Mont St. Michel, France

Up until a few years ago, quirky Mont St. Michel, a tidal island (tides vary as much as 50 feet) located off the coast of Normandy, France, was in danger of losing its maritime identity. In the 8th century, a bishop established a small chapel there. A Gothic abbey, used during the French Revolution as a prison, followed a few centuries later. Then in the 19th century a causeway connecting the island to the mainland was built, preventing the sea from washing away silt that collected around the island. A dam that rose in 1969 had a similar effect. Land slowly crept up on the island. Now Mont St. Michel, which receives almost two and a half million visitors a year, is undergoing a face-lift aimed at turning back the accumulated sands of time.

For more than a thousand years, the distant silhouette of this island abbey sent pilgrims' spirits soaring. Today, it does the same for tourists. Mont St. Michel, among the top four pilgrimage sites in Christendom through the ages, floats like a mirage on the horizon — though it does show up on film. Today, 3.5 million visitors, far more tourists than pilgrims, flood the single street of the tiny island each year.

Drive in slowly on the causeway, watching out for fine views and crossing sheep. Park in the pay lot near the base of the island. Very high tides rise to the edge of the causeway, which leaves the causeway driveable...but any cars parked below it are left underwater. (You'll be instructed where to park under high-tide conditions.) There's plenty of parking, except midday in high season.

Around the Bay of Mont St. Michel is polder land, farmland reclaimed by Normans in the 19th century with the help of Dutch engineers. Today, this reclaimed land is covered by salt-loving plants and grazed by sheep whose salty meat is considered a local treat. The river below Mont St. Michel marks the historic border between Brittany and Normandy, who have long vied for Mont St. Michel. (In fact, the river used to pass Mont St. Michel on the other side, making the abbey part of Brittany. Today, the river's route is stable and the abbey is just barely but thoroughly on Normandy soil.)

The five-sided Boucle Tower was crafted with no blind angles, so defenders could protect it and the nearby walls in all directions. While the English took all of Normandy, they never took this well-fortified island. Because of its stubborn success against the English in the Hundred Years' War, Mont St. Michel became a symbol of French national identity.

In 2009, a new dam was completed. This one pushes sediment back into the sea. In April, the parking lot that rested on the causeway was closed and a new lot on the mainland opened. Construction on a bridge connecting the island to the mainland is underway. After it's completed in 2014, the existing causeway will be demolished, allowing water to flow around the island.

Looking for that uniquely different vacation destination. Call Rawhide Travel and Tours today 602-843-5100 or visit our website rawhidetravel.com. We can help!

Presented By:
Rawhide Travel and Tours Inc
6008 West Bell Rd # F105
Glendale, Arizona  85308-3793
(602) 843-5100
rawhidetravel.com

Travel Tips: Your Luggage

The major airlines today have invested in advanced baggage tracing technology, so reuniting passengers with luggage is much quicker and more efficient. Luckily, most delayed bags will catch up with their owners within hours and the airline will deliver the bags by courier.

It’s encouraging that an astonishingly small fraction of a percent of all checked luggage is permanently lost.

As a passenger, you can take certain precautions that can help the airlines return your bag or forgotten items.

Follow these tips whenever you travel:

Value your valuables, keep them safe
It’s important to remember that traveling has inherent risks. It’s never prudent to pack (or in some cases, even take along) expensive items or belongings that are hard or impossible to replace.

Valuables should be kept with you as you travel. These items include prescriptions, travel documents and cash, as well as jewelry. Think about a money belt.

If the nature of your travel demands that you routinely take expensive clothing, equipment or other items, be sure you cover their replacement value under a policy you buy in addition to the automatic, limited coverage that may be provided by the airline. Check with your own insurance company for this protection, or buy excess valuation coverage on-line or at the ticket counter.

Stick your name On it.
Bag tags are required, but they can be torn off. Some suitcases have a slide-in window about the size of a business card for secondary identification. Consider these when shopping for a new suitcase.

Some travelers put their identification on their bag tags when they purchase luggage and never think about it again. Airlines sometimes discover the owner of the bag has not lived at the address on the tag for many years. Make sure your bag tags are up to date.

Put your name In it
Put additional identification inside your bag, including a copy of your itinerary. This can help the airlines know whether to send your bags to your travel destination or your home.

With stricter conditions on carry-on baggage, you may find suitcases and hanging bags you previously were able to take on board will need to be checked. That’s why it’s smart to take precautions to make sure every bag, even the ones you plan to keep with you on the plane, have your contact information – inside and outside the bag.

Mark your name on Everything
Put your name and address on everything. Remember camp? The reason your mom sewed labels in your clothes is the same reason you want to label things you don’t think of as luggage.

This would include, for example, your glasses case with your expensive designer eyewear inside, your camera and camera bag or the extra tote you bought on the trip to carry all those goodies home.

If you leave these personal items behind on the plane, it’s essential that you have identification on each of them so they can be identified by the airline and returned. Remember that many other products similar to yours will be left in overhead bins or seat pockets.

Using a label maker is a simple way to alert the airlines of your cell number or email address that’s accessible to you on the road.

Treat your luggage nice
Before packing for any trip, check all the zippers and locks on your bags because they may have become worn or broken on a previous trip. And be aware, even if the zippers and locks are in good condition, overstuffed luggage is prone to burst open during the normal shuffle between the terminal and the plane.

Make a list
Make an inventory of the items packed in each bag to assist the airline in finding your luggage in case it gets lost. Take a copy with you in your briefcase or purse.

Personalize, customize and stylize
Prevent your look-alike bag from being grabbed off the carousel by a traveler too rushed to check the tags. Tie a colored ribbon or bandana on the handle or secure a colored elastic band (made for this purpose) around your suitcase. These kinds of mix-ups are preventable, so take precautions.

Ask questions
Don't use curbside check-in. Doing so increases the chances that your luggage will be missing at your destination – at least temporarily – according to industry statistics.

If you check in with an agent inside the airport, you should know the 3-letter airport code of your destination airport (DFW, LAX, ORD, etc.). Double check that the agent has noted the correct airport and that the tag attached to your luggage is correct, before it heads down the conveyor belt.

Mistakes that could separate you from your luggage, even temporarily, can be easily avoided with this simple precaution. But even a delay can be a catastrophe if you need what’s in the bag for a business meeting, wedding or your vacation.

Don’t rush – take your time
On the plane, carefully note where you’ve stashed items. If the only available overhead space is over row 27 and you’re sitting in row 23, be sure to make mental note of where it is.

Otherwise, in your rush to catch your connecting flight, you may grab your laptop from under the seat, but forget the carry on in the overhead bin several rows behind you. Or you could be left scrambling in the wrong bin wondering where your bag is.

Find an airline baggage agent
If your luggage doesn’t arrive in the baggage claim area, find the baggage agent on duty immediately. There’s a chance your luggage has already arrived and is locked up in the agent’s area for safe keeping.

Sometimes luggage is loaded onto a non-stop flight even though you were on a plane that had a stopover on the way, so your suitcases get there before you.

But if your luggage is not there, do not leave the airport before completing the paperwork for the baggage agent. Fill out all information about your luggage on the forms provided. Be as detailed as possible. Get a phone number to call in case you need to follow-up.

If you need basic amenities such as toothbrush, toothpaste and razor to be ready for a meeting, ask. Most airlines will provide these for you while you’re waiting for your suitcase.

Stash the cash
In addition to not losing your luggage, you don’t want your credit cards or passport pilfered either. There are a variety of wallets and purses available that are designed to be pickpocket resistant. If you follow these basic, common sense tips, you should reduce the risk of losing your luggage and other belongings.

Let Rawhide Travel and Tours help you with all your reservation needs. Call us at (602) 843-5100 or visit our website: rawhidetravel.com.

Presented By:
Rawhide Travel and Tours Inc
6008 West Bell Rd # F105
Glendale, Arizona 85308-3793
(602) 843-5100
rawhidetravel.com

Pipestone National Monument Minnesota

For countless generations, American Indians have quarried the red pipestone found at this site. These grounds are sacred to many people because the pipestone quarried here is carved into pipes used for prayer. Many believe that the pipe's smoke carries one's prayer to the Great Spirit. The traditions of quarrying and pipemaking continue here today.

The pipestone quarries are a sacred site for many American Indians. For centuries, tribes across North America traveled to this site to quarry red pipestone for making pipes and effigies from the easily carved material. Today, they still travel long distances to quarry this sacred stone and continue the tradition of pipemaking. Red pipestone is a valuable spiritual resource to many American Indians.

Pipestone National Monument offers an opportunity to explore unique cultural and natural resources. View active quarry pits where American Indians continue the traditions of the past by quarrying pipestone. Continue with the nature walk on the Circle Trail to see historical markers, unique quartzite rock formations, and Winnewissa Falls. The quarries are surrounded with many varieties of flowers and grasses growing in the native tallgrass prairie.

Visitor Center
Inside the Visitor Center you will find numerous activities including a museum that features exhibits about Pipestone National Monument's cultural, historical and natural resources.

Visitors also have the opportunity to watch an award winning 22-minute film, "Pipestone: An Unbroken Legacy." The film provides perspective on the significance of Pipestone and the quarrying tradition still carried out today.

Cultural Demonstrations
American Indian craft workers demonstrate the art of shaping and creating pipestone crafts and pipes in the Visitor Center.

Visitors have an opportunity to interact with and learn from the pipemakers. The demonstrations are available from April to mid-October.

Nature Walk
The Circle Trail, which begins and ends at the Visitor Center, is a paved walking trail that leads to several points of interest at Pipestone National Monument. 

Activities Near By:

Split Rock Creek State Park
Just seven miles south of Pipestone, MN, is the area’s nearest state park, Split Rock Creek State Park. Swim, fish or boat the waters of Split Rock Lake.

Blue Mounds State Park
Blue Mounds State Park protects a bison herd which grazes on one of the most picturesque prairie remnants in the state of Minnesota. The Park is located 25 miles south of Pipestone, MN.

Jeffers Petroglyphs Historic Site
Amid the prairie grasses at Jeffers Petroglyphs Historic Site are islands of uncovered rock, where American Indians left carvings - petroglyphs. They tell a story that spans 5,000 years. Jeffers Petroglyphs Historic Site is located 83 miles east of Pipestone, MN.

Let Rawhide Travel and Tours help you with all your reservation needs. Call us at (602) 843-5100 or visit our website: rawhidetravel.com.

Presented By:
Rawhide Travel and Tours Inc
6008 West Bell Rd # F105
Glendale, Arizona 85308-3793
(602) 843-5100
rawhidetravel.com

Plan Your Next Vacation With Rawhide Travel and Tours

Rawhide Travel and Tours with combined total of “75 years of travel experience" provides amazing deals for your dream vacation with experienced, friendly travel experts.

Services offered include booking domestic and international air travel, hotel and resort reservations, car rental and cruises for individuals, corporate, group and incentive travel. Also tour packages of every type from a weekend getaway, to San Diego or Disneyland to involved and detailed vacations worldwide.

Plan your next great vacation with Rawhide Travel and Tours. Call today (602) 843-5100 or email us at flythis@rawhidetravel.com.

Presented By:
Rawhide Travel and Tours Inc
6008 West Bell Rd # F105
Glendale, Arizona  85308-3793
(602) 843-5100
rawhidetravel.com

In the News: Social Media Changing the Travel Industry

Social networks have infiltrated seemingly every aspect of everyday life. Whether it is an Twitter post of what you ate for lunch or a Facebook thread that helps you keep in touch with friends, it's hard to imagine a world where these popular websites don't play an integral role in society. This has increasingly become the case in the travel industry, as Facebook and Twitter have made it easy for travelers to offer real-time reviews of everything from airlines to hotels, and this is posing a new challenge for companies in the industry.

Increasing online presence
The growing number of travelers turning to the Internet to voice their questions and concerns has led airlines, cruise companies and hotels to place a greater emphasis on using online channels to interact with their customer base. One of the companies that has been particularly adept at using this to their advantage is JetBlue, which employs more than two dozen employees whose sole job it is to respond to travelers who have issues with their services.

More than complaints
Although social media has changed how quickly travelers can make, and get responses to, complaints, that is not the only way that it is revolutionizing the travel industry. According to Travel Leisure, it has also made it easier for travelers to get from place to place if they're in a jam. For instance, apps such as Gogobot can offer insight into how to find a flight, train or bus to a particular destinations if you're running into issues.

No end in sight
It's safe to say that the impact social media has had on travel is not going anywhere anytime soon, especially as smartphones and tablet computers become more common. According to a recent Pew Research Center study, 56 percent of American adults own a smartphone, while 34 percent own a tablet, making it easy for them to head to the social media world whether in the air or traveling the U.S.

Call Rawhide Travel and Tours and start planning that special vacation or event today. 602-843-5100 or visit our website rawhidetravel.com.

Presented By:
Rawhide Travel and Tours Inc
6008 West Bell Rd # F105
Glendale, Arizona  85308-3793
(602) 843-5100
rawhidetravel.com 

Unusual Places: Leshan Giant Buddha

The Leshan Giant Buddha in Sichuan was carved out of a mountainside in the 8th century. At 233 feet high, it is one of the largest images of the Buddha in the world and it is by far the tallest pre-modern statue in the world.

Construction was started in 713, led by a Chinese monk named Haitong. He hoped that the Buddha would calm the turbulent waters that plagued the shipping vessels traveling down the river. When funding for the project was threatened, he is said to have gouged out his own eyes to show his piety and sincerity. After his death, however, the construction was stuck due to insufficient funding. About 70 years later, a jiedushi decided to sponsor the project and the construction was completed by Haitong's disciples in 803.

The first Buddhist temple in China was built here in Sichuan Province in the 1st century A.D. in the beautiful surroundings of the summit Mount Emei. The addition of other temples turned the site into one of Buddhism's holiest sites. Over the centuries, the cultural treasures grew in number. The most remarkable is the Giant Buddha of Leshan, carved out of a hillside in the 8th century and looking down on the confluence of three rivers. At 71 m high, it is the largest Buddha in the world. Mount Emei is also notable for its exceptionally diverse vegetation, ranging from subtropical to subalpine pine forests. Some of the trees there are more than 1,000 years old.

Mount Emei is an area of striking scenic beauty. It is also of great spiritual and cultural importance because of its role in the introduction of Buddhism into China. The conscious siting of so many of the cultural monuments, particularly of traditional architecture, within the natural environment makes it a cultural landscape of very high order.

 On Mount Emei, there are over 30 temples, ten of them large and very old; they are in local traditional style and most are built on hillsides, taking advantage of the terrain. In the selection of the site, design, and construction they are masterpieces of great originality and ingenuity. The advanced architectural and building techniques are the quintessence of Chinese temple architecture.

Visitors stare in awe at the Buddha from the tourist ferries and from a terrace next to his ear. On one side of the terrace is a modern statue of the monk Haitong, and behind is the Lingyun Temple Museum with exhibits on the construction and renovations of Dafo.

Looking for that uniquely different vacation destination. Call Rawhide Travel and Tours today 602-843-5100 or visit our website rawhidetravel.com. We can help!

Presented By:
Rawhide Travel and Tours Inc
6008 West Bell Rd # F105
Glendale, Arizona  85308-3793
(602) 843-5100
rawhidetravel.com

How to Recover From Jet Lag

Once we set foot on an airplane, we're essentially baggage. We can't do anything to reduce the length of the flight, eliminate the bumpiness or render our seats any more comfortable. Rapid recovery from a plane flight does rest in our hands, both in the way we prepare for the flight itself and the steps we take once we land. Plan carefully, and your jet lag will vanish rapidly; ignore the effects of the flight on your body and it may take days to reset your internal clock.

Schedule meetings at your destination based on the time zone from which you are departing. If you live on the West Coast and have a meeting in New York, set the meeting for 1:00 p.m., which would be 10:00 a.m. according to your internal clock. This allows you to stay focused and remain at your best during such meetings, especially if you're taking a short trip with a rapid turnaround.

Drink lots of water during your flight. Airplane cabins are extremely dry and dehydration makes it tougher to recover. If you're not sure you can get water on the plane, purchase some at the airport after you go through security; you can't bring liquids in large amounts through the security checkpoint, but you can purchase them afterward. Continue drinking water once you reach your destination, and stay away from alcohol or caffeine on the plane; both are diuretics, which further dry you out.

Gauge your arrival time and plan to either sleep or stay awake on the plane accordingly. If you arrive late in the day and stay awake on the plane; you'll be tired and want to sleep when you land. If you land in the morning or early part of the day, try to sleep on the plane so you'll be refreshed when you arrive.

Exercise on the plane, even if it's just a little bit. Get up and stretch periodically, and walk up and down the aisles. If you can't get out of your seat, then perform small stretching exercises targeting your legs and feet. If you have a stopover, see if you can get off the plane, then walk or perform some basic exercises in the terminal. It keeps your blood flowing and prevents aches, which can lengthen your recovery time from the flight.

Caffeinate after you land if you arrive in the morning, and avoid napping in the day if you can help it. Coffee, tea or caffeinated soda will keep you alert and awake until the evening, when you can engage in your normal sleep cycle. Conversely, stay away from caffeine if you land in the evening; it disrupts your normal sleep patterns.

Exercise in the morning after you land, especially if you can do so outdoors in the sunshine or in a brightly lit gym. The lights and activity help your body naturally reset its internal clock, speeding your recovery. If you have trouble getting up, set an alarm clock to help you.

Call Rawhide Travel and Tours and start planning your business trip or event today. 602-843-5100 or visit our website rawhidetravel.com

Presented By:
Rawhide Travel and Tours Inc
6008 West Bell Rd # F105
Glendale, Arizona  85308-3793
(602) 843-5100
rawhidetravel.com

Scotts Bluff National Monument Nebraska

Towering 800 feet above the North Platte River, Scotts Bluff has served as a landmark for peoples from Native Americans to emigrants on the Oregon, California and Mormon Trails to modern travelers. Rich with geological and paleontological history as well as human history, there is much to discover while exploring the 3,000 acres of Scotts Bluff National Monument.

The Saddle Rock Trail runs from the Visitor Center to the summit of Scotts Bluff and includes a foot tunnel.

The Saddle Rock Trail.  Saddle Rock is seen in the background to the right.

The Saddle Rock Trail runs from the Visitor Center to the summit of Scotts Bluff and includes a foot tunnel.

Length: 1.6 miles (2.6 kilometers), one way

Surface: Asphalt

Difficulty: Strenuous, with an elevation change of 435 feet (133 meters).

Access: Trailhead is located to the east of the Visitor Center. The trail may be hiked one way by using the Summit Shuttle.

Imagine hiking on Scotts Bluff’s most popular trail and running into a regular who hikes the trail daily for exercise - or perhaps members of a local high school cross country team training for an upcoming meet.

Though hiking the paved trail could be considered a workout, a majority of the hikers simply do it to experience the environment – to see and count the geological layers of the bluff, or even to see the needle and thread grass or the mysterious spiderwort flower.

Others want to see the soaring raptors or the western box turtle slowly crawling on the prairie.

Still others use the trail to walk through the foot tunnel dug as a test prior to the Summit Road’s vehicular tunnels in 1933.

These are all possible by hiking the Saddle Rock Trail. Hike both ways, or use the Summit Shuttle and hike only one direction.

The first one-third of the trail from the visitor center is relatively level as you travel across the prairie to Scott’s Spring. The spring’s namesake is also the monument’s: fur trader Hiram Scott.

The Monument's shuttle service is available to visitors free of charge. This service allows visitors whose vehicle is too large to drive up the summit road to still visit the top. Maximum dimensions of vehicles allowed through the tunnels are: 25 feet long and 12 feet high. No trailers are allowed on the summit road. 

The shuttle also gives visitors the flexibility to be dropped off on the summit and walk down the Saddle Rock Trail to the Visitor Center. Visitors may also wish to ride up and down with a Park Ranger to the summit while enjoying the view while we do the driving.

The shuttle service is available upon request as staffing allows.

Let Rawhide Travel and Tours help you with all your reservation needs. Call us at (602) 843-5100 or visit our website: rawhidetravel.com.

Presented By:
Rawhide Travel and Tours Inc
6008 West Bell Rd # F105
Glendale, Arizona 85308-3793
(602) 843-5100
rawhidetravel.com

Plan Your Next Vacation With Rawhide Travel and Tours

Rawhide Travel and Tours with combined total of “75 years of travel experience" provides amazing deals for your dream vacation with experienced, friendly travel experts.

Services offered include booking domestic and international air travel, hotel and resort reservations, car rental and cruises for individuals, corporate, group and incentive travel. Also tour packages of every type from a weekend getaway, to San Diego or Disneyland to involved and detailed vacations worldwide.

Plan your next great vacation with Rawhide Travel and Tours. Call today (602) 843-5100 or email us at flythis@rawhidetravel.com.

Presented By:
Rawhide Travel and Tours Inc
6008 West Bell Rd # F105
Glendale, Arizona  85308-3793
(602) 843-5100
rawhidetravel.com

In the News: Grand Pacific & Far East Voyage

Want to travel to Asia from the USA in a leisurely fashion?  Holland America has a new option for you.

The Seattle-based cruise line says its 1,380-passenger Amsterdam will operate an epic, 78-day sailing from the USA to Asia and back in late 2014.

The "Grand Pacific & Far East Voyage," as it's being called, will kick off in Seattle on Sept. 21, 2014 and include stops in Japan, South Korea, China, Vietnam, Singapore, Jakarta, Bali and Indonesia.

In addition to stops in Asia, the sailing will include several calls in Australia before the ship circles back toward the USA with stops in the South Pacific and Hawaii. It ends Dec. 8 in San Diego.

Think exotic must-see destinations and you can picture yourself atop the Great Wall of China; standing in awe of Beijing’s Imperial Palaces; participating in a Japanese tea ritual; walking into Buddhist temples in Java and Bali; and cruising into Australia and snorkeling the Great Barrier Reef.

Our Grand Pacific & Far East Voyages offers immersive visits to South Korea, China, Vietnam, Singapore, Australia, New Caledonia, Samoa and Hawaii. Explore a kaleidoscope of cultures with extended stays in favorite ports, unique maiden calls and award-winning cuisine.

The trip includes eight overnight calls along the way at Tokyo; Incheon (Seoul), South Korea; Xingang (Beijing), Shanghai and Hong Kong, China; Singapore; Sydney, and Honolulu.

Fares for the voyage start at $11,499 per person, based on double occupancy, for a windowless "interior" cabin. Fares for ocean-view cabins start at $12,999.

Call Rawhide Travel and Tours and start planning that special vacation or event today. 602-843-5100 or visit our website rawhidetravel.com.

Presented By:
Rawhide Travel and Tours Inc
6008 West Bell Rd # F105
Glendale, Arizona  85308-3793
(602) 843-5100
rawhidetravel.com 

Unusual Places: The Mauna Kea Volcano

When you think of Hawaii, you’re not really picturing snow. But if you want to see one astonishing Hawaiian sunset, you better throw on your parka. It starts with a drive outside of the famous tropics of the island. The landscape slowly starts to resemble a road trip through the middle of New Mexico. The odd experience continues as you make your trek up to the peak of Mauna Kea, parka in hand, thinking, “Really?!”. Yes, really. When you’re going from sea level to nearly 14,000 feet, it can get cold, even below freezing. Brave this attraction and you’ll be rewarded with a view that no one would expect from an island vacation.

Standing 13,796 ft  above sea level, its peak is the highest point in the state of Hawaii. However, much of Mauna Kea is below sea level; when measured from its oceanic base, its height is 33,500 ft more than twice Mount Everest's.

With its high altitude, dry environment, and stable airflow, Mauna Kea's summit is one of the best sites in the world for astronomical observation, and one of the most controversial. Since the creation of an access road in 1964, thirteen telescopes funded by eleven countries have been constructed at the summit. The Mauna Kea Observatories are used for scientific research across the electromagnetic spectrum from visible light to radio, and comprise one of the world's largest facilities of their type.

Mauna Kea's coastline is dominated by the Hamakua Coast, an area of rugged terrain created by frequent slumps and landslides on the volcano's flank. The area includes several recreation parks including Kalopa State Recreation Area, Wailuku River State Park and Akaka Falls State Park.

Multiple hiking trails exist, including the Mauna Kea Trail, over 100,000 tourists and 32,000 vehicles go each year to the Visitor Information Station adjacent to the Onizuka Center for International Astronomy. One study reported that around a third of visitors and two thirds of professional astronomers working on the mountain have experienced symptoms of acute altitude sickness; visitors traveling up the volcano's flanks are advised to stop for at least half an hour and preferably longer at the visitor center to acclimate to the higher elevation. It is strongly recommended to use a four-wheel drive vehicle to drive all the way to the top. Between 5,000 and 6,000 people visit the summit of Mauna Kea each year, and to help ensure safety, and protect the integrity of the mountain, a ranger program was implemented in 2001.

Looking for that uniquely different vacation destination. Call Rawhide Travel and Tours today 602-843-5100 or visit our website rawhidetravel.com. We can help!

Presented By:
Rawhide Travel and Tours Inc
6008 West Bell Rd # F105
Glendale, Arizona  85308-3793
(602) 843-5100
rawhidetravel.com

Business Travel Tips

Traveling for business can be stressful. Not only are you traveling, which is challenging enough, but you most likely have business on your mind, increasing the pressure. Planning can reduce the stress and make your trip a little easier and maybe even enjoyable.

Good Luggage
Buy good-quality luggage that satisfies carry-on requirements. Only using a carry-on will keep you from having to wait in baggage claim, and you will never lose your luggage. A carry-on with wheels as well as backpack straps can help you get through most crowds faster.

Pack Light
Packing lightly will not only reduce the physical stress on your body, but will keep things simple once you arrive as well. A business suit can be made more casual or more formal by bringing different shirts or blouses and accessories like belts and scarves or jewelry, if you're a woman. Wait to purchase toiletries when you get to your destination so you don't have to pack them, or use small containers that can be taken through airport security in a carry-on bag.

Save Space
Pack with saving space in mind. Place your socks and underwear in your shoes. This will help your shoes keep their shape and save you space in your bag. Line your belt(s) around the inside edge of your suitcase, not rolled up in a space-taking bundle in the center.

Travel Wallet
Carry a well-organized travel wallet. This will enable you to keep boarding passes, identification and other important papers immediately at hand so that you aren't digging around in pockets or bags.

Carrying Cash
Carry cash in your front pants pocket or in a money belt. If your bag or wallet is stolen, you will still have cash on you in a place that pick-pockets can't get to.

Alternative Transportation
Consider train, bus or car travel instead of air travel. By the time you get to the airport, park, go through the check-in line, the security line, get to your terminal, board the plane, fly and disembark, you may find that you could have driven or ridden on a bus or train in less time.

Cell Phone Service
Check your cell phone service before leaving. Some cell phone service providers do not provide adequate coverage in other cities, and you may find yourself on the receiving end of some hefty roaming charges. Worse, you may not get any service at all. Find out beforehand so you can make alternate arrangements if needed.

Change of Clothes
Pack a change of clothes. If you must check a bag with the airline, make sure your carry-on has a change of clothes appropriate for your reason for traveling. If you lose your luggage, at least you won't only have the shirt on your back.

Call Rawhide Travel and Tours and start planning your business trip or event today. 602-843-5100 or visit our website rawhidetravel.com

Presented By:
Rawhide Travel and Tours Inc
6008 West Bell Rd # F105
Glendale, Arizona  85308-3793
(602) 843-5100
rawhidetravel.com

Jewel Cave National Monument South Dakota

Immerse yourself within the third longest cave in the world. With over 166 miles of mapped and surveyed passages, this underground wilderness appeals to human curiosity. Its splendor is revealed through fragile formations and glimpses of brilliant color. Its maze of passages lure explorers, and its scientific wealth remains a mystery. This resource is truly a jewel in the National Park Service.

A local movement to set Jewel Cave aside for preservation culminated in the proclamation of the cave as a National Monument by President Theodore Roosevelt on February 7, 1908. The Michaud brothers eventually moved away and their family sold the claim to the government for about $750.

In 1928, a group of businessmen formed the Jewel Cave Corporation and provided tours to the public. This continued until 1939. The National Park Service began administering the monument in 1933 and park rangers from Wind Cave came to the monument in the summer.

In 1939, a National Park Service Ranger was stationed at the monument and began conducting cave tours and providing visitor services. The cabin became home to the monument’s first permanent ranger in 1941. Except for a brief period of closure during World War II, NPS rangers staffed the cabin and cave tour operation. Then, in the late 1950s, significant discoveries were made within the cave, which lead to development of a new visitor center and cave tour route,

Jewel Cave is the primary resource of Jewel Cave National Monument, and is currently the third longest cave in the world. Airflow studies indicate that most of the cave has yet to be found. Each year, explorers discover and map an average of three miles of cave passages.

The Monument is also home to a variety of plants and animals, and has a fascinating wildfire history.

A visit to Jewel Cave National Monument is most enjoyable when it is pre-planned. We suggest you begin by deciding which cave tour is appropriate for you and your family. All cave tours are ranger-guided and fees are charged for tours. Tour tickets are available at the Monument on a first-come, first-served basis. The Visitor Center is open daily, year-round, except for Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year's Day.

In addition to the cave tours, there are many opportunities for exploring on the surface at Jewel Cave National Monument. The 1279 acre park is located in a Ponderosa pine forest. The Jasper Fire of August 24, 2000 has changed the scenery of the Monument but it is an opportunity to see first hand the forest recovery process.

Let Rawhide Travel and Tours help you with all your reservation needs. Call us at (602) 843-5100 or visit our website: rawhidetravel.com.

Presented By:
Rawhide Travel and Tours Inc
6008 West Bell Rd # F105
Glendale, Arizona 85308-3793
(602) 843-5100
rawhidetravel.com

Experience Full Service

Need to travel on business or leisure, Rawhide Travel and Tours will make it happen. We will arrange your flights, rail, hotel and car rentals. Let us assist you in planning your upcoming business trip. We're also available to help you plan that exciting vacation.

Want a small hotel or a luxury resort? Let Rawhide Travel and Tours customize the perfect spot just for you! We have many choices.  Let Us Help You Get Lost.

Call us at (602) 843-5100. Check out our website: rawhidetravel.com or email us at flythis@rawhidetravel.com.

Presented By:
Rawhide Travel and Tours Inc
6008 West Bell Rd # F105
Glendale, Arizona  85308-3793
(602) 843-5100
rawhidetravel.com

In the News: Space Shuttle Enterprise Exhibit Reopens

Crowds showed up in force Wednesday July 10, 2012 to see the ribbon cutting for the re-launched of space shuttle Enterprise. The display of the prototype shuttle, which was donated to Manhattan's Intrepid Sea, Air & Space Museum by NASA, reopened after its first exhibition was closed because of damage from last October's Hurricane Sandy.

The hurricane devastated the temporary structure that had been erected around the orbiter on the deck of the aircraft carrier-turned-museum. That first show opened July 19, 2012, but closed for extensive refurbishment after the storm. Finally, the Enterprise display is again open for business.

Many who came to see Enterprise were awed by its size. The shuttle pavilion sits on the aircraft carrier's flight deck. Enterprise itself, is mounted 10 feet (3 meters) above the deck, high enough that visitors can walk underneath it to view its deployed landing gear and mock heat shield tiles. Although constructed with an airframe identical to one of its space-flown sister ships.

Space shuttle Enterprise never flew to space, but was used by NASA in the 1970s for glide flights from the upper atmosphere to test the space shuttle design. The vehicle is displayed in a darkened tent with a deep blue ceiling that evokes the depths of space. Around it are numerous exhibits explaining the science and history of the 30-year space shuttle program and the role Enterprise played in getting it off the ground.

While many in the crowd today were locals, some visitors from far-flung locales decided to check out the precursor to America's shuttle program.

Intrepid officials said they're hoping the display helps inspire children to pursue science, math and engineering, and maybe even travel to space one day.

The Intrepid Sea, Air & Space Museum is located at Pier 86 (46th Street and 12th Avenue) in Manhattan. Access to the Space Shuttle Pavilion costs $7 for adults and $5 for children ages 3 to 17, in addition to regular admission. The Intrepid is hosting a public SpaceFest, July 25-29, 2013, with NASA astronaut appearances, free movie screenings, hands-on demonstrations and more to celebrate all things space.

Wednesday's ribbon cutting for the re-launched attractionincluded only a few local NASA center officials and none of the astronauts who were present for last year's opening. Though the fanfare was diminished, the enthusiasm was not, as the Intrepid's curators welcomed the waiting public inside.

Call Rawhide Travel and Tours and start planning that special vacation or event today. 602-843-5100 or visit our website rawhidetravel.com.

Presented By:
Rawhide Travel and Tours Inc
6008 West Bell Rd # F105
Glendale, Arizona  85308-3793
(602) 843-5100
rawhidetravel.com 

Unusual Places: Roswell, N.M.

The International UFO Museum and Research Center's founding was sparked by an alleged UFO crash north of this desert town in 1947. The museum chronicles not only this incident but also worldwide sightings of little green men and other alien phenomena.

Roswell has benefited from interest in the alleged UFO incident of 1947. It was the report of an object that crashed in the general vicinity July 1947, allegedly an extraterrestrial spacecraft and its alien occupants. Since the late 1970s the incident has been the subject of intense controversy and of conspiracy theories as to the true nature of the object that crashed. The United States Armed Forces maintains that what was recovered was debris from an experimental high-altitude helium weather and surveillance balloon belonging to a classified program named "Mogul" however, many UFO proponents maintain that an alien craft was found and its occupants were captured, and that the military then engaged in a cover-up. In recent times, the business community has deliberately sought out tourists interested in UFOs, science fiction, and aliens.

On July 8, 1947 Public Information Officer Walter Haut of the Roswell Army Air Field in New Mexico issued a press release indicating that a flying saucer had been found in the desert. By the next day, the Army had changed their tune, stating the object had actually been a weather balloon, but it was too late. 

The City of Roswell invites UFO enthusiasts and skeptics alike to join in the celebration of one of the most debated incidents in history. The three-day UFO  Festival held in July features guest speakers, authors, live entertainment, a costume contest, a pet costume contest, parade, family-friendly activities and more.

If you are a visitor to Roswell, there are plenty of lodging options available.  There are many hotels within a two mile radius of the event.  Roswell also has public bus transportation with Pecos Trails Transit.  The majority of the events are held downtown, with very few exceptions.  All events are within walking distance.

Looking for that uniquely different vacation destination. Call Rawhide Travel and Tours today 602-843-5100 or visit our website rawhidetravel.com. We can help!

Presented By:
Rawhide Travel and Tours Inc
6008 West Bell Rd # F105
Glendale, Arizona  85308-3793
(602) 843-5100 
rawhidetravel.com

Travel Tips: Using Cell Phones Outside the United States

Traveling abroad for business or vacation no longer means losing touch with family and friends or using those expensive in-room phones in hotels. Mobile phones provide convenient access for emergencies, confirming travel plans and for local activities. Cellular providers offer supplemental services and plans to enable customers to bring their cell phones outside the United States. Other options include using local SIM cards to make calls while traveling or residing in another country but remember that non-English speaking countries' sims card instructions, messages, minutes updates, literally everything aren't in English.  Some basic guidelines and tips will help you effectively use a cell phone and smartphone abroad to save money while keeping in touch.

Contact your cell phone provider to activate international calling, rent an international cell phone or purchase an unlocked phone and SIM card for use in another country. Different countries use different types of mobile phone networks, so don’t assume that your phone will work abroad. In addition, some providers may charge a fee for an international calling plan or phone rental.

Check the voltage requirements for the desired country and bring a power converter for the phone charger, if necessary.

Type frequently used telephone, emergency contact, hotel and transportation numbers on the phone and save them in the phone's address book. Make sure to enter the telephone numbers using the international dialing format: for example, calls to the U.S. should be entered with the prefix "+011" followed by the area code and telephone number because calls made abroad will initiate from the local phone carrier. Keep a paper copy of all essential phone number just in case your phone is not accessible.

Turn off automatic downloads and email. Some phones and data services will automatically download data while the phone is on. Check with your provider or your phone’s manufacturer to learn how to disable these automatic downloads.. During your trip you can choose when to check for email messages when you're connected to a free, wireless Internet connection, such as in a hotel lobby or Internet cafe.

Be aware of the emergency calling number in the country you’re visiting. VoIP services often lack some of the emergency calling features of a regular telephone, so be informed about these differences before using them.

Consider signing up for Skype and activating a Skype to Go number or downloading and installing the Skype mobile application for smartphones.  A Skype to Go number is a local number that serves as a gateway to call outside the country to save money on roaming charges and providing a number for calls to be forwarded to your cell phone. The Skype Mobile application uses the smartphone's data plan or wireless Internet connection for calls to Skype members or other telephone numbers.

Call Rawhide Travel and Tours and start planning that special vacation or event today. 602-843-5100 or visit our website rawhidetravel.com

Presented By:
Rawhide Travel and Tours Inc
6008 West Bell Rd # F105
Glendale, Arizona  85308-3793
(602) 843-5100
rawhidetravel.com

Alibates Flint Quarries National Monument Texas

The monument protects a mesa covered in a lithic scatter carpet of flint, so thick you cannot walk without stepping on human generated flakes of Alibates flint.  The quarries were dug, by hand, 1,000 years ago.  However, gathering of flint from the mesa has been taking place for 13,000 years.

Tours of Alibates are free! The park offers two tours per day, at 10 and at 2, by reservation only. The tours are one mile, have an elevation gain of 170 feet and take two hours.

Sand lilies, a late bloomer, grace the park in the late summer. They attract a variety of insects including bees, hummingbird moths and butterflies.

Archeological traces of prehistoric Indians' homes, workshops, and campsites dot the entire Canadian River region of the Texas Panhandle, but few sites are as dramatic as Alibates Flint Quarries. Actually an agatized, or silicified, dolomite, the flint is distinctive for its many bright colors. This flint comes from a 10-square-mile area around the monument, but most is concentrated on about 60 acres atop a mesa in the heart of the 1,000 acre monument.

More than 700 quarries exist where this flint was dug out by hand. The quarries today are usually round ovals about six or more feet in diameter with depressions in the center. Wind and rain have filled the once four to eight foot deep holes with soil.

Unweathered flint was obtained by digging a foot or more below the surface.  The flint bearing dolomite layers are up to eight feet thick. Tools made from Alibates Flint have been found in many places across the Great Plains and Southwest. Its use dates from 13,000 years ago to about 1870.

There are several hypotheses as to how the flint formed within the dolomite. The most widely accepted explanation is that about 670,000 years ago volcanic eruptions occurred in or around what is now called the Yellowstone Country of Wyoming. The resulting silica rich ash drifted above the much older, Permian era dolomite. As rainwater percolated through the ash, the silica dissolved (or went into solution) and soaked into the dolomite. The calcium carbonate which forms dolomite washed out, leaving (as a precipitate) silica dioxide, flint or chert.

Let Rawhide Travel and Tours help you with all your reservation needs. Call us at (602) 843-5100 or visit our website: rawhidetravel.com.

Presented By:
Rawhide Travel and Tours Inc
6008 West Bell Rd # F105
Glendale, Arizona 85308-3793
(602) 843-5100
rawhidetravel.com

Let Us Help You Get Lost

Choosing the right vacation is an important decision. Choosing the right agent is an even bigger decision. Don't leave your vacation to chance. Insist on the best, Rawhide Travel and Tours.

Whether business or pleasure, Rawhide Travel and Tours delivers. Internet Travel sites list hotels and destinations, but offer little else. Our years of experience in the industry will help you design the perfect traveling experience. From romantic getaways to large events, our experienced agents will handle all the details. Traveling does not need to be stressful. You can count on us for great value and dependable service.

We arrange travel air, land and sea. We can arrange the perfect destination package including, resorts, conference rooms and meeting locations, special events, and attractions.

Call us and start planning that special vacation or event today. 602-843-5100 or visit our website rawhidetravel.com

Presented By:
Rawhide Travel and Tours Inc
6008 West Bell Rd # F105
Glendale, Arizona  85308-3793
(602) 843-5100
 rawhidetravel.com

Fourth of July Fireworks

Fourth of July Fireworks should be larger than life.  Here are five of the best fireworks shows around the country

Macy's Firework Spectacular - New York, NY
Macy's annual firework show over the Hudson River regularly attracts around 2 million people, but vantage points are scattered all over the West Side and New Jersey so the crowd doesn't get too thick. The 26-minute show, which sets off approximately 75,000 pounds of fireworks, begins between 9 p.m. and 9:20. 23rd-59th Street along the West Side highway will be closed to traffic beginning at 4 p.m., so head over and nab a seat early – they fill up fast.

A Capitol Fourth - Washington, D.C.
The 20-minute show on the National Mall shoots 66,000 pounds of fireworks for its 500,000 visitors. The fireworks begin after 9 p.m., following a parade, and are set to a soundtrack by The National Symphony Orchestra. To sit on the Mall, be prepared to go through a security checkpoint where all bags and coolers are examined. It's worth it, though – the base of the Lincoln Memorial is a beautiful place to watch the show.

Lights on the Lake - Lake Tahoe, CA
Lake Tahoe receives around 100,000 visitors every year for its 23-minute show of 5,000 fireworks, which are shot from a barge in the middle of the lake. Watch the show, which starts at 9:45 p.m., from the shore, from docks, or even from a paddleboat on the lake.

Fisherman's Wharf Fireworks Extravaganza - San Francisco, CA
The 21-minute show expects a good 600,000 attendees every year, so make sure to get there on time – it starts at 9:30 p.m. The fireworks are launched from the foot of the Municipal Pier and off barges just north of Pier 39. When the show is over, go dancing – live entertainment is offered in the Pier 39 Entrance Plaza. Also, say hi to the sea lions.

Kaboom Town! - Addison, TX
Addison's 30-minute show is a three-decade old tradition that attracts a good 500,000 viewers. The fireworks can be seen from anywhere in Addison, including the city's 170 restaurants, which broadcast the show. The show itself takes place in Addison Circle Park and begins with an air show by the Addison Airport. Parking spaces, however, may be impossible to find – the best way to go is to park in a nearby town and walk.

Looking for that uniquely different vacation destination. Call Rawhide Travel and Tours today 602-843-5100 or visit our website rawhidetravel.com. We can help!

Presented By:
Rawhide Travel and Tours Inc
6008 West Bell Rd # F105
Glendale, Arizona  85308-3793
(602) 843-5100 
rawhidetravel.com