While my daughters have been flying since they were toddlers, this is the first year that they traveled by themselves. Since they are minors traveling by themselves, there were a few things that were different:
1. There is a $100 additional fee that must be paid at check in. This is the fee for the added attention accorded to minors, such as escort to their seat and transport to their connecting flight. A family traveling together (such as my 3 daughters) only pays $100 for the group, not each. Thank goodness for that! I didn’t have extra $300. They also only take cash or credit card. No checks.
2. Each child is given a paper bracelet, much like the ones they get at amusement parks, to identify them as minors traveling alone. My ten year old daughter exclaimed, “we’re being barcoded!”
3. The airline gives parents a security pass so they can escort their children to the gate. They must stay at the gate. They must stay at the gate area until the plane pushes off.
4. Upon arrival at their destination, the responsible party picking them up must meet them at the gate for the ‘hand-off’.
I have yet to interview the girls to see what they thought of the experience.
Summer vacations, when I was a kid, were always memorable even if we didn’t go anywhere for vacation. Nowadays, children, I think are more jaded. They have to have a bigger and better vacation this year to top the one from last year. I hope my girls aren’t that way though. We try to raise them to appreciate what they have no matter where they are. Sure, there are many vacations we’d like to take, but we can’t always afford to have one every year.
Last year, we had our big family vacation in Las Vegas. You wouldn’t think there are many family friendly things to do in Las Vegas, but there really are! That was one of the best vacations we’ve ever had, and yes even with the heat and all. The kids, from 3 to 66 had a great time. During the day, there was plenty to keep the kids busy from the great pool to the various attractions like tours to Hoover Dam, games at the Adventuredome, local museums including Madame Tussauds, which, I have to tell you is very interesting indeed. In the evening, it’s the grown up’s turn to be entertained from fine dining options, first rate shows and of course the casinos.
Of course, if Las Vegas is just not your cup of tea, Trusted Tours and Attractions can help you find just the right destination. “They offer discounted tickets to the best sightseeing tours in 23 cities across America.” For instance, with the soaring gas prices this year, we are looking to staying close to home so we’ve been looking at things to do in Atlanta and neighboring cities. Visit Trusted Tours and check their online travel guides.
Sign up for the Trusted Travels Enewsletter and enter to win a handheld GPS. The offer ends June 30th, 2008, so get on over there!
With the rising temperatures of summer, more and more people are being drawn to the water. Being at the beach or at the lake is a perfect way to cool off and at the same time enjoy the day with family and friends. Unfortunately, here in North Carolina and other states like Arizona, you always hear of casualties in water. Whether it is due to a boating accident or drowning, there is always at least one incident every summer.
According to statistics, from the Arizona Boating website, a third of all fatal boating accidents are due to or related to alcohol use. That is why I get so irritated when we are at the lake and you see people who are being so irresponsible; especially when they are operating a boat. It is so irritating and at the same time scary to see someone chugging down beer after beer while driving a boat! You wouldn’t be taking swigs of alcohol when you’re driving a car, so why would someone do that when driving a boat? It’s still a moving vehicle. It’s still big enough to harm people. But, for some reason these people just don’t know or care about their own safety or the safety of others.
The Arizona Game and Fish Department are to be commended for taking on this very important issue. Boating Education Online is offered on their website to educate all boaters about the law regarding drinking alcohol and operating a boat. For instance, know that the legal blood alcohol limit for operating a boat is the same as for driving on the road, 0.8. Officers for the Arizona Game and Fish department plan to be very visible on the waters this summer to keep everyone safe. If caught, you can be cited for Boating Operating Under the Influence. So if you plan on drinking and driving in Arizona or in any other state for that matter, better think twice. Not only are the Game and Fish officers watching, mothers like me and other concerned citizens are also watching and will report anyone suspected of driving while impaired.
Speaking of summer fun, what could be a more fun way to cool off during the summer than a water park? The girls love water and they would jump at any chance to go to a water park. Mom and dad, not so much. But hey, there’s lots to do in water parks nowadays besides getting wet and smelling like Chlorox.
For instance, Morey’s Piers in Wildwood, New Jersey, a new jersey water park, has the Radio Disney Concert Series upcoming this July. These are free concerts that are part of your admission to the park and will feature many of the top radio Disney artists. This a a great park to consider when planning for a New Jersey vacation.
I know, I know, New Jersey seems like such an unlikely choice for a family vacation, you say; but all you have to do is look through the list of Things to do in New Jersey and peruse the list of Wildwood events and you’ll realize that there are actually a whole lot of fun to be had in New Jersey for everyone in the family no matter what their interest may be.
Here’s a few more highlights of the activities that will be available at Morey’s Piers this summer:
July 7th, 14th and 21st - Magic Mondays - Radio Disney’s hottest musical artists will appear live on Morey’s Piers. These FREE concerts will take place at the Radio Disney stage next to the Giant Ferris Wheel on Morey’s Mariner’s Landing pier. Show times are scheduled for 1 pm and 4 pm.
The Radio Disney Summer Concert Series finale is scheduled for 2 pm Saturday, July 26, 2008 at the Wildwoods Convention Center Oceanfront Arena with Raven-Symone from Disney Channel’s “That’s so Raven” and the currently showing Walt Disney movie, “College Road Trip” starring Martin Lawrence and Raven-Symone. The July 26th concert will also feature Mitchell Musso from the “Hannah Montana Show”.
July 26th Concert ticket holders may enjoy super savings at Morey’s Piers from the time of purchase through July 27, 2008. Simply show your official July 26 Radio Disney Summer Concert Series finale ticket at Guest Services on Mariner’s Landing and receive $10 off an all-day waterpark ticket for either Raging Waters or Ocean Oasis, or $10 off an amusement pier wristband valid for all three of Morey’s Piers, or $15 off a one-day splash and ride combination ticket.
My sister booked the girls flights yesterday. They will be going to California to visit family, and this will be their first time traveling alone. I can already tell this is going to be an expensive summer to travel.
When she checked flights and prices in the morning, they were still reasonable. Expensive, but reasonable. By the time we finished conferring on which flight, which airline and which connecting hub would be best for them, the price had gone up $200! Granted, a premium was charged because they will be flying as unaccompanied minors, but still, that’s ridiculous! We ended up paying three times what we normally pay to fly to California. Now I’m thinking whether I should have just flown with them rather than letting them fly on their own. Geesh!
Actually, now that I think about it, I should look into that
My daughters, as soon as the weather warmed up, have started talking about going to the beach already. They had so much fun during last year’s weekend at Wilmington that they want to go back there again.
Wilmington really is a beautiful area and there is a lot to do. When we were down there, we even toured the studios where the tv series One Tree Hill is filmed. That was fun. The girls are still talking about it. We’ve even fantasized about getting a weekend retreat down there, but with the popularity of Wilmington NC real estate, I don’t think we’ll be able to afford it anytime soon. But it’s always good to dream
My sister booked the girls flights yesterday. They will be going to California to visit family, and this will be their 
My daughters, as soon as the weather warmed up, have started talking about going to the beach already. They had so much fun during last year’s weekend at Wilmington that they want to go back there again.
