3 Reasons to start Walking in Nature as part of your exercise routine
https://amp.mindbodygreen.com/articles/heres-why-hiking-is-the-best-workout-for-your-mental-health
Driving around our local area, I found this scene at the end of the road.
Traveling via air and social distancing? The Delta airport lounges offer a smaller environment, fewer people. Here’s how to access Delta’s Skyclub Lounge.
https://onemileatatime.com/delta-skyclub-access/
Rustic building in the snow in Huntsville, Utah
#rustic #huntsville #utah #travel #winter
Take precautions, don’t panic.
Here’s the latest from the CDC.
Coronavirus and Travel in the United States
Should I travel within the US?
CDC does not generally issue advisories or restrictions for travel within the United States. However, cases of COVID-19 have been reported in many states, and some areas are experiencing community spread of the disease. Crowded travel settings, like airports, may increase your risk of exposure to COVID-19, if there are other travelers with COVID-19. There are several things you should consider when deciding whether it is safe for you to travel.
Things to consider before travel:
Is COVID-19 spreading where you’re going?
If COVID-19 is spreading at your destination, but not where you live, you may be at higher risk of exposure if you travel there.
Will you or your travel companion(s) be in close contact with others during your trip?
Your risk of exposure to respiratory viruses like COVID-19 may increase in crowded settings, particularly closed-in settings with little air circulation, if there are people in the crowd who are sick. This may include settings such as conferences, public events (like concerts and sporting events), religious gatherings, public spaces (like movie theatres and shopping malls), and public transportation (like buses, metro, trains).
Are you or your travel companion(s) at higher risk of severe illness if you do get COVID-19?
People at higher risk for severe disease are older adults and people of any age with serious chronic medical conditions (such as heart disease, lung disease, or diabetes). CDC recommends that travelers at higher risk for COVID-19 complications avoid all cruise travel and nonessential air travel.
Do you have a plan for taking time off from work or school, in case you get exposed to, or are sick with, COVID-19?
If you have close contact with someone with COVID-19 during travel, you may be asked to stay home to self-monitor and avoid contact with others for up to 14 days after travel. If you become sick with COVID-19, you may be unable to go to work or school until you’re considered noninfectious. You will be asked to avoid contact with others (including being in public places) during this period of infectiousness.
Do you live with someone who is older or has a severe chronic health condition?
If you get sick with COVID-19 upon your return from travel, your household contacts may be at risk of infection. Household contacts who are older adults or have severe chronic medical conditions are at higher risk for severe illness from COVID-19.
Is COVID-19 spreading where you live?
Consider the risk of passing COVID-19 to others during travel, particularly if you will be in close contact with people who are older adults or have severe chronic health condition These people are at higher risk of getting very sick. If your symptoms are mild or you don’t have a fever, you may not realize you are infectious.
Depending on your unique circumstances, you may choose to delay or cancel your plans. If you do decide to travel, be sure to practice precautions to prevent getting and spreading COVID-19 and other respiratory diseases during travel. For the most up-to-date COVID-19 travel information, visit CDC COVID-19 Travel page.
#travel, #coronavirus, #CDC, #preventingcorona
Part of the fun of flying is getting an Amenity Kits. Here are Delta Air Lines’ current offerings. They look pretty nice.
(Source Delta News Hub)
LE LABO is making its way into new Delta One TUMI amenity kits this month, and to more than 50 Delta Sky Clubs later this year, as part of Delta’s new partnership with the artisanal fragrance brand.
Born in Grasse, France, and raised in New York, LE LABO is a slow perfumery fragrance brand at its core with a devoted following. Its boutiques around the world serve as fragrance labs open to the public, where scents are freshly hand-blended and personalized. Delta will feature basil-scented formulas from LE LABO’s plant-based Body-Hair-Face collection.
“Delta and LE LABO share a passion for connecting people and places through personalized experiences,” said Ekrem Dimbiloglu, Delta’s Director — Onboard Product and Customer Experience. “That passion, along with LE LABO’s dedication to the highest standards of quality, make it a natural choice in our efforts to create delightful moments throughout the travel experience for our customers.”
Delta is also continuing its strong partnership with TUMI — the leading international business, accessory and travel lifestyle brand — that has been providing Delta premium customers with complimentary TUMI travel kits in flight since 2013.
But starting this month, customers may notice something is missing: a plastic wrapper.
Building off the airline’s industry-leading work to reduce single-use plastics, Delta is keeping sustainability top of mind with this product refresh. Through simple enhancements that remove plastic bags from the TUMI kits, the airline will divert 30,951 pounds of plastic from landfills in one year. That’s equivalent to the weight of one Delta CRJ-200 jet — in addition to Delta’s extensive efforts to implement more sustainable options across the travel experience.
Every seat, every customer, getting upgraded amenity kits
In addition to refreshed Delta One kits, the airline will introduce new and improved amenity kits for Delta Premium Select, Delta Comfort+ and Main Cabin long-haul customers — giving customers in all cabins something new to look forward to on select international and domestic flights.
Featuring a refreshed look and feel, new items and thoughtful design enhancements — each kit has been carefully curated to help customers arrive at their destination feeling rested and refreshed. Additionally, Delta’s new Main Cabin and Delta Comfort+ kits have been updated to include packaging sourced from customer photos, featuring real snapshots from around the globe curated through #SkyMilesLife.*
“These elevated offerings will complement the industry-leading service that Delta people are known for. Every detail has been thoughtfully designed with customers’ needs in mind,” added Dimbiloglu. “From a rejuvenating lineup of skin care products to help customers decompress, to small touches like a new hand cleansing towelette — these updates are a direct result of listening to our customers to understand what they value most and what would make their in-flight experience even better. No matter where you’re sitting, we’re providing more reasons than ever to look forward to traveling with Delta.”
Here’s a peek at what customers can look forward to in Delta’s refreshed amenity kits:
Delta’s push to elevate the in-flight experience doesn’t stop with amenity kits. Customers can look forward to additional onboard product enhancements coming soon — like refreshed ear buds and headsets — creating a best-in-class onboard experience for every Delta customer.
Delta’s refreshed amenities are part of the airline’s multi-billion dollar investment in the overall customer experience. In the past several years, the airline has made significant enhancements to the Main Cabin experience including free Main Cabin meals on select coast-to-coast routes, free mobile messaging,free in-flight entertainment, upgraded Main Cabin snacks, the addition of sparkling wine, access to Wi-Fi on nearly all flights and refreshed Flight Fuel food-for-purchase options. Recent upgrades to the Delta One in-flight experience include the introduction of seasonally rotating, chef-designed Delta One menus with the option to pre-select first choice of entrée, an Alessi-designed collection of serviceware and more.
*By tagging photos using #SkyMilesLife, user grants Delta Air Lines a royalty-free, worldwide, perpetual license to display, reproduce and create derivative works. Full terms: http://skymileslife.delta.com/
Happiness and Success it up to YOU!
It’s in your power to have anything you want.
Question, traveling from Key West Florida to Miami or Cuba, which is closer?? Without looking at a map, which is it? You’ll have to read the story below, originally posted on Oyster.com.
Ok travelers, here’s “the rest of the story.”
Katherine Alex BeavenJanuary 29, 2017
We love a good story, especially if it gives us a fresh perspective on an amazing travel destination. Lucky for us, every place has its own history and locals-only folklore that’s waiting to be discovered. Speaking of which, we’ve recently unlocked a few interesting tidbits about the Florida Keys. Since its discovery in 1513 by the famous Juan Ponce de Leon, the Keys have quietly (and sometimes not so quietly) shaped their story. So, grab a tropical drink, sit back, and prepare to be schooled on 12 things you probably didn’t know about the Florida Keys. (We were particularly fascinated by number five on the list.)
Ever see a cat romping around with six or seven toes? They are affectionately known as mitten cats, and rumor has it, thanks to Ernest Hemingway, who was given a white, six-toed feline on board a ship to the Keys, they came to America. Though Hemingway’s cat is long gone, the Hemingway house and museum have an unintended collection of the polydactyl kitties around the grounds. They are all thought to be descendants of Hemingway’s own cat and there’s a good chance yours might be, too.
For a period in the 19th century, Key West was the country’s most prosperous city per capita. During this time, the island collected their riches from the numerous shipwrecks off their coast. And while all the treasure may be gone, you can still snorkel and dive several of the shipwreck sights. There’s even a Florida Keys Shipwreck Trail, maintained by the Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary. Here, you’ll find nine historic underwater shipwrecks and artificial reefs extending from Key Largo to Key West.
The Florida Keys collectively make up a chain of more than 800 islands, though a road trip is fairly convenient thanks to a 113-mile, 42-bridge Overseas Highway that connects all the major Keys. There used to be an Overseas Railroad that connected all above-ground Keys, but it was destroyed by a powerful hurricane in 1935. However, you can still spot its remnants.
Sorry, California — the Keys hold the title for the highest year-round average temperature. At a balmy 77.8-degree average, you can almost always count on packing a suitcase full of shorts and dresses. Tip: We suggest bringing an umbrella for sun showers during the rainier months (June to November).
Back in the early ’80s, the U.S. Border Patrol set up shop at the top of Highway 1, roadblocking all traffic leaving the Keys and checking cars for illegal drugs and immigrants. This negatively impacted tourism to the area and locals felt it cast an ugly shadow on the free-spirited islands. They demanded this roadblock be removed, and when it wasn’t, they took matters into their own hands. Then-mayor Dennis Wardlow declared war on the U.S. by throwing up a Conch Republic flag in Key West’s Mallory Square and hitting a local Navy officer over the head with a loaf of stale Cuban bread. But within one minute of the tongue-in-cheek bread beating, he surrendered and demanded one billion dollars in foreign aid. While they never received the aid, the roadblocks were soon removed. Each year, Key West still celebrates the anniversary of the Conch Republic independence. What’s more, the Conch Republic adopted the motto, “We seceded where others failed.”
As you can imagine, the Keys are an important port city. However, you may not know that they used their southernmost positioning differently during the Civil War. Unlike other southern U.S. states, including Florida, Key West rebelled against the Confederacy and remained part of the Union. In fact, it was the only southern city to remain in Union hands during the Civil War. The heavy number of Union supporters at the military base of Fort Zachary Taylor were enough to extinguish any naysayers, and eventually, they held celebrations for the passing of the Emancipation Proclamation.
Just a few miles from the Florida Keys shoreline lies the Florida Reef. It’s the only living coral barrier reef in the continental U.S. — and the third largest coral barrier reef system in the world. Spanning approximately 221 miles, the reef extends from Key Biscayne near Miami down to the Dry Tortugas, located west of Key West. This area is also home loads of marine life — nearly 1,400 species of marine plants and animals live here. And the whole reef system is protected by the Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary.
Contrary to popular belief, the Keys don’t offer up a plethora of sandy beach options along their shores. Think of it as a sacrifice made in order to have a fantastic coral reef system off the coast. The coral barrier reef acts as, well, a barrier for sand sweeps that would normally carry sand to the shore to create beachfront. But there are a few beaches along the coast, mostly with imported sand, if you need that beach fix.
To reach the approximately eight-foot, nine-ton bronze statue (think underwater Christ the Redeemer), take a trip to John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park, America’s first underwater park. Resting on the sea floor, about 30 feet under water, Christ of the Abyss awaits. Hands raised toward the sparkling surface, you can’t miss him.
Believe it or not, Key West, the southernmost Key, is actually so far south that it’s closer to Cuba than Miami — by almost twice as much. Key West is just 90 miles from Cuba, while it takes approximately 150 miles to reach Miami. Maduros run, anyone?
The smallest deer species in North America can only be found within the forests of the Florida Keys. A subspecies of the white-tailed deer, the Key deer is elusive and hard to spot in the leafy National Key Deer Refuge. Unfortunately, drivers on the nearby roads also seem to have trouble spotting them and many die from being struck by cars each year. The deer, which also lost nearly an eighth of its already dwindling population thanks to a 2016 parasite epidemic, is on the list of endangered species.
There’s a bit of contention over the right way to make Key lime pie (some say it’s best with a pie crust and merengue topping, while others prefer a graham cracker crust with whipped cream). However, it’s likely that the original pie was neither. This tart and sweet signature dessert of the Keys is thought to have originated on boats, using the ingredients on hand. It’s believed that sailors used the citric acid from the Key lime’s juice to cook a mixture of condensed milk and egg resting in a stale bread crust.
Thanks for stopping by my blog. Hope to see you again, you can even Subscribe to get updates automatically.
Until the next adventure, John FreeRangeExplorer
Fall is rapidly approaching and that means the fall harvest and a chance for families to get together and celebrate and indulge in natures bounty.
Thanks to Conde Nast Traveler magazine and its editors, for this list of some of the best places to enjoy. John McFadden
Here we go…
There’s a lot to love about Thanksgiving: uncorking the first Beaujolais at noon, spoonfuls of gravy all over your meat and veggies, wearing elastic-waistband pants without shame… But the prep? Not so much. Ditto the dishes. Luckily, you can skip the dry turkey and a pile of dishes in the sink by heading to a luxury hotel that will do it all for you. Here are 17 hotels and resorts across the country—and a few abroad—offering a gourmet Thanksgiving meal with all the deliciousness and none of the hassle. Make a weekend out of it and book yourself a room, too.
Ocean House, Watch Hill, Rhode Island
There’s something about being in New England for Thanksgiving that feels right. Especially if you get a table inside one of our all-time favorite Rhode Island retreats, the Ocean House. This year, the hotel will be offering a homestyle buffet—with an Atlantic twist—in its seaside ballroom, complete with local sea bass, butternut squash tortellini, and a full raw bar. That’s all in addition to the classic turkey and sides, of course. Reservations are $85 for adults and $37 for children.
Thompson Chicago
Turns out there’s a new reason to visit one of the best hotels in Chicago—the Thanksgiving dinner from on-site restaurant Nico Osteria. They’re putting a light Italian spin on the pre-fixe menu this year (also available à la carte), with highlights like turkey bolognese, winter squash tortelloni, and pesto soup. Even better? There’s apple butter gelato for dessert. Four-course dinner, $80 for adults and $35 for children.
Blackberry Farm, Walland, Tennessee
This rural retreat on 4,200 acres in the Smoky Mountains might—might—be our favorite foodie hotel anywhere on earth (pretty much nothing, from the bread to the butter, comes from a packet). And they go all out for Thanksgiving, turning the one-day holiday into a five-day eat-a-thon that often books out months in advance. This year that means fried turkey, peanut soup (don’t knock it till you try it), and angel biscuits on the lawn at lunch time, while dinner—a spread of turkeys (plural) and platters of sides in all the colors of autumn—is served in the regal, wood-paneled Dogwood restaurant. Prices vary.
Gramercy Park Hotel, New York
Chances are, it’s nothing like what your mama used to make—the Italian-American Thanksgiving men) at Maialino at the Gramercy Park Hotel is probably better. Much more than just another hotel dining room, Danny Meyer’s smash restaurant offers four refreshingly non-traditional courses—potato and leek soup and butternut squash ravioli are followed up with a traditional turkey dinner, complete with sausage stuffing and cranberry mostarda. Diners can also opt for the “Maialino Classics” menu, which offers roasted lamb and tiramisu. Four-course dinner (both menus), $115 for adults and $65 for children.
The Conrad, New York City
The Conrad opened with a top food-and-drink game two years ago in downtown New York (its rooftop Loopy Doopy is one of our summertime go-to’s for sunset margaritas). And this year, Atrio (the restaurant in the lobby) has created a special Thanksgiving menu featuring fresh, seasonal ingredients in dishes that manage to leave you feeling like you appropriately indulged (as we all should on Turkey Day) without the guilt. The three-course menu includes apple tarte tatin, braised short ribs, and a dreamy butternut squash soup with brown butter crumble. Three-course dinner, $65 per person.
Park Hyatt, Washington, D.C.
An almost-stark dining room inside a Tony Chi–designed hotel might not be your first pick for a cozy holiday, but the Michelin-starred Blue Duck Tavern has been wowing even the most skeptical since its debut a decade ago. Already firing on all cylinders nearly year-round, the kitchen takes on the most American of meals with a certain gusto—think classic preparations, but with the utmost precision, not to mention a wide variety of top-notch, regional ingredients (whipped boiled peanuts, anyone?). Three-course dinner, $135 for adults and $55 for children.
21c Museum Hotel, Bentonville, Arkansas
A short walk from one of the country’s most talked-about art museums, Crystal Bridges, the Bentonville’s 21c Museum Hotel is drawing Thanksgiving travelers yet again this year. Its smart, Southern-inflected restaurant, The Hive, is offering a pre-fixe menu headlined by smoked turkey with house-made cornbread stuffing (and all the trimmings). Four-course dinner, $47–$56 per person. (Tip: Don’t miss the highly unusual rotating exhibitions in the hotel’s first-floor gallery spaces.)
Four Seasons Resort Orlando at Walt Disney World Resort, Florida
Spending the holiday at the House of Mouse this year? Upgrade your experience to a level you probably weren’t expecting in those parts with a stay at one of Orlando’s best hotels, or simply pop by for the epic buffet at Ravello. Already known as home to the tastiest (and least-crowded) Disney character breakfast, the restaurant will serve a more-than-just-turkey dinner, featuring charcuterie, oysters, sushi, and pasta, as well as all the classics. Dinner buffet, $115 for adults and $45 for children.
The Allison Inn and Spa, Willamette Valley, Oregon
This wine country favorite not far from Portland offers a hyper-local Thanksgiving dinner in Jory, the award-winning restaurant at the The Allison Inn and Spa. Much of the produce that makes its way to your plate comes from the property’s sizable garden, with trusted Northwest farms picking up the slack. Four-course dinner, $70 per person. (And don’t forget the vineyards—supplement your meal with thoughtful pairings of regional wines for an additional $55.)
Windsor Court Hotel, New Orleans
The Big Easy’s finest address is also home to one of the city’s best special-occasion restaurants. Thanksgiving in the Grill Room of the Windsor Court Hotel offers a regional spin on the classics: think roasted turkey breast with andouille dressing, blue crab bisque, and caramel apple bread pudding with bourbon sauce. Four-course dinner, $100 per person.
Salish Lodge and Spa, Snoqualmie, Washington
More than 1.5 million people visit the Seattle area’s iconic Snoqualmie Falls each year; a relatively select few are fortunate enough to fall asleep listening to the falls’ inspired thundering from cozy rooms at the Salish Lodge and Spa, made world-famous by cult-classic TV show Twin Peaks. Book a room, then immediately book a table at the dining room for a Thanksgiving dinner of Dungeness crab bisque followed by sea salt brined turkey. Four-course dinner, $105 for adults and $35 for children; wine pairings for an additional $35.
45 Park Lane, London
Wolfgang Puck gets in on the turkey action at CUT at 45 Park Lane, where the four-and-a-half-hour feast on Thanksgiving will include favorites like roasted squash soup, turkey with wild mushroom stuffing, and pecan pie with maple ice cream for dessert. Three-course menu, US$141 per person (Wagyu beef entrees for an additional US$83–$122).
The Curtain Hotel and Members Club, London
For American expats in London, head to The Curtain Hotel this November 22. Red Rooster Shoreditch (the London outpost of the famous Harlem restaurant of the same name) will host a Thanksgiving-with-soul menu crafted by chef Marcus Samuelsson. We’re guessing no Thanksgiving dinner outside of New Orleans will have dishes like these: deviled eggs and chicken and waffles for starters, followed by roasted turkey breast, and bourbon ice cream for dinner—all washed down with the restaurant’s signature pumpkin spice espresso martini. Three-course dinner, US$70 per person.
The St. Regis Singapore
Thanksgiving dinner in a French restaurant in Singapore? We say go for it. Proof that you truly can celebrate Thanksgiving in every corner of the world, Brasserie Les Saveurs will hold an exquisite dinner buffet on November 22 in one of Singapore’s best hotels. The menu includes a seafood medley with Fine de Claire oysters and Alaskan king crab, French cheeses, lobster macaroni and cheese, and a carving station with roasted turkey and leg of lamb. Buffet dinner, from US$100 per person.
Hotel Eden, Rome
We’ve come to expect classic Italian luxury at Hotel Eden, but the renovated Il Giardino Ristorante and Bar also impresses. Case in point: the seasonal dishes served up by executive chef Fabio Ciervo this Thanksgiving. Expect tradition with a gourmet twist: turkey breast stuffed with brandy-flavored prunes and pumpkin pie with Tahitian vanilla ice cream. Four-course dinner, US$91 per person.
Hassler Roma, Rome
At Hassler Roma, the five-star hotel (one of the best in Rome) near the Spanish Steps, Thanksgiving is distinctly Italian. Served on Thursday evening at Hassler Bistrot at Salone Eva, the menu will include pumpkin lasagna and a selection of Italian cakes (plus turkey and veggies, of course). Five-course dinner, US$97 per person.