Spotlight: San Diego - USS Midway Museum

Spotlight: The USS Midway was the United States' longest-serving aircraft carrier during the 20th century. When it was commissioned, it was the largest ship in the world for a space of ten years. It was in operation between 1945-1992 - the only aircraft carrier to serve for the duration of the Cold War. It served in Vietnam, and was the U.S. flagship in the Persian Gulf during Operation Desert Storm. More than 200,000 sailors served aboard the carrier during its deployment. The Midway Museum opened to the public on June 7, 2004. Since then, it has become the most popular naval warship museum in the country, with over 1 million visitors annually.

Location: The USS Midway Museum is located at 910 N. Harbor Dr., San Diego, CA at Navy Pier.

Cost: $20/adult (18+), $17/seniors (62+), $15/students (13-17 or w/ college ID), $10/Retired military (valid ID), $10/youth (6-12). There is a $2 discount/ticket if you purchase online.

Time: The Midway is open daily from 10 am - 5 pm except Thanksgiving and Christmas. Plan on spending between 2-4 hours on the carrier.

Description: The USS Midway Museum consists of the aircraft carrier and its collection of 29 restored aircraft. The aircraft displayed on its deck include craft from WWII, the Korean War, the Vietnam War and Desert Storm.

     The audio tour takes visitors to more than 60 locations including sleeping quarters, officers quarters, the pilots' ready room, the brig, the engine room, the bridge, the galley, the post office, primary flight control, the aircraft on the top deck and more. Guests can also climb aboard select aircraft, see videos highlighting various aspects of the carrier and its years of service, and try a flight simulator.

Rating: 4 stars (out of 5)

Things You Should Know: - Admission is free for: children 5 and under, active duty military, law enforcement and fire fighters (w/ valid ID), military personnel (visit your local Navy MWR - ITT - Tickets office for exclusive Military discounts).
- Although it doesn't close until 5:00, admission onto the carrier ends at 4:00.
- The price of admission includes the self-guided audio tour. To visit all 60+ locations on the tour takes about 3 hours; but since each person can choose which stations to visit and for how long, the length of time will vary from person to person.
- Docents are available to give one hour group tours for $300 (for groups of 10 or under) or $30/person at select times on Monday - Saturday.
- Parking is available along the Navy Pier for $10 (good for 12 hours). The Santa Fe Train Depot and MTS Trolley Station are within a 5 minute walk of the Midway.
- Visit the Midway's calendar to view special events.
- The Go San Diego card offers admission to over 35 San Diego attractions, including the Midway, at a reduced price.
- The famous statue of a serviceman kissing a nurse (WWII) is in the park along the pier.

Nearby: San Diego SEAL Tours, Maritime Museum of San Diego, Balboa Theatre, Balboa Park

Travel Tip #54 - Preparing for a Camping Trip

     Since we typically only go camping about once a year, it is easy to forget to do or bring certain things beforehand. Of course, you don't realize that you forgot about them until you are already there - with no store within dozens of miles. So, here are some things to consider:
     1. Have a camping checklist. If you make a list each time you go camping, you are bound to forget something each time. If you have a checklist saved on your device, you can always pull it up and check it. Then, if you did forget something, you can add it before your next trip. Some things you might want to include are: tent, mallet, whisk broom, stove, propane, lighter or matches, hatchet, wood, camp chairs, pots and pans, kettle, Dutch oven, plates, cups, utensils (eating and cooking), marshmallow prongs, paper towels, cleaning supplies, toilet paper, trowel, hand sanitizer, toiletries (with biodegradable soap), towels, map, compass, mirror, sleeping bags, extra blanket, pillows, sleeping pads, a cot or air mattress, air pump, extra batteries, lantern, flashlight, sunscreen, bug spray, rain gear, day pack (hiking), hiking pole, first aid kit (with mole skin), water purifier, appropriate clothing, hat, sunglasses, laundry bag, water bottles, large water container, food, cooler (with ice), ziplock bags, duct tape, a book, cash, and trash bags. Also make sure everything is in working order.
     2. Tell someone where you are camping. If you are out in the wilderness, there is a very good chance that your cell phone won't work. So, if you get stuck in an emergency situation, it is important that someone who isn't going with you knows exactly where you are and when to expect you back. You may also make arrangements to call them as soon as you return so that if you aren't back within a certain time frame, they can contact the appropriate authorities. Of course, leave a cushion so that they don't send out search and rescue just because you had to travel at a slower speed than you expected; because chances are you will.
     3. Check the weather report. You want to be prepared before you head out into the wilderness. Just because it is 85 degrees where you live doesn't mean that hot where you are camping. By checking the weather for the place you will be camping, you will make better decisions about which clothes to bring. That said, regardless of what the weather report says, make sure you pack a jacket and set of warm clothes for everyone in case of a freak storm. Also, be aware that just because it isn't raining where you are, if it is raining uphill from where you are, there is always the potential of a flash flood, so keep an eye on that as well.
     4. Be familiar with the wildlife in the area. The biggest concern will be bears. If you are going to be camping in an area close to bears, make sure you take the proper precautions: having a place to store your food where bears can't get it, teaching your kids what to do in case they encounter a bear or other wild animal, make sure they know not to keep any type of food (or candy) in the tent, etc. Any animal can be dangerous when threatened, and shouldn't be touched or fed, but other animals that require extreme caution are snakes, moose (a lot more dangerous than many people realize), and cougars.
     5. Teach kids what to do in case of an emergency. Of course you don't ever expect anything bad to happen, but regardless of our best intentions, life happens. When you are camping, you and your kids will be out of your environment, so it is always a good idea to go over what to do in case of an emergency. You may not want to scare them, but they need to be prepared in case something does go wrong. Some situations to discuss might include: what to do if you get lost, fire safety, safety around bodies of water, or what to do in extreme weather conditions (snow, rain, lightning, flood, excessive heat, etc.). Remember it is always better to be over-prepared than under-prepared.
     Be safe and have fun!

Spotlight: New Mexico - Carlsbad Caverns National Park

Spotlight: Jim White was the driving force behind making Carlsbad Cavern a national park. He explored the cave extensively as a boy, naming several of the rooms and many formations. For years he petitioned the government to protect the area as a national park, and finally found an ally in his campaign after sending several photos to the National Geographic magazine. In 1923, President Calvin Coolidge signed a proclamation establishing Carlsbad Cave National Monument. In 1930, Congress signed an Act establishing Carlsbad Caverns National Park.
     Until 1932, visitors to Carlsbad Cavern had to enter the cave via a switchback ramp that dropped down 750 feet. Then in 1932, the NPS built a Visitor Center including two large elevators to bring visitors in and out. Today, you still have the option of hiking in or out or taking the elevator.

Location: Carlsbad Caverns National Park is located south of the city Carlsbad, NM near the border with Texas.

Cost: Entrance fees for adults (16+) are $10; children (under 15) are free. There are additional fees if you take one of the tours.

Time: The Visitors Center is open daily from 8:00 am - 7:00 pm. from Memorial Day weekend - Labor Day. It closes at 5:00 during the rest of the year. Closed on Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Years Day. Plan on spending 2-4 hours if you go on a tour (either self-guided or ranger-led).
- The Nightly Bat Flight program begins at 7:30 each evening from Memorial Day until October.

Description: Unfortunately, we arrived too late for the Nightly Bat Flight. When we arrived at the Visitor Center the next morning, we took the King's Palace Tour. We went down 700 feet by elevator to begin the tour, which took 1 1/2 hours. The ranger led us along the paved path through four amazing chambers: the Green Lake Room, the Kings Palace, the Papoose Room and the Queens Chamber (which includes some of the most beautiful formations in the nation). In the Kings Palace, we saw the formation that appeared on the cover of National Geographic a century ago (upside down), bringing Carlsbad Caverns into the national spotlight. On the tour we saw some smoke smudges Jim White made while exploring the cave to mark his way as well as many amazing formations. We also experienced a "Black Out" in which all the lights were extinguished (on purpose) leaving us in complete darkness.

Green Lake Room

     After the tour, we hiked the mile and a quarter out through the natural entrance - including the Bat Cave. Along the way we saw several famous formations including the Bashful Elephant, the Whales Mouth, the Veiled Statue, and Iceberg Rock.

Bashful Elephant

Veiled Statue

Whale's Mouth

Bat Cave

bats

Rating: 5 stars (out of 5)

Things You Should Know: - You can enter and exit the cave either by elevator or hiking. Entrance to the cave by elevator must be prior to 5:00 pm during the summer (3:30 the rest of the year).
- You can either take a guided tour led by a ranger, or take a self-guided tour. The two self-guided tours include the hike down from the surface and the Big Room (which at almost 4,000 feet is the largest room in the cave system).
- If you plan on taking a guided tour, it is strongly recommended to make a reservation ahead of time (48+ hours in advance). Tickets for guided tours must be picked up 30 minutes before the tour begins.
- Pets are not allowed on park trails, off road, at bat flight, in the visitor center or in the cave.
- Even though there is lighting, bring your own flashlight so that you can examine the formations better. 
- The Nightly Bat Flight program is free, but is offered on a first-come first serve basis at the amphitheater. No electronic devices of any kind (including cameras) are to be used during the bat flight.
- Other Night Sky events are offered at various times from June through October (particularly Saturday nights).
- Two other caves located within the National Park are open to the public: Spider Cave and Slaughter Canyon Cave. Both are undeveloped except for designated paths for guided adventure caving tours.

Nearby: Brokeoff Mountains Wilderness Study Area, Guadalupe Mountains National Park, Living Desert State Park, Hueco Tanks State Park

Spotlight: Chesapeake & Ohio Canal National Historic Park

Spotlight: The C&O Canal National Historic Park was established in 1971 to preserve neglected sections of the Chesapeake & Ohio Canal, and extends 184.5 miles along the Potomac River, covering almost 20,000 acres from Washington DC to Cumberland, Maryland. The canal (aka "The Grand Old Ditch") was constructed from 1828 to 1850. Although it was originally intended to extend all the way to Pittsburgh, it was outpaced by the railroads (particularly the B&O Railroad). It was primarily used to ship coal from the Allegheny Mountains to DC. Shipping by canal remained cheaper during the 1800's, but improvements to trains eventually made the canal obsolete. It was finally closed in 1924. It was purchased by the federal government, and was the source of consistent debate regarding its use. Although most proposals were scrapped, canal boat rides have been given along sections of its route since the early 1940's, following extensive repairs to the canal during the Depression. The first canal boat was the Canal Clipper which began giving mule-driven rides in 1941. It was finally designated a National Monument in 1961. Although occasionally plagued by flooding, several organizations continually work to preserve and restore this historical route. In addition to canal boat rides, other popular activities along the canal zone include running, hiking, cycling, fishing, boating, kayaking and rock climbing.

Location: The C&O Canal National Historic Park is located on the shores of the Potomac River along a 184.5 mile stretch from Washington DC to Cumberland, MD. Although the NPS maintains 7 Visitor Centers, the most popular one is Great Falls Tavern located at 11710 MacArthur Blvd, Potomac, MD.

Cost: Entrance fees ($10/private vehicle or $5/person on foot or bicycle) are only collected at the Great Falls Entrance Station. All other access to the park is free. Great Falls Canal Boat Rides cost: $8/adult (16-61), $6/senior (62+), and $5/child (4-15). Campsites are $20 each.

Time: It is open during daylight hours year round. Visitor Center hours vary on location and season (see link below). You will probably spend a couple of hours at a single location. You will need multiple days to visit the entire park.

Description: We only visited the Great Falls Tavern section of the park. First we bought tickets for a canal boat ride. While we were waiting, we hiked along the wooden walkway to the Olmsted Island Overlook of the Great Falls. The hike was very pretty and the Falls were impressive. We also saw some terrapins.

     We also explored the exhibits describing conditions for workers along the canal. It was interesting learning about how the boats and locks were operated.

     Finally we got to board a replica canal boat pulled by mules by workers dressed in period dress from the 1870's. The captain used a pole like his predecessors and other workers walked along the towpath guiding the mules. We got to go through one set of locks, which had to be opened by hand by the workers, just like during the Canal's heyday.

Rating: 4 stars (out of 5)

Things You Should Know: - Canal Boat rides are available on weekends from April - mid-October (11:00 am, 1:30 pm, 3:00 pm). You may purchase tickets and board canal boats at the Great Falls Tavern Visitor Center at 11710 MacArthur Blvd., Potomac MD 20854. Ten or more people are required in order to make advance reservations. Otherwise, all canal boats are operated on a first come/first serve basis.
- The Great Falls Tavern and Cumberland Visitor Centers are open year round, but the others are open on a seasonal basis. For addresses and hours of the 7 Visitor Centers that service the park, click here. For a complete map of the National Historic Park, click here.
- One popular activity for kids is finding animals and plants shown on the park's scavenger hunt card.
- There is a 15 mph speed limit for bikes on the towpath. A couple of different businesses offer bike and kayak rentals.

Nearby: Smithsonian National Zoological Park, Yogi Bear's Jellystone Park, Harper's Ferry, Fort McHenry NM

Travel Tip #53 - Drive Safely!!!

     Every year around Memorial Day I see an article about the 100 deadliest travel days of the year. Evidently there are more deadly traffic accidents between Memorial Day and Labor Day than any other 100-day period. In fact, there are almost twice as many accidents during the summer than any other season. When you consider that since weather is unlikely to be a factor in almost all of those accidents, that statistic seems even more grave. What is causing all those accidents? The spike has to be attributed to vacation travel. Since people traveling on vacation would otherwise likely be driving to work, it isn't necessarily the number of cars on the road. However, those cars are driving longer distances on unfamiliar roads. Those factors increase the probability of an accident. However, there are things you can do to decrease the likelihood of your car being involved in such an accident.
     1. Don't drive while sleepy! About 15 years ago, I was driving to a campout with some friends. It was late afternoon and the warm sun was making me drowsy. I was about half an hour from my destination, and was going to push on until I got there; but when I suddenly realized that my eyes had drooped closed, I knew it was past time to pull over. I saw a rest stop ahead and was getting ready to pull in when I noticed a bunch of dust billowing up just to the side of the pull-off. As I got closer, the dust started to clear and I saw an SUV lying upside down a few yards off the road. The wheels were still turning and there was the body of a 10-year old girl lying about 30 yards behind the vehicle. I pulled over and jumped out to assess the situation. First I approached the girl, but she wasn't moving. One of my friends checked her pulse and couldn't find one. She wasn't breathing either and blood was oozing out of her mouth. While he checked on her, I ran over to the vehicle. Inside I found a man and his son strapped into their seats, hanging upside down. They were both conscious and didn't appear to have any major injuries. There wasn't any gasoline leaking, so I wasn't worried about an explosion. Other cars began pulling over to help, so I took on the responsibility of calling 911. After making that call, the man, who was still trapped inside the vehicle, asked me to call his wife. That was probably the hardest phone call of my life. A man was doing CPR on her daughter, but I was pretty sure she was already dead. In response to her queries, I informed her that her daughter was receiving CPR, but avoided telling her my speculations. Emergency personnel arrived on the scene about 10 minutes after I did and took over rescue operations, but I heard the man admit that he'd fallen asleep at the wheel. I was literally trembling as I listened to him, knowing that could have easily been me. That experience has taught me to never drive drowsy, no matter how close to my destination I am.
     2. Always wear a seat belt! A second lesson I learned from that experience is to make sure my passengers are wearing their seat belts. I developed the habit of buckling up a long time ago, but occasionally I notice that my passengers sometimes need a reminder. The man and the boy in the SUV were both buckled in, and only suffered minor scrapes and bruises. The girl evidently wasn't wearing her seat belt. She was thrown from the car as it rolled, receiving mortal injuries. My grandmother didn't like wearing seat belts because she knew someone who survived an accident because he wasn't wearing a seat belt. However, that was a unique circumstance. The statistics prove that seat belts save lives; so buckle up! And make sure your passengers are buckled up too! For tips on making sure young children are strapped in properly, click here.
     3. Avoid distracted driving! About 23 years ago, my wife and I bought our first car together - a white Ford Tempo. Two weeks after buying the car, we were stopped at a red light and were rear-ended by another vehicle. Evidently he was fiddling with the radio, trying to find a station he liked and didn't see that we were stopped until too late. Although new cars are tricked out with features that allow you to do such tasks without your eyes leaving the road, there are more accidents caused by distracted driving today than ever before. The biggest culprit is cell phones. If you get a text or call while driving, ignore it. Your friend doesn't need you to like his or her photo this very second. It will still be there once you arrive at your destination, and you can "like" it then. If you are expecting an important call, pull over. We live in a culture of multi-tasking, but studies show that most jobs done while multi-tasking are much less effective than when they are given our full attention. This is especially true when driving.
     4. Friends don't let friends drive drunk! Every 52 minutes (on average) someone in the USA dies as a result of an accident caused by alcohol-impaired driving. That is unacceptable. Despite the number of programs and organizations dedicated to ending drunk driving, this epidemic continues to plague our nation. Remember that "buzzed driving" is drunk driving. Also, driving under the influence of prescription drugs is just as dangerous as drunk driving. If you or a friend has been drinking, don't drive. It isn't worth it.
     5. Avoid aggressive driving! Aggressive driving leads to accidents. Driving habits such as speeding, tailgating, cutting off cars, not signaling while changing lanes and even getting angry at other drivers' actions not only lead to a higher number of accidents, they also turn routine accidents into deadly ones. Being courteous as you drive is not only polite, it's much safer. Getting stressed leads to bad decisions; so if someone cuts you off, don't yell or get mad. That won't get you to your destination any faster. Rather, be alert. Defensive driving is the best way to get you to your destination safely.

Spotlight: Los Angeles - Greystone Mansion

Spotlight: Greystone Mansion (aka. Doheny Mansion) was designed by Gordon Kaufman, and built in 1928 in the Tudor Revival style at a cost of more than $3 million. Each of the seven chimneys was designed by a different artist. The estate was a gift by oil magnate Edward Doheny to his son, Edward Doheny Jr. - "Ned." Among the 55 rooms, the mansion included servant's quarters, which accommodated a live-in staff of fifteen. The mansion boasts a Grand Hall with black and white inlaid marble. The ornate living room includes a balcony where musicians would perform for special events. The recreation wing was complete with a theater and a bowling alley. The grounds include beautiful gardens, fountains, kennels, tennis courts, a fire station, swimming pool and a greenhouse.

     Ned, his wife Lucy, and their five children lived in the mansion moved into the mansion in 1928. Four months later, Ned died in a guest bedroom as part of a murder-suicide with his secretary Hugh Plunket. The details of the murder remain sketchy, but the official story states that Plunket killed Ned, then took his own life. After Ned's death, his wife re-married, and remained on the estate until 1954.

     In 1965, the estate was purchased by the city of Beverly Hills and converted into a public park in 1971. It has appeared in hundreds of movies, TV shows, commercials and music videos, including: National Treasure II, Star Trek 2, all three Spiderman films, The Muppets, X-Men, Batman and Robin, The Bodyguard, The Witches of Eastwick, Ghostbusters II, There Will Be Blood (loosely based on the life of Edward Doheny) and many more.

Location: Greystone Mansion is located at 905 Loma Vista Dr., Beverly Hills, CA.

Cost: Admission to the grounds is free. Admission to special events may cost extra. Ranger-led tours are available on select dates for $15/person.

Time: The park is open from 10:00 am - 5 pm (Oct.-Mar.) and until 6:00 pm from April - September. Plan on spending about 1-2 hours walking the grounds.

Description: Today, the Greystone Mansion hosts a variety of seasonal cultural events for the city of Beverly Hills. These events are designed for a wide variety of audiences, including: Beverly Hills Flower & Garden Festival, Catskills West Summer Camp, Classics in the Courtyard, Concours d'Elegance, Greystone Tours, Music in the Mansion, Showcase House and The Annual Hollywood Ball.
     Unless you are there for a special event, most visitors to the estate explore the grounds on their own. Rangers are often on hand and can answer questions you may have. Anyone can tour the grounds, but you can only tour the mansion for special events. Special two hour ranger led tours are available on select dates, but you must pre-register to join one.

Rating: 3 1/2 stars (out of 5)

Things You Should Know: - Every year, the mansion is used to perform the play The Manor, written by Kathrine Bates. The Manor is performed by Theatre 40 of Beverly Hills, and takes place in different rooms of the mansion. The audience is split into groups that view scenes in a different order. The plot is a fictionalized drama of the Doheny family, including their involvement in the Teapot Dome Scandal and Ned's murder.
- Greystone Mansion (both interior and exterior) is available to rent for special occasions. The Formal Gardens can comfortably accommodate 400 guests. The Courtyard can accommodate 200 guests. The Pool Area can accommodate 150 guests. The Terrace can accommodate 60 guests.
- The grounds are open seven days a week unless closed for holidays, filming, or special events; so check this site before you go.
- Parking in free.
- One of the chimneys has a red signal light. Because the mansion was so remote, they used it to signal the city if there was an emergency.

Nearby: Virginia Robinson Gardens, Franklin Canyon Park, The Getty Center, Hollywood Bowl

Spotlight: Los Angeles - Getty Center

Spotlight: The Getty Center is a campus of the Getty Museum. After J. Paul Getty died in 1976, his entire estate was turned over to the Getty Trust. When the Getty Collection outgrew the Getty Villa in Pacific Palisades (Getty's property), it was decided to open a new branch known as the Getty Center. A beautiful site was chosen among the Santa Monica Mountains, and Richard Meier was chosen as the architect tasked with designing it. The Center was built at a cost of $1.3 billion and opened to public in 1997.
     The Center branch of the Museum features pre-20th Century European paintings, drawings, sculptures, etc. The center also features a photograph collection from the Americas, Europe and Asia, dating from the 19th and 20th centuries. In addition to the indoor galleries, several gardens beautify the grounds surrounding the museums. The large Central Garden was designed by Robert Irwin.

Location: The Getty Center is located at 1200 Getty Center Dr., Los Angeles, CA, just west of the 405 Freeway.

Cost: Admission is free; Parking - $15; $10 after 3:00 pm

Time: Open Tues.-Friday & Sunday from 10:00-5:30; Saturday from 10:00 am - 9:00 pm.; Plan on spending anywhere between 2-5 hours.

Description: The museum's collection of European paintings, drawings and sculptures are on display in four main pavilions, arranged roughly by era and nationality. The North Pavilion displays the collections art from the early Renaissance era (prior to 1600). The East Pavilion primary features primarily 17th century Baroque art as well as sculptures and Italian decorative arts from 1600-1800. The South Pavilion displays 18th century paintings and the majority of the museum's European decorative arts.The West Pavilion displays sculpture and Italian decorative arts from the 1700's - 1900, including Neoclassical, Romantic, and Symbolist sculpture. It is also the home to the Center for Photographs, which are constantly being rotated in order to avoid permanent damage due to excessive exposure to light. Some of the more famous paintings include: Irises (1889) by Vincent Van Gogh, Arii Matamoe (1892) by Paul Gauguin, and Portrait of a Halberdier (1530) by Pontormo, as well as additional Van Goghs and some Monets.

     The Getty Research Institute offers changing exhibits of rare books, manuscripts, photographs, artist's notebooks and other materials from the Museum's special collections.
     The Exhibitions Pavilion displays from collections on loan from other museums around the world. When we were there, the special exhibit was the Cave Temples of Dunhuang, which included exact 1:1 replicas of 3 of the caves found along the Silk Road that were used by travelers along the route. Of the 1,000+ caves, about half of them had artifacts such as statues, paintings, scrolls, etc. The exhibit also included a 3-D movie on another cave, complete with detailed descriptions of the items found inside. It was spectacular.

     Modern and contemporary sculptures are on display throughout the gardens. The 134,000 sq. foot Central Garden contains more than 500 varieties of plants used in the landscaping. It features a natural ravine and a beautiful tree-lined walkway which meander along streams, a waterfall a pool, and lush vegetation. Unfortunately, because of traffic, we didn't have time to explore them.

Rating: 4.5 stars (out of 5), although the traffic to and from the Center gets -5 stars

Things You Should Know: - The Getty is closed on Mondays.
- A computer-operated tram takes you from street-level (one level up from the parking garage) up the hill to the museum. If you prefer to walk, there is a pedestrian sidewalk about 3/4 of a mile in length - but steep. It will take about 15 -20 minutes to walk it.
- To schedule a group tour of Research Institute exhibitions, please e-mail GRIconnect@getty.edu.
- The Getty Center has a companion facility known as The Getty Villa in Pacific Palisades.
- Traffic getting to and from the Getty Center can be frustrating. Also, if the parking lot is full, you will be turned away and told to return at a later time.
- Not all artwork on display is PG.

Nearby: UCLA, Will Rogers State Historic Park, Westridge-Canyonback Wilderness Park, Rodeo Drive