« April 2011 | Main | June 2011 »
Choosing an E-Reader
May 31, 2011 | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBack
If you’re a reader, whether of newspapers, magazines, books or even comics, there are several electronic reading devices—and not just e-readers—to choose from, depending on where and when you like to do your reading and what kinds of reading you do.
First up are the dedicated e-readers—devices designed specifically for reading—though they can do other things (e.g., games and web), albeit not always smoothly. While there are a number of devices out there, the big names are Amazon’s Kindle 3 and Barnes and Noble’s Nook. Some folks are die-hard fans of one or the other, but in terms of capabilities, they’re pretty similar. Standard on both is the 6-inch screen (Kindle also offers a 9.7-inch model). Kindle and Nook both allow you to sync books—and even your place in the books you’re currently reading—between multiple devices like cell phones, tablets and laptops. Each has built-in dictionary and highlighting features. And both offer a well-priced “stripped down” model with some Wi-Fi capability in basic model and 3G in upgrade model, though Kindle alone provides international capabilities.
The number of available books has previously been a rather big issue, with Kindle definitely having the edge given Amazon’s huge number of titles. However, although Barnes and Noble’s list of e-books is smaller, Nook’s ability to access Adobe DRM-protected ePub books (e.g., from commercial publishers or your public library) makes the titles contest close between the two devices. However, it’s still a good idea to browse titles available through each bookstore, as well as library e-books and Google’s eBookstore. You’re probably fine either way if your taste runs to bestsellers or classics; however, books more than ten years old but still in copyright (e.g., the Harry Potter series) are often unavailable in any e-format.
So differences come down more to personal preference and intended use. Does every little ounce matter to you? Nook weighs in at about 3.4 ounces heavier than Kindle. Want your reader to be able translate text to spoken word (so your reader can “read” to you as you drive)? Pick Kindle. Prefer touch screen? If so, go for the Nook. Another personal use issue is how much and how fast you read. Think you’ll want to store lots and lots of books? Kindle’s standard memory can hold 3,500 books, and Nook’s memory can hold 1,500, although it can expand memory with an SD card. Fast reader? Kindle has the edge on page turning speed and the advantage of allowing you to adjust not only font style and size (both allow that) but also spacing between lines and words so that you can fit more (or less) per page/screen. Hate dealing with recharging often? Nook’s battery gives you about 10 days before recharging (with Wi-Fi off), while Kindle’s gives about a month.
At this point, only Nook comes in a color version—a great option if you’ll be sharing the device with kids (so that they can get the color illustrations in their e-books) or reading magazines often. However, in color e-readers, you lose out on the best features of these devices: e-ink or e-paper, which are both far easier to read in the sunshine (no glare problems) and on the battery than backlit LCD/LED devices.
And speaking of other devices for reading, as Time Magazine author Harry McCracken recently wrote, your best e-reader may not even be an e-reader. With the newer tablets like Samsung Galaxy and Motorola Zoom (gorgeous color, lots of capabilities, around $300 and up) and cell phones that have larger, reading-friendly screens, you may find that one of those devices best fits your needs. But if you are a “dedicated reader” yourself—and want to pack light—an e-reader can assure you always have something good to read at your fingertips.
Funky Fairs and Festivals
May 26, 2011 | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBack
Warmer weather means trips to the lake, relaxation and… Wayne’s National Cluck-Off? Oh, yeah, this is the time of year when communities across the country celebrate—often on a large scale—their uniqueness. As you’ll notice, these funky festivals are often held in small towns, making them a great side-trip destination during a road trip or a day-trip from your Extended Stay Hotel home base nearby. Here’s a sampling of quirky and downright fun festivals coming up in the next few months.
Wayne's Chicken Show, July 8-10 in Wayne, Nebraska
Fowl fans, you can take in the National Cluck-Off, with its attendant “wide variety of other chicken-related events” (seriously, that’s what the website says). Activities include all sorts of chicken beauty and prowess contests, a rooster crowing contest, a chicken flying meet and all sorts of eats (chicken and egg related, of course, as well as a pie and ice cream social).
National Hollerin’ Contest, June 18 in Spivey, North Carolina
Don’t worry about using your inside voice at this event—hollering is the main game in town. Seriously (and in fun), this festival showcases what was the primary form of long-distance communication in the rural southeast. But don’t think you’ll just hear shouting. The calls are a cross between yodeling, singing (last year’s winner did a holler version of the old tune “Summertime”) and, well, yelling. The festival also includes bluegrass, gospel and country music performances, as well as other entertainments, crafts and contests. And don’t forget to grab some Carolina barbeque while you’re there.
Roswell UFO Festival, July 1-3 in Roswell, New Mexico
Still loving reruns of The X-Files?Every summer, Roswell puts on a four-day UFO festival in remembrance of the 1947 crash and recovery of what the Roswell Army Air Field first announced was a "flying disk.” The festival includes researchers on UFOs, plus a variety of entertainments, including a parade and costume contest, bands, a carnival,, shows in the Goddard Planetarium and more. You can check out the Roswell UFO Museum, too, while you’re there.
Gilroy Garlic Festival, July 29-31 in Gilroy, California
Just south of San Jose and over the hill from the Pacific Ocean, Gilroy is a pretty sleepy town… most of the time. But come Garlic Festival time, the place rocks with thousands of fans sampling traditional (garlic fries, garlic bread) and unexpected (garlic sorbet, garlic brownies) delicacies. Three musical stages (featuring jazz, mandolin, rock, bluegrass, country, Motown, salsa and more), children’s events, cooking demonstrations, crafts and the Miss Gilroy Garlic competition will keep you busy between bites.
This is only a glance at some of the festivals held around the U.S., celebrating just about anything. Given the entertainment – and educational – value, next time you’re gearing up for a trip, you just might want to include a funky festival or two in your travels.
Rates from $27.99 /night - Weekend Stays at Extended Stay Hotels
May 25, 2011 | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBack
Last minute deals for new bookings this weekend (stays 05/27 through 05/29) and next weekend (stays 06/03 through 06/05) 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, Denver, Orlando, Baltimore, Boston and many others.
For Arrival Dates 05/27/2011 and 05/28/2011
* Los Angeles, CA - Rates from $43.99/night
* Denver, CO - Rates from $31.99/night
* Orlando, FL - Rates from $42.99/night
* Baltimore, MD - Rates from $59.99/night
* Boston, MA - Rates from $55.99/night
* Seattle, WA - Rates from $39.99/night
* See all locations >
For Arrival Dates 06/03/2011 and 06/04/2011
* Orange County, CA - Rates from $45.99/night
* Fort Lauderdale, FL - Rates from $39.99/night
* Atlanta, GA - Rates from $31.99/night
* Chicago, IL - Rates from $43.99/night
* Dallas, TX - Rates from $27.99/night
* Washington, DC - Rates from $43.99/night
* See all locations >
A Tour of U.S. Artisan and Craft Beers
May 23, 2011 | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBack
You don’t have to be a beer connoisseur to have heard of the two top-selling American craft or artisan beers: Samuel Adams Boston Lager and Sierra Nevada Pale Ale, brewed respectively (as you might expect) in Boston, Massachusetts and in Chico, California (just east of the Sierra Nevada Mountain range). Both breweries offer tours, but if your time is limited, you can just go to the tasting rooms to sample their extensive ranges of beers. With its emphasis on fresh farm-to-table local products, including veggies and beef from the local university farm, the food at Sierra Nevada’s restaurant is itself worth the visit. Now that warm weather is here, be sure that you ask for a table outside in the beautiful courtyard.
However, there’s more to artisan or craft beer than just the big names. In fact, some purists assert that once a brewery’s production gets that big, it moves out of the “craft” or “micro-brewery” category (category definitions are really slippery!). No matter how you define the category, there are numerous small breweries which produce fantastic beers and offer tasting experiences too good to miss.
Starting in the Northeast, Brooklyn Brewery’s Brooklyn Pennant Ale, Monster Ale and Brooklyn Brown Ale are popular choices at the Friday, Saturday and Sunday tastings and tours. The big brick warehouse has tables scattered around, where people hang out to drink beer and play cards and board games in a casual, party atmosphere. No food is served, but customers order pizzas from nearby shops or even bring in their own food, adding to the local hangout atmosphere. Further south in Baltimore, Maryland, is a great venue to visit tall ships in the Inner Harbor and to stop in at Clipper City Brewing Company for a Loose Cannon IPA (India pale ale). Down in Ashville, North Carolina, if you have small travelers along, you can please everyone with a stop at Asheville Pizza & Brewing Company. Locals recommend the Houdini ESP (extra-special/extra-strong bitter) and Shiva IPA brews.
In the Midwest, Chicago’s Goose Island Brewery consistently wins honors for individual beers (RateBeer.com ranked their Rare Bourbon Stout fifth among best beers of 2011) and as a top brewery. Given its recent acquisition by Anheuser-Busch and expansion plans, it may not still qualify as a craft brewery, but given its history of quality and innovation (and huge number of fans, including President Obama), we’ll keep it on the list. Other popular Midwestern breweries include Indianapolis’s Sun King and Kansas City’s Boulevard Brewing Company. Both feature seasonal, limited-release and year-round brews.
Moving to the West, Denver (Great Divide Brewing Company), Fort Collins (New Belgium—one of the microbrew movement founders) and Tucson (Barrio Brewing) all have breweries you’ll want to check out. Once you get to the West Coast, options are many. California’s options include not only Sierra Nevada in Chico, but also Alesmith in San Diego (huge selection) and Anchor Brewing Company (known for their rich Anchor Steam) in San Francisco. Up North, Portland’s Hair of the Dog Brewery (check out favorites like Doggie Claws and Bourbon Fred) and Hood River’s Full Sail Brewery (gorgeous location) are definitely worth a visit.
According to the Brewers Association, craft brewers are distinguished by their independence, innovation and integrity and their dedication to producing distinctive, fine beers. Those characteristics seem like a pretty good reason to add microbreweries to your road trip destinations. And don’t forget to also check out beer festivals, which kick into high gear during summer and fall.
Add a Little Mystery to Your Vacation
May 20, 2011 | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBack
Almost everyone loves a good puzzle, which may be why “mystery spots” have remained popular tourist sites for decades. Sure, such phenomena as trees growing sideways and balls rolling uphill have scientific explanations (spoiler alert! more on that in a minute), but even so, it’s just pretty cool to see things that boggle our eyes and brains. Because many of these mystery spots are located just off major highways, stopping at one makes a great break or side-adventure during a road trip.
Mystery in California
It may be no surprise to many people that there are a number of mystery sites in California. In the southern part of the state is the Calico Ghost Town Mystery Shack. Located roughly halfway between Los Angeles and Las Vegas (so a good day trip from either), the Calico Ghost Town is a restored 1880s mining town. You can explore not only the mine and narrow gauge train, but also shops, a schoolhouse and the “Mystery Shack” where you can see water run uphill and other gravity-defying sights.
For a mystery two-fer, the SF Bay Area should be your destination. Within half an hour of each other are two spots that you won’t want to miss. In San Jose is the Winchester Mystery House, a 160-room Victorian mansion built continuously over a period of 38 years to appease spirits haunting the widowed owner. And just over Highway 17, nestled in the coastal redwoods, is Santa Cruz’s Mystery Spot (“be stunned as your perceptions of the laws of physics and gravity are questioned”!).
A Little More Mystery
But don’t think spooky and gravity-defying sights are limited only to the Golden State. The rest of the country has its share of purportedly haunted and otherwise mysterious buildings. Some of these are the following:
- Mysterious Tuttle House in North Woodstock, New Hampshire
- Vortex Mystery House in Golden Hill, Oregon (dubbed “America's premier mystery spot” by Roadside America)
- Mystery Shack in Maggie Valley, North Carolina
- Big Mike’s Mystery House in Cave City, Kentucky
At any of these you can watch your traveling companions appear to stand at 40-degree angles or your three-year-old look taller than her twelve-year-old brother.
Mystery spots often share similar names, for example, “Mystery Hill” (found in Marblehead, Ohio; Irish Hills, Michigan; Blowing Rock, North Carolina), “Gravity Hill” (Bedford Country, Pennsylvania), or “Confusion Hill” (Ligonier, Pennsylvania; Piercy, California). They also frequently include other amusements like museums—like the Cosmos of the Black Hills, near Rapid City, South Dakota—for when you tire of watching soda cans or even cars appear to roll uphill.
Spooky Legends and Spoilers
Many mystery spots have accompanying legends to add to the thrills (or kitsch). At Spook Hill in Lake Wales, Florida, a sign tells the legend of the site’s creation when a great warrior killed a huge alligator in a titanic battle on the hill. Many years later, as horses struggled for no apparent reason to climb the low rise, it was named "Spook Hill." And when the newly paved road was paved, “cars coasted up hill. Is this the gator seeking revenge, or the chief still trying to protect his land?"
Okay, so here’s the spoiler: While the sites themselves often describe the mysterious cause as energy vortexes (or vortices), or “a genuine quantum, or gravitational anomaly that may re-define the laws of physics and nature” (the Montana Vortex and House of Mystery, in Columbia Falls), scientists attribute the phenomena to optical illusions or people’s suggestibility. But hey, that doesn’t mean they’re not a kick to visit. As Sandlot Science notes, “Even when you learn the secret behind the effects, they are no less amazing… as everyone present shares the same illusions. ...We like to tease reality, to lose the security of familiar spatial references for a brief time.” So, as we said, why not add a little mystery to your next trip?
National Sports Bar Chains
May 18, 2011 | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBack
With spring’s collegiate and pro sports underway and summer’s not far behind, many a road warrior is thinking about the limits of their portable devices and apps. After all, some games just demand the big screen, right? Enter the sports bar…
Over the next few months, we’ll profile sports bars across the country that you might want to check out for their specific features (atmosphere, food choices, celebrity spotting, etc.). But, for starters (we feel your need, fellow fans), we’ll review some national chain sports bars so that you have a good chance of finding one, no matter where your travels take you.
Buffalo Wild Wings Grill & Bar
One favorite with locations across the country is Buffalo Wild Wings Grill & Bar, where you can be sure to score good viewing, food and drink. While folks do rave about the wings—offered with a choice of 14 barbecue sauce flavors ranging from Jammin’ Jalapeno to Thai Curry—it’s the sports viewing itself that gets top billing here. Sure, every sports bar has multiple screens, but every Wild Wings location has literally dozens of flat screens and projector screens plus surround sound.
Champps
Champps,found in theEast, the Northern Plains, Texas and Colorado, takes a similar approach. The owners built their chain around the philosophy that bigger is better—from burgers to TV’s, party atmosphere (“bring a DJ and have a party every night”!) to “decadent desserts” and rotisseries. The chain prides itself on not being “your average sports bar,” especially in terms of its food and their “slightly irreverent attitude.”
Dave and Buster’s
Another sports bar chain you can find all over the country is Dave and Buster’s. The menu is filled with standards like Philly cheese steak sandwiches, pizza, burgers, steaks, salads and pasta, and the full bar serve beers, wines, and their signature TNTea in a souvenir glass. But what fans really love are the games—and we don’t just mean on the many big screen TV’s. Every Dave and Buster’s is filled with arcade games (old-time Pac-Man to Nascar), plus classics like pool tables, skeeball and shuffleboard. Check out their Eat-and-Play combo where you get a meal and a game card at reduced price.
Smokey Bones BBQ & Fire Grill
Located in the East and Midwest, Smokey Bones BBQ & Fire Grill is a good choice if you’re traveling with folks who aren’t as avid sports fans as yourself. You’ll find sports on the big screens for you and, despite its name, food to please those looking for more than just sports pub grub, such as an Oregon Pear and Spinach Salad and blackened grouper (selections do vary by location). The full bar offers some respectable California vintages and a beer list that includes a few IPAs and microbrews.
Beef O’Brady’s
Soccer moms and t-ball dads don’t have to give up catching games on the big screens during vacations because there are also family-oriented sports bars—one such is Beef O'Brady's, with well over 200 locations spread throughout more than 20 states. The reasonably-priced food is basic sports bar fare—burgers and other sandwiches, wings, wraps, etc., plus salads, with kid-sized (and seasoned) selections, too.
BJ’s Brewhouse
Another sports bar chain, BJ’s Brewhouse, with its multiple screens for game viewing and its own “fine handcrafted beer,” is not only a treat for adults, but it is also a dedicated kid-friendly place. Their website even has a “kidslink” with trivia and games.
We go to chains for their predictability, right? Maybe that seems dull, but for some of us, it’s important to know that no matter where we are, we can walk into an establishment and be guaranteed our favorite Sierra Nevada Pale Ale on tap, or that exact same amazing plate of shoestring onion rings, or that there will always be one big screen tuned to international soccer.
20% Off - Weekend Stays at Extended Stay Hotels
May 18, 2011 | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBack
Last minute deals for new bookings this weekend (stays 05/20 through 05/22) and next weekend (stays 05/27 through 05/29) 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, Orlando, Chicago, Philadelphia, Seattle and many others.
For Arrival Dates 05/20/2011 and 05/21/2011
* Los Angeles, CA - Rates from $43.99/night
* Orlando, FL - Rates from $42.99/night
* Chicago, IL - Rates from $35.99/night
* Philadelphia, PA - Rates from $59.99/night
* Seattle, WA - Rates from $39.99/night
* Washington, DC - Rates from $43.99/night
* See all locations >
For Arrival Dates 05/27/2011 and 05/28/2011
* San Diego, CA - Rates from $47.99/night
* Denver, CO - Rates from $29.99/night
* Atlanta, GA - Rates from $31.99/night
* Detroit, MI - Rates from $36.99/night
* Richmond, VA - Rates from $43.99/night
* Houston, TX - Rates from $35.99/night
* See all locations >
Traveling with Tunes
May 6, 2011 | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBack
Thanks to MP3 players and smartphones, bringing your favorite music with you when you travel is easy. But as personal electronics have improved, our expectations have also grown. Sometimes you want to remove the ear buds and kick back in your hotel room or share some tunes while visiting with family and friends. Time to pull out the portable speakers and docks! While admittedly the finest sound is found in larger speakers, convenient travel-sized speakers can provide clarity far beyond what the music players themselves offer and, often, for quite reasonable costs.
Super Budget-Conscious Speakers
If you want a speaker that gives good sound, but that you won’t have to worry about having to protect a pricey investment (say you’ll be taking it to the beach), you might want to snag the DB Portable Foldable Speakers for MP3 Players. Available online from several merchants at the amazing price of under $5, this little speakers’ dock (folded size: 4” x 2 ½” x 2 ½”) can run on four AAA batteries or the included USB cable and consistently gets four-star reviews from consumers. Almost as inexpensive (about $10) and absolutely tiny (3.5" x 3/4” x ¾”) is the blue Lego-style iPod Brick. It works with iPhones, too, and it doesn’t require batteries. Instead, it draws power from the player itself.
A Bit More Style, a Bit More Sound
For about $25, you can get a bit more style and sound with the Altec Lansing iM-237 Orbit Ultraportable Speaker, which comes in its own case and has a convenient wrap-around cord. The round speaker provides 360-degree sound, can run for up to 24 hours on three AAA batteries (longer than most battery-operated speakers), and also gets high 4-star-plus reviews from users. And, if you also want something with a big-time cuteness factor, consider the Panda Pal at about $25. The little three-inch round panda face has dual speakers in it and runs off your choice of USB connection or three AAA batteries. It’s compatible with any device (phone, laptop, MP3) that accepts a 3.5mm headphone jack.
If you’re most comfortable with a name-brand you recognize and don’t want to deal with batteries or power drain on your device, Sony has a folding portable speaker that runs around $20. This device is what’s called a “passive speaker,” meaning no actual amplification, yet it still produces more volume and sound quality than the internal speakers of most cell phones or MP3’s—and the big plus is that it requires neither batteries nor a power cord.
Laptop Uses, Too!
Having good portable speakers can also be a big plus if you want to watch movies on your laptop or if your business travel includes PowerPoint presentations with embedded videos. All too often, the speakers in a laptop lack sufficient projection ability for a large room. A speaker like Brookstone’s Ultra-Thin Travel Speaker connects easily via the 3.5 mm cable (included) to any laptop, and its folded size (5” x 6” x ¾”) lets you slide it into your laptop sleeve or case. Reviewers note that the AAA batteries are fairly long-lasting, too.
When choosing your travel speakers, remember that the smaller the speakers, the more likely you’ll find sound distortion at higher volumes. So if you want the speakers for travelling party time, you may need to get the slightly larger models. For in-room background and relaxation music, many of the very small and economical speakers will still give you far superior sound to what your MP3, phone or laptop provides.
Rates from $27.99 /night - Weekend Stays at Extended Stay Hotels
May 4, 2011 | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBack
Last minute deals for new bookings this weekend (stays 05/06 through 05/08) and next weekend (stays 05/13 through 05/15) 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, San Diego, Orlando, Philadelphia, Seattle and many others.
For Arrival Dates 05/06/2011 and 05/07/2011
* Los Angeles, CA - Rates from $43.99/night
* San Diego, CA - Rates from $55.99/night
* Orlando, FL - Rates from $39.99/night
* Philadelphia, PA - Rates from $63.99/night
* Seattle, WA - Rates from $35.99/night
* Washington, DC - Rates from $43.99/night
* See all locations >
For Arrival Dates 05/13/2011 and 05/14/2011
* Sacramento, CA - Rates from $31.99/night
* Atlanta, GA - Rates from $31.99/night
* Chicago, IL - Rates from $35.99/night
* Boston, MA - Rates from $55.99/night
* Las Vegas, NV - Rates from $43.99/night
* Dallas, TX - Rates from $27.99/night
* See all locations >
Double-Duty Carry-Ons
May 3, 2011 | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBack
As travelers increasingly limit their luggage to carry-ons, it becomes all the more important to choose a bag that not only fits regulation size limitations but that also provides versatility. Manufacturers are meeting this challenge with carry-on pieces that can do double duty by converting to backpacks and having detachable components, like sundries bags, laptop sleeves and briefs. Making one of these your go-to (or go-with) bag can lighten your load and give you more options.
Brief-ly
For business travelers, and those who don’t want to be without their laptops even on vacation, a carry-on bag with an integrated laptop bag and removable briefcase is the ultimate in convenience. What’s more, such carry-ons allow you to use the allotted “personal carry-on item” for something else. Such dual-duty carry-ons come in both ballistic nylon for lighter bags and in leather for the ultra-classy look. McKlein’s Chicago model (nylon $200-$300; leather about $300-$400) is a 13” x 11” x 17” bag, to fit regulation limits for almost all airlines. These bags feature the added convenience of detachable padded carry-strap, detachable wheel and handle system and a waterproof cover for storage. The in-luggage laptop compartment is sturdy, suspending the computer in with a honeycomb frame and foam protective layer, and it can accommodate up to a 16.5” laptop.
If you just need the convenience of a removable computer sleeve, consider Samsonite’s Pro 3 Wheeled Business Case. This ballistic nylon case makes getting through security efficient with the easily-detached padded laptop sleeve. The sleeve, which can hold laptops up to 17”, does include a carrying handle, so that it can function as a small briefcase, too. At 17.5” x 13” x 7”, the bag is lightweight enough (7.5 pounds) to be easily wheeled or toted by its padded strap.
Various and Sundry Detachables
Having a carry-on bag with an attached (and removable) sundries bag also adds to both travel and unpacking efficiency. Lots of carry-ons now include removable, TSA-approved plastic bags for your small bottles of shampoo and other liquids (e.g., London Fog’s Oxford 21” Upright Suiter). But most of us carry more sundries than that, and we pack a larger case that we set on the counter or hang on a towel bar in our hotel bathroom. Fortunately, luggage manufacturers have gotten onboard. Wally Bags, known for their “nearly indestructible” aluminum frames, makes the 21" Carry-On 2510 (about $200). This bag not only includes a garment-packing system but also a removable toiletry bag with hanging hook.
Daypack-ing
If your travel adventure is going to include hiking, what could be handier than a detachable daypack? Eagle Creek’s options range from 19”-22” models, and like all the company’s products, they are sleek and durable. High Sierra has both a regular (around $110) and an extra-lightweight (around $150) 22” carry-on with removable daypack. In both models, the daypacks include organizers, making them useful for business trips, too. If you prefer a duffle-style pack, Athalon’s has a 21” wheeled bag with a molded bottom and a removable top duffle section with hidden backpacking straps, for under $150.
Take a Seat
There you stand, again, in the boarding line for the last leg of your red-eye flight, and they’ve just announced another delay. You watch enviously as some fellow passengers sprawl on the floor. But they’re in sweats; you’re wearing the business suit in which you’ll be making a presentation tomorrow morning. Well, there’s a two-fer carry-on with your name on it: Swany’s Walkin’ Bag. This sturdy 20” (x13” x 10”) piece can support up to 300 pounds yet weighs only nine pounds itself. Its four swivel wheels mean it “takes 1/6 the effort compared to most 2-wheel rolling bags of equal size and weight,” to give your poor, travel-stiff body a welcome break.
