There are lots of hiking trails in the Palm Springs area and the Coachella Valley. There are over 100 different trails that hikers can go on from very easy to some that are very difficult. In fact if you go up the Palm Springs Tram to the top of the mountains at 8500 feet elevation, and there are another 55 miles of hiking trails in that area as well.

Anyone hiking in the deserts of California and specifically in the Palm Springs area should always remember to take lots of water with them, and tell people where you’re going. It is very easy to suffer from heat stroke, and become dehydrated very quickly which can lead to further difficulties.

Palm Springs Hiking

On a regular basis we see helicopters flying into the mountains to rescue people who cannot take enough water with them and become dehydrated. It is very important that you follow these two guidelines for people to survive properly when hiking in the desert. In addition you should not hike by yourself, you should always take a friend, and some food and again lots and lots of water, at least a liter of water for every hour of hiking that you plan to do.

In addition to taking water with you, and food, and telling people where you plan to be hiking, you should also carry a walking stick to provide balance as well as to scare off any potential snakes that might be on the trail. If you plan to stop always look closely at the rocks in the location around where you plan to sit to make sure that there is no snakes in that particular area.

We have found that the best formula is to start early in the morning before the sun gets too hot and return by 10 or 11 o’clock. This is the best time of day to go hiking because you will see many more animals, and the temperature is very pleasant and comfortable.

If you’re hiking in the summertime with temperatures approaching 120° it is extremely important that you hike early in the morning. In the wintertime January, February and March, you may want to wait until about nine or 9:30 to begin hiking to allow the sun to warm the air up and make it more comfortable.

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We have spent a lot of Time in Puerta Vallarta and found it to be very enjoyable. After all when you look at a picture like this one, who would not enjoy their time in this wonderful tropical paradise. The climate in Puerto Vallarta is perfect for tropical things to grow with a rainy season in the summer and fall and then a relatively dry season in the winter. It still can be quite humid in the winter time, but there is little rain and most days are sunny and hot. This is pool weather!

Time in Puerta Vallarta

If you are considering spending Time in Puerta Vallarta, there are 4 main areas to consider in terms of where you stay. They are the old town or downtown area, the Marina, Nuevo Vallarta and then the various beach communities that are located around Banderas Bay. They all have something to offer the traveler and the vacationer and they are all different. We will give you a short description of each. You can also get from one to another by bus quite easily with some communities like Yelapa connected by water taxi.

Downtown Puerto Vallarta

Downtown Puerto Vallarta is really the center of the what is going on. It is filled with restaurants and bars and there is the walk along the ocean that many people enjoy for their morning walks or their even walks. There are many hotels and motels in this area and almost all of the buses will pass through this area connecting to the outskirts and the other small towns and villages around the bay. It is busy and quaint and there are lots of small streets to explore.

The marina area is new and more upscale than Puerto Vallarta. There is a large marina with many boats of all kinds and many restaurants as well. There are more hotels that are better class along the marina and along the ocean. We stayed at a condo called the Portofino which we enjoyed very much. It was right on the ocean and near a golf course that we walked past many times. There is some shopping nearby and some restaurants offering great Mexican food.

Nuevo Vallarta

Nuevo Vallarta is further out of town with condo projects, golf courses and a beautiful beach as well. It is about 30 minutes by bus. You are really living in an area that could be anywhere in North America. Everything is upscale and does not have the charm of the Mexican culture in the way that Puerto Vallarta does. It is very nice and many expats prefer to live in this area.

Finally there are many towns and villages that are scattered around the bay that can be reached by bus or water taxi. Many are being developed, but still hold the rural charm that many people are looking for. Enjoy summer days and winter days on the ocean under palm trees with and quaint little restaurants. There is also the hustle and bustle of a small town market in most places that you can visit.

We really enjoyed out time in Puerto Vallarta and plan to go back again.

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Casino Free Play is another way that the casinos reward their customers based on their play at the slot machines. This is a credit they add to your slot card. It can be used as real money while playing the slots. You cannot cash in the free play. But you can cash in any winnings you might get while playing the slots using your casino free play!

How Much Can You Win With Casino Free Money

We once had received $100 in casino free play and hit a jackpot of $800. Which we cashed in of course! You do not always win like that. But you usually get 75% to 100% of your casino free play cashback from winning small jackpots! The amount you win while playing free play credit can vary a great deal. If you win a jackpot, well the sky is the limit.

On the other hand, if you win a bunch of small wins as you are playing you can expect as we indicated earlier. It will range from 50 to 75% of the amount of free play you received. The amount you win depends on the particular machine you are playing. Also whether it is in a winning cycle or not. We find that the poker machines tend to pay a little better than some of the other machines unless of course, you win a jackpot.

How To Receive Comps

Casino free play can be mailed to you as a coupon or it can just show up on your card as a surprise one day. Most casinos want you to visit the slot host and they will add the casino free play you are entitled to. You will usually have 24 hours to use it and if you do not use it you could lose it altogether. We find the best approach is to see the slot host, have the free play added to our slot card, and then use it right away!

You will also need to enter a PIN number which you must remember and use at the slot machine in order to obtain your free play.  If you forget it the slot host can reset it for you.

Akwesasne Casino Hotel Room upgrade to a king suite is not really worth the extra money. Yes  it has a larger room, bathroom and shower. But it is essentially the same room as other regular priced king bed rooms. In addition location in the hotel means everything . Always ask for a room overlooking the parking lot facing south. Otherwise you could end up looking north towards trees and over looking the roof of the casino which is not very appealing.

We like the hotel, the casino and the room but this room for us is not worth the $30 upgrade they wanted to charge us. We also think that the rate would have been even higher. However we had a coupon which gave us the upgrade at a reduced price.

Fortunately we were able to negotiate the lower price of the room. Because we would have been a bit annoyed to pay $30 extra for this room. If you want a larger room and a slightly larger bathroom, then you may be interested in paying the $30 upgrade, but we sure do not.

Akwesasne Casino Hotel Rooms – Comments

Other than that the room is very nice, clean. It has all of the modern conveniences that most people would look for in a hotel room.

One other point that might be of interest to readers is that these rooms are all located at the extreme end of the hall. While it is not a long walk, never the less for people who may have a hard time walking they may want something a bit closer to the elevator. The hotel and casino is closed on Monday and Tuesday as of 2022,07,22.

Are electric cars a fad that will go away over time? Are driverless cars another fad that will go away over time? We think that both of these form part of the future. Many of these kinds of things are developed. As a result they evolve into something that we’re not quite prepared to accept initially! Remember the horseless carriage! It was supposed to never go beyond becoming a novelty. Something that the rich would use. Consequently after 10 or 15 years horses and buggies began to disappear in favor of horseless carriage.

We think that the driverless car and electric vehicles are part of our future. As a result electric cars will over the next 10 to 20 years make a significant introduction into the economy. What do you think of this opinion, we would appreciate your comments about electric cars?

Electric Cars – A Fad

The combination of the electric vehicle and the driver less car will have significant impacts on our economy. First of all there will be less gas stations. Secondly there will be fewer accidents, insurance premiums should decline. In addition there will be less garages were repairs will have to be made. These vehicles will be in far fewer accidents based on the driver less car.

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This is a really interesting story that puts earth’s population in perspective. If you could fit the entire Earth’s Population into a village consisting of 100 people, maintaining the proportions of all the people living on Earth, that village would consist of

• 57 Asians
• 21 Europeans
• 14 Americans (North, Central and South)
• 8 Africans

There would be:

• 52 women and
• 48 men
• 30 Caucasians and
• 70 non-Caucasians
• 30 Christians and
• 70 non-Christians
• 89 heterosexuals and
• 11 homosexuals

6 people would possess 59% of the wealth and they would all come from the USA

80 would live in poverty  70 would be illiterate 50 would suffer from hunger and malnutrition 1 would be dying 1 would be being born 1 would own a computer

1 (yes, only one) would have a university degree

Earth’s Population – Understanding

If we looked at the Earth’s Population in this way, the need for acceptance and understanding would be obvious.

But, consider again the following :

If you woke up this morning in good health, you have more luck than one million people, who won’t live through the week.

If you have never experienced the horror of war, the solitude of prison, the pain of torture, were not close to death from starvation, then you are better off than 500 million people.

Can you go to your place of worship without fear that Someone will assault or kill you. If yes, then you are luckier than 3 billion (that’s right) people.

If you have a full fridge, clothes on your back, a roof over your head and a place to sleep, you are wealthier than 75% of the world’s population.

Do you currently have money in the bank, in your wallet and a few coins in your purse? You are one of 8 of the privileged few amongst the 100 people in the world.

If your parents are still alive and still married, you’re a rare individual.

You are Fortunate

If someone sent you this message, you’re extremely lucky,

Because someone is thinking of you and because you don’t comprise one of those 2 billion people who can’t read.

and so?

Work like you don’t need the money. Love like nobody has ever hurt you. Dance like nobody is watching. Sing like nobody is listening. Live as if this was paradise on Earth.

Send this message to your friends.

Bypass those who are determined to see the worst in the world no matter what. If you don’t send it, nothing will happen.If you do send it, someone might smile while they are reading it, and that will be a positive.

AND APART FROM THAT, SIMPLY HAVE A NICE DAY

Author Unknown

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The Akwesasne casino hotel lobby is nicely decorated in earth tones. It is just off the main entrance of the casino to your left. You encounter the check-in area initially. A little bit further on there is a lounge area to sit and wait to meet your friends or just to relax. This is where I’m sitting right now as I dictate this particular post. The only complaint I have is that it is cold at this location. It is very hot outside at the moment. I guess the air conditioning is working over time right now to keep the casino cool for their patrons.

Akwesasne Casino Hotel Lobby – Lounge area

The second picture in this post is the actual  sitting area. I have noticed that in addition to the comfortable chairs and couches, there is lots of great lighting along. There is also free WiFi in this area and in fact throughout most of the casino.

The Akwesasne Hotel and casino is really well organized. They have managed to keep walking down to a minimum for folks who have a difficult time walking. Valet is at the main entrance of the casino. When you walk in you have the check in area immediately on your left, the Sticks Bar and Grille restaurant on the right and the casino immediately straight ahead. The lounge or sitting area is just past the check in counter which is where many people wait while their partner checks into the hotel.

This is a very nice place to spend one or two days relaxing and enjoying the casino. If you like swimming there is a very nice pool area. There are lots of windows to let in the sun and make it bright and cheery.

The Mucho Burrito restaurant is a relatively new place that opened in Orleans, Ontario , Canada.  The restaurant we went to is on Innes road in the southern part of Orleans. Modeled after Chipotle in the US, it is even better since it has a much nicer decor. The food is about the same which is to say great. The prices are about standard for Canada. Which also means they are much more expensive than in the US. Of courses our taxes also add to the overall cost. We enjoyed this location. However it just does not have the same vibe as Chipotle in the US.

But the place is nicely decorated, the sound does not ricochet the way it normally does in some places and the staff was very friendly and quick. We will definitely be back for lunch at this location.

One small complaint that we had is that we ordered a burritos bowl and asked for several tacos to be added to that. The manager did not want us to sell us tacos and did not know how to charge for them or how much to charge for them even after I offered to pay for them. At chipotle we routinely get six tacos with her burritos bowl and this is a big difference from the Chipotle burritos offering.

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Canadians traveling to the US and other countries need to understand the rules when they are out of the country to avoid having to pay a lot more tax than they should. Snowbirds taxed at higher rates make investments very risky as a result.  Here is what we have found and will update this as time goes on and more information becomes available.

Snowbirds Taxed – Substantial Presence Test

To meet the substantial presence test, you must have been physically present in the United States on at least:

1. 31 days during the current year, and
2. 183 days during the 3 year period that includes the current year and the 2 years immediately before. To satisfy the 183 days requirement, count:
   • All of the days you were present in the current year, and
   • One-third of the days you were present in the first year before the current year, and
   • One-sixth of the days you were present in the second year before the current year.

Here is the link

http://www.irs.gov/taxtopics/tc851.html

The page was last updated Dec 19,2012

Current Ontario Rules

Current Ontario rules allow 212 days out of province per year for Ontario with no consequences

US rules allow 182 days per year with a 3 year average of 120 days without need for visa or consequences

Read below for proposed changes and tax consequences within the USA. No real consequences regarding tax for Canadians who over stay just loss of benefits.

***** *A proposed travel law going through the U.S. Senate could have serious tax consequences for Canadian snowbirds, experts say.

* * * *The good news is that the JOLT Act, (Jobs Originated through Launching Travel), would allow Canadian retirees to spend up to eight months, or 240 days, each year in the U.S. without a visa. That’s almost two months longer than the current 182-day annual limit. The bad news is that snowbirds who spend that long in the U.S. may be required to pay U.S. taxes.

“It looks like a great deal. I can be in Palm Springs for 240 days., but they didn’t tell you that it comes with a very high tax cost,” Roy Berg, international tax lawyer at Moodys Gartner Tax Law in Calgary, said in an interview.

The changes, part of a U.S. immigration reform bill introduced in the Senate on April 15, are likely to become law, but it is not clear when they would take effect, observers say.

Would-be holders of the so-called Snowbird or Canadian retiree visa could become subject to U.S. income tax and estate tax, “and would, therefore, inadvertently light the fuse on the Snowbird Visa tax bomb,” Berg wrote in a recent article.

US Travel Rules

Under the current rules, those who spend more than 182 days out of 365 days in the calendar year, or more than 120 days per year on average over a three-year period, may be considered a U.S. resident for tax purposes.

The U.S. also imposes an estate tax on the value of certain individuals’ worldwide assets owned at death, Berg said. The estate tax could take effect even for someone who lives in the U.S. for a brief time, depending on the circumstances.

Kevin Nightingale, partner at tax consulting firm MNP, a specialist in U.S. and Canadian tax, agrees that the consequences may be serious.

“Canadians who are going to take advantage of these provisions have to be careful because if they stay in the U.S. for long amounts of time, they will be treated as U.S. residents for tax purposes,” Nightingale said.

Staying out of the country for more than 212 days can also put eligibility for health insurance at risk in Ontario, he added.

Form 8840

Snowbirds are typically advised to file a Form 8840, Closer Connection Exception statement with the U.S. Internal Revenue Service, said Michael MacKenzie, executive director of the Canadian Snowbird Association, which has about 75,000 members.

“Regular snow birds are very aware of the tax consequences with respect to the current situation. So I’m quite confident they would understand there would be an issue if they spent longer in the U.S.,” MacKenzie said.

He said that the association has been in discussions with U.S. lawmakers to ensure that tax changes would follow the proposed visa changes.

The aim of the bill is to boost the travel industry, which currently employs about one in eight Americans.

The expanded visa would be eligible to Canadian citizens who are age 55 or older, have a residence in Canada, own or rent a residence in the U.S. They will not work or seek social assistance benefits during their stay in the U.S.

Those who are outside of Ontario for more than 212 days in a 12-month period because they are studying, working, vacationing, or doing missionary work, can apply for continuous OHIP eligibility.

The Canadian Snowbird Association estimates that there are over 500,000 Canadians that spend the winter in Florida each year. It defines snowbirds as those spending 31 nights or more in a southern destination.

Would you ever consider placing an order for CPAP supplies online? The writer needs CPAP supplies from time to time and we were wondering if it is worth the time and the trouble to order CPAP supplies online or just go to the local medical store to obtain all of our supplies. Pretty soon we will need a new hose and a new mask since the one in use now is about 10 months old at this time and I have to begin comparing prices.

Insurance Claim

The additional complication is that I can claim this expense as part of my medical expenses with my medical insurance. As long as I have a receipt for the items purchased there should be no problem with submitting a claim to my health insurance company to get a refund for my expenses. The real issue with buying things online is whether the cost of these items is lower when you purchase CPAP supplies online or not.

When you make an online purchase, sometimes there are additional charges that may surprise a consumer.

Order CPAP Supplies Online

Making a purchase at a local store eliminates or reduces the shipping charges that you may incur when you purchase on line. This is something that must be taken into account whenever you make any purchase online including CPAP supplies. Another point to take into account if you happen to be ordering something from a company that is not in your country is brokerage and import fees. Some companies will not ship across the border for this simple reason along.

Before making a purchase online, check or compare the final price with tax, shipping, and brokerage fees to what you can purchase the same product locally for. Consumers can save money, but doing your homework can sometimes save you time and money as well as frustration.

Visit a Local Medical Supply Store

One of the things that I did is to visit a local medical supply store to price out the cost of the CPAP supplies. I wanted to compare the prices they charge with purchases I can make on line. I found the prices to be fairly reasonable. However I am wondering if  I order them in the US and have them shipped to me in the US? Can I find a lower price, especially when you take into account the taxes and duties that are charged on items being shipped into Canada?  Stay tuned for more investigation results.

In summary compare prices for CPAP supplies that includes the purchase price, any tax that may be charged, brokerage fees, import fees and shipping fees with the price you may pay for an item that you purchase direct from a local store. If the cost difference is not too much different, then you may as well purchase locally and receive the service you should get from the local store. If there is a problem with any of the components, you can simply return them for an exchange which has a lot of value in my books.

In addition you may also want to check with your insurance company if you are making a claim to make sure that they will accept the receipt for the items you are purchasing. Make sure they do not have any funny rules about buying in country or need special receipts for the items you purchase.

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There are lots of Maine rafting trips available across the state. However we identified a couple that many readers of white water rafting excursions may find interesting. These are on the Kennebec and the Dead Rivers. There are a variety of trips offered along the rivers suitable for all levels.

You really just have to check with some of the operators. Let them know your skill level and interest level and they will set you up with the proper trip. It is very important to match skill levels with the rafting trip you plan to go on. This is for your own personal safety and the other people who are in the raft with you.

Maine Rafting Trips – Kennebec River

The Kennebec River offers something for everyone from families to enthusiasts. World class whitewater rafting, with crystal clear water and spectacular scenery are available. With a daily release from the Harris Dam there are lots of white water rafting available. A word of caution is in order. Always go with a guide who is familiar with the water and the timing of the release from the dam.

There are full day trips and half day trips which many people may find interesting. Prospective white water rafters should always check ahead to make sure that they have the conditions they are looking for. Half day trips start around 9:30 and you should be finished by 1pm.

The Dead River

The Dead river is another wilderness white water rafting excursion that is popular in Maine and New England. It flows 16 miles through the Maine wilderness. There are 10 scheduled high water releases from the dam in the spring and fall. Enjoy spectacular white water among some of the best scenery in the nation.  N the fall you can also enjoy the beautiful fall colors if you have time to take your eyes off the roiling water that flows down the Dead River.

These dam releases fill the river with whitewater and create one of longest continuous stretches whitewater rapids rafted in the East. This rafting trip is fun, fast, and furious. The rapids can become stronger as the day progresses with big class IV+ holes and large wave hits. Highlights of the rapids include  “The Mine Field” “Elephant Rock” and “Humpty Dumpty”.  The wilderness setting is outstanding and the best rapid the class IV+ ” Poplar Hill Falls”.  This mile long rapid has over 15 large waves. This whitewater rafting trip is a fantastic way to kick off or wind up the rafting season.

There is no doubt that Palm Springs and really all of the valley towns derive their lively hood from  tourists. Vacation rentals of homes, condo’s and of course hotels / motels provide many places to stay. During the spring Palm Springs Rental traffic swells the city to at least double its normal size.  All of the snowbirds that are in town for the season take up many rooms. You can literally see the difference in the amount of people in the city after March 31^st. The majority of the snow birds leave town at this time.

Palm Springs Rental – Rent Hotels, Homes or Condos

They stay in a variety of locations. Many will rent condo’s or homes for the season, while some will only come to the city to visit for a couple of weeks and live in one of the thousands of motels that are within a 5 block walking distance of down town Palm Springs. There are lots of homes and condo’s all over the city, some in gated communities that are some distance from the down town area and require a car to visit everything from shopping for groceries to going out for the weekend.

We have stayed in the Palm Springs area for many years during the winter and strongly recommend that visitors try to find a place within walking distance of local shopping and restaurants. You do not need to be concerned about drinking and driving and it can be much more pleasant to go for a walk in the evening and visit the downtown area of Palm Springs.

Gated Communities in Palm Springs

There are lots of golf courses in the area and many have gated communities surrounding them. They are quiet and serene, however you must always get in your car to pretty much do anything. Some come with golf courts and these can be used also for short trips. We suggest that you think about the type of lifestyle that you would prefer and then book a place for the time you will be in Palm Springs that fits your type of lifestyle.

If you are staying for less than a month, homeowners and motels are obligated to charge city tax on the rent payments. While if you stay longer, taxes are not charged and can save a great deal of money for many people. Always negotiate your rental rates. Before you begin, take the time to learn what the going rates are for whatever you plan to rent and then negotiate based on this average rate.

Condo’s and homes have the advantage of being a home away from home. All of the linens, towels, furniture and kitchen utensils are provided. Meals prepared at home can be much less expensive than eating out all of the time. Of course if you are on vacation for only a week, you may decide to eat out more often than someone who is staying for several months.

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Casino free bonus opportunities abound if you know how to find them and take advantage of them. Many consumers visit a resort area such as Atlantic City or Las Vegas. They book their trips through a travel agent for both flights and hotels. If you have never been to any of these areas, this is not a bad way to travel there for the first time. You get a chance to get to know the cities, the resorts, and experience everything that the resort has to offer. Even on your first trip, there are casino free bonuses that can be found.

The main way to take advantage of casino free bonus opportunities is to obtain a free casino slot card if you plan to play the slots. If you play the tables for any length of time, you can also receive bonuses from the pit boss as well. Back to the casino slot cards. They are free to sign up for and all you do is plug them in to the slot machine while you are playing slots. They keep track of your play. Based on your play, the amount you bet over time, and the length of time that you play, you will become eligible for bonuses from the casino.

Casino Free Bonus

The casino free bonus can consist of free play, meal comp’s, show comp’s, and room comp’s. It all depends on how much you play. Some of the casinos are fully automated and you can get your free bonus without needing to see a slot casino host. You build up comp’s as you play. When you decide to dine at a restaurant in the casino, and it comes time to pay, first give your slot card to the waiter and he or she will deduct whatever comp you have on your card. If you still owe money, all you need to do is to pay the rest with your credit card or charge the remainder to your room.

We always charge our meals to our room and then go see the slot host before we check out to see what they will do for us. Many times they will write off some or all of these expenses in addition to the slot comp we already received. For many people, this can be the same as winning another little jackpot. If the casino is willing to give you this slot bonus, why not take advantage of it.

Free Play Casino Bonus

Free play is another casino bonus that can be fun to get. This free play is money that is added to your slot card to be used in a slot machine. The casino adds this free play bonus based on your play. It allows players to play the slots with this money until it is used up. You cannot take the free play out in cash, but any winnings you get while playing the free play is yours to keep.

We have won $800 on occasion just from our free play. This is really a bonus in my mind. You do not always win a large amount, but often you will win the equivalent in free play which you can continue play or take it out and keep the cash.

Casino Free Bonus Rooms

Free rooms are another benefit that can be very attractive as a bonus. You can receive free rooms in two ways. The first is to see the slot host before you check out of your hotel. They will let you know if they will comp you for anything charged to your room including the cost of the room. Again it depends on how much you gamble during your stay. If you play is high enough, they will often give you a night or two free. Which can compensate for any losses that you may have experienced.

The second way to receive free rooms as a bonus is through coupons that are mailed to you. When you sign up for a slot card, typically you will give them your address as well as your email. You can receive coupons with free rooms attached from time to time. Again depending on the amount of play from your last visit. The hotels also use this approach to build visits on slow weeks. They do this when they know the hotel will not be full. This is usually when there are no conferences on or it is just a slow period.

Take advantage of casino free bonus opportunities whenever you can. At least you will get some money back from your slot play.

Joshua Tree Park has fantastic views and is a great place for hiking and rock climbing. There are many trails  to hike as well and there are many places to camp. Bringing enough water is probably the single most important thing to remember. When we visited the park it was probably 100F in the valley. But up in the park which is at a higher elevation, the temperature was probably 20 degrees lower in temperature. In the high desert which is where  Joshua tree Park is located, it can become quite cold at night. Campers are urged to bring warm clothes and sleeping bags when they camp out under the stars.

There is no fuel to be collected and burned. In fact the park has very strict rules about camping and fires. They urgently want to avoid fires getting out of control in the dry conditions. They do not want people taking some of the local brush and using that for firewood. Bring your own if you intend to have a fire.

Joshua Tree Park

This park is in the high desert and visitors can drive up to a look out that over looks the Coachella Valley, where the cities of Palm Springs, Cathedral city, Rancho Mirage and several other desert cities are located.

On a beautiful sunny day you can see for up to 100 miles and on some days you can see all the way to Mexico. If you are planning to visit Joshua Tree park, we suggest you wait until there is little wind that is not blowing the dust around and making the visibility much less than a 100 miles.

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The Akwesasne Casino Hotel complex is now fully completed. It provides people who are interested in going to casinos a full experience that rivals many other casinos much further away. It is located close to the US – Canada border on the US side across the river from Cornwall Ontario. Many Canadians as well as Americans go to this casino every day.

They now have a full service modern hotel, with a very nice pool, spa and exercise room. It also has conference rooms to set up meetings. They have one of the best buffet restaurants, and a la carte restaurant called Sticks. There is also a fast food area if you are in a hurry. Of course a high-end restaurant where you can celebrate your winnings.

They offer table games, over 1000 slot machines, a poker room and a bingo hall all under one roof.  All of the standard slot machines that have become popular to choose from are available. They have a high-end room as well. There is a very nice bar in the new area of the casino and all drinks are very well priced. For example a draft beer is only a $1.50 and ice cold!  You can also get a small snack at the bar of pretzels and other similar things that are free.

Akwesasne Casino Hotel – Deals

The Akwesasne casino offers a variety of deals to it’s customers such as free play, free rooms, or rooms at casino rate as well as collecting points on your slot card which can be used for a variety of things such as paying for meals or even a bridge pass for the trip back to Canada.

About the only concern we have is that during the summer it is just too cold inside the casino. They have the AC turned on high and it is literally freezing. We suggest that you wear long pants and we have seen some people even wearing jackets or sweaters inside the casino when it is 85F outside.

We were sitting in the outdoor patio of the Blue Anchor just east of Cornwall, Ontario along the St Lawrence river. We saw this lake freighter heading up stream towards one of the great lakes. The Blue Anchor is a really great place to spend an afternoon enjoying the sun, having a cold drink and something to eat. You can enjoy the great food while gazing out on the river and watching the lake freighters head up or down the river. There are also many pleasure boats that cruise along the river or tie up at the Blue Anchors dock. Read the rest of this entry »

Akwesasne Casino Hotel rooms are brand new since this hotel has been open less than a year at the time of writing this post. The room we stayed in included a king bed, desk, chair, great bed, a Keurig coffee maker, and a large flat screen TV. One of the things we were concerned about is that the casino allows smoking and we thought that maybe the hotel would allow smoking as well. It turns out that the entire hotel is non smoking and this policy really keeps the place looking ans smelling clean. Once people have smoked in a room, it is never the same even if they use air freshener.

We also especially like the idea of being able to make your own coffee in the room when you get up in the morning. A lot of hotels want you down in the casino or in the restaurant where you are going to spend money right away. We are still going to go to the restaurant for coffee and breakfast, but at least we can have a coffee first as part of our waking up morning ritual. Thanks to who ever made this decision to add coffee machines to the rooms and high quality coffee machines as well. the Keurig machines are among the best machines for making coffee.

Akwesasne Casino Hotel – Review

We have stayed at this Akwesasne Hotel twice now and enjoy it very much. It is a nice outing and not too expensive especially if you win at the casino. They also do not charge taxes on the rooms which is another big savings. We will write more about this in the future.

If you are looking for a mini vacation, this is the place to go. You will enjoy the hotel, the pool, the spa, the 4 restaurants and of course the casino and bingo hall.

The town of Joshua Tree California is aptly named since it is
in the middle of the Joshua tree forest and next door to the Joshua
tree national park. This is a really great place to go hiking. Many people also camp under the stars. If you go take lots of water, warm clothes, it gets cold at night and tell someone where you are going in case you need to be rescued.

Joshua Tree California

These pictures were taken in the park which is
roughly ten miles from the town. The elevation is somewhere around 6000 feet and there are look out points in the park that over look the Coachella valley with the towns of Palm Springs, Cathedral city, Rancho Mirage, Indio etc. The climate is always much cooler compared to the desert. You can typically find the temperatures at least 20 degrees cooler and much stronger winds as well. Many people from the desert communities will head up into the high desert in the summer time to get away from the extreme heat.

The desert communities can hit 120 degrees F, while in the high desert is only 100F. It might not seem like a lot, but anytime it is 20 degrees cooler you appreciate it.
There is lots of camping and hiking available in the park. The town of Joshua Tree also has several hotels to stay at. They also have a Walmart and several coffee shops including a Starbucks to stop at. There is a park information center in the town. It has a lot of great information about the park, the hikes, camp sites and the many animals that live in and around the area.

For more posts about hiking and all topics associated with hiking, click here.

We go to a lot of buffets at casinos and are trying to control our weight. In fact we want to lose a little bit of weight. Is it a good idea to even go to a buffet.  The price is right, usually comp’d by the casino. Everyone gets to pick what they want to eat. It is so difficult not to over eat when you go to a buffet.

We really are thinking about just not going to one at all.  We needed to think about how much we eat. How to Control Eating at Buffets is a question many people worry about. We have come up with these rules for ourselves when we go to buffets or family get to gethers.

How to Control Eating at Buffets

You know when everyone brings something and wanted to pass them along to our readers in case you are going through the same issues:

• Scout your food and only pick foods you really want.
• Ask yourself which dishes you most want out of all the choices offered.
• Pick smaller plates if they were available than those who are larger.
• Make fewer trips to the buffet. Just go up once if you can so make it count on your small plate
• Sit farther away from the buffet to reduce the temptation
• Chew your food a little longer — about 15 chews per mouthful for those who were normal weight compared with 12 chews for those who were overweight.
• You will get that full feeling when you eat slowly and drink lots of fluids
• Order a glass of water instead of a soda drink
• Drink lot’s of water with your meal to fill your stomach to avoid eating more than you can deal with
• Make these rules become essentially habits over time.
• Avoid a buffet’s temptations in the first place.
• Eat fruit instead of other deserts

Use Small Plates

One of our favorite strategies is to use small plates. You can only get so much on a plate and by the time it comes to go for a second plate, you are feeling full and will not be able to eat as much as you might have other wise. We have found that for us this is one of the best strategies for controlling how much you eat at a buffet while still enjoying the food that is offered at a buffet. Often we will have soup first which is very filling and if you have soup based on a vegetable broth and not creamy soups you can further limit the calories that you intake as well. Our favorite is chicken or turkey noodle soup. There is a lot of salt in these soups, but at least they are filling and the calories are reduced for these types of soup.

Another approach that we have not mentioned is to drink a large glass of water to fill up your stomach before you are eating. Chances are you will eat less as a result which is the best strategy in the long run.

Some people may feel that since you paid for a meal one way or the other. Even if you are being provided the meal free, you should eat your money’s worth. They tend to eat as much as they can until they feel uncomfortable and cannot even eat another mouthful. Not only are they consuming thousands of calories which they will have to work off at some point, they will feel uncomfortable for many hours after the meal.

We happened to feel that it is better to enjoy your meal, not overeat and feel comfortable at the end of the meal. This is one of the best ways to control how much you eat and control your weight loss as well. for more information on how to control eating at buffets, click here.

When you raft the Grand Canyon you are traveling through history of over millions of years. The picture on the left really shows the majesty of the Grand Canyon and although it is spectacular this picture really does not do justice to the Grand Canyon and all of its splendor. The Colorado River has carved this canyon out of the rock, sand and limestone over millions of years to give us this spectacular scenery that is one of the wonders of the world.

If you have a chance to raft down the Colorado River through the Grand Canyon, you should take it. The trip can be truly spectacular. This canyon is over a mile deep in spots and you can really appreciate it when you are standing on the top of the ridge looking down at the river far below. If you are rafting down the river, you also get an idea of the true majesty of the grand canyon gorge.

South Rim Raft Grand Canyon

We have driven to the south ridge of the Grand Canyon several times to view the canyon and visit some of the sites on that rim. The north rim of the canyon is over 10 miles away and the river is over one mile deep from the edge of the rim at that point. Many people hike from the south rim to the river and back, taking over 2 days to complete the trip. Most people will hike down one day and back up the next. Anyone planning to visit the river from this point will need to make arrangements to camp out or book a place in the bunk house along the river. Otherwise you will need to hike down and back the same day which can be a pretty tough trip if you are not in great shape.

North rim Grand Canyon

There is a road that takes you to the north rim and another that takes you to the west rim of the canyon. We have not been to either, although friends, who have been to these rims, tell us that the views are even more spectacular than the south rim. If you are planning to visit either of these rims, from Las Vegas, you can arrange for a bus tour and even a helicopter ride into the canyon and lunch on the canyon floor. A great trip no doubt, but nothing would beat the ride down the river in the middle of the canyon.

If anyone reading this post has taken this raft trip into the Grand Canyon, we would really like to hear from you. Your comments and description of your trip would be much appreciated. Anyone we have spoken with about these trips whether it is to one of the rims or along the river itself, they have all thoroughly enjoyed their experience.

There are approximately five hotels in Palm Springs to chose from and then there are hundreds of motels and rental condos / homes that can also be rented. The hotels in Palm Springs include the Renaissance, Hotel Zozo, the SPA, the Hilton and the Hyatt.  The Renaissance, The Spa and the Hilton are located on Tahquitz road, the Hotel Zozo is located on Indian Canyon road and the Westin is located on Palm Canyon Drive. There is also a Best Western and a Comfort Inn, however these are smaller hotels that are not comparable to the above mentioned hotels in Palm Springs. All are within walking distance of the downtown area of Palm Springs, the Casino and the convention center.

Hotels in Palm springs – Hard Rock Hotel

The Hotel Zozo is in the process of being converted to a Hard Rock Hotel and this should be completed by the end of 2013. Construction / renovations have already started on this property. It most likely will become the premiere location to stay at since it will be fully modernized and up to date when renovations are completed.

Another high end hotel will be built according to reports on the site were the downtown mall is being demolished. This area has sat vacant for more than 10 years and is now finally being torn down. The new owners plan high end shops to be built, restaurants and the hotel that was just mentioned.

Motels in Palm Springs

There are literally hundreds of motels within 6 or 7 blocks of the downtown area of Palm Springs. We do not have an estimate of the number of rooms, however rest assured that there are motels of all types that cater to the varying demands of visitors. Readers should note that some places cater only to gays and lesbians. Others are pet friendly and some only to heterosexual couples. It is a good idea to ask ahead of time if you have specific preferences.

Many homeowners have purchased homes and condos as investments to rent out to vacation oriented snow birds and weekenders. The high season is considered January through March, with the shoulder season in Nov and December, and April and May. The remaining months, June through October are considered the low months. This is the time when not many people visit Palm Springs due to the high heat.

Depending on when you visit Palm Springs, you will pay more for a condo, home, motel or hotel room during the high season. Also especially when events are being held in the city. Rates can double or triple during conventions and entertainment events. Book early and also check on the rates before you book your vacation.

Atlantic city boardwalk hotels deals are available now that are among the best in the nation. Atlantic City took a huge hit from hurricane Sandy in the fall of 2012. From the press reports, many Americans and visitors from other countries have the impression that the boardwalk along the casino strip was wrecked. Also that the casinos were badly damaged. There was a several block section that was damaged and torn up in a noncommercial area of the beach. However, the boardwalk in front of the casinos was hardly damaged at all. The Sand dunes in front of the boardwalk protected the boardwalk and the casinos from the pounding waves.

Atlantic City Boardwalk Hotels Deals – Travel is Down

However, as a result of all of the media reports and the fact that many people in the New Jersey and New York City area took a hit from Sandy, travel is down over 50% to the Atlantic City casinos. As a result, there are lots of deals available for tourists visiting the area.  Atlantic city hotels are offering great deals to gain their customers back. In case you are wondering if this is a paid post for the casinos it is not at all. The writer is a long time visitor to Atlantic City. We were not planning to go this summer due to all of the bad media reports.

Based on some online reports and searches, it is obvious the media has done an injustice to this area of Atlantic City. I am looking at a webcam that is live, right now on the boardwalk in front of the resort’s hotel and it is as if nothing has happened. The boardwalk looks perfect and there appears to be no damage at all. I am sure that at the time, there was a lot of clean up needed and repairs, however, they seem to have accomplished that and it all looks great from the view of the camera transmitting pictures.

Time to Obtain Deals from Atlantic City Hotels

Atlantic city hotels will work hard to gain back all of their tourist traffic on Memorial day. Also over the summer period when the majority of people visit. You can expect great deals to attract people to the area. They want them to come to the casinos and the restaurants along the boardwalk. It will be interesting to see just how many small business owners suffer due to lost business from lack of tourists vs. the damage that was caused by Hurricane Sandy.

I recently received one of the new jawbone devices as a birthday gift and have been using it for a couple of days. I have been using it for 4 days now and it accurately logs my sleep pattern , times I woke up remembering how many times I had a deep sleep and light sleep etc. You have to remember to tell the jawbone that you are going to sleep.

You do this by pushing a button on the end of the device to switch it from daytime to evening. I try to do this before I turn out the lights at night.  It is pretty accurate from what I can recall about my sleep. I do recall when I have woke up during the night and also that I am having light sleep  times, but not how many. The Jawbone records all of this and provides it on a handy graph on your smartphone.

Jawbone – Monitor Your Steps

The first day I was not  walking nearly enough, lol, they say that you are supposed to walk 8000 more steps every day. The only day that I met that objective was when I cut the lawn and managed to get in 12,000 plus steps. I have to do more lawn cutting I guess or make sure I park the car a long way from wherever we are going shopping etc. I need to get in a brisk 10,000 step walk every day. In addition I did go on a treadmill and found that it does not accurately record your steps on a treadmill if you are holding on to the treadmill. Next time I will try it without holding on and see how many steps I take in 30 minutes of treadmill work.

Inactivity Reminder

I also set it to vibrate after 30 minutes of inactivity, it has gone off a lot. It is amazing how quickly 30 minutes goes by. In fact since I have been writing this article 30 minutes has passed and it is already vibrating and telling me to get up and get moving. I think that this feature is a really great reminder.

MyfitnessPal

I also integrated it with fitness pal and that also works but not as well as I think it should. For some reason it is not passing the information back and forth as accurately as it should. Meals recorded in Myfitnesspal do not always find their way back to Jawbones UP application on my iPhone and vice versa. I will have to play with that some more and see what I am doing wrong or if this is feature that still needs some work.

Update

I have used the Jawbone for about 4 weeks now and really enjoy wearing it and finding out how active I have been. It is difficult to get all of the steps in that I need to simply because of my schedule and lifestyle. Fortunately I do a lot of my own landscaping and yard work. This helps but not enough to make up for the total amount of steps I want to put in every day. The suggestion by the experts is 10,000 steps per day which is difficult to achieve, but I am gradually getting better at it. For information about dieting, click here.

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I have just begun using the new product called Jawbone from Up! It was a father’s day gift from one of my kids. I think it is part of keeping me more active. For those of you who may not know what a jawbone is, it is a wrist bracelet that has a lot of intelligence and smarts built into it. This device basically keeps track of all of your activity. This includes walking, running and sleeping. Input special activities such as biking or other sports that might not register properly. Include what you eat and suddenly you have a complete history of all of your activity for the day!

Using Jawbone – Walk 10,000 Steps

Did you know that the average person should be walking 10,000 steps every day and getting approximately 8 hours of sleep every night? Well you can pretty quickly tell if you are even coming close to those goals by wearing the Jawbone. I found out that I am getting just under 7 hours of sleep on average. With an occasional 5 hour sleepless night. In addition it takes a lot of walking to get in 10,000 steps, but I have been managing to do that with all my activities. When I cut the lawn for example, I am well over 10,000 steps.

Track Your Sleep

Regarding sleep, it can tell you how much time you spent in deep sleep vs. light sleep and if you woke up during the night and how long you were awake. This is all pretty interesting and so far it has not changed my lifestyle too much, however I am much more conscious of making sure that I get in my walking every day and achieve those 10,000 steps.

Log Your Food Intake

You can log your food intake with Jawbones Up program which is an app you can download to your iPhone or your Android device. I use the iPhone and it seems to work really well.

The JawBone is supposed to last 10 days on a battery, however it seems to be coming in at 7 or 8 days battery life. We will let the battery get acclimatized and then see how well it works. So far I am really satisfied with this device.

For more health related topics, click here.

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A new really nice 2nd Cup coffee shop just opened in Orleans at 10th line and Charlemagne. It is upscale and comfortable with lots of seating and an outdoor patio to use on sunny warm days. There are cozy little nooks to use while reading a book or to enjoy the company of a friend.

2nd Cup Coffee – WiFi

There is a fire place, lots of seats and of course WiFi. It did not take long for the computer users to try it out. When we were there at this shop, several had already planted themselves and were using the WiFi to work or just browse the internet. We actually dislike this of course because they take all of the good seats and they are there for hours. These people must not have internet access at home because you see them at all of the coffee shops where there is free WiFi.

There is also lots of parking and it is one of the few 2nd cup coffee shops with a drive through for cars. Most 2nd Cup coffee shops do not have a drive through, although this is very popular in our particular area. The other nice point about this particular Second Cup coffee shop is it’s location. Although it is part of a small shopping mall, it is in the middle of suburbia where consumers can actually walk to the coffee shop to get a cup of coffee when they are out for a stroll. With the drive through it also is ideal for those people who are on their way to work and looking to pick up a quick coffee to sip on while stuck in traffic.

There are other competing coffee shops in the neighborhood, however this one is by far the best with its ambiance and comfort which many of the others simply do not have. This is the place to go.

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We recently had an opportunity to stay at the new Akwesasne Casino Hotel. The people who designed the hotel have measured up to what everybody expects from a Casino Hotel. This is a very nice place to stay with beautiful rooms and a beautiful pool. There are also great restaurants and the rooms are extremely well appointed.

A big flat-screen wall-mounted TV in the room with a bar and fridge. There is no microwave in the room that we had.

The shower is very clean very nice and a standup shower. The room also comes with a Keurig coffee maker as well. The best thing about the hotel is that there is no smoking anywhere in the hotel. If you want to smoke, you need to either go into a smoking area in the casino or go outside and smoke.  In fact, fewer and fewer people also seem to be smoking in the casino which is really a great thing.

Room Costs at the New Akwesasne Casino Hotel

The rates for rooms are running at $119 to $129 during the week and at higher prices during the weekend. Of course, if you are a casino member of their winner circle card you can enjoy rates much lower. In some cases, you’ll be given free rooms on the weekend and during weekdays.

Receiving a free room that allows you to stay over and not have to drive home is like winning a small jackpot in many cases. People from Canada and northeastern parts of New York State all appreciate being treated to a free room when they would be gambling anyway.

Winners Circle Card

Their slot card is called the winner’s circle card. For those readers who do not know what a slot card is, it is a plastic card that you insert into the slot machine’s card reader. It identifies you to the machine when then keeps track of all of your slot play. Based on this play the casino will then reward comps to their most frequent playing customers. These comps can include free rooms as mentioned, free meals, and even a free bridge pass for those that need to cross the bridge back into Canada.

This is a great place to stay at and we highly recommend it as a nice hotel to spend a day or two at.

We saw this email and just had to include it here on our blog because we are Proud to be Canadian. Not sure who the writer is, but whoever it was he did a good job! This represents the English side of Canada. There may be something like this hanging around for our french contingent. If there is, let us know and send it along. We would be happy to include it on this blog. This is both funny and also contains a lot of truth to it as well.

Proud to be Canadian – You May Be From Canada If…….

You’re not offended by the term, “Homo Milk.”

You understand the phrase, “Could you pass me a serviette, I just dropped my poutine, on the chesterfield.”

You eat chocolate bars, not candy bars.

Canadians drink pop, not soda.

You know what a Mickey and 2-4 mean.

You don’t care about the fuss with Cuba. It’s a cheap place to go for your holidays, with good cigars.

A pike is a type of fish, not part of a highway.

You drive on a highway, not a freeway.

You have Canadian Tire money in your kitchen drawers.

Casey and Finnegan were not part of a Celtic musical group.

You get excited whenever an American television show mentions Canada.

More Canadian Hints

You brag to Americans that: Shania Twain, Jim Carrey, Celine Dion and many more are Canadians.

The C.E.O. of American Airlines is a Canadian!

You know what a touque is.

You design your Halloween costume to fit over a snowsuit.

The last letter of the English alphabet is always pronounced “Zed” not “Zee”.

Your local newspaper covers the national news on two pages, but requires six pages for hockey.

You know that the four seasons mean: almost winter, winter, still winter, and roadwork.

When it’s 25 degrees outside, it’s a warm day.

You understand the Labatt Blue commercials.

You know how to pronounce and spell “Saskatchewan.” (Sas-Kat-chew-wan)

Canadians perk up when you hear the theme song from “Hockey Night in Canada.”

You were in grade 12, not the 12th grade.

“Eh?” is a very important part of your vocabulary and more polite than, “Huh?”

You actually understand these jokes and forward them to your Canadian friends! Then you send them to your American friends just to confuse them…further.

For more travel related stories, click here.

The Blue Anchor restaurant in Cornwall is a great little place to stop for lunch or dinner. Situated just east of Cornwall on what is referred to as old number 2 highway, it is on the river side of the road. There is ample parking and if you get their early, ie before 11:45am, you will have no problem getting parking as well as a seat on the patio overlooking the river. There are lots of umbrellas and quite a few servers so you do not have to wait long for your drink or your food. We have only eaten at this restaurant at lunch time and since we are not from Cornwall we unfortunately only make it to this location about once per year but it is definitely worth the trip.

Blue Anchor – Patio

The view from the patio is shown in the picture below. This is the St Lawrence river that runs from lake Erie all the way to the ocean. As a result we see many ships and freighters that make their way along the river. Some are on their way as far as lake Superior. On a beautiful sunny day this is truly a great way to spend the day.

We also visit this restaurant for another reason. They prepare perch fillets in a bun, toasted and drizzled with their own private topping which is delicious. The perch is caught locally in the river and they are well known in the area. They are referred to as Lancaster perch. Lancaster is a small town on the river not too far from Cornwall. If you have the time or are just passing though, look up the Blue Anchor restaurant and try it out. We enjoy it every time we are in the Cornwall area which unfortunately is not too often for us.

For more restaurant reviews, click here.

The California pizza kitchen in Palm Springs was located inside the mall that has been torn down. As of 2017, it is no longer there. A new building has been constructed. It was on the main strip of Palm Canyon Drive and provided typical American-style pasta food and salads etc. The location is not fantastic but the food was very good and reasonably priced. It was one place that you should probably visit while you’re in Palm Springs. But there are lots of other restaurants that are better quality, that provide better service and are  in a better area just down the street within one or two blocks.

California Pizza Kitchen

In fact the city has just approved a new development that involves tearing down the mall that the California Pizza Kitchen is part of so next time we visit Palm springs we expect that this restaurant may be closed or may have moved to another location. Once the upgrades are completed, this area will be a lot more interesting to visit and spend time in.

We have eaten several times at this restaurant and have always enjoyed the food, however we are trying out many places to get a feel for all of the new restaurants so that we can report on them in this blog.

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This is a picture of the Ottawa 10K marathon taken in June 2013. There were over 10,000 people who raced in this particular marathon. My daughter finished at 62 minutes and 48 seconds. The fastest runners ran this race in under 30 minutes and it was quite astounding to see them. They ran a fast-paced race for the entire 30 minutes and covering the 10 km of the race in downtown Ottawa. They can run faster than I can at the end of the race than I can run anytime.

It was really something exciting to watch as they rounded the corner and headed towards the finish line. The location where this picture was taken was roughly 500 m from the finish line in downtown Ottawa near the NAC.

Ottawa 10k Marathon – Elite

These runners are considered in the elite class. Hence they can run faster at the finish than most people can run at the beginning. They are generally tall and very slim, taking long paces that really move them at fast pace. Consequently these runners do not seem to slow down even after running for 10,000 m’s at a very fast pace.

They were finishing a good 30 minutes before the main pack of runners came across the finish line. As a result hey are very strong competitors and very fit athletes.

For many more posts about things to do in Canada’s capital city, click here.