Sunday, November 28, 2010

NAVIGATE MAUI/ Escape to Maui's Neighbor Islands


If you're looking to experience a Hawaii where the beaches are void of crowds, the roads lack traffic lights and the aloha spirit lives, head over to Maui's neighbor islands of Lanai and Molokai for a day trip or relaxing weekend. The least populated of the Hawaiian Islands, both islands offer a nostalgic travel back in time, to an era before the state became a tourist mecca for mil¬lions. Find quaint and charming small towns, interna¬tionally acclaimed golf courses, and diverse scenery that can't be found anywhere else.


TO LANAI
Expeditions operates the Maui-to-Lanai ferry, with five daily departures, seven days a week: 6:45 am; 9:15 am; 12:45 pm; 3:15 pm; 5:45 pm. It takes approxi¬mately 45 minutes to get to Manele Bay, Lanai; check-in is 30 minutes before departure. One-way tickets are S30 for adults; S20 for children.

TO MOLOKAI

Maui Princess has two daily departures on Monday - Sat¬urday at 7:15 am and 6 pm, and on Sunday at 6 pm only. Travel time from Lahaina to Kaunaka-kai, Molokai is approximately 90 minutes; check-in is 15 minutes prior to departure. One-way tick¬ets are S50.40 for adults; S25.20 for children (price includes tax¬es).

Tip: Parking at Lahaina Harbor is limited to three hours. For all-day or overnight parking when visiting Lanai or Molokai, park at The Wharf Cinema Center. Rates are $5 fortheday, $15 for overnight, when presenting your ferry ticket.

ACTIVITIES/TOURS

THE CHALLENGE AT MANELE—This 7.039-yard, par 72 championship course was designed by Jack Nicklaus and sprawls across ancient lava fields at the ocean's edge. Every hole offers a 180-degree panoramic view of the Pacific and experienced golfers will find teeing off from cliffs and shooting over ravines and the surging sea both challenging and rewarding, www.golfonlanai.com. At Four Seasons Resort Lanai at Manele Bay,

EXPEDITIONS—Daily round trip ferry service between Maui and the neighbor island of Lanai with departures from Lahaina Harbor and Maalaea Harbor on Maui, and Manale Harbor on Lanai The company can also arrange a getaway on Lanai. from luxurious accommodations to golfing. Jeep tours and other activities. www.go-lanai.com. On Maul call 808.66l3756.Or call toll-free. 800.6952624.
HONU HAWAII ACTIVITIES—Have local experts assist you in booking your activi¬ties and tours while you're on vacation in Hawaii Call today and save money on

luaus, cruises, golfing, air tours, and water sports when you make your reservations through Honu Hawaii Activities. Enjoy great discounts and friendly customer service. Choose from a variety of ac¬tivities on the four major islands, www. HonuHawaiiActivities.com.Call toll-free. 888311.4668.
ROAD TO HANA—The epic drive on the Hana Highway is one of the most scenic in the whole state. The highway has more than 600 curves and 50 bridges, and passes lush rainforests, cascading water¬falls and seaside cliffs.

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Sunrise over the first snow of Christmas 2009. Cassiobury Park. Watford

Christmas Time Around St. Louis



The Christmas season abounds with special events, holiday concerts, light displays and more in and around St. Louis


LIGHTS Let the illumination wash over you at the Way of Lights at the National Shrine of Our Lady of the Snows near Belleville, Illinois, November 20-January 3 The multi-faceted holiday event features electro-art sculptures and creative displays, camel rides ($5-$4), pet¬ting zoo, Christmas Tree Room, choirs, Laser Light Show: The Birth of Jesus ($3), Children's Village, puppet show, carriage rides and more www.snows.org. 442 S De Mazenod Dr., off Rte. 15 in Belleville, Illinois, 314 2413400or 618 397.6700. Map 1-8D. At Winter Wonderland, the road through Tilles Park is flanked by more than one million lights in a dazzling cavalcade of illuminated dis-plays, November 25-January 3. Open to vehicular traffic and carriages Su-F 530-930pm, carriages only Sa 5:30-9:30pm, reserved through MetroTix, 1-4 persons $67, group rates. Cars $9. www.metrotix.com. 9551 Litzsmger Rd. at McKnight Rd. 314.534.1111. Map 5-3E.


SANTAS GALORE The charming Main Street Historic District in St. Charles pulls out all the holiday stops in its month-long St. Charles Christmas Traditions event, November 27-December 26. There's a Santa Parade every Sa and Su at 1.30pm, shops and res-taurants open Wednesdays, Fridays & Saturdays until 9pm, carolers, chestnuts, storybook characters and Santas from around the world. Las Posadas finds Mary & Joseph looking for shelter in a procession down Main St on December 5 at 6.30pm. www histoncstcharles. com. Main St. Historic District, in St. Charles, 800 366 2427. Map 3.
HISTORIC HOMES Three of St. Louis' premier historic homes-

Campbell House Museum, Chatillon-DeMenil Mansion, Eugene Field House—open up for holiday decorations, costumed reenactors, refreshments and more during the Historic Homes Holiday Christmas Tour, December 3 from 3-8pm. $25 adults, $5 children under 13 www.stlouis.missoun org/501c/chm/ 634 S. Broadway, downtown 314 421.0325 Map 2-5G.

The Samuel Cupples House on the Saint Louis University campus hosts its annual Holiday Rooms in Bloom event, featuring floral dis¬plays by St. Louis' premier florists, December 3-6. Th 5:30-7:30pm tree lighting and carols, F 11am-6pm, Sa 11am-4pm, Su 11am-2pm www cupples.slu.edu. Located one block west of Grand and one block south of Lmdell, 314 977.3575. Map 6-8C. It's a taste of a pioneer Christmas at the Daniel Boone Home Annual Candlelight Tour, featuring costumed reenactors, caroling, decorations and refreshments, December 4-5,11-12. $15 adults, $10 children 4-11. www.lmdenwood edu/boone 1868 Hwy F, Defiance, Missouri 636.798.2005. Map 1-3C
DOWNTOWN America's Center delivers the Christmas Spirit with Holiday Magic, a seasonal village filled with decor items, gifts, art demonstrations, light show, carnival rides, cooking demonstra¬tions, gingerbread houses, live entertainment and more, December 4-6. $10 adults, $6 children 5-12, free children under 5. www. stlhohdaymagic com 8th St and Washington Ave., downtown 314 992.0631. Map 2-4C.

MUSIC There's a tune for every taste this season in holiday concerts around the city. Christmas with John Tesh—December 5 at 7 30pm at the Family Arena, $30-$60 www metrotix.com. 2002 Arena Pkwy, 1.5 miles south of the S Fifth St. exit off 1-70,314.534.1111 Map 5-1C Trans Siberian Orchestra—December 12 at 3 & 8pm, $22.50-$55.50, Scottrade Center, www.scottradecenter.net 14th and Clark streets, downtown, 314.241.1888. MetroLink-Civic Center. Map 2-3E Blind Boys of Alabama—December 12 at 8pm, $42-$47,

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snowed for the first time.......just you and me... on this road....


Day Two
Originally uploaded by Keila White

Friday, November 26, 2010

Cocoa Beach, Florida - review


Theme parks aren't Central Florida's only attractions worth raving about. Step away from the hustle and bustle of the visitor corridor and head to the east coast. The 60 minute drive from Orlando will land you smack dab in the middle of wide, sandy beaches, surf shops and an the energized surf scene.

Cocoa Beach


Cocoa Beach, home to "I Dream of Jeanne" back in the days of the Space Race, is one of Florida's best known beaches. Both Florida natives and visitors from around the world flock here to visit the giant surf shops, ride the waves and charter fishing boats out into the Atlantic. Start your day early to grab a prime spot at the heart of the strip for prime people watching. Most likely by 11 a.m., a sea of umbrellas have already been planted and rows of sand castles tended by little kids dominate the shore line.


The closest beach access from Orlando, directly of Highway 520, is at Alan Shepherd Park (211 E Cocoa Beach Causeway, Cocoa Beach). From March 1 to Labor Day, parking is $10 and prevents you from having to cross busy streets while lugging beach gear. After traversing the boardwalk connecting the park and the beach, you can survey the vast open beach for the perfect spot. Don't fret if you didn't bring much beach gear from home on your trip, there are plenty of places to buy a cheap beach towel, sunscreen, extra swim suits and things to build the perfect sand castle. Ron Jon Surf Shop (4151 N. Atlantic Avenue, Cocoa Beach/321-799-8888) not only rents surfboards, but comfy beach chairs and umbrellas (from $4 to $40) to make your beach experience more pleasant.

So, you want to learn to surf. Cocoa Beach may not have the big­gest or most gnarly waves, but they are often perfect for beginners and offer plenty of challenges for the seasoned surfer. After all, one of the best surfers in the world, Kelly Slater, is a Cocoa beach native who got his professional start on this beach. Boards, available from a variety of locations including Cocoa Beach Surf Company (199 E Cocoa Beach Causeway, Cocoa Beach/321-799-9921), can be rented for hours at a time or an entire week. Fiberglass and foam surfboards generally range from $5 to $100. If you prefer to explore by boat, one and two person kayaks are also available by the hour or week and range from $25 to $150 depending on how much time you use them for. For kids looking for their own activity- skimboards and body-boards are available from $5 to $50 for up to a week's rental.


When you've ingested enough salt water from various surfing attempts and sunburn is threatening to beat your SPF, take a break from the sun and be one of the expected two million people who explore the cavernous Ron Jon Surf Shop. The surf-and-sand-lifestyle haven features two levels, its own waterfall, and 52,000 square feet filled with surf gear and souvenirs.


After loading up with drink coozies, beach towels and tiki-themed Christmas lights, jot northward on A1A to the Cocoa Beach Pier (401 Meade Avenue, Cocoa Beach/321-868-2990), which stretches 800 feet over the Atlantic and is made up of 2.5 miles of boardwalk planks. But don't worry, this is no rickety structure, built in 1962, the giant pier is reinforced with 270 pilings each measuring up to 40 feet in length. There is plenty to do here with five bars, four restaurants, an ice cream shop and an array of shops, A local favorite at the Pier is the Atlantic Ocean Grille, which has been deemed the "Best is Brevard" and "Best Restaurant with a View" more than once by Florida Today newspaper readers. And, if you're fortunate to be at the pier on the right day, it is one of the best spots in Cocoa Beach to watch a shuttle launch. But if Houston isn't good to go the night you're visiting, opt to visit the Kennedy Space Center north of Cocoa Beach near Titusville. There you will see actual spacecraft designed by NASA, touch a moon rock and even have lunch with a real astronaut. To get an idea of what it really feels like to be launched into space on the space shuttle, get in line for the must-see Shuttle Launch Experience attraction.


After the sun sets and your skin is noticeably darker from your day in the rays, top off a long day with a bargain night of free drinks and Blackjack on the open seas on SunCruz Casino in Port Canaveral for $8 a person. The 300 feet long floating casino with four decks, is home to more than 700 slot machines and 35 table games Slot prices range from 2 cents to $25 with table bets from $2 to $1,000. You must be 18 to board and 21 to drink. Cruises leave at 11 a.m. and 7 p.m. daily.


If a drive back to Orlando isn't in the cards, contact the Space coast Office of Tourism before 5 p.m. for a list of hotels in the area (430 Brevard Avenue, Suite 150, Cocoa Village/321-433-4470), or visit its website (space-coast.com) for more Space Coast activities. After a good night's rest and another coating of sunscreen, you may be tempted to do it over again the next day.©


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After a few days of snaofall.. settled and cool


14540
Originally uploaded by peterbaker

BARN OWL, A kind of image one can rare get in a lifetime


BARN OWL
Originally uploaded by Musicaltone
Superb shot well done., looks great on that black background, and well caught in mid turn there! Posture, plumage and play of light - all perfect!
What can I say about this amazing picture.
Every thing is perfect, Action, Light and Close
So amazing my friend
Thanks to share it with us

Someones Garden Tick!-Waxwing