Travel Essentials Blog

by Nancy Bestor

One of Ashland, Oregon’s many small town pleasures has got to be the Fourth of July. For as long as we have owned Travel Essentials (16 1/2 years now!) we’ve set out chairs in front of our store to sit and watch the sometimes long but always entertaining Fourth of July parade. Like many other small towns across America, Ashland celebrates the 4^th with a down home event, complete with dignitaries riding by in classic cars, children dancing in fairy costumes, dogs and humans dressed up in unusual garb, politically conservative and liberal parade entrants, and more. After the parade, most folks migrate to Lithia Park, where there are booths with food and crafts, and live music and patriotic readings at the band shell. The day ends with a fireworks show that is always a pleasure to watch.

There is another 4^th of July tradition in Ashland however that I learned last year is not one of my favorites (to put it mildly)—that being the annual six mile Fourth of July run. Like me (before I actually ran it), you might be saying to yourself, six miles? How difficult can that be? Seemingly not so difficult, when you consider that I ran the Pear Blossom run in Medford (10 miles) several years ago, with little trouble. Granted I am no Jen Shelton (Jen is a local ultra-marathon runner, see related story here). Not even close. I’m just a recreational nine to 25-minute miler (That was a joke in case you were wondering. I’m really a nine to 24-minute miler.) But my girlfriend and I did train for the 4^th run (I have to use the word train loosely, as we ran what we thought was the course several times, only to find out on race day we had missed an entire mile-long section.) There is something about this course though that makes it feeling like you are running 12 miles, not six.

The race started off well enough. I headed out with lots of adrenalin, running with the crowd through downtown Ashland. As the race begins with a nice gradual downhill, I was feeling pretty good about myself. About two miles into the race however, the downhill was replaced by a slow and steady uphill, and I lost that loving feeling. I plodded my way through the rest of the race, thanks in large part to my two race companions, who kept up a steady chatter to keep my mind off my misery. And since the last half mile of the race goes right up Main Street, where there are already large crowds waiting for the parade and cheering the runners on, I was able to pick up my pace and look marginally better. My finishing time you ask? Let’s just say I didn’t win any awards, unless you count not being lapped (barely!) by Jen Shelton.

This year, I’ll be sitting on the sidewalk of Main Street in front of Travel Essentials, drinking a cup of coffee, eating a croissant, and cheering those runners on. Most importantly, I’ll be thanking my lucky stars that I didn’t sign up to plod my way through that six (sixteen?) mile course.

by Sean Bagshaw

Each year more and more people enter the Travel Essentials photo contest and photography contests in general.  I attribute this to the popularity of digital cameras and the fact that they make it affordable and accessible for just about any photo enthusiast to take great photos.  What does it take to have a photo selected as a winner in a photo competition?  Art is subjective, so it is difficult to know exactly what a judge will like or dislike.  However, as a professional photographer who has entered (and sometimes won) many competitions and who also judges photo contests from time to time, there are some fundamental tips I can share that will give you a leg up in any competition.  As you prepare your submission for the Travel Essentials competition and think about the pride, glory, prestige and bragging rights that will come with a winning photograph, take the following pointers into consideration.

Tips For Taking Award Winning Photos

Sharpness – Blurry images don’t win awards (unless they are intentionally and artistically blurry. See “Get Creative” below). Focus on the subject and make sure there is enough light to have a fast enough shutter speed to avoid blurring from camera motion.  If there isn’t enough light then place the camera on a tripod or some other solid subject.

Proper Exposure – One of the most common problems with otherwise good images is when important detail is lost to underexposure or overexposure.  Learn how to look for scenes with balanced light and adjust your exposure so parts of the image aren’t lost in black shadows or blown out highlights.  Bright sky can be really tricky, causing the foreground to be too dark or the sky to be completely white.

Color, Form & Light Expression

Color, form, light and expression – If your image doesn’t have at least one of these elements going for it then it probably won’t win any contests.  Bright colors are interesting and eye catching.  Interesting forms such as curves, lines, geometric shapes and patterns can help draw the viewer into the image.  Light is what photography is all about.  The same scene photographed under different light conditions can have an entirely different impact and make the difference between plain and amazing.  Expression can be anything from facial expressions and body language to spatial relationships between objects or components of a visual story.  Images that are expressive are interesting.

A Decisive Moment

Create story in your image – There are many ways to tell a visual story, but story is always more compelling than simple images of places or things.  Here are some ways I like to tell stories through images: Wait for dramatic light. Look for doors, windows or corridors that peer out into a scene.  Only show parts of a scene, leaving the rest to the imagination. Find elements that form interesting juxtapositions which make the viewer analyze the image more closely.

Capture a decisive moment – Wait for just the right moment to push the shutter release.  Capture moments of joy, anger, confusion or concern in people’s faces.  Catch the person in mid air leaping from dock to boat.  Other decisive moments might include dancers in unison, a last ray of light striking a church tower or mountain top or a chef hand tossing pizza dough.

Get close to your subject – Don’t be afraid to fill the frame.  Get up close to the person, animal (careful here), flower or architectural feature.

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Preparing for a trip can be nerve-wracking, no matter how long you’re staying or how far you’re going – but especially if you’re traveling overseas. We sat down and compiled some top things every traveler should do and think about before their big trip.

Banking
If you’re going to be using your debit and credit cards outside the country, call your bank and let them know ahead of time. That way they won’t get suspicious and freeze your funds because your cards are suddenly being used on the other side of the planet. When you talk to the bank, also be sure to ask if your pin number will still work in foreign ATMs. Using traveler’s checks has become harder and harder. Banks often have to order them in advance, as they no longer keep them in their branches. Fewer and fewer establishments in other countries accept them, so you will likely have to go to a bank to cash them before you can use them to pay for food, lodging and purchases. ATM cards remain the best way to access funds while traveling, but check with your bank to determine the per transaction fee cost of withdrawing money in another country with your ATM. And don’t forget to protect currency and cards by keeping them in a money belt or pouch.

Documentation
It’s a good idea to photocopy anything of importance – passport, credit cards, itinerary, prescriptions for vital medications – and take them with you when you travel. Photocopies should be kept in a separate place from the original (one in your carry-on, one in your suit-case, for example.) Also, leave an itinerary with a friend or family member who’s staying at home, so someone always knows where you are – especially if you’re traveling alone.

Contact Info
Be sure that you have your bank and credit card companies’ phone numbers in case you need to contact them while you’re traveling. It’s also a good idea to have your doctor’s number written down in case of emergency. I can’t tell you how much of a relief it was to call Sarah’s Ashland, Oregon pediatrician when we were in Turkey, and explain what was going on to a familiar voice. And, keep copies of all your prescriptions with your medication. If you’re taking a cell phone, it’s a good idea to make sure you know the overseas rates for calling and texting – in many cases the charges can add up extremely fast. If you plan on calling home while abroad, make sure to look up how to dial out of the country you’re visiting. (http://www.howtocallabroad.com/)

Packing Bags
Before hauling your luggage to the airport, visit your airline’s website and find out what their weight and size requirements are for checked and carry-on luggage. You don’t want to be hit with fees for over-sized or overweight bags! One simple way to keep tabs on the weight of your luggage is to pick up a Balanzza Luggage Scale and weigh your bags before you go.

Finally, the day before you go, make sure to call your airline and confirm your flight. You may be able to check in early online, too.

Let me be the first to admit it. I have big city envy. Whenever I travel to a metropolitan area, I almost always come to the conclusion that it would be the perfect place to live. Cities I have wanted to move to include, but are not limited to, New York, San Diego, Portland, San Francisco, Chiang Mai, Paris, Ka’anapali….do you see where I’m going with this? Every time I visit a big city I’m ready to move out of my lovely little Ashland, Oregon. I know what you’re thinking – the grass is always greener. And I know that to be true. Big cities have more traffic, more hassles, more pollution, etc. I also couldn’t raise my daughters in a small, nurturing environment where just about everyone knows them. (Do you hear me Emily and Sarah? Everyone knows you, so don’t even think about it!) But nevertheless, I return from a big city and have some big city envy.

Case in point, we just returned from a long weekend in Seattle, and following are a few reasons I came home itching to relocate.

1. The Puget Sound. My sister and brother in law live within walking distance of Carkeek Park, a 216-acre park on the Sound in the Broadview neighborhood of Seattle. The park has a beautiful rocky beach and great views of Puget Sound, its parade of incoming and outgoing ships and the Olympic Mountain Range in the distance. There’s something about living near a large body of water that I find appealing
2. An amazing variety of eateries, in all prices, categories, and interests. We were lucky enough to eat at the delightful Tilth Restaurant, a certified organic New American style restaurant, recommended by my friend and co-worker Matt Walker. Our meal was outstanding. For a full review click here. We also sampled authentic Mexican food at Taqueria Tequila (301 NW 85^th St., in the Greenwood neighborhood), and great cupcakes at Trophy Cupcake. Another favorite lunch spot is Red Mill Burgers. Great burgers and shakes.
3. Distinctive neighborhoods. We spent Sunday morning browsing and walking in Ballard, the traditionally Scandinavian and seafaring community of Seattle. You can still see Scandinavian influences in Ballard, including delicious Danish and Scandinavian baked goods at Larsen’s Danish Bakery. The Ballard Sunday Farmers Market on Ballard Avenue is an excellent place to sample a variety of local goods including produce, meat and fish, artisan cheeses, jams, sauces, homemade candy, pastries and pies, and more
4. Trader Joe’s. Need I say more?
5. Archie McPhee’s. The best way to describe this store is that it is a one stop shop for weird and unusual items. Want a bacon tie? Or perhaps an inflatable pink flamingo? Or maybe a set of manly press on mustaches? Archie McPhee’s is your place. Supplying gifts and toys to Seattle since 1983.

Our reservation at Tilth was for 9:15, admittedly late for a woman who likes to get into bed by 10pm with a good book, but with a short nap under my belt, I was ready to be impressed by good food, lively atmosphere, and exceptional service. Tilth did not disappoint. Our evening started with a wait in the outer area longer than we expected, but general manager Adam Chumas took good care of us, while a few tables of people lingered longer than expected. Adam brought us a delightful appetizer on the house, and made up a cocktail that included lime and crushed fresh ginger.

When we sat down, we decided to share the small plates on the menu, which ranged in price from $8 to $18, and since we couldn’t decide which ones we should have, we tried them all. My favorites were the Morel Mushroom Plin, a delicately stuffed pasta with sheep sorrel, green garlic and cipollini onion, the Carrot Carnaroli Risotto, the Pan Seared Wild Alaskan Halibut, the Grilled Eel River Ranch Sirloin, and the Creamy Mustard Spaetzle. Truth of the matter, I could have named every small dish we sampled as my favorite, because they were all delicious.

For dessert, Bob was smart enough to order the Avocado Mousse, with candied ginger, cilantro syrup, and lime, because it sounded so unlike any dessert any of us had ever imagined. It was outstanding, and a memorable way to end a great meal. The service at Tilth was outstanding, and the lovely house that the restaurant occupies is charming. Chef/Owner Maria Hines was the 2009 James Beard award winner for Best Chef Northwest, and Tilth was named by the New York Times in 2008 as one of the top 10 best new restaurants in the country. Tilth, 1411 North 45^th Street, 206-633-0801, www.tilthrestaurant.com.

Carry-On baggage requirements and fees are always changing, and you should always check with your airline ahead of time, but we’ve compiled a list of the top fifteen airlines and their carry-on requirements and checked bag fees, as well as links to their websites for up-to-date information.

These fees and guidelines are always changing, and may differ depending on your travel destination. Always check with your airline ahead of time to make sure you’re complying with their baggage requirements.

by Nancy Bestor

Crawfish bread….jambalaya….crawfish etouffe…pounds and pounds of crawfish and shrimp…beignets…These are just a few of the delicious Cajun dishes I sampled on my recent trip to New Orleans and the 2010 New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival. The Jazz Festival, which this year celebrated its 40^th anniversary, happens over two weekends at the end of April on the New Orleans fairgrounds race track. Jazz Fest features fantastic music, outstanding local cuisine, and great New Orleans’ artisan booths. It’s a great musical and culinary party, which draws more than 400,000 visitors each year.

My biggest Jazz Fest complaints are that there are so many stages featuring so many excellent artists that it is hard to choose who to hear and also that my stomach only has so much room. On our first day, we stopped in the gospel tent to hear Irma Thomas’ tribute to Mahalia Jackson. From there we went to the Acura Stage to catch Lionel Ritchie singing Easy Like Sunday Morning. Then on to the Blues Tent for Elvin Bishop. We didn’t get to George Clinton and Parliament Funkadelic, or the Black Crowes, or Dr. John. And this was just day one!

New Orleans Street Musicians

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by Bob Bestor

Everybody likes a deal. And with mid-range resort-style golf courses often running greens fees in excess of  $100 even a small cut in price can add up to significant savings during a weekend golf trip.

We’ve used both EZLinks.com and Golfnow.com with great success over the past few years to secure discount tee-times throughout the U.S.  Golfnow offers tee-times for over 1800 golf courses in the U.S. and Canada. Simply choose the area and date you’d like to play and Golfnow will usually offer several tee times at various courses. On Kauai in March we saved $60 and $36 per player at Poipu Bay and Puakea respectively.

A “name your price” feature makes EZLinks.com unique. It works just like Priceline. Find a course and time you like and make a bid.

TwoGuysWhoGolf.com is another handy resource. TwoGuys offers detailed reviews of golf courses throughout the U.S. and Canada. While sometimes they spend a bit too much time reviewing a facility’s resort aspects, we’ve found their course reviews to be reliable.

When booking tee times our plan is simple: We see what’s on offer at Golfnow and EZLinks. Then we’ll check out the reviews at TwoGuys. And, after weighing course quality, location, available prices and tee times, we finally make a booking.

Are extra fees charged by airlines worth it? On a recent flight to Las Vegas, I was seated in the United “economy plus” section, although I had not paid the extra $14 each way to purchase the upgrade. Yes, the economy plus section is roomier than regular economy seats (by five inches), but would it have been worth the extra cost? Not in my opinion. I am, however, a wee 5’6”.

Food for purchase, on the other hand, may just be worth it if I am not organized enough to bring food from home. On our recent San Francisco/Kauai flight, we were given the option of food for purchase, and the choices were better than any free meal the airline used to provide. Good sandwiches, salads and snack boxes, for $5-9. Yes, we used to get food for free when we flew within North America, but I’d rather pay a normal lunch price for food that tastes significantly better than get a free nasty meal.

RyanAir CEO Michael O’Leary, whose airline charges extra to check in at the airport ($56) and check in online ($7), to name but a few extra fees, does not really believe in offering customer service. “RyanAir promises four things: low fares, a good on-time record, few cancellations and few lost bags.” Read more about how Mr. O’Leary would like to charge for using the bathroom on board an airline in this New York Times article.

Our family of four is just back from a trip to Kauai, flying from Medford, Oregon through San Francisco to Lihu’e, Kauai, via United Airlines. We booked these tickets with a $300 credit each after being voluntarily bumped a year ago at spring break on a flight from San Francisco to New York. United was looking for volunteers willing to wait just one hour for a later flight. We jumped at the chance, and were each given $300 of United credit, as well as an upgrade to business class on the flight from SFO to JFK. In my opinion, a great deal.

Not every flight bump is voluntary however. Family friends from Ashland were involuntarily bumped on a Delta flight this spring break, when traveling from Medford to Salt Lake City. They had purchased their Delta tickets on Orbitz, had confirmation in hand, and had arrived at the airport 1 ½ hours before their flight. However, because they had not been assigned seats, they were bumped to a flight the next day, even though they had their confirmation. They were told that tickets purchased on Orbitz, Expedia, Cheap Tickets, etc., are considered “bulk tickets” and are not assigned seats ahead of time. If a flight is oversold, and enough travelers do not volunteer to be bumped, airlines will “involuntarily bump” bulk tickets first. The family did receive handsome compensation for traveling a day later, to the tune of $666 per person, in cold, hard cash. David Rowell of the Travel Insider, gives more information here on oversold flights.