cornerstone of literary genius since Chaucer. Most of the greatest works of literary art were cultivated through London. What Paris has accomplished in the name of Impressionism and Patriotic Revolution, England has doubled that effort for the written word. Shakespeare, enough said. Sadly, London, in all its growth, has lost its Englishness, that is our progressive world, I know. But it's kind of depressing to know there are more Indian restaurants in London than pubs.

2. Rome - My heart wants this to be the grandest city in all of Europe, but its not. That award goes to the Gauls. Nevertheless, Roma is the cultural and spiritual beginning of our Western Civilization. The largest Christian church in the world resides self-contained in its own country encapsulated by Rome. The most powerful rulers of all time conquered the far reaches of the known world for more than 1000 years. Italy was only unified in 1870, but Rome was founded April 21, 753 BCE. From the Forum to the Pantheon to the Colosseum to the Vatican, Rome's history ebbs from every orifice. Rome can't even expand its subway system in fear of losing any more archaeological history to development. If we are not African or Asian, then we are most probably (at least a little) Roman.

1. Paris - Belgians have a joke, "God made France too perfect, he had to add the Frenchmen to even the score." Even so, Paris is the Grand Dame of European cities. The city was so beautiful Hitler didn't have the heart to bomb it like he did London. Of course, the English would say the French laid down when the Germans turned there tanks toward the French border. So be it. Napoleon commission the Arc de Triomphe in 1810 to stroke his ego, but it wasn't completed until 1836. Next, Baron Haussmann rebuilt the city to its current magnificence between 1852 and 1870. And then Gustave Eiffel added his final touch in 1889. I'm glad Hitler allowed the city to stand. To top off this idyllic and picturesque city life, Paris has the grandest collection of museums in the world including the queen of them all, the Louvre.

One may not agree with my ranking of these cities, but one can't argue they don't belong.

Al, the Travel Valet
thetravelvalet@gmail.com

Pick of the Day(48-12-1)...Giants

I'm not a "Foodie", but these are Big D can't misses

Awesome Dallas Eats...

Everybody who knows me understands I could really care less about food. I'm a refuel and move on kinda guy. Maybe it was growing up in the cultureless suburbs or just not wanting to sit still long enough to appreciate the cuisine. Or maybe I have broken taste buds. I don't know. Anyway, I usually opt for atmosphere over ingredients. Here are a few in Dallas that have a lot of both .

The Mecca Restaurant - 10422 Harry Hines Blvd. Talk about culture. If you've been to Dallas and haven't been to the Mecca, well, you never really visited. The place is authentically Texan. The people treat you as if they've known you all their lives. The food is 100% made from scratch. Go for breakfast and order chicken fried steak and eggs. If you can't manage it on your diet, try the pancakes. They are a little on the big side. The place isn't sexy and neither are the patrons, but you can't help but love it. Every last white gravy soaked drop.

Campisi's Egyptian Restaurant - 5610 E Mockingbird Ln. This place is "old school" in every sense of the phrase. This is one of the few remaining speakeasy/hangouts from the 40's. Many organized crime bosses including Jack Ruby hung out here and some still do alongside former Dallas Cowboys. The restaurant introduced pizza to Dallas and was my first "non-Chef Boyardee" Italian food. The place ebbs atmosphere. What about the "Egyptian" in the name you ask? Well, as the story goes, when Campisi opened the restaurant he couldn't afford to take down the neon sign of the previous tenant, The Egyptian Lounge, so he incorporated the "Egyptian" into the restaurant name. You gotta like that. Make sure you eat in the original locale at the bar or in the Egyptian Lounge .

Highland Park Pharmacy - 3229 Knox St. If you can't love this, you're dead. Give me a break! This is an original soda fountain in a pharmacy in downtown Dallas. This drugstore lunch counter is a landmark in a city of glass high-rises and vanishing borders. Try the chicken salad before you hit the soda fountain. Bring the kids, they won't get it.

Hernandez Finer Foods - 2120 Alamo St. Back in 1918, Juan Hernandez, an immigrant from Guanajuato, Mexico, started selling tamales from a horse drawn cart. He eventually opened this little slice of heaven next door to the original El Fenix. El Fenix is the original Dallas Tex-Mex restaurant. Juan began selling his tamales next door to the El Fenix and taking some there business, starting a taco war. My kinda war. Make sure you try the barabacoa tacos.

Sonny Bryan's Smokehouse - 2202 Inwood Rd. Holy smoked meats, Batman. This place is ridiculous good. I normally refuse to offer advice on Tex-Mex and BBQ restaurants because someone is gonna bark a better joint. Regardless, you are not going to find a better atmosphere to eat insanely good Texas smoked meats than at this location. You'll see why when you get there and have to sit in an old time elementary school desk to chow. Awesome.

I know I left off a ton of amazing eateries, but this little list will make you happy and serve you up a huge helping of Texas. Soup's on!!!

Al, the Travel Valet

thetravelvalet@gmail.com
Pick of the Day( 49-11-1)...Marlins

Liar's Poker - Book Review

Traveling down time allots me adequate opportunity to knock out a novel. Normally, I try to read something new, but this time I went back and reread Michael Lewis' Liar's Poker. I'm glad I did.

Published by W.W. Norton and Co. in 1989, the book received critical acclaim pretty much everywhere. When I read it the first time back in 1990 I was between undergrad and grad school. To be honest, I didn't like it. I assumed, at the time, that maybe I was too immature or naive to wrap my mind the vast amounts of tongue-in-cheek humor. Basically, I was giving the literary world the benefit of my doubt. Now, twenty years later, chock full of my own sarcastic wit, I still don't think it is bestseller worthy. But, what do I know? I'm not Oprah. (See? There is a little of my own.)

Don't get me wrong, the book is good, damn good.

The beauty of this novel is in its outrageous and true tales of the salesmen of Salomon Brothers that created the bond trading industry and almost ruined the American economy in the 1980's. Lewis introduced characters to the general non-business public like Michael Milken and John Gutfruend. Even twenty years later, after the the "junk-bond king" did his time, Salomon went under and thousands of CNN news stories filled cable television, I still find the tidbits of insider information enlightening.

Lewis is a master of the metaphor and simile. This talent keeps the reader's imagination on overdrive. It also exhibits the work the author put into his work. He just didn't regurgitate a story, but told it in humorous, anecdotal metaphors. His style is amazing and one I wish I could capture as my own.

Kinda fitting, I chose this crucial time in our current economy to reread Michael Lewis' Wall Street tale. I did it on purpose, of course. Many parallels in our economic makeup exist today with the state of the economy after the 1987 stock market crash. Difference being we had much farther to fall this time around. One thing is certain, history does repeat itself.

This book is worth the read. Very well written. And for non-fiction...entertaining.

Pick it up. Or pick it up again.

Al, the Travel Valet

Pick of the Day(46-10-1)...Dodgers,Tigers, Rays

The Freezing Dog Savior

I woke before the alarm and the sun; I didn't want to, but I did. Where am I? At first there was just confusion and darkness and then I realized...I was freezing. I tried to pull the covers higher, but the hotel's housekeeping tucked the sheets and blanket too tight. I remembered. I am at the Yosemite View Lodge in El Portal, California. I could not pull hard enough on the covers. My fingertips ached from the cold; could this be frostbite. My brain knew better, but...jeez. How can a hotel room possibly get this cold? And how could my mother enjoy this absurd temperature? I was in pain.

"Screw this, " I whined. "I'm getting up." I closed my eyes and then slowly opened them. I read somewhere that it helped you see better in limited light. Putting the theory to the test, I gave it a shot. Blackout curtains really work. I saw absolutely nothing. I tried a second of my six senses and listened. Crammed into a double queen room with a kitchenette was my wife sleeping next to me. My daughter sharing the bed with the Ice Queen and her two dogs. I was sure I could hear every last one of them and their slumbered breath. Certain I could not get up without waking at least half the room, I laid back down and tried to see my frosty breath. It was too dark, but I'm positive I could have with a little light. After what seemed an eternity, my wife stirred.

"You okay?" She whispered.

"No, rigor mortis has commandeered my extremities."

"Huh?"

"Nothing." Sometimes my humor goes unappreciated.

"I didn't hear you." The volume of her whisper rose slightly.

"I said...I'm freezing." It wasn't worth repeating myself. She was barely awake.

"Yeah, it's cold. I'll go turn up the thermostat." She sounded as if she meant it. She is awesome like that.

"No, it's okay. I'll live...maybe." This wasn't a North Face commercial and I didn't want to sacrifice my wife's health. If a mammoth can survive an Ice Age, so could I. Wait a sec, mammoths didn't make it. I'll probably die too. What kind of fire could possibly be in that woman's blood for her to enjoy the single digits of a thermometer in a tissue-thin nightgown? I considered it for a moment and decided she may be the cause of the global warming crisis. Maybe I should alert the global warming watchdogs. Curled fetally in my pre-rigor state, I tried to figure out who I should contact. I couldn't think of any, so...

"Screw it. I'm gettin' up." Survival instincts took over. I needed to save myself. Sitting up, I threw my legs over the side of the bed. Mom's poor little dog was at my feet wimpering to be saved. I dressed and took the dog for a walk. The poor dog peed little yellow ice cubes. Did I tell you it was cold. It's not often, one's gets to be a dog hero before daylight. Maybe PETA or Cesar "the Dog Whisperer" Millan should honor me with a roast.

To continue reading about the Adventures of Al, please visit his website at http://www.thetravelvalet.com/.

Al

Pick of the Day(45-9-1)...Phillies and Rays

Yosemite is Timeless

The last time I visited Yosemite, I was about my daughter's age, 12. I remember thinking the place was really "cool" and "neat-o". Thirty some-odd years later, I found better words. "Mesmerizing", "awe-inspiring", and "humbling" are my newer, more adult words for the same picturesque moments I encountered this week. I never seem to grasp how small I really am until I am confronted with these monumental wonders.

Only a few days later, I still have not come to terms with the relative size of everything Yosemite. Think about it...El Capitan is the largest single piece of granite above ground on the face of the earth. Yosemite Falls is the tallest falls in North America and third largest on earth. And you can look at them at the same time by turning your head. The Mariposa Grove, while it doesn't claim the oldest or largest tree, is the largest concentration of giant sequoias in the world. Many are so close they have grown together. A sequoia named, "Old Grizzly" is considered to be around 1900 years old and is 92 ft in diameter at its base. I have slept in much smaller hotel rooms. It seems impossible to come to comprehend the grandness and I just left. Maybe "neat-o" is a better adjective.

Yosemite Facts

1. Yosemite National Park is located 195 miles east of San Francisco and 276 miles north of Los Angeles, California



2. It's 761,266 acres cover almost 1000 miles in circumference.



3. Became a World Heritage Site in 1984.



4. Ansel Adams spent a lifetime here photographing Yosemite's wonders



5. Yosemite Falls is solely fed by snowmelt and dries up every August



6. Abraham Lincoln signed a bill protecting the Yosemite Valley and Mariposa Grove during the Civil War.



7. The US Calvary protected the park until the Ranger Service was created.



8. The sport of rock climbing got it's start in Yosemite. As a matter of fact, the campground at the base of El Capitan is listed on the World Heritage Registry as being instrumental in the formation of the sport.
   
   
9. There are over 800 miles of hiking trails within the park

If your thinking of visiting Yosemite National Park, please contact me at theTravelValet@gmail.com. I can provide a wealth of info and advice as well as some very current itinerary tips.

Wildlife sights on this trip included: American black bear (mother and three cubs), mule deer, yellow-bellied marmot, rainbow trout, coyote and timber wolf. That was enough to validate the trip by itself.

Al, the Travel Valet

Pick of the Day(44-9-1)...Red Sox

Life's Autumn

I got up this morning, like any good rooster, to crow and watch Lance Armstrong's comeback in the Tour de France. Getting up on less than three hours sleep gets harder as the years pass, my mind and body want to linger longer on the goose down, but I forge forward and will my self downstairs to the television room. Lance is on. I am loyal.

The race is leaving France and entering the Swiss Alps as I rub the sleep away. The first thing I notice is Lance is not at the front, but lingering at the rear of the peloton. This is not like him. His motis operandi is to steer clear of danger and hang around the front end of the peloton surrounded by his teammates. I sense danger like seals off Dyer Island in South Africa, white sharks are lurking nearby. My stomach starts to churn. I worry. The picturesque Swiss countryside zooms by at 35 miles per hour. That's how fast these insanely fit men tackle the Tour de France mountain stages. They are in the Swiss Alps for Christ's sake, some of the steepest mountains in the world. I'm am in awe as I watch. I can only stretch out my 44 year old back on the sofa and dream of such things.

The day's breakaway of riders is caught at the bottom of the nastiest climb to the ski resort, Verbier. I watch Alberto Contador look at faces of the few remaining competitors. I know what is about to happen. I saw Lance do the same thing six years earlier. Contador was looking into the eyes of his combatants and challenging their greatness (read: manhood). I knew then, at that very nanosecond, it was over. Contador turned forward and faced the alpine mountain, his only competitor, took a deep breath and said, "It's just you and me." And then it was over. Alberto Contador's 25 year old legs accelerated as if going downhill.

Lance had nothing. I was depressed. Ten minutes later, the race was over. Lance finished ninth on the day and sat in second for the Tour. A truly remarkable achievement, but not what I hoped. Not the way I needed it to end. What? Not the way I needed it? I didn't race. Hell, I'm not even in Europe. But, I'll explain

Many times in my life I have tried to explain sport and how it symbolized a man's life in microcosm. I'm not sure if my argument ever bore any fruit to any of my audience, but the parallel holds true for me. The battle on the field or on the race course exemplifies the journey of a man's life, it's life in microcosm. The championships are too glorious and and the failures much too foreboding. Sometimes, I catch myself living through sport, pinning hopes on great seasons or routing the evil enemy. And in the end, always falling short of perfection. In sport, there is only one champion each season and everyone else loses. Kinda cruel, like life, but if you don't play, you can't win. This is how I pursue life.

Anyway, back to Lance. He didn't have the legs to match the 25 year old. I saw the fire in his eyes turn to solemn acceptance. He was done. The championships are behind him. Lance slipped into Life's Autumn.

He may go fighting, kicking and scratching. Most champions do. Ali, Jordan, Emmitt Smith, Brett Farve, Greg Norman and Tom Watson in this year's British Open all tried to recapture youth. But Lance is through.

I went back to bed depressed. I slept most of the rest of the day. I needed Lance to prove it was possible to postpone the inevitable Autumn. It's not possible, I know this consciously. My life is in it's very late Summer, I feel it every day. It's sad. I pray I have the courage to admit and accept Autumn when it arrives. I can almost see it on the horizon. I can definitely smell it in the air.

LiveStrong

Al

Pick of the day(42-9-1)...Rockies

WSOP Out, Yosemite In

With the WSOP ending last night earlier than expected, the Travel Valet gets to focus on upcoming trips and planning trips for clients. Tonight we'll close out an Itinerary for two '30 something' American women going on a South African safari at Kruger National Park, then a helicopter adventure over Victoria Falls in Zambia and finally, cage diving with great white sharks off Cape Town. Talk about experiencing life...wow! These girls are going to have opportunities to embrace life changing moments continuously for 14 days. Have fun.

Al, on the other hand, is off trekking again next week. He will journey into Death Valley and battle some of earth's harshest conditions and then move on to Yosemite National Park in hopes of rediscovering his tail feathers. Puk Ack!! A little El Capitan, a little Half-Dome and throw in a lot of hiking for rejuvenation were the doctor's orders. I swear. Sitting in stale poker rooms for 6 weeks doesn't do much for this rooster's complexion.

After California, we are off to the Texas Hill Country in early September with a long weekend in Austin. Because? Because we want to. Anyway, why wouldn't one wish to visit Austin? Its possibly the coolest city in the US. After that trip ends, the Travel Valet gang will set out to experience some true Americana in early October, state fairs. But I'm getting ahead of myself.

Next stop, Yosemite. All aboard.

Al

Pick of the Day(42-9-1)...Braves