http://ustravel.today.com 2 rat race refugees hit the road to search for a simpler life. Tue, 30 Dec 2008 20:36:25 +0000 http://backend.userland.com/rss092 en Yesterday on the TV news, I heard this statement, in connection to a recent death on a cruise line. The speaker was discussing the risks of cruise travel in general, and the footage was stock footage of various cruise boats. "What people don't realize is, of course, is.... it happens more ... http://ustravel.today.com/2008/12/30/dangerous-cruises-pitch-travelers-overboard/ It used to be pretty standard that you could find at least one blackjack table with a $5 minimum. Before blackjack became all the rage about 10 years ago, you could even find tables with $2 or $3 minimums. Those days are all but gone on the Strip, but if ... http://ustravel.today.com/2008/12/29/the-silverton-casino-5-blackjack-in-las-vegas/ This week's hard drive failure did teach me a couple of valuable things about why I'm glad to have a Mac computer, living on the road. For one thing, when they work, they really do work. Effortlessly and seamlessly.   For another thing, they have good, built-in encryption in the File Vault ... http://ustravel.today.com/2008/12/22/why-macs-are-good-computers-for-rvers/ Twas the week before Christmas and all through the park Not a creature was stirring, not even a lark. The stockings were piled on the rig's steering wheel And we were home from the buffet after a great big meal. The presents were on their way to loved ones, We dreamed of a Christmas in ... http://ustravel.today.com/2008/12/18/christmas-in-las-vegas/ We are here, in beautiful Anthony, Texas. In a parking lot. OK, it's a glorified parking lot-- we have hookups, after all. But our rig spent 2 days at the local Camping World service center getting a few repairs done, and it's probably going to be back in the shop ... http://ustravel.today.com/2008/11/20/rv-jail/ John and I both enjoy observing nature in various ways. John is a hiker and backpacker, and he's most at home among redwood trees. I enjoy looking at stuff-- creepy crawlies in the desert, deer wandering past our campsite, the thousand ways a prickly pear cactus can grow, the stars ... http://ustravel.today.com/2008/11/12/science-in-america-the-mcdonald-observatory/ John and I went scouting this week for RV parks near Big Bend National Park. With the International Chili Cookoff happening in Terlingua on November 1, we're down here to enjoy the cookoff and visit the amazing and beautiful state and national parks in the area. All of the parks ... http://ustravel.today.com/2008/10/17/terlingua-texas-rv-parks-near-big-bend-national-park/ I took some time off from the USTravel.today.com blog. Mainly, I needed to do a little life balancing. See, I had an epiphany recently. I have time in my life for work, knitting, reading, writing, social life, tourism, music, etc... but only if I pick 3 of those things to ... http://ustravel.today.com/2008/10/15/taking-time/ You probably read about the TSA's new uniforms in the news yesterday. If you didn't, you will probably notice them the next time you fly. Previously, the TSA had white cotton shirts which looked rather informal and, after a few years of wear, they all became a bit stained. What's ... http://ustravel.today.com/2008/09/12/the-new-face-of-the-tsa/ Nearly everyone you talk to will tell you "the Canadian side is prettier!" when planning a visit to Niagara Falls , and that might be true. It's been about 16 years since I was in the Canadian side of the Falls. However, the American side is quite majestic, and affords ... http://ustravel.today.com/2008/09/01/niagara-falls-the-american-side/