(ARA) – Every fall, many families pack up the car to travel to see fall foliage. Cooler temperatures and vivid colors make fall the perfect time to get outside and enjoy nature. Most regions have an area known for a vivid display of fall foliage, so families don’t have to travel too far to enjoy autumn colors.

This fall, keep these tips in mind to get the most enjoyment from your fall foliage excursion:

* Research specific regions.

Many private and public parks offer trails for visitors, as well as camping accommodations and the opportunity to rent off-road vehicles or other recreational products. Be sure to ask for trail maps of the area to get the lay of the land and determine the appropriate trails for your family’s experience level.

While flexibility is key to seeing the best colors, if you plan to camp or are visiting an area popular for fall foliage viewing, it is always best to check camping or hotel availability.

* Prepare for the weather.

Be sure to stay tuned to local news weather forecasts, Internet sites or contact the local tourism bureau to help predict the best time to plan your trip. Most foliage starts to change colors from mid- to late September and can last through the first part of November.

* Be part of the action.

Why stay stuck in the car or on foot to experience fall foliage? Riding down trails on an all terrain vehicle can give your family a whole new perspective on fall colors. The new two-passenger machines, like the Polaris Sportsman Touring and Polaris X2, give you the opportunity to share the views with the family.

As part of preparing for your trip, it is also important that your ATVs are in good working order so you can fully enjoy your trip without unforeseen pit stops. Have your machine serviced at a local dealership or change the oil, clean the air filter, check tire air pressure, and examine the brakes, all electrical wiring and bodywork to ensure nothing has come loose. It is also a good idea to carry a tire patch kit in case of a puncture from a rock or stump, and extra gas so you can fill up on the go.

Also be sure to pack all appropriate ATV safety gear including helmets, goggles, gloves, long-sleeved shirts, pants and boots for all members of the family to ensure a fun and safe adventure to experience the wonders of nature.

Courtesy of ARA Content

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Get the Most Out of Family Road Trips

School is back in session, but there’s still time to sneak in a weekend road trip to enjoy the autumn weather with the family. Take a look at your area on a map and find a creative route within three hours of your house – close enough to explore without spending all your time in the car, but still far enough to be a mini vacation getaway.

The majority of Americans are realizing that domestic road trip travel is easier on the wallet than expensive airline tickets and overseas accommodations – even with high gas prices – and are opting for driving-distance destinations. According to the Travel Industry Association, 59 percent of Americans who are currently planning a road trip will not change their travel plans despite rising gas prices. So consider exploring the surrounding museums, amusement parks and state parks that tourists from all over world come to see but you haven’t taken the time to visit.

Here are some tips to help make your next road trip memorable, easy and cost effective:

Car Time is Quality Family Time

Everyone needs a little relaxation and fun with family and friends, as well as entertainment to get away from the everyday hustle and bustle of life. Road trips are a great way to spend quality time with those you care about — sing your favorite songs, share stories and play your favorite road trip games like I-Spy, 20 Questions or Name that Tune.

Whatever entertainment your family shares – traditional road trip games, watching videos, browsing photo albums – you’ll want to schedule taking turns. Not only will this keep the peace between siblings, but it will help everyone pass the time by having fun together. Also, make sure to keep a cooler stocked with favorite beverages and snacks to keep the whole family happy and full along the way.

GPS with Media Entertainment is Fun for Everyone

Now imagine being able to finally throw away all of those cumbersome maps, shushing the opinionated back-seat driver who is always telling you where to go, and just being able to enjoy the open road chatting about the fun places and things you’re going to see. With the latest combined portable GPS and media entertainment devices, such as the 605 WiFi GPS from ARCHOS, you truly get the ultimate road trip companion that not only guides your vacation while on the way, but gives you and the kids instant entertainment when you arrive. Enjoy reaching your destination with ease with turn by turn directions, listening to music, watching movies on a 4.3-inch touch screen, browsing the Web, looking through your photos and more — all with one pocket-sized device.

Get the Most out of Every Tank of Gas

Few things have the potential to derail your road trip enjoyment like high gas prices. To ensure the adults relish their road trip, it’s more important than ever to improve gas mileage and reduce pain at the pump. Here are a few simple, helpful tips to help you get the biggest bang out of each gas dollar:

* Avoid jack-rabbit starting on acceleration. Stomping on the gas pedal uses about twice as much gas as a modest, gradual start – so leave the lead foot at home.

* Use cruise control whenever possible. This is particularly great for long distance drives, because consistent speeds and less fluctuation in acceleration really help stretch your gas dollar further.

* If you have removable roof racks on your car and you aren’t using them for your vacation, then be sure to take them off. Roof racks affect your car’s aerodynamics, dramatically decreasing your mileage.

* Use your air conditioning as needed – turn it on and off throughout the drive so that it’s not constantly running and sucking the horsepower and gas that your engine needs to run efficiently.

* Finally, make sure to plan ahead and know where you’re going. With GPS devices, such as the ARCHOS 605 WiFi, you will be sure to save gas because you won’t be dealing with getting lost and driving around in circles.

So take some time to brush up on your Name that Tune skills and get ready for some fun, stress-free road trips because great times are just a drive away.

For more information about ARCHOS and its products, visit www.archos.com.

Courtesy of ARAcontent

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“The site was created to provide travelers with fun and interesting alternatives for excursions across the country,” said Christine Karbowiak, vice president of public affairs, Bridgestone Americas Holding, Inc. “And we’re excited to present some new elements on our Web site. Whether you’re interested in automotive museums, history or great local restaurants, Firestone Legendary Drives offers a little something for everyone.”

The Firestone Legendary Drives Web site features details about all the major highways you’ll find in the 50 states, as well as noteworthy drives. Here’s a sampling of some of the drives featured in different parts of the country:

West Coast

If you’re looking to take a trip along the West Coast, one of the prettiest drives is the Mount Hood/Columbia River Gorge Loop in the northwestern part of Oregon. The 194-mile drive, which begins and ends in Portland, Ore., and circles Mount Hood, features majestic mountain views, a mighty river and misty waterfalls. The drive can be done in as few as four hours, but there’s so much to see, most people spend several days exploring this wonderland.

Central/Western U.S.A.

If you want to explore the central part of the country, one of your best bets is to travel along historic Route 66, which covers more than 2,000 miles as it makes its way through eight Central and Western states. Route 66 starts in Chicago, Ill., and heads south to St. Louis, Mo., then through Oklahoma to Amarillo, Texas, on to Winslow, Ariz., and from there west all the way to Los Angeles.

East Coast

If you’d like to take a road trip along the East Coast, a drive through the Great Smoky Mountains National Park is a must. The 40-mile trek along Tennessee’s Newfound Gap Road from the Sugarlands Visitor Center to the Oconaluftee Visitor Center in North Carolina will reveal some spectacular scenery. Along the winding road, you’ll see great mountain vistas, the highest peak in the park and a river gorge. There are also be several pull-offs where you can take short hikes to waterfalls.

Northeast

Ranked by many as one of the 10 best roads in America to drive, Route 100 stretches from the southern edge of Vermont to that state’s northern border. One of the drive’s biggest attractions is the Stowe Hollow covered bridge, a 50-foot span made of wood, built in 1844. It’s one of 107 covered bridges in the state.

Stay Safe on the Road

If you weren’t before, you’ve probably now been inspired to take a road trip this spring, but before venturing out be sure your car is in good working order. Bridgestone Americas offers the following safety tips:

* Before you set out, have an automotive technician make sure the vehicle is travel ready by checking the battery, fluid levels, exhaust system and windshield wipers. If you’ll be traveling in a cooler climate, have the defrosting and heating system checked as well.

* If you’ll be doing a lot of highway driving, it is important to keep the gas tank at least one-half full at all times. The fuel reserve will be important to avoid being stranded in heavy traffic.

* Examine the tread on your tires once per month and before every long trip. Your tires should have at least 2/32 inch of tread depth. You can easily determine if your tires are due for replacement with the “penny test.” Insert a penny in several spots on the tire’s tread, Lincoln’s head down. If you can see the top of Lincoln’s head in any of those spots, the tread is worn and the tire probably needs to be replaced. Have it checked by a tire professional.

* Tires can lose one pound per square inch of air pressure for each 10-degree drop in temperature. Improperly inflated tires will lessen the gripping action because the tire tread will not meet the road surface as it was designed to do.

* Prepare for inclement weather by storing emergency supplies in the trunk. Important items to have on hand in case of a storm are: a properly inflated spare tire, flashlight, blanket, extra clothing, candles/matches, bottled water, snacks, any necessary medication and a cell phone with a car charger.

For more safety information, and details about drives worth checking out in other parts of the country, log on to www.firestonelegendarydrives.com. The site features picturesque drives in each of the 50 states.

Courtesy of ARAcontent

If you’d like additional information about any of the drives in this article, or help localizing this story, contact the Bridgestone Americas media line at (877) 201-2373.

For additional information about tires and tire safety, visit www.bridgestonetire.com or www.tiresafety.com.

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1. Shop Independent

This is an easy tip to remember. For independence on the road, choose an independent car rental company. Smaller, local businesses will be able to offer cheaper rates than the national rental brands. While the national car rental companies rely on their names to get you in the door, the local rental companies rely more on good service and great prices. They will not have quite the selection of a larger company, but the independent guys do have plenty of options. Unless you really need a specific car, you will almost always be able to find an appropriate vehicle at a lower price from the independent car rental company. Count on great personalized service too.

2. Beware of Airports

There is a high price to pay for convenience. Even though there are car rental companies lined up down the airport road, you will benefit from trying someone else. Since the independent car rental companies are less likely to be able to pay rent at such a prime location, you should look them up and ask about a free pickup. The pickup won’t always be available, but even if it isn’t, you’ll still probably get a better deal by shopping off the airport property.

3. Economy Class

They may not be the coolest ride you can find on the car rental lot, but economy cars will be a better way to go if you are trying to save a little money. The initial price as well as the ensuing taxes and insurance costs will be less than if you were to rent a sports car or SUV. If you are shopping short term and really want a long term test drive, go for the fancy cars. If you are really interested in the best deal for your money, look at the economy cars.

4. Gas Mileage

Another reason to shop for the small, economy cars is for the better gas mileage. You will have to buy the gas that you use in your rental car. If the tank is full when you take it, it should be full when you bring it back. Gas is not cheap and if you drive very far your rental bill could easily double or even triple. Using a small car will help you keep fuel costs under control and within reasonable limits.

5. Choosing Insurance

It’s always a debate about how much insurance to buy on a rental car. The odds change depending on the area in which you will spend most of your time in the car. If you’ll be in a well protected, nice neighborhood and on interstates, you’ll probably be fine without all but the basic coverage, so save the money. If you will be driving in someplace with a high rate of theft, choose full coverage to protect yourself from replacement costs. If you’ll be driving in and around lots of pot holes or on dirt and gravel roads, look into wheel insurance and or windshield insurance. You have to evaluate your situation and make an informed decision in order to get the insurance coverage correct.

Renting cars is a huge convenience and sometimes even a necessity. When you get to the place where you need to rent a car, remember to follow the guidelines listed here in order to save money.

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One of the most important attractions along Route 66 is the Wigwam Motel in Rialto, California. This lodging facility was originally located in San Bernadino, but due to zoning changes in later years, it was classified as a Rialto address. Frank Redford, who grew up under the influence of Native American culture, built the motel in 1949. His business began when he build a teepee in Kentucky to display some Native American artifacts. A year later, he added teepee shaped cabins to the premises to offer visitors a place to stay during their trip. In 1937, he got a patent for the design. There were originally supposed to be seven Wigwam motels throughout the United States, and while the others were present for a short time, only two of them have been as well preserved as this one. When all seven villages were operational, each had the sets of teepee cabins around a large office teepee.

The exterior of the cabins and the office were designed to reflect Native American art. In Wigwam Motel, there are ninteen teepees made of both wood and concrete structures that serve as lodging facilities for guests. Each teepee is thirty foot in height, and they all are equipped to meet the needs of even modern travelers. Each one has two windows. There is a partition at the back of the unit for a bathroom. The inside of the cabins are also decorated to reflect Native American art. This motel includes an outdoor swimming facility and a barbecue grill for guests to use.

There are many Route 66 museums you should visit during your trip. The Route 66 Auto Museum in Santa Rosa, New Mexico is certainly a must see event. They have more than thirty vehicles on display. Each vehicle is representative of the kinds of cars you might have seen if you had driven Route 66 during it’s heyday. From street rods to vintage automobiles, to cars decked out with the level of chrome you might expect, you can glean a lot of knowledge from this stop.

The California Route 66 Museum in Victorville should also be on your top list of stops. This is a great collection of Route 66 memorabilia that you simply cannot miss on your vacation. They have many different displays. Their automotive history display will help you get some idea of the kinds of vehicles that drove along the traditional Route 66. The cultural display will help you to understand how Route 66 grew over time, and how it eventually passed into something children read about in history books. The economic display will help you to understand the financial profitability of Route 66 during the high times. The exhibits change on a regular basis, and there are many photographs and various artifacts that you cannot miss if you plan to drive Route 66.

One final museum you must see on your tour of Route 66 is the McDonald’s Route 66 museum. Since McDonald’s is a staple of road trips in general, it makes sense that there should be some commemoration of this fast food giant on your trip to historic Route 66. The McDonald’s Route 66 museum is in San Bernadino. As the original restaurant was located near Route 66, and many of the early Route 66 drivers may have stopped to try a McDonald’s hamburger, this is the perfect cap to your museum tour of Route 66.

There are a number of great things to see on your Route 66 vacation.

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Santa Fe Serenity – The Top “Just Gotta Visit” Places

Planning a vacation this year? If so, you should seriously consider Santa Fe on your list of places to visit. Santa Fe, New Mexico, is rich in history as well as in current culture. It is one of the oldest capital cities on the continent. Moreover, it is home to the Palace of Governors, the oldest public building on the continent. They even have one of the oldest celebrations in the country, the Santa Fe Fiesta. It was established in 1712 to celebrate the Spanish conquest of the town. When you’re in Santa Fe, there are several attractions that you must visit.

One of the places you must see is the Chapel of San Miguel. It is the most historic church in the Santa Fe area. It rests two blocks from the state capitol, and is located at the corner of Old Santa Fe Trail and De Vargas. This chapel was first built in 1626. However, as there were several Native American revolts in the area, there is nothing lefts of the first chapel. It was burned on a number of occasions. The statue of the church patron, San Miguel, was carved in 1709. It was carefully crafted in Mexico. The chapel was eventually rebuilt completely, and in 1859, it was incorporated as a part of Saint Michael’s College when Archbishop Lamy and the Christian Brothers of Santa Fe purchased it.

Other chapels should also be added to your list. The Chapel of Our Lady of Guadalupe, on Agua Fria Street, should certainly make your list of chapels to visit. Built in 1795, the Chapel of Our Lady of Guadalupe is the oldest memorial to the Virgin in the United States. In 1880, as the railroad arrived in Santa Fe, the chapel was dedicated to non-Spanish speaking believers by Archbishop Lamy of the Catholic Church.

St. Francis Cathedral should also make your list of churches you should see on your visit to Santa Fe. This church, built in 1869, lies just north of the La Fonda Hotel.  It was designed to mimic French Romanesque buildings, which makes it stand out in the traditional Spanish style buildings of Santa Fe.  St. Francis Cathedral wasn’t the first church built on this site. There was another that was destroyed in Native American revolts. That church was rebuilt in adobe and called La Parroquia. When St. Francis Cathedral was built, portions of La Parroquia were incorporated into the new structure. Stone from quarries in and around Santa Fe were used in the construction of  St. Francis Cathedral.

Churches aren’t the only things you should see in Santa Fe. While you are there, you should also try to visit the Museum of International Folk Art. This amazing attraction contains more than one hundred and thirty five thousand pieces. It opened in 1953, and currently has four distinct wings that house hundreds of exhibits. The Girard Wing opened in 1982 when Alexander Girard donated a large collection to the museum, which includes popular art, toys, textile material, and multi-national folk art. The Hispanic Heritage Wing primarily contains exhibits that are culturally significant to New Mexico. Artifacts included in this exhibit span four centuries. The Bartlett Wing houses rotating exhibits. There are two galleries in this wing (which was named for the founder of the museum) that have included exhibits ranging from Turkish culture to Tibetan tradition. The Neutrogena Wing is primarily a textile display encompassing the collection donated by the Neutrogena Corporation.

If you enjoy museums, be sure to check out the Museum of Indian Arts and Culture. This is part of the Museums of New Mexico system. This museum was founded in 1909. It is constantly under expansion to hold its contents. Its exhibits contain Native art and cultural artifacts. The material ranges from contemporary times to pre-recorded history. They have rotating educational programs on a constant basis. Try to catch one while you’re in town.

The Santa Fe Children’s Museum is the perfect place to take your family while you’re on vacation in the Santa Fe area. The cost is fairly minimal, and while the exhibits change on a regular basis, all of them encourage your kids to think creatively. They even have great places for your toddler to play.

The next time you’re in Santa Fe, be sure to catch one of these great locations.

 

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First thing is that it is important to make sure that your pet is healthy enough for the trip.  This includes a visit to your vet, where you will want to make sure that you have all of the vaccinations current.  If you are traveling by air, then you will need a health certificate stating that your pet is healthy enough to fly.  Check with the airline before you go, as some require that your trip be within a certain number of days before you leave.  This is also the time to make sure that you have enough of your pet’s medications on hand as well if he is taking any long-term prescriptions.  If your pet gets anxious in the car, talk to your vet about a mild sedative to help take the edge off.  If you have a very sick or elderly pet, it might be best to consider leaving them with a friend or at a kennel instead of putting them through the stress of traveling.

Next, you are going to want to pack for your pet.  Whether flying or driving, you are going to need a sturdy carrier.  Check with the airline as to what their specifications are.  You will also need any food, bedding, and toys that your pet cannot live without.  If you have a dog, do not forget about a sturdy leash and collar that work properly.  With cats, you will want to make sure that you have a portable litter box and litter.  All pets should have a collar with current tags on it in the event that they should get away from you.  Remember, this is going to be a new and exciting experience for them, but it also might be scary.  You do not want them running off while you are away from home.  You might consider putting a new tag on with a cell phone number or the phone number you will be staying at while away.  Also obtain a copy of your pet’s medical records from the vet.  That way, if your pet should get sick and you need to see a vet while you are away, the new vet will have a complete medical history.

Next, you will want to plan your trip with your pet accordingly.  If you need to fly to your destination, look for the shortest and most direct flights.  Call the airline plenty of time in advance to make arrangements for your pet.  If you have a small dog or a cat going with you, you can see about having your pet ride in the cabin with you.  Larger pets will have to go in the luggage hold, and you will need to see what arrangements need to be made.  Make sure that their carrier is airline approved, all needed paperwork is within easy reach or displayed per airline instructions, and that your pet is comfortable and has access to fresh water.  If you need to administer a sedative, do so at least half an hour before you leave for the airport to allow it time to take effect.

If you are traveling by car, there are also some considerations that need to be made.  If you are going to be on the road more than one day, you might want to plan your rest stops ahead of time by the hotels that allow pets.  Consider how much room you have in your car.  Your pet should be properly restrained at all times – for smaller animals this means a carrier and for larger ones a crate or a seatbelt.  Pets should always have access to fresh water.  When you stop for a rest break, let your pet get out of the car as well, but always keep him on a leash.  You do not want him spooking and running off in a new place.  If you need to administer a sedative for the trip, do so about half an hour or more before you plan to depart to allow it to start working.

Traveling with your pet allows you to share your family vacation with the whole family.  A little planning and everyone will be comfortable and happy for the duration of your trip.

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