Deals for Military Appreciation Month

In honor of Military Appreciation Month,
Rob (above) describes discounts offered
to the military and their families.

The last decade has been a stressful one for the military, with most families experiencing multiple deployments, looking out for your buddy’s back has become second nature.  When you get home, it’s good to know that there are people out there watching out for your back pocket as well.  More and more organizations are offering military discounts these days but sometimes you have to know where to look in order to take advantage of them.

The first place to check is online.  For starters, there is Troopswap, which was started by a couple of Iraq veterans and offers deals exclusive to service members, veterans and their families.  They work hard to secure deals from name brand organizations, local businesses and destinations which are passed on to its members.  Signing up is free, but they will require you to validate your membership in the armed services.

Many service members are also aware of websites like Oakley’s, but another site worth checking out is ProMotive, a platform which gives wholesalers the opportunity to offer some spectacular discounts on everything from paddle boards to mountain bikes to camping gear.  Not all of the discounts offered on the website are available to everyone, so it helps to poke around and join as many “teams” as you can.

Moving off-line, a tremendous number of businesses offer discounts to military members and their families.  These prices aren’t always advertised but it never hurts to ask.  For example, I once got 100% off the $20 admission to the U.S. Space & Rocket Center in Huntsville, Alabama just because my buddy thought to ask if they offered a military discount.   Now that was exceptional, but many fast food restaurants, movie theaters and museums offer 10% - 20% off for card-carrying military members.  (That being said, don’t forget to donate whatever you can to museums you enjoy, they count on it!)  Keep in mind, while some discounts may not be corporate policy, local stores are happy to offer it anyways, so don’t assume that just because you don’t get it at one location that it isn’t worth asking at another.

Don’t forget that many businesses offer discounts around Veterans and Memorial Days for veterans and their families.  Restaurants like Applebee’s and Outback will even offer free meals to veterans so keep your eye peeled for those.

This is by no means a comprehensive list, but hopefully it’ll get you started.  Finally, remember to thank businesses who support you and your family and never take them for granted.  Many of these places are run by former members of the military and they don’t have to offer the discount but do it because they respect your service, be sure to respect their thanks and keep it available for your brothers and sisters down the road.

Save Money, Save the Environment, Bike to work!

National Bike Month - May 2013

In celebration of National Bike Month, I want to highlight some of the benefits of this method of travel for commuters.  First, the most obvious related to this blog's theme, is the financial benefit.  Biking to work saves you money on gas, wear and tear on your car, as well as money typically spent on parking permits.  In addition, a lot of companies and schools offer financial incentive to those who bike, translating to higher paychecks overall.  What might not be so obvious is that you can also save money on car insurance, because less miles driven = cheaper insurance.  And, biking can reduce commute times by preventing you from getting stuck in traffic.  As they say, "Time is Money."

In addition to the obvious financial savings, biking to work is also a good stress reliever and low impact exercise tool for those too busy to fit in a workout any other time.  If these benefits weren't enough, also think of the benefit to the environment, less cars on the road translates to lower CO2 emissions.  Since roughly 40% of Americans commute less than five miles to work, biking is totally feasible.  If you aren't sure whether biking is for you, take a ride during this National Bike Month and see how you like it!  If you already do, leave a comment below to encourage others to try!

Outdoor Adventure = An inexpensive vacation

Ed, the author of this post, describes
outdoor vacation essentials

Hopefully you read Ed’s first blog post on enjoying a vacation in the great outdoors.  (If not, check it out here.)  This post is a continuation of the previous, detailing specifics of what to do within the National and State Parks you decide to visit!

First, like all vacations, the success of an outdoor adventure lies in carefully laid plans.   Once you have identified a place that you would like to visit, the first step is to figure out what you need to get there.  This includes not only the logistics of travel, but also the determination of whether any permits or reservations are required.  For example, many national park campgrounds (such as those in Yosemite National Park) fill up months in advance, and require advanced booking.  If you aren’t able to snag a prime spot in one of the official campgrounds, there is no need for despair: there are often a number of sites within the park that are set aside for “first come, first serve” campers.  In addition, most national parks are surrounded by other campgrounds and quaint towns that have plenty of room for the people who put their vacation planning off until the last minute. 

Camping in Kings Canyon National Park

Permits are often required for backcountry travel, and are either available for advance reservation or on a “first come, first serve” basis.  Again, no need to worry if your plans coalesce too late for advanced reservations.  Being prone to procrastination myself, I have in at least one instance departed before dawn from San Francisco to pick from my choice of any permit the beautiful Eastern Sierra has to offer. Some of the most popular trails (like the cable route up Half Dome) require permits that are obtained through a lottery system.  Again, advanced planning will greatly increase your chances of achieving an itinerary that you will love.

Hiking Maroon Bells - Rocky Mountains, Colorado

Given the inherent danger that is often associated with outdoor activities, it is imperative that you prepare yourself to deal with any problems that might arise during your trip.  On day hikes, make sure that you carry enough water and some food for a snack.  Also essential are carrying a first aid kit, map, and flashlight or headlamp in case you are stuck outside after dark.  Wear the right shoes!  I cringe at the sight of people hiking up a steep trail in flip flops.  Although it is difficult to do, now is the time to suspend your wonderful sense of style and lace into some hiking boots.  Trust me, your feet will thank you.  Of course overnight travel into the backcountry will require another set of supplies that I don’t have the space or attention span to get into here.  Make sure to also pack a camera, to capture the scenery.

I will leave you with a quote from the great author and naturalist, Edward Abbey "May your trails be crooked, winding, lonesome, dangerous, leading to the most amazing view.  May your mountains rise into and above the clouds." - Desert Solitaire

“All who wander are not lost” - J.R.R.Tolkien

Ed, this post's author and an avid outdoorsman,
recommends a vacation in nature!

Whether your ideal vacation lies in the bustling streets of Chicago, New York, or London, or in the vast expanse of the great outdoors, every avid traveler can identify with this mantra.  I am here to convince you that a trip into the wild can be every bit as rewarding as visiting all the great cities of the world, and how you can go about making such a trip happen.  Within the boundaries of these United States lie some of the most staggeringly beautiful scenery you can find on a planet full of beauty, and it’s all accessible to you if you’re willing to seek it.

Hetch Hetchy Valley - Yosemite National Park

As any lover of the wilderness can attest, the disconnect from civilization and technology that a trip into the wild provides can leave one feeling refreshed and rejuvenated for long after the vacation itself has ended.  Indeed, studies have shown that after several days in the wilderness, cognitive function significantly improves.  While I am not ready to endorse backpacking through the mountains as a cutting edge SAT study method, anyone who has spent significant time outdoors can attest to this phenomenon. There is a beautiful simplicity in a day spent hiking under the redwoods or over the great ranges of the Sierra or Rocky Mountains, and this often leaves the hiker feeling a sense of calm and wellbeing that is often sought after, but rarely achieved in our hectic everyday lives.

OK, now that I’ve convinced you to get outside and enjoy our incredible country, the paragraphs within this post (and the one that will follow detailing camping and hiking specifics) should tell you a bit about where and how to go about doing it!

Yellowstone National Park

First, a little advice on the “where” (with the next post to follow with the details of “how.”)  If you are planning a road trip that will include visits to multiple National Parks, you should strongly consider purchasing an annual National Parks Pass.  These can often be purchased at the entrance of the national park, so I would recommend purchasing the pass when you arrive at your first park.  At a scant $80, the annual pass gets you unlimited entry to all of our beautiful national parks for one year from the date of purchase.  Since many of the parks cost $20-$25 each to enter, you can quickly recover the cost.  Besides, who doesn’t want a little extra incentive to get outside and enjoy all of the natural beauty that surrounds us?

Maroon Bells - Rocky Mountains

In addition, our National Parks also offer “free” days five times throughout the year, including this week (April 22-26, 2013) to celebrate National Park Week!  These are perfect times to enjoy the beauty of nature, for free!  In addition, check with your county and state parks, which often offer similar free or reduced admission days throughout the year.  Some states, such as California, offer tax deducible annual state park passes.

Stayed tuned for details of “how” to go about getting hiking and camping permits to really enjoy your adventure, as well as tips to enjoy your time outdoors, in the next guest blog post coming soon!

 

When in Rome... Eat!

Laura, a native of Rome, gives suggestions in this post about finding the best food while visiting the Eternal City.  (Also, check out her earlier guest post on what to see while visiting her hometown of Rome!)  

Restaurants in Rome are quite cheap and don’t lack in taste! The traditional ones are called trattoria, osteria and pizzeria. Here you can taste authentic roman cuisine dishes, such as: bucatini all’amatriciana, spaghetti alla carbonara, pasta cacio e pepe and, of course, pizza! You may also enjoy sipping a glass of local wine, such as Frascati white (for wine lovers check Castelli Romani Wine tours). Most of the typical restaurants are located in the areas of Trastevere and Testaccio, also populated with lots of pubs and café. If you prefer fancy and chic restaurants, then you should go close to historical city center.  

Café (bars) are everywhere in Rome, and it is here you can taste my personal favorite, cornetto (butter croissant) and cappuccino, or delight yourself with tramezzini (butter soft bread filled with almost anything you want) and pastarelle (sweet pastries). Of course, you can also have an authentic Italian ice cream but look for the bars that have the home made one (gelato artigianale). Those in Piazza Navona and Campo de’ Fiori particularly distinguish for their Dolce Vita atmosphere.

Pubs and breweries are always in fashion to enjoy drinks and alternative music. The most popular areas are the quarters of San Lorenzo and San Giovanni, where students hang out at night.

Buon Appetito!