Our Nation's War Memorials

This is an excellent time to talk about the memorials that pay tribute to our country's veterans. Here are a few of these memorials.



The Tomb of the Unknowns

Arlington National Cemetery
Arlington National Cemetery in Arlington, Virginia, serves as a cemetery and a memorial to America's war heroes. More than four million people visit Arlington each year, attending graveside services and special ceremonies to pay tribute to veterans and historical figures.

The Tomb of the Unknowns, also known as the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, stands on a hill overlooking Washington, DC. The tomb was dedicated in 1921 and contains the remains of soldiers from WWI, WWII, Korea and Vietnam. The tomb is guarded 24 hours a day and each hour (each half-hour in summer) there is a changing of the guard ceremony with a special march and salute.

World War II Memorial
The World War II Memorial, located on the National Mall in Washington DC, is a beautiful place to visit and pay your respects to World War II veterans. The memorial opened to the public on April 29, 2004. The Memorial is an oval shape with two 43-foot arches, representing the war's Atlantic and Pacific theaters. Fifty-six pillars represent the states, territories and the District of Columbia at the time of the World War II. Two sculpted bronze wreaths adorn each pillar. Small fountains sit at the bases of the two arches. Waterfalls surround a wall of 4,000 gold stars, each one represents 100 U.S. deaths in the war. More than two-thirds of the memorial consists of grass, plants and water. A circular garden, called the "Circle of Remembrance," is enclosed by a two-foot-high stone wall.

World War II Memorial

Iwo Jima Memorial
This memorial, also known as the United States Marine Corps War Memorial, is dedicated to the marines who gave their lives during one of the most historic battles of World War II, the battle of Iwo Jima.

Korean War Veterans Memorial The Korean War Veterans Memorial in Washington, DC was dedicated in 1995 to 1.5 million American men and women who served in the Korean War. The expansive memorial includes a group of 19 statues that depict soldiers on patrol facing an American flag. A granite wall has a mural of the faces of 2,400 unnamed soldiers with a reading that states “Freedom is not free.” A Pool of Remembrance honors all soldiers who were killed, wounded or missing in action.

Vietnam Veterans Memorial
The Vietnam Veterans Memorial pays tribute to those who served in the Vietnam War. The memorial is a black granite wall inscribed with the names of 58,209 American’s killed or missing in the Vietnam conflict. The veterans names are listed in chronological order of when the casualty occurred and an alphabetical directory helps visitors locate names.



Vietnam Veterans Memorial

Women in Vietnam Memorial
This sculpture depicts three women in the military with a wounded soldier to honor the women who served in the Vietnam War. The sculpture was dedicated in 1993 as part of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial.

United States Navy Memorial
The memorial commemorates U. S. Naval history and honors all who have served in the sea services.



United States Air Force Memorial
This is the newest memorial in the Washington, DC area, completed in September 2006. The memorial honors the millions of men and women who have served in the United States Air Force.

We would like to pay tribute to all our country's Veterans and thank you for your service.

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

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Update: Rawhide Travel and Tours Holiday Tree

The little tree is all deck out to welcome in autumn.

Did you know: The word autumn comes from the Old French word autompneand was later normalized to the original Latin word autumnus. There are rare examples of its use as early as the 12th century, but it became common by the 16th century.

Before the 16th century, harvest was the term usually used to refer to the season, as it is common in other West Germanic languages to this day.  However, as more people gradually moved from working the land to living in towns (especially those who could read and write,[citation needed] the only people whose use of language we now know), the word harvest lost its reference to the time of year and came to refer only to the actual activity of reaping, and autumn, as well as fall, began to replace it as a reference to the season.

Although color change in leaves occurs wherever deciduous trees are found, colored autumn foliage is noted in various regions of the world: most of North America, Eastern Asia (including China, Korea, and Japan), Europe, parts of Australia and New Zealand's South Island.

Eastern Canada and New England are famous for their autumnal foliage, and this attracts major tourism (worth billions of U.S. dollars) for the regions.

Thanksgiving is the holiday we most associated with autumn. It is celebrated primarily in the United States and Canada as a day of giving thanks for the blessing of the harvest and of the preceding year. Several other places around the world observe similar celebrations.

As President of the United States, George Washington proclaimed the first nation-wide thanksgiving celebration in America marking November 26, 1789, "as a day of public thanksgiving and prayer to be observed by acknowledging with grateful hearts the many and signal favors of Almighty God".

In modern times the President of the United States, in addition to issuing a proclamation, will "pardon" a turkey, which spares the bird's life and ensures that it will spend the duration of its life roaming freely on farmland.

Everyone at Rawhide Travel and Tours wishes you a bountiful Autumn and a Happy Thanksgiving Season.

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

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In the News: Airlines Project 25 Million Thanksgiving Passengers

As reported in USA Today

Airlines expect to top 25.1 million passengers over the Thanksgiving holiday, a slight increase from 2012.

The industry group Airlines for America said the total would eclipse the 24.7 million travelers who took to the skies last year.

The 2.1 million passengers per day during the 12-day holiday period will be about 31,000 higher per day, according to the airlines
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The busiest days will be the Sunday, December 1, followed by Wednesday, November 27 and Monday, December 2. The lightest days will be Thursday, November 28 and Friday, November 29. Planes throughout the holiday period will be more than 85% full.

John Heimlich, chief economist for the airline group, said air travel costs less after inflation than in 2000 and travel continues to rebound from the economic downturn.

"More seats are returning to the marketplace to accommodate growing demand as carriers are increasing the number of available seats for Thanksgiving travel by roughly 2%," Heimlich said.
The airline projections came a day after the Transportation Department reported that the average domestic airline fare fell to $378 during the second three months of the year, down from $392 from a year earlier. The fares didn't include fees, such as for baggage.

The average fares fall 18.4% from 1999, when adjusted for inflation, according to the bureau.
Despite fares declining against inflation, Heimlich said the 10 largest U.S. airlines reported combined earnings so far this year of $4.5 billion (a 4% net profit) up from $312 million during all of 2012.

"When airlines are profitable, customers, employees and the economy win because airlines are better able to invest in the business and improve the product and travel experience," Heimlich said.

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!

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Unique Holiday Destinations: Isle of Skye, Scotland

Christmas on the Isle of Skye may be wild and stormy or tranquil and frosty. If your looking for an adventure and an out of the way destination, the Isle of Skye in Scotland is amazing.

Picture a thatched cottage overlooking a thrashing turquoise sea perched on an emerald green cliff. A cozy fireplace and wool blankets will keep you warm. To me, this is an ideal Christmas. Relax and experience a slow paced life. Sit by the fire, sip hot chocolate and watch the weather from the inside.

 Winter visits offer a much less expensive lodging cost, with a chance to experience more of the local community. Spend your days browsing numerous artist's shops, museums, castles, or the wonderful Talisker Whiskey distillery.

Skye is one of the top locations in Scotland to visit. It is famous for its scenery and landscapes that will take your breath away.

The Island of Skye is 50 miles long and the largest of the Inner Hebrides. The capital is Portree. Villages in the north of the Island include Dunvegan, Edinbane, Staffin and Uig. Notable villages in the south of Skye include Broadford, Armadale, Carbost, Torrin, Elgol and Kyleakin.

The Island has a rich History covering many topics, such as: Dinosaur Fossils, Clan Warfare, Highland Clearances and the infamous ‘Bonnie Prince Charlie’ and the Jacobite Rebellion. Both Clan MacDonald and Clan MacLeod have their Clan Castle’s on the Island and should be on your list of places to visit.

The Isle of Skye is also a great destination for Wildlife watching with the White Tailed Sea Eagle at the top of bird watchers lists. Otters, seals, whales, dolphins and red deer are just some of the other impressive creatures that can be seen on and around the Isle of Skye.

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!

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Travel Tips: Travel and Health

It's always important to take care of your health, but there are additional concerns to keep in mind when you're traveling.

Whether you're taking a quick trip with your family or studying abroad for several months, it's easier to get sick when you're in a new place because your body hasn't had a chance to adjust to the food, water, and air in a new environment. Traveling can bring you in contact with things that your body isn't used to.

Here are some tips on keeping your travel experience as healthy as possible.

Don't Take a Vacation From Health
The stress and excitement of travel can make you more likely to get sick, but if you follow some simple tips, you're more likely to stay healthy throughout your trip and your trip will be more enjoyable. The good news is that teen's immune systems are as strong as an adult's, but lack of sleep and a poor diet can make it easier for them to become sick.

The first thing you should do if you're heading overseas is to find out what kinds of vaccinations you'll need in advance because different countries have different requirements. In the United States, contact your doctor or the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) for a list of necessary vaccinations. You'll want to allow plenty of time for this step in case you need to get vaccines that require more than one dose.

Common Travel Troubles
Three of the most common health problems that you may experience when traveling are jet lag, altitude sickness, and diarrhea. When you fly across time zones, the differing amounts of light can change your internal body clock, resulting in a condition known as jet lag. Jet lag may cause some symptoms that are bummers on a fun trip, including upset stomach, insomnia, and tiredness.
There are some things you can do to combat jet lag; for example, if you're traveling from west to east, you should stay out of the sun until the day after your arrival. If you're flying from east to west, go for a brisk walk as soon as possible after you arrive.

Altitude sickness is caused by dry air, a decrease in oxygen, and low barometric pressure when you travel to a higher altitude than you're used to. As a result, you may have problems, such as headaches, dehydration, and shortness of breath. Some people are affected at 5,000 feet (1,524 meters), but others aren't affected until they reach altitudes of 10,000 feet (3,048 meters) or more. Find out what altitude you're traveling to before you go to see if altitude sickness could be a problem.

The best prevention for altitude sickness is to gradually increase your altitude every day to get used to it. If that isn't possible, a drug known as acetazolamide can help relieve and even prevent symptoms of altitude sickness. If you think that you might get altitude sickness, talk with your doctor before you leave home.

The topic of diarrhea may be uncomfortable, but it can be a serious problem. Traveler's diarrhea, known as turista, often occurs when a foreign type of bacteria enters your digestive tract, usually when you eat contaminated food or water. The best way to prevent turista is to be very careful of the food you eat and the water you drink on the road.

Safe Eats and Drinks
So what foods are safe to eat? Any foods that have been boiled are generally safe, as well as fruits and vegetables that have to be peeled before eating. Avoid eating uncooked or undercooked meat or meat that is not cooked just prior to serving.

Stay away from foods that require a lot of handling before serving. Here's an example: Nine friends ate at a restaurant when on a school trip overseas; eight had diarrhea the next day. The one who didn't get sick was the only one who had ordered a dish that didn't need to be touched by human hands right before serving.

One of your favorite foods at home is on the safe list on the road — pizza! Pizza dough, sauce, and cheese are foods that are less likely to spoil than others, and the high heat of a pizza oven tends to kill any harmful bacteria in the food.

You've probably heard that you shouldn't drink the water in some countries overseas, but did you know why? Water supplies in many developing countries are not treated in the same way as water supplies in developed countries; various bacteria, viruses, and parasites are commonly found in the water. Many experts suggest you drink only bottled water when traveling. If you need to use tap water, you should boil it first or purify it with an iodine tablet. Even if you're brushing your teeth, rinsing contact lenses, drinking a small glass of water to wash down pills, or adding ice to your drink, first take precautions to ensure the water is safe
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Take It With You
When you're packing, you'll want to include any medications and other medical supplies you use on a daily basis because they may be hard to find in another country if you run out. Even if you can find them, there's a good chance the formulations will be stronger or weaker than the ones you're used to. These may include any prescriptions you already take, such as inhalers, allergy medication, and insulin, as well as contact lens cleaners and vitamins.

Packing an over-the-counter pain medication like acetaminophen and diarrhea medication is also a good idea. And pack some OTC allergy medication even if you don't take it at home. People sometimes unexpectedly develop allergic reactions to the pollens and other allergens found in a new environment. Those with asthma or other allergies can unexpectedly react to these new substances.

Write It Down
Even if you watch what you eat and drink and get enough rest while you're traveling, you might still get sick. The good news is that you'll probably be able to find competent medical care. The key is knowing where to go. Most travel guides suggest you go to a hospital where English is spoken or U.S.-trained doctors can be found. For this reason, it's wise to always carry a written copy of your medical history with you.

Having such important information available in one place can help health care workers make appropriate decisions, and you won't have to worry about forgetting important information at a time when you're likely to be upset and not thinking clearly.

It also helps if you have some basic emergency medical knowledge, not only for yourself but for helping others you may be traveling with. A great way to prepare for your trip is to take a first aid or basic life support course before you go; if you're traveling with a group, you should know where the first aid kit is and what's in it.

Basic Safety
It's easy to let your guard down when you travel. After all, you're more relaxed and there are so many new sights to focus on. In addition to paying attention to your personal safety (avoiding secluded places and not walking alone after dark), you'll need to reset your thinking when it comes to traffic safety, too. The rules of the road aren't the same overseas as they are at home. In some countries, people drive on the opposite side of the road and you'll need to be aware of this before you cross the street, look in the opposite direction from the one you're used to. Pedestrians don't always have the right of way overseas, either. Be sure there are no cars coming when you step into the street: If there are, they may not stop for you!

Practice these healthy hints and you can focus on the scenery.

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
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George Washington Birthplace National Monument Virginia

In the heart of the Northern Neck of Virginia stands a tribute to America’s founding father, George Washington. Although only here a short time, the ideas that Washington learned here, helped shape the man he would become and forever alter the destiny of the United States of America.

George Washington was born at Popes Creek in 1732 and remained at this plantation until age 3 when the family moved to another one of the family's properties at Ferry Farm near Fredericksburg, Virginia. The Popes Creek farm stayed in the Washington family until it passed first to the state of Virginia and then to the Federal government for preservation and protection.

Over his lifetime, George Washington made many trips back to Popes Creek, and through the area known as the Northern Neck of Virginia, to see friends and relatives. As a teenager while studying the trade of land surveying, George completed one of his earliest surveys here. The picture above is an illustration of Washington's map of the property formerly known as Popes Creek Plantation.

Members of five generations of the Washington family, including George Washington's father, grandfather, and great-grandfather are buried at George Washington's Birthplace National Monument.

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