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Exercise Your Travel Spirit with Spring Training

January 28, 2011 | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBack

About this time of year, hardcore fans are feeling sharp baseball-withdrawal pangs. After the especially exciting play-offs and World Series last fall, with talented and engaging rookies like Neftali Feliz and Buster Posey, many newer fans (and re-enthused fans) are also counting the days until the new season opens. Well, the good news is that spring training starts February 25th, and with schedules now posted and tickets on sale, it’s the perfect time to plan a trip to see a spring training game.

Spring training games are a great deal in many ways. For one, tickets are less expensive than for regular season games. You can sometimes find MLB spring training tickets for “standing-room-only” spots (occassionally on grassy slopes where you can actually lounge), for as low as $10, with bleacher and box seats under $30 each. Prices rise as you get further into spring training season, when prime box seat tickets can be $100 or more each. Ticket packages for multiple games can also save you money (and often get you better seats), so if your trip allows it, consider booking more than one game.

Spring training stadiums for both leagues are considerably more intimate than major league stadiums; all but a few having a total seating capacity of under 10,000. This means that the common “no bad seat” statement is often true, and you may even have the chance to exchange a few words with favorite players during warm-ups or between innings. Some stadiums are shared by two or more teams, so spending a few days in just one location can net you a chance to see four or more teams playing. Both the Seattle Mariners’ and the San Diego Padres’ home stadium, for example, is the Peoria Sports Complex (outside Phoenix).

Despite being smaller, all of these stadiums have concession stands and other amenities, and many have a number of wonderful restaurants and bars nearby for pre- and post-game enjoyment. One such stadium you don’t want to miss is the Pittsburgh Pirates’ McKechnie Field in Bradenton, Florida.Built in 1923, the Spanish mission style building is the oldest currently-used stadium. At Mckechnie itself you can find all the classic baseball fare (hotdogs, ice cream, popcorn, peanuts, beer, soda), and within easy walking distance is Soma Diner, offering some of the state’s finest cuisine in a classy, understated atmosphere. Here, you can treat yourself to a bottle of fine wine and a plate of Black Tiger Shrimp sauté with sweet smoked chile butter & creamy cheese grits.

Keep in mind that all minor league baseball (MiLB) teams also have spring training, and since each MLB team has several MiLB teams, your chances of finding affordable tickets—and checking out upcoming rookies and rehabbing veterans—is great. If you’re not already familiar with the minor league teams for your favorite organization, check out the official site for your team at MLB.com. And if you root for a team from your hometown but now live across the country, you may even discover that one of their minor clubs is actually based nearby. Of the four minor teams for 2010 World Champion San Francisco Giants, for example, only two are located in California. The others are in Connecticut and Georgia. One note: MiLB spring training schedules tend to be released later than those for MLB, so keep your eye on your major league team’s site for details and links.

U.S. 61: The Blues Highway

January 25, 2011 | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBack

Road warriors throughout the United States have travelled along parts of U.S. Highway 61. This vast route runs north-south between the states of Wyoming, Minnesota and Louisiana, though it’s the southern stretch of it that’s primarily known as the Blues Highway. In the first decades of the twentieth century, black musicians deepened and developed the music that would become the blues. All along the old two-lane road through the Deep South, they worked, played and traveled northward seeking opportunity. Early blues great Robert Johnson captures that longing in “Me and the Devil Blues,” when he sings, “You can bury my body down by the highway side so my ol’ evil spirit can catch a Greyhound bus and ride.” Bob Dylan’s 1965 album Highway 61 Revisited, which he has said is the best thing he ever recorded, is another tribute to the power and influence of this asphalt stretch of music experience and history.

The historically richest stretch of U.S. 61 runs from Memphis, Tennessee to Leland, Mississippi, through the rural Mississippi River Delta: beautiful, fertile and heartbreaking–like the blues it spawned. Legend has it that Johnson, standing at the crossroads of Highways 61 and 49 in Clarksdale, sold his soul to the devil to become king of the blues. Today there is actually a crossed-guitars sculpture at the sign marking the crossroads. This heart of the Mississippi Blues Trail is 135 miles long, but the first portion, Memphis to Clarksdale, is only about 75 miles, and you can travel it as a day trip from Memphis. Both Clarksdale and Leland have many blues history sites and venues for contemporary artists, and Clarksdale especially can itself fill a day’s visit. Add to that the Delta scenery, and you’ve got a great mini-road trip or a several days’ excursion.

Clarksdale is one town that claims the title of birthplace of the blues. It was there, in the first years of the 20th century, that W.C. Handy, called the Father of the Blues, began melding the elements he heard in the music of fieldworkers, Black churches and traveling musicians of the region, whom he describes in his autobiography as “pour[ing] their heart out in song.” It must be noted that many towns throughout the South and beyond lay claim to both blues birthplace and to Handy himself, and a road trip just following Handy’s history would take you to places as far apart as Chicago, Illinois, where Handy played in the 1893 World’s Fair, and Henderson, Kentucky, where he lived for a decade (try to hit Henderson June 11th - June 18th for the annual W.C. Handy Blues and Barbecue Festival).

Clarksdale has also been home to other major blues musicians such as Muddy Waters, Junior Parker, John Lee Hooker, Ike Turner and Sam Cooke, all of whom have lived or performed there. In Clarksdale’s Delta Blues Museum, housed in the town’s historic brick freight depot, you’ll find artifacts and old instruments from these and other blues musicians, including a must-see for blues fans: B. B. King’s guitar, Lucille. The town has other fantastic stops, whether you’re looking for more history (like blues radio station WROX) or juke joints featuring local, up-and-coming and headliner artists.

About an hour down U.S. 61 from Clarksdale is Leland, home to the Leland Blues Project, which includes another Blues Museum and a summer blues festival. Last summer, the 109th Mississippi Blues Trail marker (this gives you an idea of how seriously blues are taken here!) was unveiled, honoring Leland natives and blues/rock musicians and brothers Edgar and Johnny Winter.

Whether you decide you only have time for a daytrip or are able to head all the way down to New Orleans to see where blues and jazz come together, U.S. Highway 61 takes you on a fascinating journey through American music history. And be sure to take along Give My Poor Heart Ease: Voices of the Mississippi Blues by blues historian William Ferris for a great read.

Weekend Nights from $19.99 - Extended Stay Hotels

January 25, 2011 | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBack

Last minute deals for new bookings this weekend (stays 01/28 through 01/30) and next weekend (stays 02/04 through 02/06) at select Extended Stay Hotels(sm) locations. Visit our Weekend Deals section by clicking here.  From there, you can book and save at least 20% on stays this weekend or next at your favorite destinations, like Los Angeles, Miami, Atlanta, Chicago, Dallas and many others.

For Arrival Dates 01/28/2011 and 01/29/2011

* Los Angeles, CA - Rates from $39.99/night
* Miami, FL - Rates from $67.99/night
* Atlanta, GA - Rates from $31.99/night
* Chicago, IL - Rates from $35.99/night
* Dallas, TX - Rates from $27.99/night
* Washington, DC - Rates from $43.99/night
* See all locations >

For Arrival Dates 02/04/2011 and 02/05/2011

* Phoenix, AZ - Rates from $31.99/night
* Orlando, FL - Rates from $35.99/night
* Detroit, MI - Rates from $31.99/night
* St. Louis, MO - Rates from $19.99/night
* Seattle, WA - Rates from $31.99/night
* Washington, DC - Rates from $43.99/night
* See all locations >

Beyond Flags and Capitols - Unique State Symbols

January 21, 2011 | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBack

As we all learned in elementary school, America consists of fifty states, each of which has an official capitol (take a deep breath—no, you will not be tested), as well as a state seal, flag, and flower.  But did you know that the list of official state symbols goes on and on from there?  Wherever your U.S. travels take you, there are numerous state symbols to enjoy. 

For example, most states not only have officially proclaimed state animals (often sub-divided to official mammal, reptile, insect, etc.) but also official state fossils. In 1982, thanks to the efforts of a persistent and dedicated fourth-grade class, Colorado designated the Plated Dinosaur, Stegosaurus stenops, the official state fossil. Need a break during a convention in Denver? Take a stroll through the Museum of Nature and Science on Colorado Boulevard to see the skeleton. Have your kids along? That’s all the excuse you need to take in the award-winning Prehistoric Journey exhibit, to watch dinosaurs battle up close and personal. And don’t forget to tell your kids that the skeleton on display was actually discovered during a field trip by a group of high school students and their teacher.

More interested in something more peaceful—and alive? Kentucky has designated the University of Kentucky Arboretum in Lexington the state’s official botanical garden. As you meander through the Arboretum’s year-round color and beauty “stresses melt away among the 100 acres of marvelous sights and sounds of our gardens.” The State Botanical Garden in Athens, Georgia, only about an hour from downtown Atlanta, is another tranquil respite, as well as a feast for the eyes any time of year with its various gardens focusing on herbs, flowers, conifers, shade, native flora and garden art.

Looking for more lively entertainment? Several states, including Illinois, Maryland, California and Pennsylvania have officially designated state theaters. California’s Pasadena Playhouse, in existence since 1917, lays claim to being America’s second-oldest regional theatre. It has featured such major performers as Gene Hackman, Leslie Uggams and Dustin Hoffman. The oldest theatre in the U.S., Philadelphia’s Walnut Street Theatre, became Pennsylvania’s official state theatre in 1999. Its illustrious 200-year history includes performances by W.C. Fields, Harry Houdini, and the Marx Brothers.

And what state visit would be complete without taste-tests of the state’s official cuisine? You’d hardly be doing your duty in visiting New Orleans if you didn’t have a healthy helping of the official Louisiana State Cuisine, gumbo, though if you’re not a big sausage and shellfish fan, you could still do your duty by feeding on the equally official Louisiana State Meat Pie, Natchitoches meat pie. This spicy ground meat turnover originated in northern Louisiana (the town of Natchitoches even has a yearly meat pie festival), but you can order the savory meat turnover in many of the world-class restaurants in New Orleans.

Or maybe a pastry tour of the U.S. is more to your liking. In Texas you have your choice of two designated pastries: strudel and sopapilla. Back in New Orleans, who’d want to miss having the designated Louisiana State Donut, the beignet, along with a cup of the strictly unofficial state coffee beverage, chicory coffee, at Café du Monde? And when you’re back in Boston for your business meeting, why not buy a dozen Boston cream donuts to take back to your hotel to share with the folks on your floor? After all, besides being a neighborly thing to do, sharing the official State Donut of Massachusetts is practically an act of culinary patriotism, right?

Road Trip Movies

January 19, 2011 | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBack

So you’ve got a road trip coming up and want to get into the mood. Or maybe you’re kicking back in your hotel room, feeling too tired to go out anywhere, but wishing to regain a feeling of travel zest. How about a road trip movie?

The road trip has been a classic theme since storytelling began (think Ulysses, King Arthur, Huck Finn), with its quests, personal growth, friendship and spirit of adventure. Below, we’ve assembled a handy thematic list for your reference the next time you want a good road trip movie.

Classics. We list these first because they set the standards for later road trip movies and often are even directly or indirectly referenced in later films. Besides that, they’re great movies in and of themselves.1934’s It Happened One Night, starring Claudine Colbert and Clark Gable, might be not only the first popular road trip movie but also one of the earliest romantic comedies.Equally classic is the Hope and Crosby Road to series, which include send-ups of other movies, actors and even movie-making itself. Other early road trip comedies: It’s A Mad Mad Mad Mad World (1963), The Great Race (1965), and 1977’s Smokey and the Bandit (one of the first smash-and-crash [see below] comedies). For classic early drama, consider Around the World in 80 Days (1956), Easy Rider (1969), The Reivers (1969) and two from 1971—Two Lane Blacktop and Duel (Steven Spielberg’s first feature film).

Comedies. It probably takes just a moment’s reflection on your own journeys to understand why so many road trip movies are not only comedies but often slapstick comedies of errors. We can’t come close to listing them all, so we apologize ahead of time for omitting some favorites. A sampling: 1980’s Blues Brothers (can’t beat the Steve Martin and John Candy combo), National Lampoon’s Vacation (1983), cult classic Pee-Wee’s Big Adventure (1985), Planes, Trains, and Automobiles (1987), Dumb and Dumber (1994), Road Trip (2000), Little Miss Sunshine (2006), Borat (2006) and Due Date (2010).

Dramas. These movies certainly include moments of humor, but the focus is on how the characters grow and change through their journeys: Paper Moon (1973),Fandango (1985), Lost in America (1985), Rain Man (1988), Thelma and Louise (1991) and 2008’s The Bucket List (starring two greats, Jack Nicholson and Morgan Freeman).

Smash and Crash. Filled with races and chases, good-guys vs. bad guys, these are the heavy-duty action road trip films, sometimes a combination of humor and drama: Dirty Mary, Crazy Larry (1974), Convoy (1978), 1979’s Mad Max (purists say this first Max film was the best of the series), The Cannonball Run (1981) and Midnight Run (1988).

Chick Flicks. The so-called chick-flick genre has its road trips, too, including many award-winning and “cross-over” (meaning guys enjoy them, too) movies. Three we’d suggest are 1995’s Boys on the Side (great cast: Whoopi Goldberg, Mary-Louise Parker, Drew Barrymore), Sideways (2004) and Away We Go (2009).

Kids and Animation. If you’re sharing viewing time with small road warriors, choose from plenty of road trip movies with and without animation, all of which most mature viewers still find a kick to watch. Starting with the oldies: 1939’s Wizard of Oz (after all, they’re venturing along on a yellow brick road, right?), followed by Lassie, Come Home (1943), Incredible Journey (1963), The Muppets (1979), 2003’s Finding Nemo (okay, it’s underwater, but it’s sure a trip!) and Cars (2006).

Of course there are loads of great travel movies that we haven’t even mentioned here, but you get the point: There are many reasons we love travel, and sharing other folks’ road trips—even second-hand, through movies—can feed that wanderer spirit no matter where we are.

Rates from $27.99 /night - Weekend Stays at Extended Stay Hotels

January 18, 2011 | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBack

Last minute deals for new bookings this weekend (stays 01/21 through 01/23) and next weekend (stays 01/28 through 01/30) at select Extended Stay Hotels(sm) locations. Visit our Weekend Deals section by clicking here.  From there, you can book and save at least 20% on stays this weekend or next at your favorite destinations, like Los Angeles, Atlanta, Fort Lauderdale, Chicago, Pittsburgh and many others.

For Arrival Dates 01/21/2011 and 01/22/2011

* Los Angeles, CA - Rates from $39.99/night
* Atlanta, GA - Rates from $31.99/night
* Fort Lauderdale, FL - Rates from $51.99/night
* Chicago, IL - Rates from $35.99/night
* Pittsburgh, PA - Rates from $55.99/night
* Dallas, TX - Rates from $27.99/night
* See all locations >

For Arrival Dates 01/28/2011 and 01/29/2011

* Tampa, FL - Rates from $47.99/night
* Chicago, IL - Rates from $35.99/night
* Las Vegas, NV - Rates from $39.99/night
* Houston, TX - Rates from $29.99/night
* Seattle, WA - Rates from $31.99/night
* Washington, DC - Rates from $43.99/night
* See all locations >

Road Warrior's Guide to Cell Phone Laws

January 14, 2011 | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBack

How many times have you overheard every shocking detail of someone’s—often rather private—cell phone conversation while trying to enjoy a nice meal? Or been cut off on the highway by a driver more engaged in a phone call than driving? Cell phone ownership has risen to 91% of Americans, which means a whole lot of public and on-the-road phone-chat is going on.

Now this road warrior has absolutely no interest in returning to the cell-less days of old, though I can imagine that taking a vacation totally disconnected might be particularly relaxing… At any rate, I also recognize that perhaps not all times and places are right for calling, texting, surfing and the like. And beyond courtesy issues, there are just plain safety and legal concerns that arise from cellular phone use in certain situations.

While there’s no state that outlaws all cell phone use by drivers, nine states (California, Connecticut, Delaware, Maryland, New Jersey, New York, Oregon, Utah and Washington) and the District of Columbia do require that it be hands-free. Other states, such as Massachusetts, have variations where talking on a hand-held phone is legal as long as the driver keeps one hand on the wheel. There are also municipalities that have their own laws, including Chicago, Detroit and Brooklyn. Many of the remaining states that do not have cell phone specific laws do tie cell phone use to court cases, traffic ticketing and fine amounts under existing distracted or reckless driving laws.

And just in case you’d consider text-messaging while driving, know that it’s expressly outlawed in 30 states and D.C.

If you’ll be sharing driving with minors it’s also important to note that cell phone use by young drivers under 18 is specifically restricted in 30 states (and D.C.). Age of affected young drivers and form of restriction varies from state to state, with some states restricting all cell use by under-18 drivers, other states focusing just on texting by minors (even in states with no such ban for adults), and others restricting use by those driving under learner’s permits or intermediate licenses.

Ticket fines for breaking the cell phone use laws range from $20 to over $200 for a talking offense and more for texting. In the northeast, for example, first-time offense fines range from $35-$150.

If you do engage in talking while driving, especially if you may be traveling in any of the cell phone use-restricted states, you’ll need to be sure you’re equipped with the necessary tools. Wired headsets are available for cell phones, and they have the major advantage of being very inexpensive (some under $10), but most people find them inconvenient. Still, for ease of use and quality sound, if you’ve not already invested inBluetooth (roughly $75-$125) or other headset technology, now might be the time to take the plunge. Key to remember if you’re buying such hardware for the first time: Not all hands-free devices are the same, nor do all fit all phones. So be sure that you choose one that is compatible with your phone.

Be sure to check in regularly on changing laws governing cell phone use. One of the best sources is the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, which maintains a regularly-updated, easy-to-read table of each state’s regulations. Whether you agree with them or not, the penalties can be heavy, and besides, focusing on safety and courteous cell phone use benefits everyone.

20% Off - Weekend Stays at Extended Stay Hotels

January 12, 2011 | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBack

Last minute deals for new bookings this weekend (stays 01/14 through 01/16) and next weekend (stays 01/21 through 01/23) at select Extended Stay Hotels(sm) locations. Visit our Weekend Deals section by clicking here.  From there, you can book and save at least 20% on stays this weekend or next at your favorite destinations, like Los Angeles, Atlanta, Chicago, Dallas, Seattle and many others.

For Arrival Dates 01/14/2011 and 01/15/2011

* Los Angeles, CA - Rates from $39.99/night
* Atlanta, GA - Rates from $31.99/night
* Chicago, IL - Rates from $36.99/night
* Dallas, TX - Rates from $27.99/night
* Seattle, WA - Rates from $31.99/night
* Washington, DC - Rates from $43.99/night
* See all locations >

For Arrival Dates 01/21/2011 and 01/22/2011

* Sacramento, CA - Rates from $31.99/night
* Denver, CO - Rates from $31.99/night
* Fort Lauderdale, FL - Rates from $51.99/night
* Baltimore, MD - Rates from $51.99/night
* Memphis, TN - Rates from $31.99/night
* Houston, TX - Rates from $29.99/night
* See all locations >

Home-Cooked Meals in Your Hotel

January 10, 2011 | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBack

It's common to dine out while away from home. But after a week or longer on an extended road trip, the local diners, pubs and even gourmet restaurants can become tiresome and impractical. You reach for the pizza delivery card, and your digestive system cries enough! Or the kids move into outright rebellion at yet another restaurant with weird food. Or continuous eating out just gets too expensive. That’s when it is time to eat in—with real, home-cooked food.

Of course, you can’t enjoy your favorite home-cooked meals without an actual kitchen in which to prepare them. Thankfully, the spacious rooms at Extended Stay Hotels feature well-equipped kitchens, complete with stovetops, full refrigerators with freezers, pans, cooking utensils and dishes. What’s more, many Extended Stay Hotels are conveniently located near grocery stores, so picking up the necessary ingredients won’t be a major chore. Below are some tips for serving up affordable, home-cooked meals in your own hotel room.

First, bring along your favorite recipes. But try to make things easy on yourself by selecting meals that will be relatively simple to prepare. Choose recipes for which the fresh ingredients are mostly generic and thus widely available. Hamburger is pretty similar in most places, but the napoles you always include in your chili at home in Phoenix may not be stocked in Indiana grocery stores. Additionally, choose recipes with minimal ingredients. After all, if you’re on vacation, you don’t want to spend hours slaving over a hot stove—even if the stove is in the nicest hotel suite! And after a long day at a conference, the idea is to quickly put together a meal that is as relaxing as it is comforting.

Two good resources for recipes that are ideal for preparation in a hotel room are the 4 Ingredients app for iPhone and the 5 Ingredient 15 Minute Cookbook by Cooking Light magazine. You can print and take the recipes or just email them to yourself and access each recipe through your laptop or smart phone when it’s time to whip up a feast.

Once you know what you’ll prepare, pack certain ingredients instead of waiting until you arrive at your destination to buy them. Bring a box of your favorite dried pasta or rice mixture, and buy the perishable items when you reach your destination. Your one-dish meal can include what you usually use at home (chicken, hamburger, tofu) or can be tailored to take advantage of local specialties (Portland’s smoked salmon, fresh bay scallops in Boston, bison in Minneapolis).

Additionally, you should pack your own commonly-used spices. Instead of lugging around a bunch of glass seasonings bottles, put just a tablespoon or so of each seasoning you commonly use into a stacking pill container. Also, if you will be cooking sauces or gravy, bring the dry ingredients (already mixed) with you in zipper locked plastic bags or their original packets. 

The thought that one could ever tire of trying out new restaurants might seem unfathomable to some. Yet for frequent business travelers, those on long road trips and families with young kids, hotel-home-cooked meals are just the cure to restaurant overload.

Save 20% Now - Weekend Stays at Extended Stay Hotels

January 6, 2011 | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBack

Last minute deals for new bookings this weekend (stays 01/07 through 01/09) and next weekend (stays 01/14 through 01/16) at select Extended Stay Hotels(sm) locations. Visit our Weekend Deals section by clicking here.  From there, you can book and save at least 20% on stays this weekend or next at your favorite destinations, like Los Angeles, Fort Lauderdale, Orlando, Atlanta, Chicago and many others.

For Arrival Dates 01/07/2011 and 01/08/2011

* Los Angeles, CA - Rates from $39.99/night
* Fort Lauderdale, FL - Rates from $51.99/night
* Orlando, FL - Rates from $35.99/night
* Atlanta, GA - Rates from $31.99/night
* Chicago, IL - Rates from $35.99/night
* Houston, TX - Rates from $29.99/night
* See all locations >

For Arrival Dates 01/14/2011 and 01/15/2011

* Jacksonville, FL - Rates from $35.99/night
* St. Louis, MO - Rates from $23.99/night
* Las Vegas, NV - Rates from $39.99/night
* Dallas, TX - Rates from $27.99/night
* Seattle, WA - Rates from $31.99/night
* Washington, DC - Rates from $43.99/night
* See all locations >