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

In the News: FAA Loosens Rules For Electronic Devices on Aircrafts

Photo Credit: Leena Butt, The Highlander

Airline passengers soon will be able to use portable electronic devices such as readers and games during takeoffs, landings and throughout flights, the Federal Aviation Administration announced Thursday.

Before the new rule takes effect, airlines must demonstrate that aircraft won't be at risk because of potential interference from portable electronic devices.

That is expected to take place quickly, and the devices will be approved for use by the end of the year in most of the nation's airline fleet.

Connecting to the Internet remains prohibited when the plane is less than 10,000 feet in the air. Voice calls also are banned during the entire flight, under a Federal Communications Commission rule.

Passengers should continue to follow all instructions from flight crews regarding the use of the devices, FAA Administrator Michael Huerta said.

The decision follows a report Sept. 30 from a 28-member committee representing airlines, manufacturers, electronics makers, pilots and flight attendants.

"We found that we could protect aviation safety and at the same time address the passenger desire for use of their portable devices," Huerta said. "The committee determined that most commercial airplanes can tolerate radio interference from portable electronic devices."

The announcement marks a change in 50-year-old policy restricting the use of electronics aboard aircraft.

Thursday's decision marks a major change for passengers eager to keep reading an electronic book, listen to music or play a game while the plane is lower than 10,000 feet in the air, when those activities have been prohibited.

The prohibition against electronics began decades ago because of concerns about interference with cockpit communications and navigation equipment. But passengers have sought easier use of their gadgets as electronics became more widespread and aircraft equipment less susceptible to stray signals.

Flight attendants welcomed the opportunity to ease enforcement of the prohibition against gadgets. Laura Glading, president of the Association of Professional Flight Attendants, said the change in rules will benefit passengers and crew.

"Once the new policy is safely implemented – and we're going to work closely with the carrier to do that – it will be a win-win," Glading said. "We're frankly tired of feeling like 'hall monitors' when it comes to this issue."

Delta Air Lines spokesman Paul Skrbec said the airline already has performed the required tolerance tests on all of its aircraft and has submitted paperwork to the FAA for its approval.

JetBlue Airways also expects to be among the first airlines to allow electronics because it has a relatively small fleet -- less than 200 aircraft -- and only two types of planes.

JetBlue Capt. Chuck Cook, who served on the advisory committee that recommended the policy change, said electronics were never a proven hazard but weren't cleared of risk, either. Cook said now airlines will demonstrate the devices are safe.

Amazon.com, which produces Kindle electronic readers, welcomed the decision after working for years testing gadgets aboard planes to satisfy FAA safety requirements, according to spokesman Drew Herdener.

Electronics have always been allowed once a plane reaches 10,000 feet in the air.

On planes equipped with their own Wi-fi hot spots, passengers have been able to connect to the Internet while the flight is cruising.

The Association of Flight Attendants voiced support for the decision provided that electronic devices are proven not to interfere with on-board communications.

Huerta said in perhaps 1% of flights with low visibility, electronics will still be banned at some points in flight on some planes.

"In those cases, passengers may be asked to turn off devices," Huerta said. "It's important for everyone's safety that passengers obey requests to store such devices if need be."

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

World Most Haunted Places: Tower of London

The Tower of London, one of the most famous and well-preserved historical buildings in the world, may also be one of the most haunted. This is due, no doubt, to the scores of executions, murders and tortures that have taken place within its walls over the last 1,000 years. Dozens upon dozens of ghost sightings have been reported in and around the Tower. On one winter day in 1957 at 3 a.m., a guard was disturbed by something striking the top of his guardhouse. When he stepped outside to investigate, he saw a shapeless white figure on top of the tower. It was then realized that on that very same date, February 12, Lady Jane Grey was beheaded in 1554.
 
Perhaps the most well-known ghostly resident of the Tower is the spirit of Ann Boleyn, one of the wives of Henry VIII, who was also beheaded in the Tower in 1536. Her ghost has been spotted on many occasions, sometimes carrying her head, on Tower Green and in the Tower Chapel Royal.

Other ghosts of the Tower include those of Henry VI, Thomas a Becket and Sir Walter Raleigh. One of the most gruesome ghost stories connected with the Tower of London describes death of the Countess of Salisbury. According to one account, "the Countess was sentenced to death in 1541 following her alleged involvement in criminal activities (although it is now widely believed that she was probably innocent). After being sent struggling to the scaffold, she ran from the block and was pursued until she was hacked to death by the axe man." Her execution ceremony has been seen re-enacted by spirits on Tower Green.

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: Book Christmas Travel Soon

from jaunted.com

It's not yet Halloween. But those wanting to fly home for Christmas should plan to book their getaways soon if they want to nab the cheapest fares.

Based on booking data from the last three years, fliers should book their Christmastime vacation by Nov. 12 to get the best deal. Prices will increase starting Nov. 13.

A domestic round-trip flight, booked between Oct. 30 and Nov. 5, for instance, is expected to cost $314 on average, based on previous years' bookings. But prices are likely to dramatically rise starting Nov. 13, with the average domestic round trip costing $352.

Overall, domestic fares are up roughly 7.5% for travel over Christmas as compared with last year, with the average round trip ticket costing $450. International travel is also slightly more expensive. The average round-trip fare inched up 2.5% to $1,016.

Airlines have been very disciplined over the last several years about not adding new seats into the market, particularly during times when more travelers are clamoring to fly. That's allowed airlines to be able to increase the fares pretty consistently going back two or three years.

Hotels are also costing more. The average domestic daily rate is is $204 this winter, a 15% increase over last year, while international hotels are showing an average daily rate of $342, 31% more than last year.

Still, there are ways to get deals. Three weeks before Christmas, the average domestic round-trip fare is expected to dip as low as $313 before spiking again.

And it pays to be flexible. Traveling on Dec. 23 or 24 is likely to get fliers a lower fare than taking off at the end of the previous week. And when heading back home, ticket prices are looking high for the Sunday and Monday after Christmas, so if you can avoid those two dates you can also snag some better deals.

Also consider flights at secondary airports, and if possible, book a travel package that includes both the flight and the hotel. Almost any time you bundle together you're saving money.

Your travel agent can help you get the best possible package for your needs.

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

Wright Brothers National Memorial North Carolina

Wind, sand, and a dream of flight brought Wilbur and Orville Wright to Kitty Hawk, North Carolina where, after four years of experimentation, they achieved the first successful airplane flights in 1903. With courage and perseverance, these self-taught engineers relied on teamwork and application of the scientific process. What they achieved changed our world forever.

Visit the Wright Brothers Visitor Center where the Wright brothers’ story is told through exhibits.

On display in the visitor center are:
•a full-scale reproduction of the 1902 glider,
•a full-scale reproduction of the 1903 flying machine,
•an engine block from the original 1903 Flyer, and
•a reproduction of the Wright's first wind tunnel.

Additional exhibits, movies and educational programs are available in the Centennial Pavilion.
Climb Big Kill Devil Hill for a breathtaking view of the area from sound to sea. Atop the Hill, stands the 60 ft. Pylon - the site where Wilbur and Orville conducted their glider experiments.

Stand on the same spot where the brothers made their first flights. A large granite boulder marks the spot where the first plane left the ground.

Visit the park via plane and land at the 3,000 ft. First Flight Airstrip. Spend a day visiting the place where flight started.

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