Keeping Our Beaches Beautiful and Protected

Only a few months from the two year anniversary of the BP oil spill in the Gulf, and it’s in the news again. Or is it still? Either way, the news is all good; for residents, business owners, and travelers!

• Damage claims resume
• Required 6% hold-back on claims no longer applies retroactively (good decision, Your Honor)
• Victims won’t be required to give any portion of their received monies back (which means they don’t have to stick it to the consumer to get it back)
• The beaches have been clean for awhile                         
• TRAVELERS RETURNED to give many businesses a much-improved 2011

A lot of money, blood, sweat, and tears went into returning the beaches to their former pristine beauty.

Now residents and holiday visitors can help to further restore the beaches and dunes by

RECYCLING CHRISTMAS TREES!   

So, if you’ve been vacationing in one of the many Gulf Shores condo rentals, staying in a rental home or reside in the area year round, you’ll want to drive by the Gulf State Park Pier and drop your Christmas tree at the parking lot toward the east end.  This effort will not only help preserve and protect these fragile beaches, but it will bring new meaning to ‘Take only pictures. Leave only memories.’

Bring the family back next year and remember how you helped to build the secondary dune line.
Or go to Middle Lake and create stories about how your Christmas tree  may be one of those that were sunk under the dock to attract fish!

I’ve often left my Christmas tree out for the birds to have protection during the cold, winter months of the Midwest. I never imagined you could have the same sense of satisfaction in a warmer climate!

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Where O Where Has All the Snow Gone?

Here we are in the new year of 2012 and Old Man Winter

  has been hiding the snow from most of the ski resorts in the nation. Many skiers, snowboarders and outdoor winter enthusiasts are wondering where o where has all the snow gone!

So what is a person to do if they are looking to strap on that new Christmas gear and hit some slopes knowing that most of the nation is experiencing record warm temperatures and low snowfall? Perhaps consider more than just snow amounts.

For instance Deer Valley Resort boasts the ability to backup natural snowfall with state-of-the-art snowmaking equipment and:

5 years in a row voted #1 ski resort in North America by the readers of SKI Magazine

First class service reminiscent of a five star hotel including

• Gourmet dining
• Customized lodging
• Lift ticket, lessons and rental packages
• Award winning ski school
• Luxurious amenities such as ski valets, on-site childcare and 3 elegant day lodges

A great resource to check before you go is On the Snow with

• Current snow and surface conditions
• Live webcams
• Trail maps
• Guest reviews

With recreation, dining options, equipment rentals and lessons all taken care of, it’s time to think about where to settle down to share your adventures with friends after a great day on the slopes. Customize your Deer Valley Resort rentals with options to accommodate

• Private Condos/Townhomes
• Private Home
• Drive, walk or shuttle to lifts
• 2-6 Bedrooms
• Economy to Deluxe pricepoints

 Now that everything is planned, you’ll just need to focus on getting old man Winter to give up his stash of snow!

Seeking privacy, beauty and freedom to enjoy your vacation? Take a second look at the Forgotten Coast in Florida with sugar sand beaches, endless views and just about any activity you could possibly desire. The Forgotten Coast is also an excellent place for pet friendly beach houses and activities. All of the beaches in Gulf County allow pets on a leash with the only exception being St. Joseph Peninsula State Park. The beaches make it even easier to bring Fido along with 20 disposal stations and bags to boot! Before you book your trip, consider the following list of helpful tips for pet travel.

10 Must do/Must Haves for Pet Friendly Travel

1. Create a customized ID tag that includes your pet’s name, home address, & phone number. Create a second tag with the address of where you are staying while on vacation.
2. Make sure your pet us up to date on all vaccinations prior to travel.
3. Get your pet used to the travel carrier you plan to use. Take several trips to get Buster good and ready for your trip.
4. Do you have the perfect create or animal carrier? If not, consider an innovative collapsible travel crate.
5. Bring a cozy bed or travel blanket for good rest.
6. Pet Friendly Car Travel – make sure your animal’s space in the car is well ventilated and calming.
7. Bring your leash – 2 to be safe! Gulf County law requires that pets must leashed at all times while on the beach.
8. Make traveling a little easier with portable dog bowls.
9. Consider bringing your own water from home so as not to upset your pet’s stomach while you’re gone.
10. Pet Friendly Flights – If you must travel by plane make sure to investigate the best pet friendly airlines prior to booking. Flying with pets can be expensive and involved so make sure you do your research first. Check out a summary of updated pet flight info from DogFriendly.com.

The town’s name is almost synonymous with the thought of strapping two long planks of high-tech ‘wood’ to your feet and careening down a mountainside at breakneck speeds, hoping not to break your neck!

People come to Colorado to ski these famous mountains with anticipation and excitement.

Me?

Well, I have a fear of falling off the chairlifts! Not because they are dangerous. But because of some fear and paranoia whose source remains unknown.

But I know enough to know that I don’t want to miss out on the beauty and fun this paradise has to offer. So, what to do? What to do when you’re afraid of the chairlifts?

First things first!

1. Light the fire in a comfortable, well-appointed Winter Park, CO vacation rental

1. 2. Pour a warm(ing), delightful drink
2. 3. Nestle into a comfy couch or chair
3. 4. Refer to the plentiful, local trail maps and visitors guides
4.  5. Begin planning mountain adventures

It’s not long before I realize that skis aren’t the only high-tech apparatus that can be strapped on your feet. So now I, too, can learn the true meaning of ‘powder day.’  

Snowshoeing can get me to where I want to go; albeit not as quickly as downhill skis! But I’ll take the slow, quiet pace to enjoy the sounds and sights that this natural oasis has to offer.

And with all my handy-dandy trail guides, I can get out and enjoy the mountain even when it’s not freshly coated in diamond-encrusted white stuff!

Speeding down the mountainside at breakneck speeds on a bike perhaps…..?  

Or just a leisurely stroll…?

Time will tell.

See you on the slopes!

It’s that time again to start dreaming of fluffy, bottomless powder that abounds at this Idaho ski resort. Brundage Mountain Resort, in McCall, Idaho, serves the locals and visitors alike with great on-mountain skiing/riding as well as off-piste adventures that include guided snow cat tours in the back country of the Payette National Forest. Last year, Brundage Mountain Resort celebrated their 50^th year of having the best snow in Idaho.

The 2011/2012 season is expected to be as good as or better than the last season with La Nina expecting to get stronger as the winter season approaches especially in the Pacific Northwest region. The snow-line will be pretty low on average meaning a great amount of snow in the higher elevations. If places like Seattle are getting snow then you know what that means for the mountains of Central Idaho.

What you should expect in a Central Idaho ski vacation:

Great ski school and private lessons for the whole family

Private as well as group lessons are available for all abilities and there is of course a kids’ program from ages 4-11.

Cool Freestyle Terrain Park

There is freestyle terrain that is subject to the weather as well as man-made features that will challenge the most daring rider or skier.

Convenient Ski Rental & Repair Shop

Enjoy a one-stop-shop when renting skis or a snowboard and get a multi-day discount when renting equipment for 2 or more consecutive days.

McCall Idaho Lodging Close By

There are several lodges, hotels, motels and even vacation rental condos and cabins available just minutes from skiing and snowboarding.

Very affordable Lift Ticket Prices (Adult Pricing)

For around $55 a day one can ski or ride 1,500 acres of lift served terrain. When compared to other Idaho ski resorts, Brundage hold its’ own with being affordable, family friendly and not overly crowded.

Check out Central Idaho this winter for a ski and snowboard vacation of a lifetime!

All photos courtesy of Brundage Mountain Resort.