Travel Blog

Our last post about Canada post summarize the changes that they are planning to make. Canada Post pensions at risk in an effort to reduce their debt load and to reduce their operating loss. In summary they will be reducing 8008 positions and increasing the cost of the postage stamp to one dollar. They also plan on introducing community mailboxes in urban areas which previously had door-to-door service. All of this is aimed at a eliminating the operations loss or at the minimum reducing it significantly so that there is less burden on taxpayers.

This post is questioning the pension commitment by Canada Post to its pensioners. Whether they will be able to fund the Canada Post pension into the future? Will pensioners from Canada Post have to take a haircut in order to keep the pension system solvent?

Canada Post pensions at Risk – Precedents

While there is no precedent for post office system reducing their pensions to their pensioners at this time, there is a precedent for city and state governments in the United States having taken this action to reduce the pension payouts to their pensioners. This specifically has occurred in states or cities that have had to declare bankruptcy.

It will be many years before Canada post reaches this position. This will be a question of the Canadian government deciding not to prop up the Canada Post pension system. There will be a lot of discussion in the next 5 to 10 years about Canada post pensions how much they are and whether they should be sustained.

If you are a pensioner with Canada post and expect to collect your pension over the next 5 to 10 years we suggest that you plan for a decrease in your pension and funding. Do this to ensure the quality of life that you would prefer to have during your retirement years. If it does not happen then it’s a bonus and you’re way ahead of the game. If it does happen you’re prepared!

Many people might feel that this will never happen. It is better to be prepared and planning for such a pension calamity versus not to be ready for such a disruptive pension issue. For more posts about future trends, click here.

The Canadian post office system has just announced a new program. It will take place over five years to reduce the service to Canadians. Many people are upset and worried that they will not receive the service that they have been used to. This announcement took place in 2013. A new liberal government has just been elected. Now they have put the Canada Post reduces service program on hold. It is on hold until the new government has a chance to weigh in on this issue. Too bad, they will go on to lose millions at taxpayers expense.

The fact of the matter is the post office is losing billions of dollars. If we don’t do something soon this will just cost the taxpayer great deal of money which we cannot afford.

Over 8000 people will lose their jobs. The price of stamps will go up to one dollar. Local door-to-door service will replaced by community mailboxes. There are other steps that they are taking however these are the main ones that will reduce the cost to the post office over the future.

Canada Post reduces service!

Why are they taking these specific steps? Consumers simply are not using the post office in the same manner that they have been over the past hundred and 50 years. The majority of mail is being sent by email,. Electronic bill statements are common and people are cutting their costs by simply not sending out birthday cards, Christmas cards and other mail that they can just as easily send by electronic means.

In addition operations costs have increased at the post office with the higher wages, significant pension payments and many people retiring from the post office. The amount of money that they owe to the pension system is staggering.

Canada post is not alone! The US postal system has been losing billions of dollars for years and Congress is struggling with eliminating Saturday delivery service. The English UK post office has been receiving money from the government for years to keep them afloat. All of them are struggling to retain the same level of service that they’ve been delivering for years when their communities the customers no longer require the service.

Our next post is going to post some questions about the Canada Post pension system and whether it is sustainable or not. Will Canada post pensioners have to take a haircut? For more ideas about future trends, click here.

We once again are staying at the Akwesasne Mohawk Casino and are extremely impressed with the level of service that all of their employees provide to their patrons.

We had a conversation with one of the guest concierge managers who indicated to us that it is their job to make sure that their customers, guests are more than satisfied with all of the services that they provide. In fact, he said that we want to provide our services with a smile, and we want to be able to recognize our frequent guests at all times to make them feel at home.

Guest Service at the Akwesasne Mohawk Casino

We have found this to be the case with all of the employees that we have encountered at the Akwesasne Mohawk Casino. From the waitresses in the restaurant, from the technicians who service the slot machines to the waitresses that provide drinks at the slot machines, they are all providing great service to their patrons.

Of particular note is the waitress that brings coffee to us in the morning at the slot machine. She has come to know us and will bring a coffee for us exactly to our request without even having to ask us how we want our coffee.

It is a very nice treat to have someone who is thoughtful enough to remember u. They remember what we drink and bring us the coffee exactly the way we like it. This is an example of the kind of service that you can expect to receive at the Akwesasne Mohawk casino.

Front Desk Checkin

We also found that the people manning the check-in counter also greet you with a smile and try to help you any way they can. Of course, there will always be some things that are beyond their control and this is just part of the job. You cannot make everyone happy all of the time.

The Concierge is always greeting people and making a point of offering help to everyone instead of hiding behind a desk waiting for someone to talk to them. We really enjoy and appreciate the service they provide throughout the complex. It is one of the best casino hotel complexes in the North East US and Eastern Canada for this reason. Other locations we have been to just do not have the same attitude towards customer service that they do at this particular facility.

There are lots of issues to consider when you retire early aside from the fact that you are leaving your job and career behind to pursue a new life. Retire early what about health care is one of the questions. Certainly there is the issue about what you will do with your time and then there is always whether you will have sufficient money or not. Many people retire when they are healthy and do not give their health issues a seconds though. But what happens if you retire and suddenly are faced with some sort of health issue. Will you have sufficient funds or health insurance coverage to pay all of the bills.

There are really two parts to this question. Do you have enough money or insurance to pay for the cost of medical bills for doctors, tests and hospitals? Secondly do you have enough savings that will allow you to continue paying your day to day living expenses? Many people pay attention to the medical side of things and not so much the cost of living while you are recovering from whatever medical issue you have.

Retire Early What About Health Care – Hospital Insurance

We have talked to several seniors that have quite good plans for their medical coverage. All of the potential significant events are covered along with the proper level of doctors care, testing and prescriptions are covered up to 80%. As long as the medical bills are small most people can absorb these costs from within their regular living expenses.

But what if you are hospitalized for 10 days and face a $200,000 medical hospital bill like a friend of ours and you coverage is only 80%? Suddenly you now owe $40,000 to the hospital because your insurance does not cover the last 20%. There are solutions to this problem. The first is get more coverage specifically for that 20%. The second solution if it is already too late, is to negotiate with the hospital and assess just how much you can reduce the overall expense. Some hospitals are open to negotiation and any money you can save is money in your pocket.

Living expenses

When ever someone needs prolonged medical care, expenses are going to go up and they may not be covered by your insurance. For example, house and yard work may not be able to be completed. You my have to pay someone to come in and clean for you and perform the odd chores around the home for you. You may also need to arrange for someone to pick up groceries or get you to physio. Maybe you can no longer drive and you need to take taxis’s to get to medical appointments. The list goes on and on.

Do you have sufficient funds to get through this type of medical costs which are usually not covered by your insurance plan? Set aside an emergency savings amount to cover you when you need it. This is really the only way to make sure that you have enough money to deal with whatever it is you must deal with. Retire early what about health care is a serious issue for many people.

Stay Healthy is the Best Insurance

The best health insurance is to do your best to stay healthy. We all know what these are, but many of us ignore these suggestions until it is too late. Here is our list to help staying healthy:

• Exercise on a routine basis, at least 3 times per week
• Drink alcohol on a moderate level
• Do not smoke
• Get enough sleep
• Maintain the proper weight for your body type
• Avoid fatty and high calorie foods
• Make sure you have annual health checkups
• Take action if something is amiss from a health perspective.

Sounds simple, but for most of us it is very difficult to follow for some reason. Even with all of these steps there is no guarantee that something will not occur that affects your overall health. That’s the reason the previous two areas were discussed and should be given some consideration. For more information on retire early what about health care and others, click here.

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Restaurant tips can vary a lot depending on the location. Also the quality of the food, the level of service, even the decor. As well as the customer who may or may not be feeling generous.  Restaurant tip reporting can vary depending on may factors. The average seems to be 15% for average service.  Some people feel obliged to tip as much as 20%. If you are either part of a large group, the restaurant will levy a tip of 18% regardless of the type of service that you receive.  In fact when the waiters and waitresses know they’re getting 18% quite often the level of service declines.

Some people tip much more just because they feel obliged to tip more. They are embarrassed and worried that the waiter will give them a bad look or create a scene, or bad service if they come back again.  Many people will leave no tip at all. Which actually is really bad form, particularly if you received excellent service and excellence for food.

Restaurant Tip Reporting – Sending a Message

Many tips are on credit cards and are just added onto the total bill.  In fact the credit card machines already have the amount calculated for you or a selection that you can pick in terms of the percentage amount or the dollar amount.  But what is the right way to tip and what you do if you want to send a message.

In the industry a 15% tip appears to be the average tip that is expected for average service, average food and average surroundings.  I like to think that to apply 5% to each of these categories is the right approach.  The waiter is in control of the level of service, and to some degree of making sure that your food arrives hot and is exactly what you ordered.  The quality of the food is up to the chef and the surroundings are really up to the owner.  Should you penalize the waiter by tipping less when the quality of the food is not great or the surroundings of the restaurant is not great?

Tip Preference

The writer prefers to tip 15% and then call the waiter aside to mention any comments or concerns that they might have.  If you did not like the food or the food was bad you should send it back.  If the surroundings and the quality are not what you would like, then you should not have gone there in the first place.  When the service is terrible and the food is terrible then definitely send a message by lowering the amount of the tip.  Some people have left a one penny tip just to send a serious message to the waiter and the staff.  I think a better approach is to call the manager or the maître d’ over and explain the situation.

Accounting is easy for tips since most of them are pre-calculated. Use the credit card machines and easily added at the end of the night.  These are on record and must be reported by the restaurant accounting.  But what about cash tips?  Can cash tips be somehow siphoned off to avoid the tax man?  Many tax agencies have now ruled that waiters and waitresses should receive 15% of the total food and bar take regardless of whether it was paid via credit cards or in cash.  There’s no getting away from the taxman.

Hiding Income

Many servers consistently receive more than 15% in tips. Most waiters and waitresses will hide that money and avoid paying tax on it where they can.  However once it gets into the system in terms of credit card receipts there is little they can do but to report this income.  If the servers are ever audited, there’s a good chance that they will pay much more in income tax.

In summary consumers should consider 15% average, 20 percent for excellent service and 10% for poor service. However we suggest that you call the waiter, the manager or the maître d’ over. Explain why you’re providing a lower tip.  This gives everyone a chance to improve their service the next time.

There are all kinds of hotels in Palm Springs.  Most people are just happy to find a nice hotel in Palm Springs. Where they can spend some time at the pool, relax in the sun. Also go out for a great meal at one of the local restaurants.

There are luxury hotels in Palm Springs  that take you to another level. Enjoy the spa, play golf , get a massage, room service, relax by the pool in seclusion without noisy kids and teenagers. There are large  hotel chains like the Westin. Which provide all of the above services and you have to put up with many people around the pool etc. This may be fine for some people and the price is ok as well particularly if you negotiate a package deal.

Luxury Hotels Palm Springs

There are luxury hotels and motels that are much smaller. They offer intimacy, protection from nosy people and a place where you can relax, enjoy a good book. You can spend some quality time with your significant other. They offer concierge services, hotel transfer to and from the airport and they just about any other service that you will need. These luxury hotels and motels are literally within walking distance of the downtown area of Palm Springs as well. One such location is Melvins in Palm Springs.

They have a secluded compound, blocks from downtown Palm Springs, with a five star restaurant and small intimate bungalows for the ultimate privacy. They also have a piano bar which has an impromptu afternoon where local entertainers will come in and sign along or play along at the bar’s piano.  We have spent several Sunday afternoons at this location and thoroughly enjoyed ourselves.

While some people may not prefer this type of luxury, going for the big chain hotels instead, we would suggest that anyone on  vacation in Palm Springs should at least check out one of these style of luxury hotels in Palm Springs.

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Fall colors were spectacular for rafting in Maine this year just like they are every year. The fall is one of the most beautiful times of the year to be rafting, camping or hiking in the state of Maine. The trees are changing color and exhibiting fantastic colors for everyone to enjoy. A sunny day in the fall with the leaves in full color is one of the most beautiful times of the year to enjoy the outdoors. If you are rafting at this time of year, the water is going to be cold so make sure that you are dressed properly and do not suffer from hypothermia.

Your tour guide company can provide you with the proper guidelines. They should cover what clothing to wear and to bring along. In addition many will provide wet suits for rent to help in keeping you warm during your white water rafting ride. Check with them before you decide to find out schedules, availability, skill levels and clothing to ensure that you have the best trip you can.

We are writing this post  in December. Although the  season is over, the scenery is still fantastic with all of the snow now on the ground. Once it snows most of the leaves will be gone and the snow transforms the scenery completely.

Rafting Maine

Many white water rafting enthusiasts are still looking forward to spring. The companies that offer white water rafting are repairing gear. They are also deciding what they need to purchase to replace existing gear that is past it’s useful life. They will be planning new trips and updating old ones to prepare for the new season.

There will be the high spring run off to provide thrills and exciting rafting for many enthusiasts. Spring runoffs can be extremely high flowing rivers with lots of water going over rocks that are usually exposed. With the high water levels they can be hidden under the water level and provide extra thrills.

Safety is a concern especially when creeks and rivers are flooding. Only go with experts who know the river and its twists and turns.

River ratings may be higher due to the higher rate of water runoff. You may want to check first if a flooding river is still within your rating level.

May have extreme trips during the few weeks that the rivers are in flood stage.

Rafting Maine – Safety

Need wet suits to prevent hypothermia since the ice cold water will be approaching freezing levels.

Always bring second set of dry clothes to change into after you complete your rafting trip.

Enjoy your trip and follow all safety whitewater rafting guidelines. Safety is the utmost importance to ensure that you have an enjoyable trip without any significant incidents.

Casino bonuses come in various forms. Some are actual physical mailing via the post office, but this becoming increasingly rare. Most today are sent via email, or customers can sign on to their accounts to see what bonuses are available to them. Clients can also call their casino host to confirm bonuses that are available to them! What is the Best Casino Bonus?

Best Casino Bonus

Best casino bonuses are the ones that are free, with no strings attached. These are from past visits to a casino and they are merely urging you to return. These bonuses can be free rooms, free shows, free meals, or free play. These are just the same as winning small jackpots and if you are smart about it, these bonuses can save you a great deal of money.

Most are tied to more play at the casino whether online casinos or the traditional ones. For example, if you earn a certain amount of points you will be eligible for some casino bonus like a free buffet or show tickets that day. If the Buffet costs $17.95 per person which is a typical amount, that is a small $38 jackpot for two people.

Casino bonuses can include:

• Free rooms
• Free meals
• Complimentary shows
• Free play
• Free points to use on almost anything

Every player has a different view of what the best casino bonus is for them! Many would just prefer to be given free play to use on the slot machines. While others do enjoy free tickets to a show. Let your casino host know which casino bonus you prefer and they will update your account to award these types of bonuses to you.

We recently had dinner on a Saturday night at the Akwesasne buffet at the casino. We really like the buffet and the food value is usually pretty good. The quality of the food was excellent and the service is also very good. However this time we found that for the price that we paid, and the expectation of more seafood Friday or Saturday night we found that the seafood was not as plentiful as expected.

We were not concerned about the quality of the food, the content of the food, or the assortment, it was all great. We just felt that for $19.95 per person for a buffet on Saturday night with the expectation that there would be more seafood, it was a little bit overpriced.

The prices for the buffet are as follows & listed. On Mondays and Wednesdays, it is considered seniors day and the price for the buffet for those people over 55 is 50% of the cost. That’s a pretty good deal in our minds. In addition, you can use your points that you accumulate on your winner’s club card to pay for all of your meals which makes it even a better deal.

Akwesasne buffet Prices

Here are the prices for the buffet:

• Monday to Friday lunches $10.95
• Sunday to Thursday dinner is $17.95
• Friday and Saturday dinner is $19.95
• Saturday and Sunday brunch is $12.95

For any of our readers going to the Rideau Carlton racetrack Casino, the Alwesasene buffet is far superior then the buffet at the Rideau Carleton. Even if you have to pay a little bit more it is well worth the price. The buffet at the Rideau Carlton racetrack is sloppy, messy, and crowded. The food is not great.

For more information about the Akwesasne Casino, click here.

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30% of retired baby boomers are living below the poverty line. They have no way of augmenting their income and only receive a government pension which is not enough to live on. These people did not receive a company pension nor did they save enough money to last well into their retirement years. As well many people are living longer than most people expected. Retirement plans looking great is not reality for many people.

They only have government pensions to rely on. Many baby boomers have found that they have to move in with family to survive. Moving in with your children is one option, and with brothers or sisters is another option, downsizing and moving in with friends is another option. But most people would prefer to be independent during retirement and have a high quality of life. For many this just does not happen.

Retirement plans looking great – Speak to an Adviser

If you’re still working now is the time to stress test your retirement savings plan. Work with a financial analyst or financial adviser to figure out how much money you can save for your retirement, how long it will last and how much you can expect to receive on a monthly basis. Your monthly income from savings is so important. It determines how you will pay your bills in retirement.

Planning to work into old age is not a good plan. There are too many things that can get in the way of being able to work well into your retirement years. For example health issues get in the way, being laid off gets in the way, not being able to find a job as well is a major obstacle. Stress test your retirement plan today and figure out just how much money you need to save.

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It is amazing how many people suffer from sleep apnea and do not even realize it. While many more know they have something and are not getting enough sleep. They are unwilling to do anything about it because they are afraid to wear a mask. Or deal with a hose and mask at night when they are sleeping. The fact of the matter is that they risk having strokes from lack of oxygen. They are getting a terrible nights sleep.

This leaves them tired and unable to perform properly at work and everyday life. They even fall asleep at the wheel when they are driving. If you suspect that you have sleep apnea, at least get tested. Then decide what you need to do. It could be a matter of losing some weight to alleviate the problem! The test is not that exciting. Basically you have to sleep at a sleep lab. You are hooked up to about 20 wires that monitor everything and report to a computer that produces a report. Take the test you may be quite surprised. I know I was. This post is about CPAP Supply CPAP Masks.

CPAP Supply CPAP Masks – CPAP Machine

The CPAP machine is supplied with a CPAP mask and associated hoses as well as a filter to keep the air clean. In addition, consumers should also purchase the humidifier with it to keep your nasal passages hydrated while you are wearing the mask. Personally I have found that by staying hydrated I have much less nasal congestion in addition to stopping the sleep apnea issues. In summary always purchase your CPAP supply with CPAP mask, hoses and filters all at the same time. You may have to replace them from time to time, however if they are looked after, they will last for a long time.

Keep CPAP Hoses and Masks Clean

The secret to the CPAP machine and masks working well is to keep them clean and comfortable. If you use them every night, they are clean and do not smell, you will actually enjoy being able to sleep well and you feel a lot better. Wash the mask and the water reservoir daily in warm water and mild soap. Let them dry before reinstalling them into the machine and attaching the hoses. Do the same thing for the hoses once a week as well. They will stay supple and clean for a long time if you follow this regular process.

Spare Mask

Once your mask gets a little older, let’s say one year, it may be a good idea to have a second mask as a backup especially if you are travelling and do not want to risk being without a mask. The same thing applies to hoses. As they get older, obtain a spare hose and carry it with you.

Distilled Water

You can use regular water with all of the impurities in it and breathe this into your lungs to keep your nasal passages hydrated. Personally I like to always use nice pure distilled water so that there is no impurities going into my lungs at all. In addition if you are using the heater for the water, there will be no impurities left on the hot plate that needs to be removed from time to time.

Sleep better and stay healthy with a CPAP machine that is well maintained and you will be happy that you made the transition from sleep apnea to a regular sleep once again. It is truly amazing and I know from first hand experience. For more information about CPAP Supply CPAP Masks, click here.

The fall is a fantastic time to go Main whitewater rafting in the state of Maine. The leaves are turning color, the sun is shining, and the days are just fantastic with what us known as Indian summer. Of course you can get some days when it’s cold and rainy but that just adds to the excitement as you are white water rafting down one of the many rivers in the state of Maine that are available.

If you do go at this time of year, you will need the proper set of clothes and probably a wet suit to protect you from hypothermia. Investigate with your white water rafting leader regarding the best things to bring to ensure that your trip is enjoyable. Some companies will provide everything you need and you just need to bring a second set of warm clothes to put on when you are finished with your whitewater trip.

Maine Whitewater – May Through Oct Rafting

Many people go white water rafting from the month of May right through until the end of October. The water flow depends on the weather, how much rain is received during the season, and whether the white water rafting rivers are below dams. The type of white water rafting will vary by month and even by day depending on storms etc.. Rivers that are below dams will often experienced regular discharges of water. This discharge creates great white water rafting trips. Check with the company you are planning to use to find out the best time to go whitewater rafting.

Always use a Rafting Guide

It is very important that you only go with experienced Whitewater rafting guides. You need to ensure that you are prepared for the release of water from the dams. Never go on your own or put a boat in the water when there could be a discharge from a dam. Many people have been washed away. They have been surprised by a sudden onrushing stream of high speed flowing water.

When you book your trip, make sure that you find out what clothes and gear you will need. You should have a set of dry warm clothes to change into at the end of your trip. Wet clothes can get pretty cold if you do not have something to change into. Your guide will also tell you what you need to bring on the actual trip. Also how you will be returned to your starting point.

The Rideau Carleton Racetrack Casino in Ottawa, Ontario, Canada is one of the least competitive casinos that we know of when it comes to comps and promotions. It is run by the provincial government who is intent on taxing Canadians as much as possible and they do not allow any competition. As a result they do not offer many comp’s and if they do the comp’s are not very lucrative compared to other locations.

Lower Competition Leads to Low Promotions at Rideau Carleton Casino

It is the only casino in the city and as a result it is very crowded, but the comp’s are very limited, the cash back and free play are minimal compared to the Akwesasne Mohawk Casino for example in upper state New York. The other major factor that we noticed as well is that the people working at the Rideau Carleton Casino are decidedly not friendly compared to other casinos that we have been to. Even the servers are not friendly even when you tip them and the slot attendants who pay the jackpots have their hands out for tips. This is after making you wait for 10 or 15 minutes for them to acknowledge that you won a jack pot.  This is not one of our favorite places to go based on service and level of promotions and casino comp’s.

We added a check list of casino comps and / or promotions to this post and others that we will be doing, which you can see below. Not all comps and promotions will be of interest to you. If there are some that you do not understand leave us a comment and we will add a post to let you know what they are. If we missed a comp or if there is a new promotion we are not aware of let us know and we will add it.

We will complete and add comments about the other two casinos that we included on this chart shortly. Watch for these posts or view our categories.

Comparison Chart

For more reviews of casinos based in Ontario, click here.

This is another really great restaurant in Bucerias, Mexico. Just down the block from Marks restaurant, you might not even go onto this restaurant because it is also a boutique at the front with a great looking tropical restaurant at the back of the building. You may think it is just another small store, however if you go inside and go to the back of the store there is a great restaurant with great food to try!

This is a must location to visit for lunch or dinner. Some evenings they also will have entertainment. It is a wonderful place to spend an evening under the stars in a tropical environment.

Sandrinas Bucerias Mexico

Bucerias is a small Mexican town north of Puerto Vallarta on Banderas Bay. You get there by there by bus or car from Pureto Vallara and enjoy the day at the beach with a great dining experience that evening.

Tropical outdoor setting with a band playing on some evenings. As you can see from this picture, it is a very enjoyable spot to have a glass of wine or a beer. Perhaps some tequila, which is Mexico’s drink of choice.

Many restaurants in the Puerto Vallarta will serve their customers a shot or two of tequila regardless of what drink they order. At one location we ordered beers all around and the bartender followed the beers with shots of tequila to help us enjoy our meals.

We are not sure if the meals were better or not, but we were well satisfied with the service, the drinks and the meals we had. Sandrinas is a bit more upscale than these sort of restaurants. Patrons are dressed in tropical attire and generally are well dressed as well. Being close to the beach area’s patrons can stop in almost at any time for a meal or a snack under one of the umbrellas.

For more details about the Puerto Vallarta area, click here.

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Vacations Palm Springs.  In our last post we wrote about Palm Springs vacations. There are lots of things that you can do in Palm Springs. In this post about vacations Palm Springs we plan to talk about hiking in and around Palm Springs. This is a great vacation activity that everyone can enjoy. Consequently youngsters as well as seniors who love the outdoors can go hiking on short trips as well as long hikes.

One of the conditions of hiking in any location is always to be prepared. In the Palm Springs area the temperatures are usually very hot. The air is very dry which enables dehydration to set in very quickly. Consequently always make sure you take lots of water with you to prevent dehydration. Wear a hat at all times, take lots of sunscreen and even pack a small lunch or snack to take with you. In addition make sure that someone knows where you’re going and when you expect to return. But do not deviate from the planned trip in case something happens and people need to find you.

Vacations Palm Springs – Hiking

There is a book called Palm Springs hikers guide. Which is strongly recommended for anyone who wants to do serious hiking in Palm Springs. In addition it provides pictures, directions, and ratings for all of the hiking trails that are available in Palm Springs and the Valley.

One area to go hiking is at the Palm Springs Tram. You can go up the mountains on the tram for the day and there are over 54 miles of hiking available at the top. But hikers should always be prepared when you go hiking in this area. Always take a compass with you as well as a knapsack with lots of water.

There are trails in all of the surrounding mountains that are surrounding the Palm Springs Valley. These trails range from easy to medium too difficult and all are rated in the Palm Springs Hikers guide. One trail, called the museum trail, is located just behind the museum parking lot. It goes straight up the mountain. However this trail would be considered medium to difficult for many people. Consequently with all of the switchbacks and the aggressive elevation that is included on this trip, it can be challenging.

There are trails in the middle of the desert just at the end of Ramon Road. Which are easy trails on flat ground to take you to several oasis’ and out into the desert. These are just a sample of some of the many trails that people can hike in the Palm Springs area. We hope you enjoy hiking.

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The following is a list of the latest casino bonuses that are being offered by many casinos. Some are better than others. Some casinos offer higher amounts of money etc since they are in a competitive market. Monitor your comps and try different casinos from different competitive companies to see just how much you are being provided.

Latest Casino Bonuses

Free play – this is money that is loaded onto your card and can be played in most but not all slot machines. To activate all you need to do is sign into your account and select free play and then begin playing your slot machine.

Free rooms – are often offered, or at least reduced to some of the higher-rated players. Even if the room is not free, a discount is still saving you money.

Free meals – such as buffets, etc are offered usually through the number of points that are accumulated as you play. The points can be used like cash to pay for meals etc. in other situations you may be offered 2 for one deal.

Discounts on Everything

Discounts on everything – often casinos will offer discounts in the tuck shop or in stores that are part of the casino if you are carrying a slot card. Use your points to pay for these items as well.

Upgrades on rooms – if you do not get a free room, a discount is the next best thing. From 20 to 50% discounts on the price of a room is sometimes offered.

Sky is the limit for whales – big-time gamblers will have their airfare paid for, their rooms paid for, tickets to shows paid for, meals paid for, and just about anything else the casino can provide to keep you coming to their facility.

Free air travel – and free gas for those that drive to a vacation casino property. Usually, people who receive free air tickets are heavy gamblers.

Free show tickets – for tickets to some of the best shows, with behind the curtain opportunities as well.

Complimentary golf – golf round available including golf carts for you and your buddies at some of the best courses available.

Free sports tickets – to sports events held in the casino for the whales.

The list goes on and on. If you can think it and it is within their power to provide it, the casinos will make it happen for their best customers.

We recently listened to a stock market financial analyst from New York talk about whether the bull market of 2013 will continue or whether we will have a 4% correction or higher in the coming year.  Is there a stock market bubble now? The short answer to the question put to the financial analyst, about whether there would be Stock market correction of at least 4% was that he did not know.

It took him about five minutes to answer the question. He analyzed and discussed all the possible issues that could cause stock market correction. However like a politician he does not answer the question. With so many assumptions and guesses that it is really difficult to know what he was really saying. Or to tell whether he thinks there will be a stock market bubble correction in the near future.

Stock market bubble

As we write this particular post, there are no new wars starting up. Which could affect the markets, there are no major storms or hurricanes that are impacting major market areas or oil platforms, the economies of the world seem to be moving along slowly with no major change but all on the uptick and there does not appear to be anything in particular that could cause a market correction to begin to happen.

The upshot of his discussion was that there will be a market correction of at least 4% sometime in the future, he just did not know when. It was also impossible to time-the-market so if you’re concerned about locking in your profits at this point in time it is something that you might want to think about however you could be giving up future profits based on the market continuing to climb. This last statement is typical of the kind of advice and discussion this particular financial analyst provided.

It is tough to know what to do as an investor, however if you have a long-term strategy in place, it is best to stick to that strategy and not try to time market uptick’s and market downtiks. Focus on income, High-quality stocks with dividends, bons with excellent interest income and mutual funds with low and MERs.

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What a train wreck Rob Ford is and it seems to get worse every day. Hopefully this sad story will end soon and hopefully he will get some help. Unfortunately his cancer has returned and he passed away. The rest of this article was written prior to his leaving politics to deal with his health issues.  It appears to me that this guy is in over his head in terms of his job and his problems. He does not know how to handle a situation that is getting steadily worse.

Rob Ford – Cannot Deal with Politicians

A friend of mind was contemplating running for office a few years ago. He called me to ask for my help, which I agreed to and he had to go to a few nominating meetings. He said he would get back to me in a few weeks. Well my friend is a pretty straight shooter. He does not have the gift that we seem to think that our politicians should have of being able to say a lot without actually saying anything.

The short story is that he called back in a few weeks. He told me that there was no way he could lie and promise things that there were impossible to deliver. He had not chance of being nominated, because many people will vote for promises they hope will happen and have literally no chance of ever being fulfilled.

Apparently Rob Ford has done some good things for Toronto. But he has lost his ability to govern and has to go. The train is already careening down the tracks and about to go off the rails!!!

For more posts about Canadian politics and other stores about Canada, click here.

A team at MIT has come up with a new device that could revolutionize the clothing industry and also heating in buildings and even outdoors. The new product called Wristify is an invention by MIT students. It is a bracelet that cools or heats your body.

The device is powered by a lithium battery. It is attached to the wrist of the person. By heating it by .1° the entire body can be warmed up and kept at a more pleasant temperature. This device would be ideal for conditions out of doors, in buildings where you want to lower the temperature and save energy. In addition for people who are suffering from cold temperatures even when other people are quite comfortable. Consequently this device could revolutionize the clothing industry.

Bracelet that Cools or Heats your Body – Clothing

There already exists clothing that you can wear to keep you warm. It could be used by people riding on motorcycles for example in the wintertime. Just plug the cable attached to your jacket into your motorcycle connection. It keeps you warm while you’re riding your motorcycle.

The device we’re talking about is quite different. It rests against the skin. It keeps your body warm by raising the temperature of your blood as it circulates through your system.

Right now it’s still in the prototype stage. We are looking forward to hearing more from the MIT team that developed this unique device. For more posts about future trends, click here.

When should you replace your CPAP equipment? That is the question that I am asking myself. My machine, hoses and mask are nearing the one year mark. I really cannot see anything wrong with mine and the mask etc does not smell or anything like that. The hose is not cracked and there are no signs that it is nearing the time when it should be replaced. Yet the technician that set me up with a CPAP machine and mask suggested that I should probably replace all of the CPAP medical supplies except for the machine itself sometime after the first six months. So far I am not really planning to replace anything, but I am wondering why such a difference in my usage vs. what the technician suggested.

Clean Your CPAP Medical supplies

I really believe the difference is that I routinely clean my nasal pillow mask and water tank every day. I always use fresh water, the distilled type and I clean these items first thing in the morning and then leave them out to dry properly.  Once a week I wash everything, the mask, the hoses and the straps that hold it in place. So far they look like new and they do not smell which is by far the most important part!

CPAP mask – this element can take various forms. I use a nasal pillow CPAP mask, while a friend uses a full face mask. It is really a personal preference regarding which one you use and which one is the most comfortable. Wash it every day with warm water and mild soap to keep it fresh and clean.

Hoses – need to remain flexible and not be allowed to become brittle. Once they do they will crack and allow air to escape. Wash them at least once per week in warm soapy water as well by soaking them for at least an hour and then rinse them off.

Filters – the filter which is actually a small sponge should also be washed weekly. If you very concerned about pollen and dust due to allergies, there are allergen filters which can be installed over the sponge filter which will keep even more particles out of the airway.

CPAP Machine

This is the main device that you pay all of the money for. This CPAP medical device is the most expensive part and should be taken care of with the utmost care. Keep it clean and free of dust and also empty and rinse the water reservoir on a daily basis. Allow it to dry before refilling to remove any possibility of contamination by dust particles.

CPAP medical supplies can be purchased online, however I prefer to get mine at the local store where I originally received by device in the first place. I find they provide great consultation services and will address all of my questions. Their reward for this free service is my loyalty and willingness to purchase this medical supply device from them.

For more information about CPAP medical supplies, click here.

Maine rafting guides are just like guides all over the USA and Canada in fact the world. They are trained professionals and doing their job to keep you safe as well as provide you an entertaining white water rafting trip. Their job is to make sure that you understand all of the safety precautions to take before you begin your trip. During the trip their job is to guide you down the river, keep you safe, tell you when to paddle, and went to not paddle, and steer the raft around the huge boulders and rapids.

Maine Rafting Guides – Follow directions

It is very important to follow the directions of your Maine rafting guides. They’re the ones who know the river, and all of the things that could cause their customers a problem. For example the water in the river is extremely cold most times of the year. If they tell you to stay out of the water to avoid hypothermia then do so. Too many people have not followed their guides instructions and have drowned as a result of having hypothermia while in the water.

On overnight trips people like to party and sometimes they have too much to drink. This is when it is very important to follow what your guy is telling you. Failure to do so can cause your death or some of your friends deaths. A strong guide will evict you from the rafting trip and arrange for someone to come and get you and take you home to the main base.

Stick to skill level

All rivers that have white water rafting trips on them are rated from 1 to 5. One being the easiest to navigate and suitable for most families and children, while five is extremely difficult and only for the experts who can swim quite strongly and have rafted many times down the river. These are the people who should only take that kind of trip. Choose your rafting trip according to the skill level that you have as well as your strength in swimming. Avoid going on white water rafting trips that require a high skill level in terms of being able to survive in the water and reach the shore. If you are not a strong swimmer, stick to the lower rated rafting trips to make sure that you are safe and have an enjoyable white water rafting trip.

Maine Rafting Guides – Practice safety

Your rafting guide is interested in providing you a great trip, a fun trip, one that is enjoyable by everyone however they also need you to follow all of the proper safety instructions that they will provide you. The principal one that you must always follow is to wear your life jacket at all times while in the raft and on the river. In addition you should follow and must follow all of the rafting guides instructions to ensure that you are safe and the members of your raft crew are also safe.

What do you look for in a guide

Most people look for white water rafting guides that will provide them with a lot of fun. No one really wants to have a boring guy who barely talks. Or does not provide any kind of information about the surrounding vegetation and rock formations. At the same time customers need to know that the they have an experienced white water rafting guide.

They need to know that this guy can get them down the river safely. Questions to ask are how many times has this guy traveled this river with a raft full of people. How many times has this guide had to have people rescued. How many years of experience providing Whitewater rafting do these guys have. These are just common sense things that you should always check into before you embark on your white water rafting trip in the state of Maine.

One of the casinos we really enjoy going to often is the Akwesasne Mohawk Casino in upper state New York. It is about a 1.5 hour drive for us compared to 30 minutes to another closer casino. However, we enjoy this one much more.  It is not nearly as crowded, there are lots of machines and tables, the food is excellent and they have lots of free casino promotions that are interesting to us.

Akwesasne Mohawk Casino Promotions – Why Look for Comps

This is really what got us thinking about doing a blog comparing the promotions or comps that casinos offer. These are an enticement to get you to come to their facility. The old adage about competition works here. Local casinos are just not offering very much in the way of enticements to come to their casinos. They have no competition. The Akwesasne Mohawk Casino is a bit out of the way and for us a long drive. However, the advantages of the casino comps make it worth our while to go to this location compared to others.

They have great hotel promotions and great meal promotions. There are a variety of other comps that really make a difference in our decision to go to this casino vs. others.

We decided to add a checklist of casino comps and/or promotions to this post. We will add others that we will be doing, which you can see below. Not all comps and promotions will be of interest to you. If there are some that you do not understand leave us a comment. We will add a post to let you know what they are. If we missed a comp or if there is a new promotion we are not aware of let us know and we will add it.

Compare Comps and Promotions

We will complete and add comments about the other two casinos that we included on this chart shortly. Watch for these posts or view our categories.

If you ever have a chance to go to Marks restaurant Bucerias Mexico, do not even think twice about it, spend an evening dining at this great restaurant. It is a nice spot with really great food and not badly priced as well. It is on a quiet little street about a block off the beach and one of the nicest restaurants in the area. We spent an evening at this restaurant with some friends who thoroughly enjoyed the evening with us. Great food, great atmosphere, and in the spring great weather as well.

These two pictures really show what a nice place it is and the food is also great as well.

Bucerias is a small Mexican town on Banderas Bay on the Pacific coast side of Mexico. There are beautiful beaches, great restaurants in this small rustic town.  It is growing fast so there is more and more a mix of old-world Mexico with new world construction and demands from tourists from all areas of the world.

Beaches

The beaches are wonderful, long and sandy. You can wade well out into the water that is clear and warm. You will not find a lot of surf in this particular area of the coast. However, for those who want to enjoy the sun, sand, and water it is one of the more idyllic places to spend your time.

Marks Restaurant Bucerias

Marks restaurant is a great place to spend an evening with your favorite person. Fine dining in a tropical setting, life cannot get much better than this!

We were there on a warm tropical evening and thoroughly enjoyed the evening dining under the stars in Bucerias Mexico.

For more information about this beautiful vacation destination, click here.

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Palm Springs is a great place to spend your vacation. If you are one of those people who love to golf, go biking, hiking, or just enjoy the hot weather and many great restaurants, Palm Springs can be the best place to spend your vacation. Every year thousands of people make the trek from the Northern US and Canada for their Palm Springs Vacations and keep warm in Palm Springs.

The there are over 115 golf courses to take advantage of, many are private clubs but at the same time there are many public clubs that are looked after and In great condition.

Palm Springs Vacations – Hiking

If you’re a hiking enthusiast, there are hundreds of trails in the desert as well as up in the mountains. The area can be looked at as a hikers paradise. Consider the tram and go up to the mountains at 8000 feet elevation. There are over 54 miles of hiking trails to try out.

Also in the desert, near mountains, in fact within walking distance of many homes in Palm Springs there are great trails. Regardless of which areas you go hiking, always tell someone where you’re going. Tell them when you will be back, and take lots of water with you. Many people need to be rescued every year because of dehydration in the hot sun.

There are more and more biking trails also in the Palm Springs area in the Coachella Valley. One always needs to be careful about drivers on the road and minding traffic regulations. But you can find many biking trails along golf courses and along the washers. Even just exploring some of the many beautiful living areas in the Palm Springs Valley is great.

For more things to do in the Palm Springs area, click here.

How to get free casino bonuses

If you want to receive free casino bonuses, you must make sure that the casino knows that you’re in the casino. That you are playing the slot machines, or the tables. The casinos have automated the approach to tracking their customers. They now use slot cards primarily for people who play machines. At the tables, it is still the pit boss who keeps track of someone playing at their tables. You are at their mercy in terms of casino bonuses. However, if you get their attention and they observe that you are consistently playing without delay without taking breaks they will reward you with extra comps and bonuses. This is including free meals, rooms, etc depending on your style of play, the denomination of your bets, and so on.

Slot cards

A slot card is a simple card much like a credit card but with a different function. It identifies the player to the casino whenever the slot card is inserted into the slot machine. When the card is in the machine the computer will keep track of your play, the amount that you bet, and the time spent playing the machine. Based on the stats, the casino will figure out what bonuses to provide you while you’re in the casino as well as on your next trip. It is these stats that are so important when it comes to receiving free bonuses and patrons of the casino should always make sure that their slot card is properly inserted.

Not all slot cards are the Same

All slot cards work pretty much the same way. Unfortunately, not all casinos give out comps or bonuses in the same manner or the same quantity. As a general rule, if there is lots of competition, the comp’s are going to get better. If there is only one casino in the area, then you may receive mediocre comps and bonuses. I guess something is better than nothing.

A good example is the OLG casinos run in Ontario. They give out bonuses, however, they are notorious for being the worst in the industry for bonuses, simply because they do not have any competition in the markets they operate in. if you are looking for serious bonuses, don’t waste your money in OLG casinos, go to the states or border towns like Niagara Falls and Windsor to receive better casino bonuses.

Types of Free Bonuses to Expect

They all depend on your play and the number of visits to the casino, the length of time you spend playing, and the denomination of your bets. But even a little casino bonus is better than nothing at all.

Free rooms – or discounted rooms can be obtained based on your play
Complimentary meals – free meals, two for one deal, and discounted meals.
Free play – free cash loaded onto your card for you to play in the slot machines
Small jackpot – sometimes small jackpots are awarded based on draws, etc
Free upgrades – an upgrade to a better class of room is sometimes offered
Casino rate – paying the casino rate is always better than someone booking a room with no slot card.

Points Play – based on your play, points are awarded and can be used to pay for meals, rooms, and sundries at the gift store.

Remember to always make sure to have your slot card properly inserted into your slot machine when playing. If you see an error message on the small screen, re-insert your card. Make sure that your play counts towards your casino bonuses.

We thought we start off with a list of the typical things that casinos hand out as comps in an effort to attract customers. As we indicated previously not all casinos will offer these comps so check them out when you visit and let us know. We will be updating and adding posts here from time to time about the comps and promotions we encounter. They also change with time, so what we place on this web site may not be always correct and up to date when you visit.

All comps assume you are using a slot card or have identified yourself to the pit boss if you are paying the tables. This is the only way they can keep track of your play and provide comps to you from time to time.

Standard List of Casino Promotions and Comps

These are not in any order of value or popularity.

• Free or discounted drinks when playing at the tables or the slots
• Adding free play to your slot card
• Free meals at most restaurants
• Free rooms on week nights or even on the weekend
• Discounted rooms st what is called casino rate
• Free WiFi
• Free newspaper, although who reads a newspaper any more
• Access is free to spa or at least to the pool and exercise rooms
• Free tickets to shows and entertainment
• Free passes for bridge tolls if applicable
• Sometimes they even offer free gas
• Free travel costs – gasoline, air, train etc
• Senior discounts for meals, drinks and other items
• Half price deals on just about everything
• Free draws and ticket promotions
• Random in your seat draws for money, meals or tickets to shows
• Times points awards e.g. 5 times or 13 times the points you normally receive

As we come across added comps and promotions we will update this list, however if you are aware of some that we have missed, let us know and we will add them.

Why Collect these Points etc

Some people cannot be bothered with all of this and the need to carry and insert a slot card into a slot machine. They are more focused on what they win or lose. We believe that the comps are part of the winning side of things. A free room might be worth a $100 at some locations, meals worth $30 etc. This is the same as winning a small jackpot which you get to actually receive and enjoy. One always must be careful about how much they play and gamble, but it is a nice surprise to be given something that you were not expecting. Take advantage of these casino promotions whenever you can!

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This page is totally dedicated to providing a running news source of all of the posts that we have written over the years. In fact our news twitter feed will show you a random feed of posts  with links to our various web sites. We constantly update our posts and we also add new posts every week. Check them out from time to time!

Tweets by @Globalcomic

These posts cross a broad subject matter and you will see something different every day so check back often to read up on the latest posts about a variety of topics.

News Twitter Feed

As of this update, we have over 1,100 followers and are growing every day. It is pretty amazing that we have this number of followers and that people also retweet some of our tweets. We feel it says a lot about what consumers want to read about.

If you see something that interests you or you want to know more about it, just let us know, and we will do the research and tweet a new post about that subject. This is a long-term project of ours and something we care about. We love to write about various subjects, and we also learn in the process.

For lots more posts about travel-related topics, click here.

The majority of casinos offer slot cards these days to their customers. These slot cards will track your play at the slot machines as well as at the tables. Based on your play you will receive complimentary rooms, meals, and free play. As well as other complementary items based on your overall play. Online Casino Bonuses are also being added to entice players to join online games.

Use your slot card whenever you’re playing the slot machines or at the tables. There’s another reason to use your slot card in addition to those above. That is a win/loss statement which reports your overall wins and overall losses. You can use these losses as deductions against any major wins that you have during the year for which taxes were withdrawn.

Check Your Online Casino Bonuses Balance Often

Check your online bonus balance often to see what online bonuses you have available. The casino will add bonuses from time to time based on your play and you may want to check on a weekly or monthly basis to see what free meals you have, free rooms you have and other free play that may be available. It is easy to check the status of your online bonus.

Online casino bonuses include free rooms, free play, cashback, Free meals, and tickets to shows. If you are a high roller, there may be additional benefits that may be eligible for you. Check with your slot host, or check online and for all of the “potential complementary comps that you have.

Use your online casino bonus whenever you visit the casino, whether you’re visiting a real casino or an online casino. These casino bonuses are awarded often on a monthly basis so you may want to check after the beginning of each month to find out what online casino bonuses are available for you.

Equivalent to a small jackpot

An online casino bonus is really cool and likes winning a small jackpot. For example, if you are awarded a complimentary room for the night at your favorite casino, this can be valued as much as $200-$300 depending on the quality of the room and the quality of the casino hotel that you’re visiting. Anytime you can win two or $300, that’s a small jackpot in our books.

Online casino bonus depends on how often you play and how much you gamble. Every time you insert your slot card into a slot machine, the casino will be tracking how much money you’re playing, and how long you are at that particular slot machine, and also the rate of play. It all boils down to how much money you’re gambling to determine what online bonuses are available to you. Some people may be disappointed if they don’t receive a lot of online bosses from the casino. This usually means that they either did not insert their slot card, or they were not betting as much as they think they were. The casinos have an excellent process that is fully automated and tracks all player’s play as long as the slot card is inserted.

Good luck with obtaining all of your free online casino bonuses.

There are many vacation packages associated with Puerto Vallarta to various hotels in the area. These are usually the resort hotels that offer a combination of hotel plus airfare with all inclusive meals thrown in. There are several nice hotels that are located right on the beach along the coast. Some are inside the city of Puerto Vallarta. While others are on the outskirts or even in other smaller towns not too far from the airport.

Vacation Packages Puerto Vallarta

If you only have a week to spend, and you want to be pampered, not worry about finding groceries etc, then an all inclusive resort is probably the place to go. They cater to everything and your meals and often drinks are also included. The only thing you have to think about each day is what you plan to do that day and which restaurant in the complex you plan to eat in.

Longer Term Vacation

On the other hand, if you have a month to spend or longer, an all inclusive can be pretty expensive and actually a little boring. If you have paid for the all inclusive, you may feel that in order to get your money’s worth, you must spend all of your time there and eat at the restaurants etc. for the writer this would get a little boring and we would just have to get out and explore, go to other restaurants’, beaches etc.

For us staying in a condo on the beach is the best approach when we are staying for any period longer than a week. Sure you have to find grocery stores for some meals and you have to make your own meals etc, but this is part of really getting to know the city you are in. Besides you can still go out and try different restaurants, go exploring, spend time at the beach and even at the pool which most condos have.

We tend to eat breakfast at home and then head out to whatever we plan to do that day and maybe have lunch or supper or both out somewhere at one of the local Mexican restaurants in Puerto Vallarta. This is how we like to spend our vacation in Puerto Vallarta.

What is there to do in Puerto Vallarta

There are lots of activities that tourists can consider when vacationing in Puerto Vallarta. There are great beaches, there are great restaurants, and there is great shopping. For those people who are more adventurous, there are fishing trips, whale watching on Banderas Bay, and trips to other villages around the bay, each with their own charm and attractions.

There are trips into the jungle , including zip lining, boat rides, donkey riding and trips to tequila factories out in the jungle. You can just chill out on the beach under a palapa with an ice cold beer to enjoy and watch the para-sailing enthusiasts.

There are also lots of pubs on or near the malecon which is a walkway that runs along the water for several miles in downtown Puerto Vallarta. One place we really enjoyed is the third floor at Cheeky Monkies sitting along the rail watching the boats and people along the malecon. This is the best place in the city to watch the sunset at night!

Hope you enjoy your vacation in Puerto Vallarta, there are lots to do and it is a safe city to visit. Just be careful the same way you would in all other cities in North America.

For more information and details about Puerto Vallarta, click here.

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If you are looking for a pool Palm Springs, there are many private pools in Palm Springs. In fact almost every home in the Palm Springs area will have its own pool in the backyard. There are also a number of public pools that people who live in apartments and townhouses can go to. There are also a lot of townhouse complexes that also have common pools for the complex.

Almost every hotel and motel will have a pool for their guests to swim in while they are staying at their premises. Some of the larger hotels will have large pool areas. With pool decks and bars located either in the pool for quite close to the pool. There will be cabanas that people can sit under to get out of the sun or lots of palm trees to provide shade. These resorts are truly one of the best places to spend your time at one of the pools in Palm Springs.

Pool Palm Springs – Public Pools

There are also several public pool areas that people can go swimming at, with water slides and areas to spend the time sunbathing and just have a great time. Most of these can be found around town in Cathedral city or Rancho Mirage. They’re not far from Palm Springs since all the cities and run together and are close to each other.

The public pools are not open in the winter time. Although many people vacationing in Palm Springs would probably use them. The weather is extremely nice and warm most of the time. The water needs to be heated since it can become quite cool during the evenings.

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