Search Results for: blog lake tahoe more than just a skiers paradise

Get Set to Ski

The West Coast has been hammered by a series of storms causing widespread property damage.  Still, there is a silver lining for some enduring Mother Nature’s wrath.  In Lake Tahoe, nearly 30 inches of fresh snow has fallen, allowing ski resorts there to open early.  Likewise, Utah’s Wasatch Range has already received more than 4 feet of snow prompting Alta, Brighton, Solitude and Snowbird to open for business. If you are a snow bunny, Old Man Winter’s early arrival is fantastic news.  Many of the nation’s major ski destinations are hoping the snow and cold sticks around for a while … Continue reading →

Summer at a Ski Resort

I admit; I’m not much of a snow bunny. In fact, I have probably been to more ski resorts during the summer months than during the winter. However, there’s a method behind my travel madness. Visiting a ski resort in the middle of summer is significantly cheaper than when the snow is chest high. Many mountaintop hotels offer great savings to guests during the warm summer months. In fact, right now Expedia is advertising a super summer sale on rooms at top-rated ski resorts. Take a look: VERMONT If you are looking for an affordable summer getaway head to Vermont’s … Continue reading →

Affordable Fourth of July Family Getaways

Where will you be when the Fourth of July fireworks light up the night sky? For some families the long Independence Day holiday weekend is the perfect time to hit the road for a much needed summer getaway. And while patriotic travelers don’t mind busting out the red, white, and blue for the Fourth most would like to limit the amount of green they dole out on their vacations. Just in time for the upcoming holiday weekend the following lodgings across our proud nation are offering Fourth of July travel deals to lure you to their turf to celebrate our … Continue reading →

An Avalanche of Ski Deals

There’s no question ski bunnies will be taking to the slopes this weekend, especially in California where last week’s massive storm dumped a few feet of fresh snow on the mountain ranges. There’s about three feet of snow sitting on my aunt and uncle’s lawn in Lake Tahoe. They report that there is no shortage of the white stuff and certainly no shortage of skiers who are looking to tear down the snow covered hills. Ski resorts are having a field day and not just in California. Mother Nature has been generous to resort owners around the world and in … Continue reading →

Island Hopping in Hawaii

Mother Nature has not entered 2008 peacefully. As I write this my aunt and uncle in Lake Tahoe, California are dealing with blizzard-like conditions. Meanwhile, in Miami, Florida residents there are dealing with record low temperatures the likes of which they haven’t seen in more than five years. And here in the Midwest portion of the United States we are under severe fog alerts. (The fog is so thick here I can’t see the end of the driveway.) With all this inclement weather who wouldn’t want to escape to the always balmy and beautiful Hawaii? If the rotten weather has … Continue reading →

Ready, Set, Ski!

Aspen, Vail, Stowe, Breckenridge, Lake Tahoe, no matter where you gear up to hot dog downhill it’s likely you will have a lot of company in the coming weeks. Ski towns from California to Maine are bracing for the onslaught of ski bunnies and their snow loving partners. I grew up in Hawaii, where skiing is limited to the rare winter days when Mauna Kea gets enough of the white stuff to cover its lava rock surface. Which makes it hard to believe that my brother is such an avid skier and snowboarder. Each year he travels from Hawaii to … Continue reading →

Steve Fossett Still Missing

Steve Fossett, the U.S. millionaire adventurer who made record-breaking solo flights around the world by plane and balloon, and the man I had the chance to interview a few years ago, is still missing tonight. According to news reports, Fossett was last seen Monday morning taking off in a small plane from a ranch in Nevada. Today, more than a dozen planes spent hours searching rough, mountainous terrain for any sign of Fossett and his missing single-engine aircraft. British entrepreneur Richard Branson told reporters Fossett planned the flight to scout dry lakebeds as locations for a future attempt to set … Continue reading →

Camping Etiquette

My aunt lives just miles from where fire ravaged more than 250 homes in the Lake Tahoe area last month. According to officials, the blaze displaced 3,500 residents and caused more than $160 million in damage. Fire investigators are now saying that a campfire may be to blame for starting the inferno. In light of the tragedy that occurred at one of our family’s favorite vacation destinations I’ve decided to list some camping reminders. Summertime is typically when thousands of families take to the woods to enjoy time in the great outdoors. If you’re one of them consider some of … Continue reading →

Ocean Kayaking

In previous blogs I’ve written about destinations located throughout the world that have been listed as ideal spots to kayak (most of them lakes and rivers). However, I have only briefly touched on the subject of ocean kayaking. Growing up in Hawaii I’ve had the good fortune to experience some of the best ocean kayaking on the planet. My favorite spot to paddle in Hawaii is in the waters off the Big Island. If you a planning a trip to Hawaii I would suggest hooking up with one of the many experienced kayak operator located on the island. The operators … Continue reading →

National Park Tour

Last summer our retired neighbors took a West Coast road trip to visit their three grown children and their respective families. Along the way they stopped at four national parks in three different states. They had such a wonderful time they are currently planning another summer road adventure to include visits to four more national parks (minus the stops to see their children). I’ve seen the spectacular pictures they took on their trip and vowed someday before I retire (from life) I would make the same trip with my own family. Here’s the itinerary they followed: Washington State’s Olympic National … Continue reading →