We recently took a short break to Mammoth Mountain in California with our 2-year-old daughter. Although it took us more than six hours to get there, via the Tioga Pass, the drive through Yosemite National Park was spectacular, especially Olmsted Point where you look back on Yosemite Valley and Half Dome.

Once in Mammoth (8,100 feet), we acclimatized ourselves with a family cycle around the local trails and to the park—this easy ride felt like quite a workout given the altitude. The following morning we equipped a local baby sitter with storybooks, the Jungle Book DVD and Aqua Draw to entertain our daughter, while my husband and I headed off to the Mammoth Mountain Bike Park with more than 100 miles of trails. At the base we were slightly intimidated by the hard-core bikers with their full body armor and ultra full suspension bikes. It did cross my mind that we may be taking on more than we could handle! Nonetheless, we climbed aboard the gondola with our bikes and rode up to the first station, McCoy.

Breakthrough and Off the Top

Having ridden the Santa Cruz mountain trails for the past six years, we chose an intermediate level trail—Breakthrough. This proved to be an exhilarating downhill ride with great views. The trails were pretty clear with a few rocks and roots—even some snow! We finished off with the “downtown/uptown” trails through the forest. The next morning, feeling a little braver, we plucked up the courage to go “Off the Top” and took our bikes all the way up the gondola to 11,055 feet! The views were breathtaking. The single track weaved its way back and forth descending the steep first section of the mountain and dropping us 2,000ft in a couple of hours – another adrenaline pumping ride.

I have to say this is some of the best riding I have done and thoroughly recommend Mammoth Adventure Center. It also offers fun family activities, such as rock climbing, and although we brought our own mountain bikes, the company seems to a have a good selection of bikes for rent and a squad of helpful technicians.

The rest of the time we enjoyed hanging out with our daughter around the hotel pool, exploring the village and the outdoor shops, and dining at the local restaurants. We found a great deal at the newly opened Westin Monache Resort, which has suites with a kitchen, lounge and separate bedroom. It was perfect for making snacks and allowed us to move around/watch a movie when our daughter was asleep. 

Good places we found to eat around town included:

•    New York Bagel & Deli—good for breakfast.

•    Lanuki—Hawaiian themed sports bar with ribs, burgers and beer.

•    Lulu—fine dining Italian-style. You may need a reservation on weekends.

•    Side Door—wine, coffee, panini and crepes.

We finished up our trip with a hike up Lembert Dome, Tuolumne Meadows in Yosemite on the way back home. My daughter did a great job sitting in our Macpac backpack and enjoyed trotting down the trails.

We’ll definitely return to Mammoth and would love to ski the same area in winter!

I’m a bit of a sucker for Etsy, the Web marketplace for handmade goods. I can spend hours looking for that right pair of earrings, something in a specific color or theme, or artists in a particular locale. I just have to learn to hide my wallet before I window shop.

The other day, I ran across an artist in Etsy’s Featured Seller showcase: Jet Set Paper, by Noelle Griskey. (And I suppose if I paid better attention when looking through my June/July copy of ReadyMade magazine, I would have noticed that her work is featured there, too.) She hand inks Moleskine notebooks with your local (or favorite) airport code, and includes a few notecards with your telephone area code. They’re priced very reasonably, at $8.50. She’ll even do special orders, if your airport isn’t well known.

My favorite airport (so far) is the landing-strip-with-bar located on the Caribbean island of Guanaja. The island is a second home to me, so I have a sentimental connection to the airport. But the possibility of getting a journal with the GJA airport code, for a place that looks like the above picture, made me bust out the wallet and make a special order.

Even if you don’t long for that next trip through your home airport, it’s a great idea for a jetsetter friend or a recent college grad going on an international adventure.

This week I flew Virgin America for the first time: San Francisco to Washington, Dulles and back. The good mojo starts the minute you arrive at the check-in counter. A smiling greeter walked up to me and asked in beautiful Queen’s English, “Sir, will you be flying Virgin America, today?” No, this was not the first class check in line. I think I actually blushed.  Suspicious, I checked in and found that the true joy exhibited by this employee was not an aberration: Everyone clearly loves his job at Virgin America.

Then you walk down the jet way and board what has to be the coolest commercial aircraft in the U.S. sky. You definitely feel like you’re walking into a Vegas night club as you board, with the mauve and blue lighting, the cabin crew (called “hosts”) in slick black outfits and the plush leather seats.

cc Photo courtesy of miss_rogue

VA flies new Airbus A320 and A321 aircraft, so the planes are clean, safe and some of the most fuel-efficient in the sky. The designers at Virgin did a spectacular job creating ambience—yes ambience—within the cabin. The lavatories and galleys are separated from the seating area by translucent blue glass and, oh, did I mention the lighting? It’s just so cool.

(Keep in mind that this is a “low-cost carrier” yet the service I experienced far surpassed anything I’ve seen in the major U.S. airlines. Hmmm…)

Then you sit down and are greeted by a personal in-flight entertainment system with new-release movies, live television, games, and a selection of snacks and drinks that you order right from your seat. Here’s where I tip my hat to the business strategists at Virgin. How smart! You’ve got a captive audience for what—6 hours—who are desperate for entertainment. I was like a gambling junkie swiping my credit card every 60 to 90 minutes for a movie, then a snack and a beer on the way home. 

Was the flight on Virgin America perfect? Pretty much, yeah. It’s obvious that the employees at Virgin are well taken care of and really love their jobs. 

My only suggestion would be a “clear my tray” function for the personal entertainment system. While you can order a drink or snack, and it’s brought almost instantly, there’s no way to notify your ‘hosts’ to pick up service items unless they pass through the aisle.

Virgin made a believer out of me, and I will be flying them again. Thank you, Sir Richard.

Party to save the planet? That’s right. Club Surya, Britain’s first eco-nightclub, opened July 10 in London in all its renewable glory. Clubbers actually create energy as they dance. The bouncing dance floor beneath them uses springs that when smooshed down create electrical currents that continuously charge subsurface batteries; this energy source powers the entire nightclub.

Other hoppin’ eco-features of the club include the use of polycarbon (hard plastic) cups, low voltage lighting, free entry with proof of human-powered or public transportation to the venue, and clubbers’ signed pledge upon entry to help curb climate change. Profits will go to Friends of the Earth.

Club4Climate, which owns Surya, is the brainchild of Andrew Charalambous, aka “Dr. Earth,”a “Dr. Evil” look-alike with a green streak. Dr. Earth is a tantric master, metaphysical philosopher, lawyer, fruitarian—and now, eco-club tycoon.

“We only have one planet,” Earth says. “Let’s party!”

Music to my ears.

During my four-plus years living in New Orleans, I became a seasoned flying professional thanks to my many trips between the West Coast, where my family and most of my friends still lived, and the Big Easy. I recently returned for a reunion with college friends shortly after several airline carriers announced new baggage fees. “Lucky me,” I thought, since I was planning to take Southwest Airlines, which doesn’t charge for your first or second bag, like other airlines now do. Rather, Southwest had already changed its baggage policy at the beginning of the year, cutting allowed bags from three to two. But at least they’re still free.

However, once I got on the plane—after going through the carrier’s recently revamped boarding system, which definitely beats waiting in those A, B, C lines—I did noticed a couple ways in which Southwest is cutting services to reduce its overhead.

First, snacks.

If I didn’t have time to grab a bite on one of my layovers, I would have to rely on the snack boxes from Southwest to sustain me through a three-hour flight. Now, the flight attendants stroll the center aisle with a basket containing several pre-packaged snack choices. You can pick more than one item, but choose them all and risk looking like a little piggy.

Although I do miss those nice, little boxes with a few more choices inside, the plus side of this cutback is Southwest is helping to eliminate waste. I sometimes wouldn’t touch some of the less savory snacks in the box. Now, everyone can take just what they want.

Second, drinks.

Usually on a three-hour flight, the flight attendants were kind enough to offer drinks twice. On my flight from Phoenix to New Orleans, they came through only once. I know that I could have asked for another drink by pressing the attendant call button, but I prefer making it through a flight under the radar.

What else now?

I know these are just minor inconveniences, and I’m glad they’re not as bad as the major changes happening at other airlines that are trying to cut costs. US Airways announced last week it will no longer be showing movies on its long domestic flights starting Nov. 1. This will save US Airways $10 million dollars a year. The mere act of removing the 500-pound sound systems on each plane will help save fuel. In June, US Airways also announced it will now charge passengers for soft drinks—[two dollars|http://www.worldhum.com/weblog/item/the_long_descent_us_airways_to_charge_2_for_soft_drinks_20080613/]! Looks like there will be some thirsty and bored travelers aboard US Airways flights this summer. When I told a friend of mine who is a flight attendant for Virgin America about the recent cutbacks, he had this to say: “I feel so bad for whoever has to work those flights!”

Recently, Northwest Airlines had to break the bad news to its WorldPerks reward members that it will cost them more than just miles to redeem free tickets; the price is now $25 for domestic flights, $50 for transatlantic flights and $100 for flights across the Pacific. Also, Northwest will increase its flight change fee from $100 to $150, like United Airlines did back in April.

These are just a few of the ways airlines are trying to keep their prices competitive as the price of gas continues to soar. While the media usually covers things like new fees, we must rely on word-of-mouth to learn about how services have changed onboard. What changes have you noticed?

Each week, it seems, air carriers come up with a new way to try to recoup their skyrocketing fuel costs. This week is no exception. According to the Wall Street Journal, the Associated Press and other news sources, five U.S. air carriers are starting to sell ad space on their boarding passes that passengers print at home.

I shouldn’t be surprised. Really, I shouldn’t. Once I saw advertisements splashed across luggage carousel conveyor belts a few years ago, I knew no space was immune to the potential of making a few bucks.

Usually, I’m annoyed by the continued spread of advertising into every crevasse of our lives, but upon further inspection, I’m not as bugged out about this new ad source. Why? Because it’s the first time in a while that the airlines have instituted a new way to try to make money without hitting up their customers—at least not directly.

Passengers will be getting potentially useful information: the weather, coupons for restaurants and attractions, and lists of events for their upcoming destination. People also will have the ability to print their boarding passes without the ads, or they can just ignore them if they choose. No purchase required.

That’s a good thing, right? So then why do I feel that this move is just the first step down a slippery slope that will lead to airlines selling space on food trays (it already happens on one carrier), overhead bins, seat covers and more?

Do you use a packing list to plan what you’ll take on vacation?

I usually don’t. I start about a week in advance and lay things out on the bed in the guest bedroom (where my closet is!) when I start thinking about what to take. I can be watching a DVD one night and think, “must bring my blue tank top,” and I’m up to toss it on the stack of clothes. Travel requirements such as necessary visas and immunizations are a different story. For those, I make lists and schedule things well in advance so I’m not freaking out right before I leave on vacation.

Europe travel guru, Rick Steves, has a packing list template on his Web site. It’s more helpful than many Web lists because it even suggests the number of certain clothing items to bring in many cases.

I know people who have multiple packing lists saved on their computers, organized by type of destination: beach, city, outdoorsy, cruise, etc. They just print out the right one, pencil in a few new things, and start packing.

How about you? Are you super organized, or do you start throwing things into a bag 20 minutes before you’re off to the airport? Add a comment and let us know.

On July 8, at its 32nd session, UNESCO, (United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization) announced 27 new additions to the organization’s list of cultural and natural heritage sites. The meeting was held in Quebec City, Canada. UNESCO, a specialized agency formed in 1945, “seeks to encourage the identification, protection and preservation of cultural and natural heritage around the world considered to be of outstanding value to humanity.”

Here at TravelMuse, we love UNESCO World Heritage Sites! As a photo editor, if I am ever at a loss for finding pictures for certain countries or cities, I know I will always be able to find a picture of an UNESCO site that will make for an interesting picture and caption. If you plan to travel, it’s always a good idea to look into UNESCO sites near where you will be.  You are sure to see sites that are both interesting and rich in history. The new sites are:

New UNESCO Cultural Sites:

• Preah Vihear Temple (Cambodia)

• Fujian Tulou (China)

• Stari Grad Plain (Croatia)

• Historic Centre of Camagüey (Cuba)

• Fortifications of Vauban (France)

• Berlin Modernism Housing Estates (Germany)

• Armenian Monastic Ensembles in Iran (Iran)

• Baha’i Holy Places in Haifa and Western Galilee (Israel)

• Mantua and Sabbioneta (Italy)

• The Mijikenda Kaya Forests (Kenya)

• Melaka and George Town, historic cities of the Straits of Malacca (Malaysia)

• Protective town of San Miguel and the Sanctuary of Jesús de Nazareno de Atotonilco (Mexico)

• Le Morne Cultural Landscape (Mauritius)

• Kuk Early Agricultural Site (Papua New Guinea)

• San Marino Historic Centre and Mount Titano (San Marino)

• Archaeological Site of Al-Hijr (Madâin Sâlih) (Saudi Arabia)

• The Wooden Churches of the Slovak part of Carpathian Mountain Area (Slovakia)

• Rhaetian Railway in the Albula / Bernina Cultural Landscape (Switzerland and Italy)

• Chief Roi Mata's Domain (Vanuatu)

CC: seier+seier+seier

Siemensstadt Housing, designed by architect Hugo Häring, is one the six Berlin Modernism Housing Estates that were chosen to be a UNESCO World Heritage site.

New UNESCO Natural Sites:

• Joggins Fossil Cliffs (Canada)

• Mount Sanqingshan National Park (China)

• Lagoons of New Caledonia: Reef Diversity and Associated Ecosystems (France)

• Surtsey (Iceland)

• Saryarka - Steppe and Lakes of Northern Kazakhstan (Kazakhstan)

• Monarch Butterfly biosphere Reserve (Mexico)

• Swiss Tectonic Arena Sardona (Switzerland)

• Socotra Archipelago (Yemen)

Added Extensions:

• Historic centers of Berat and Gjirokastra (Albania)

• Mountain Railways of India (India)

• Paleolithic Cave Art of Northern Spain (Spain)

• The Antonine Wall (United Kingdom)

This year, Papua New Guinea, San Marino, Saudi Arabia and Vanuatu, had sites inscribed on the World Heritage List for the first time. The addition of the 27 sites brings the number of sites on UNESCO’s World Heritage List up to 878. This includes 679 cultural site, 174 natural sites and 25 mixed sites in 145 countries.

Last night, I dropped in on an Afro-Brazilian dance class in my neighborhood, and what a trip! The room was hot, dark and the music—intoxicating. At home, reinvigorated by the samba beats, I couldn’t help thinking, “wouldn’t it be great to travel to Brazil to study dance?”

Dance travel programs often offer great deals, lodging, cultural excursions and multi-day, extensive dance classes. Some even include indigenous music classes. Here are a couple I found after a quick online search:

Discover Brazil’s six-night cultural vacation package in Salvador, Bahia includes accommodations, breakfast, two Afro-Brazilian classes, two Capoeira (a blend of acrobatics, martial arts and dance) classes and one Berimbau (a single-stringed, bow-like instrument) class, plus additional excursions. Prices start at $786 based on double occupancy.

The San Francisco-based dance company, Aguas de Bahia, is offering a two-week dance trip to Bahia from Aug. 4-19, 2008, where students can study either dance or percussion. Airfare is included; packages start at $2,800.

What are some of your experiences with dance or cultural education vacations? Can you recommend a good dance travel program to check out?

If you’re looking to add a little bit of spice to the activities on your next New Orleans family vacation, visit the newly opened Audubon Insectarium on Canal Street right next to the French Quarter.

Check out the bug Hall of Fame, showcasing the biggest and best. Relax in the serene Butterflies in Flight exhibit. See what insect life is like by “shrinking” and going underground in their realm. Learn more about an insect’s life cycle or about the local New Orleans bugs. Enjoy a snack in the Tiny Termite Café while watching videos of chefs incorporating insects into yummy dishes (no, you don’t have to eat the bugs). You can even adopt a bug to help support the Insectarium’s 30,000 insects and arachnids.

The Audubon Insectarium is open 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., Tues. through Sun. Tickets must be purchased in advance, either online or at the Insectarium ticket booth. Ticket prices are $15 for adults ($12 for ages 65 and up) and $10 for children ages 2-12. Combo tickets are available if you want to visit the Audubon Zoo, Audubon Aquarium of the Americas, or Entergy IMAX Theatre as well as the Insectarium.

Get in line behind me, because I’m adding this to my list for my July trip to New Orleans!

Maybe it’s a guy thing, but I really love fireworks. When I was a kid, I always looked forward to the Fourth of July with great anticipation. Sure the barbecues and pool time are great, but it’s the fireworks that really define the Fourth.

Big, small, ornate, booming, choreographed to music or just launched from the neighborhood cul-de-sac, nothing quite says Americana like Fourth of July pyrotechnics (and singed eyebrows).The sights, the sounds, the smells—all combine to create an exhilarating experience. 

Following is a list of some of the best BIG shows in popular U.S. vacation destinations. So gather up the family, get the glow sticks ready for the kids, and head out for an evening of oohs and aahs.

10. Lights on the Lake—Lake Tahoe

Lake Tahoe is the perfect place to watch fireworks over a picturesque mountain lake. The show is set to music and lasts more than 30 minutes. http://www.bluelaketahoe.com/page.php?p=july4

9. Freedom Over Texas—[Houston|http://www.travelmuse.com/destinations/US/TX/201/houston]

An all day shindig with country performers and food and brew, culminating in a rockin’ aerial display. http://www.houstontx.gov/specialevents/cfot/index.html

8. Friendship Festival—[Buffalo, New York|http://www.travelmuse.com/destinations/US/NY/029/buffalo]

The Friendship Festival celebrates “nearly 200 years of peace” between the United States and Canada. It’s a week-long celebration that ends in a fireworks display on the Fourth, visible from both the U.S. and Ontario shores of Lake Erie. http://www.friendshipfestival.com/events.html

7. Go Fourth on the River—[New Orleans|http://www.travelmuse.com/destinations/US/LA/071/new-orleans]

Just when you thought New Orleans couldn’t get any better, it does. Live jazz and great food paired with “dueling fireworks barges” on the Mississippi. Yeah, that definitely sounds like fun. http://www.go4thontheriver.com/

6. Fourth of July Waterfront Celebration at Pier 39—[San Francisco|http://www.travelmuse.com/destinations/US/CA/075/san-francisco]

A solid fireworks display to be sure, but what makes this one special is the music of Tainted Love—possibly the world’s greatest ‘80s cover band. Warning: potentially dangerous combination of hair spray and explosives. http://www.pier39.com/Events/events.htm

5. WaMu Family Fourth at Lake Union—[Seattle|http://www.travelmuse.com/destinations/US/WA/033/seattle]

Hailed by Time magazine as one of the “Top Five Fireworks Displays” in the country, this free admission, family-friendly celebration is in its 20th year of bringing together the local community for a unique day of commemoration. http://www.wamufamily4th.org/

4. Welcome America—[Philadelphia|http://www.travelmuse.com/destinations/US/PA/101/philadelphia]

What better place to celebrate the Fourth of July than in Philly: the birthplace of our nation, Rocky Balboa and the cheese steak. http://www.americasbirthday.com/

3. Central Pennsylvania Fourth Fest - State College, PA

This extravaganza bills itself as “the greatest volunteer fireworks show in the nation. ”Where do I sign up? Central Pennsylvania Fourth Fest combines live entertainment, the Firecracker 4K fun run, food and drink with thousands of pounds of high explosives launched by amateur pyros. Rock on!  [http://www.4thfest.org/]

2. Macy’s Fourth of July Fest—[New York City|http://www.travelmuse.com/destinations/US/NY/005/new-york-city]

See one of theworld’s biggest fireworks displays in the greatest city in the world. ‘Nuf said. http://www.ny.com/holiday/july4/

1. Fireworks on the Mall—[Washington D.C.|http://www.travelmuse.com/destinations/US/DC/001/00-washington]

Yes, the crowd is insane, and you’ll want to claim your precious patch of real estate on the National Mall way early, but this is a show not to be missed. The fireworks are set against the backdrop of iconic U.S. landmarks and coupled with patriotic music performed by the National Symphony Orchestra. Having grown up in the D.C. suburbs, it’s one of those experiences I’ll always remember. http://www.nps.gov/mall/planyourvisit/fireworks.htm

Happy Fourth of July!