Nature sucks sometimes

I really enjoy nature. I love watching the hummingbirds swarm the feeder in my backyard. Watching the baby bluebird learn to fly was a recent pastime favorite. But lately some things have occured which appear out of my control.
A few weeks ago I noticed a lifeless bluebird on my neighbor's yard. Inspecting the bird, there appeared to be no visible signs of trauma. The only explanation was possibly West Nile virus. Yesterday I went out to mow the yard and was shocked to see a humingbird dead in my front yard below a tree which it had spent many months chasing insects from one of the higher limbs. Again no trauma, just grief on my part.
Last week I was in Yellowstone Park and drove up on a deer which was painfully flopping on the pavement. It had been hit by a car and was now living out its last few moments in agony. Soon a Park Ranger arrived and shot the deer, ending a once peaceful life.
My regular job takes me around to vacant homes thoughout the city, and I have observed an alarming rising trend. Many of the yards have a dead bird gracing the landscape.
What the hell is going on? Why has nature became such a bully in recent months?
Talking to a close frined at a party last night, I was telling them about my recent string of bad luck with Mother Nature. They had no explanation except for a "that sucks".
Pollution, sickness, viruses, contamination, in the wrong place at the wrong time.......what is it?
If anyone cares to offer an opinion, please do so.

The Eco-Unfriendly skies

United Airlines has recently added a $15 surcharge per checked bag each way. Basically an additional $30 added to your flight cost. Meals may soon be eliminated for Coach passengers traveling across the ocean.
No longer is the term "nickle and diming" appropriate. The term should now be "dollars and more dollars".
Flying home from Denver last Monday evening, the stewardess approached and asked if I would like something to drink? I asked for water and she handed me a mini 8 ounce bottle, and said I could have a second bottle if needed. I told her I had already brought some water onto the plane and that one bottle would be fine.
I then asked her if all these bottles were being recycled? She said no. I was shocked to think how many thousands of bottles end up in the landfills each day, since United chooses not to recycle the waste.
I would think a company as large as United should take more responsibility to instigate a recycling program to keep all these bottles from being trashed. Although I didn't ask specifically, I assuming the cans are being tossed along with the bottles.
It's time for United and the other airlines to think outside of the box on how to save some money, while also taking some burden off the environment.
United has approximately 4000 flights per day, and would seem to have at least 200,ooo passengers per day.
Scheduled airlines served 1.5 billion passengers last year. If only 1 in 10 passengers had a bottle of water, that would be 150 million water bottles not going into our earth every year.

If the price is right!

United Airlines sends out a weekly Email with last minute E-fares. Scanning the list of what was available from my hometown, I noticed that a flight to Jackson Hole, Wyoming would only set me back a little over $200 roundtrip. Normally this fare would run around $600 to $800.

These fares must be booked for flights either the next or following weekend.

Since I haven't been to Wyoming for many years, I decided to take the offer. After making my reservation for late August, I then began to look for some type of naturistic lodging. Only a few minutes later I had found Colter Bay Village in Grand Teton National Park. For $43 you can stay in a tent/cabin which has two log walls as the rest being constructed of canvas. Bunk beds and a small stove fill the inside. A picnic table and firepit front the tent. The bathroom is some distance away, and a shower will set you back $3.50.

The idea so I can get back to nature in a way. Hopefully to view some wildlife and just take some time to enjoy the clean air.

I booked for two nights and now the waiting begins. Story and photos to follow.

You can learn more about the Colter Bay area by follwing this link:

http://www.colterbayvillage.com/lodgeCBV.aspx

Bahamas Cruise for $112?

Last month I reported on a four night Mexico cruise for $209. I really didn't think there could be a better offer. Well now there possibly is.
Imperial Majesty Cruise Line is offering a 2 night cruise from Fort Lauderdale to Nassau, Bahamas for $112. This price is half off and includes your food and entertainment.
An additional port charge of $59 applies. Dates through October are available.

For more information, click this link:

http://imperialmajesty.com/sailing_aug08.html

Our shrinking skies

Last month I wrote about the loss of flights at Los Angeles International Airport (LAX). Today it was reported that Southern California would take another blow to the aviation industry. LA/Ontario airport has just reported that it will be losing up to 34% of its current flights. Express Jet and Jet Blue appear to be leaving the airport for good, while Southwest, Delta and United will be cutting flights.

High fuel prices appear to be the main reason for the exodus. Other cities are experincing the decline with Oakland, Kansas City, Tucson, Raleigh/Durham and Cleveland, Ohio all losing at least 15% of their flights from the same period last year.

How will this affect the consumer? Higher flight prices because of declining competition will likely have many travelers looking for alternative ways to travel.

Could we be resorting back to the days of hitchhiking?

Caribbean magazine - 3 years for 1

One of my favorite travel magazines is Caribbean Travel & Life Magazine.
If you have ever vacationed in the Caribbean, this magazine will keep the fire alive with great stories and just about anything to do with the vacation friendly region. Another plus is that they recently featured one of my top resorts the Rockhouse in Negril, Jamaica.

Right now they are offering a three year subscription for the price of one year.

Follow this link for more information.
https://secure.palmcoastd.com/pcd/document?ikey=0898FH3JA

$209 for a cruise?

Yes the price is right. You can cruise the Baja region on a four day cruise for as little as $209 a person. With the current economy sputtering, maybe you want to still take a vacation while keeping the cost reasonable.

http://www.carnival.com/cms/fun/ships/carnival_paradise/default.aspx?shipCode=PA

Various dates apply to this great deal although the January 12, 2009 date appears to be the cheapest.

Miami to Lima for $266 Roundtrip

Travel Invasion found this to be an incredible fare at a time when most fares aren't so incredible.
The $266 includes taxes and can be booked for flights all the way into November. Spend the fall in Peru while the weather is still nice.

Check out http://www.avianca.com/ for this great deal.

Or check out our site for more great deals.
http://www.travelinvasion.com/

LAX - Losing Flights

If you plan on flying out of Los Angeles in the next few months, you might be surprised to find your flight has been cancelled. Not because of bad weather or mechanical problems, but because the plane no longer flies that route.

LAX flight activity is down 16.4 percent as compared with last year. American Airlines is cutting out 86 flights per week in and out of the airport. Delta has announced 68 flight cuts, but the biggest loser is United with 266 flights to be eliminated.

Travel Invasion advises anyone who plans to be flying out of LAX over the next few months to check other competing flights in case your flight gets cancelled. If you do receive a cancellation notice, ask for a refund and try flying out on another airline with similar times. Having a backup plan can keep your vacation from being screwed.

Paying to poop

Once upon a time, flying was a glamorous experience. Families would dress their kids in their best outfits. Men would wear suits and ladies wore dresses. Meals would consist of foods from all four food groups. The children were entertained by stewardesses who gave out free toys and playing cards. Mom and dad could catch up on current events from a wide array of magazines available on flight. Seats were still wide enough to actually stretch from time to time.

Overall it was a thrilling experience.

Today things have changed in a big way. Flying is now basically like riding your local public transit, but only in the air. People of all shapes and sizes are now herded like cattle, filling each and every inch available. Planes are seldom cleaned leaving your seat front pouch like a mystery treasure chest of dirty kleenex, half eaten sandwiches and other unidentified gook.

If you are lucky enough to get a middle seat, say goodbye to any chance of using an armrest.

If you forgot to bring cash then you are probably out of luck to have any chance of being a lucky recepient of the 5 dollar snack box. The snack box basically consists of what I call the "no food group" foods. Combining salt, sodium, saturated fat and sugar with a little chese dip thrown in.

If you are cold, too bad! All the blankets were taken away to reduce flight load. Need a pillow? Maybe there will be one available but the thought of a past lice or dandruff filled head using it should scare you off.

The final straw which actually won't be the final straw, is to charge you for your first piece of checked luggage. You have just paid American Airlines $480 to fly from Los Angeles to New York, but get ready to cough up another $15 if you want your clothes and toiletries to make the trip with you. Northwest, United and US Airways are guilty of this practice as well.
Wouldn't it be better to just add this charge into the ticket price? In an attempt to keep competitive low fares, the airlines have decided it is better to use the add-on system.

I have recently received word that one of the airlines is considering a bathroom surcharge.
To go Number 1 you will be assessed a $3.00 charge. This will included 5 minutes of time. Once the time is up a bell will go off and the door will pop open exposing you to the waiting masses.
To go Number 2 you will be charged $5.00 although you will be given 10 fleeting minutes before public exposure.

Other ideas being floated by the airlines included a weight surcharge. Upon checking in you will be asked to step on the luggage scale. You will be assessed a fee for any body weight above the National average for body size. A six foot man over 200 pounds will have to pay up. A five foot five woman over 140 pounds will have to pay a premium as well.

What next I wonder? Maybe a discount if you have had past flying lessons and can serve as "co-pilot" thus reducing the need for the airline to hire their own co-pilots.

Happy flying everyone.

This would have been nice 5 years ago

Times are changing. Last week I stood in line for 2 hours acting like a sheep going to slaughter, all so I could get my hands on the new "low priced" iPhone. After having the same phone for over 5 years, I knew it was time for a change. But I didn't realize how the new iPhone would change things for me personally.
For some reason a new sense of motivation came rolling in. I knew it was time for Travel Invasion to head down a new path. Ideas which have been brewing for months or even years are now starting to percolate.
Positive energy rewards the soul.
Stay tuned, things should be getting better.