Summers Finally Here

It has been joyous. Back in March, with the temperatures already cracking the mystical 100 degree mark I began to wonder how hot we would go this summer. Then, "Spring" came. I guess. I'm from the South, Texas and Florida, where there is no real Spring. Only heat and humidity. I grew up thinking the "feels-like" temperature was a scientific form of measurement. Anyway, Las Vegas really cooled down. April and May have been incredibly moderate. I was beginning to think if this is Global Warming or El Nino then I would like a second serving. "May I have some more? Please."

Then yesterday came and reminded me why there are no trees in the desert. They melted.

So, while peeling my sweaty back from the leather seat, I thought of houseboats and how marvelous that would be sipping a cool beverage while puttering along the picturesque coastline of Lake Powell. I dug out my handy-dandy directory and created a houseboat itinerary for all of us this summer. Wouldn't it be fabulous to escape the sweltering heat on your very own houseboat? I can help. Drop me a line at theTravelValet@gmail.com.

Pick of the Day(32-8-1)...Red Sox for second day in a row. Go BoSox!

The Come Back

What's going on in July, you ask? Well, buckaroos, we have the Tour de Lance (I mean France) from July 4th-July 26th covering 3,500 kilometers. Lance Armstrong is recuperating from a nasty crash in Spain which broke his clavicle. I pretty common cycling injury, but painful. I should know; I did the same thing. I really thought he blew his chances for a comeback with the injury. But he claims he will be ready for the Tour.

To complicate things further for the seven-time champion, his significant other brought a baby boy, Max, into the world last week. I'm sure he feels the familial strings tugging to stick around base camp. But he says he's still on track. I'm chomping at the bit to see it with my own eyes.

This Tour should be exceptionally amazing because of the course. We have a huge mountain ascent only 24 hours before the Champs-Elysees circuit. That means we probably will not have a champion until the last day. Wait, there's even more! The Tour de France is visiting some grand destinations as well; Monaco, Marseilles, Andorra, Barcelona, Verbier, Switzerland and of course, Paris. Are you kidding me? You don't need the greatest non-motor race in the world to visit such incredible sites. I'm hyperventilating! Okay, now I'm kidding. If you want to check it out with me or independently, drop me an email at theTravelValet@gmail.com or tweet me on Twitter.

Go Lance!! Make it 8! Livestrong everyone!!!

Al, the Travel Valet
Survivor '83

Pick of the Day(28-7-1)...Rays

First Class to Maui, Anyone?

Ever fly first class to Maui or Oahu? Want to? Usually over priced in the $1600 range, United is offering first class accomodations from Los Angeles starting at $522, New York from $660, San Antonio from $560, etc.... I'm not too fond of blogging about airfare deals; I'm a writer, for heaven's sake. But sometimes deals are too good to ignore. This is one. Take a gander and treat yourself to a trip of a lifetime. Need a little assistance, send me a note to Al@theTravelValet.com.

Cheap Family Summer Fun

I was talking to a lady in a restaurant last night about family vacation expenses. Her two teenage sons stood nearby appearing bored and ready to leave. She said her family was staying home this summer because the economy was pinching them too hard.

"What can you do?" She said.
"Where do you live?" I asked.
"Phoenix."
"Horse poo," I retorted. "Take'em to Flagstaff in late July. The Arizona Cardinals begin their NFL training camp around the last week of the month and its free to attend" (I didn't know the exact date; turns out it's July 23). "It'll be cooler and revitalizing to you and your sons."

Flagstaff, elevation 7200 ft., is usually 20-30 degrees cooler than the desert of Phoenix. Flagstaff is 30 miles from the wonders of Sedona and sixty miles from the grandest hole in the world, the Grand Canyon.

"Don't let money get you down, just get more creative. Plan a long weekend, make picnics, go hiking, or camp out. A tank of gas can get you hundreds of miles away from the norm."
"Not a bad idea, " she mumbled. I don't think she was interested, but her sons looked as if they had polished off a six-pack of Red Bull. They left me wondering what would happen. I wished I would have pushed harder, but the timing seemed awkward.

If you need to get out and take a break, but fear you can't afford it, drop me an e-mail for alternate ideas. I'll bet, I can help. Here is a link to the NFL Training Camp locations and start dates. http://fftoolbox.com/football/2009/nfl-training-camps.cfm.

Have an adventurous summer!
Al, The Travel Valet
theTravelValet@gmail.com

Pick of the Day(28-7-0)...Rangers