Travel Blog

There are lots of really good areas to go biking in Palm Springs. There are well marked lanes on many streets as well as bike paths that go along neighborhoods, golf courses and parks. Every year cycling in Palm Springs improves as well. The city and other cities in the valley are adding more and more designated cycling lanes for riders.

Even with these lanes, riders must be careful. Not all car drivers respect these lanes and some are upset at these additional restrictions. Be careful when biking around Palm Springs and any other city in the valley. The law recently passed, requires drivers to give you at least 3 feet of clearance, but many do not.

White Water Wash

These pictures were taken from the Levy along the whitewater wash with the golf course in the wash. This particular course gets flooded every couple of years and needs repairs from time to time. Never the less what a great place to bike and enjoy the scenery. The mountains in the background provide a great backdrop to the golf course and of course cycling. Be careful passing under overpasses.

There is often lots of debris and sometimes vagrants are living under these overpasses. They seem harmless but then you never know when one of them might challenge you or ask for money.

Make sure you have heavy duty tubes and tires, because there are lots of thorns on the roads and sidewalks to stick into your tires and flatten your tires. One year I had over 10 flats due to the thorns.  Heavy duty tubes as well as using green slime in your tubes will help to prevent a flat tire. The green slime will plug a hole and at least get you home.

Biking around Palm Springs is best done early in the morning to avoid the heat. It can get pretty warm at times during the day. Take lots of water with you as well to ensure that you do not be dehydrated. Many people will also bike for some distance and then take the bus home. Load the bike on the bike rack on the front of the bus and ride the bus for $1.00 or $0.50 if you are a senior.

For a lot more information about things to do in Palm Springs, click here.

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This picture is of the Venetian at Night in Las Vegas. You can watch people take gondola rides on the Venetian canals. They are outside as well as inside the hotel on the second level in the shopping area. There are lots to do at the Venetian. With two casinos, a shopping concourse between them, and a major shopping and restaurant area upstairs on the second level. There is also a Madame Tussaud’s wax museum to check out. This is a large complex with something over 6000 rooms. This takes into account the two towers that each house over 3000 rooms.

Venetian at Night – Attending Conferences

One of the attractions for visitors to Las Vegas is conferences and the Venetian is attached to the giant Sands Convention center. If you stay at the Venetian, hotel convention attendees can walk through the hotel and the concourse to get to their conference. This is a huge convention venue and most of the really large conventions are held here. Book early if you plan to attend one of these conventions and want to avoid taking taxis every day or renting a car.

The Venetian is located in the central strip area and is conveniently located close to the shopping center if you need to pick up a few things. There are at least five other large casinos either across the street or next door to the Venetian. This is one of the better places to stay both from a location perspective as well as a venue perspective.

There is always something to do in Las Vegas and one of them is to enjoy one of the many fine restaurants. Dine in one of the outdoor restaurants along the strip. The Venetian at Night provides a wonderful backdrop to the strip where you can dine on a really nice meal and at the same time watch the throngs of people go by. Even if you do not play the slots or the tables, there is a lot to take in when you come to Las Vegas.

 This picture shows the Fashion Show Mall – Las Vegas at night with the giant saucer in the foreground along the Las Vegas strip. You definitely cannot miss this landmark along the strip. It is located across the street from the Wynn  Hotel on one corner. Treasure Island or TI as it is now called is on the other corner. There are well over two hundred stores in this mall along with a food court on the third floor. It has a combination of high-end stores as well as stores for the average person. Customers should watch for sales that are on from time to time. You probably will not save a lot of money making purchases in this mall, however, you certainly can find gifts to take home to the family. This is a huge mall and has something for everyone.

Fashion Show Mall – Apple Store

Most guys are not interested in shopping, however, this is one mall that I visit every trip I  make to Las Vegas. The draw is really two stores. I like to go to the Apple Store and also to a Gadget store, called Brookstone. Both stores are worth visiting for different reasons and can take an hour or two of your time. It is a good walk as well and then I grab an inexpensive lunch at the third-floor food court which has a complete set of all of the popular fast food restaurants with the exception of Mcdonald’s.

The Fashion Show Mall was updated significantly a few years ago with the giant saucer added and a large extension added to handle more stores. During conventions, it is often quite busy and it is within easy access from many of the casinos located in the central part of the Las Vegas Strip. It is well worth the visit even if it is just for a couple of hours.

For more stories and information about Las Vegas, click here.

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This picture shows the Mirage hotel at night from across the street in front of the Venetian. The Mirage Casino – Las Vegas is a beautiful site and has a volcano that erupts at night! In the picture, you can see the waterfall on the left of the picture. This is the location where the flames erupt into the air. You can actually feel the heat from the volcano when it erupts. Even from across the street which is over 200 feet away at least. The flames erupt into the air as well as run down the sides of the mountain and into the water pool at the bottom of the waterfalls. It is a show that everyone should see and enjoy for free.

Mirage Casino – Las Vegas – A Volcano

The erupting volcano at the Mirage Hotel is quite the spectacle and it is also free to anyone who happens to be outside in front of the hotel at the time. It is one of the attractions that we recommend you see while in Las Vegas and it is worth a walk into the hotel as well to view the aquarium in the lobby, the pool at the back of the hotel, and the casino itself.

The Mirage Hotel and casino is one of the hotels designed and built by Steve Wynn. He went on to build Treasure Island and the Bellagio before selling it to the MGM Group and then going on to build the Wynn Casino and Hotel which is his flagship hotel and the best hotel in Las Vegas as far as the writer is concerned.

There are many things that are free in Las Vegas to see at almost every hotel. For first-time visitors, the elegance, the size, and the free shows and exhibits will take all of your time. don’t forget to go for a nice meal and take in a show while in Las Vegas as well. Some of these shows can be spectacular.

Shanghai Reds has been in Palm Springs for the past 15 years and is a must place to visit ! Located on Indian Canyon road behind the fish market restaurant, you might never know it was there unless someone told you about it. For some people it reminds them of a bar in Shanghai while for others it reminds them a small bar in the heart of Mexico. This is not a large restaurant and sometimes you cannot get a seat for a short time. But be patient or just get their early. They also have entertainment some nights. If interested you will want to ask at the bar which nights they have entertainment.

Shanghai Reds – Seafood

Their seafood comes from the fish market restaurant next door and all of the food is fantastic. We had fish tacos the last time we visited and they were the best we ever had. They also serve free hot garlic bread to all of their customers sitting at the bar! This is a must place to visit. It is also Zagat rated and they deserve it! this is a place we really enjoy and will be going back many times in the near future.

We find sitting at the bar to be the most entertaining. Not only can you watch the cooks prepare various orders, you can chat with other patrons. Pretty much everyone is on vacation and looking to have an enjoyable time. They like to meet people from different parts of the continent and learn about other bars and restaurants that are good to go to on the Palm Springs area.

The cooks are very busy. We find it amazing how the put out so much food in a small space that is also so good. Many people like to sit outside, however it is much more interesting sitting inside at the bar. You have to go early in order to get a good seat.

This picture is the Mirage Casino Waterfalls – Las Vegas . A beautiful scene at the front of the hotel along the Las Vegas strip. This volcanic waterfall and tropical garden extends for an entire city block in front of the Mirage casino and is a great place for many people to take pictures and enjoy the scenery. At night, weather permitting, the volcano erupts spewing flames over 100 feet into the air in front of the hotel and thousands of people gather to watch this fantastic display. The heat from the volcano can be felt from across the street which gives it a sense of realism you may not receive from other displays.

Mirage Casino Waterfalls – Volcano

If you cannot visit a real volcano on a tropical island somewhere, go to Las Vegas. Visit the Mirage Casino and hotel to see a scaled down version of the same thing. Continuing with the theme, there is an aquarium that extends for the entire check in counter full of fish. This aquarium is so large that divers put on wet suits to get into the aquarium to clean it. They look after the many species of fish that exist in the aquarium.

The Mirage Casino and hotel is certainly a place to visit if you are just passing through or to stay at. Guests of the hotel can enjoy a wonderful pool with waterfalls and slides and a pool side restaurant. We try to have breakfast there at least once each time we visit.

This picture shows the Mirage Water Landscape – Las Vegas at the front of the hotel. This water landscape is a huge area covering several acres in front of the hotel. It is along the strip that includes a volcano. At night the volcano will erupt every 30 minutes. Flames belch out of the top of the volcano and run down the sides of the miniature mountain. This is a free show that really everyone can view and enjoy.

The only time that the volcano does not operate is during days when the wind is high and there is some potential for scattering the flames. These flames are so hot that you can feel the heat from across the street which is over 150 feet away. While watching the volcano erupt pay attention to the people around you and protect your wallet or purse. It is crowded and a perfect place for someone to remove something from your person.

Mirage Water landscape – Daytime

During the day this water landscape at the Mirage is a wonderful spot to enjoy and view. Thousands of people take pictures of this area every day of their friends and loved ones with the Mirage Hotel water landscape in the background. It really does make a wonderful backdrop to a picture and people will wonder if you are actually in the desert or on some tropical island somewhere.

The pool at the back of the hotel is another water landscape that guests can enjoy while lounging around the pool. Complete with a tropical paradise and waterfalls, this is another great place to visit. There is a drink service on the pool deck and there is also a bar service as well. Nothing better than lounging by the pool, enjoying the scenery, the sun, and a great tropical drink.

There is also a dolphin habitat that visitors can visit behind the pool. The volcano, the pool area, the outdoor restaurants, and the dolphin habitat are all part of the Mirage Water landscape in a tropical setting.

Ottawa Topcharts (@otta_twopcharts) 4/5/13, 11:07 AM Your Topcharts stats for March. New followers: 41, new tweets: 134. Check your ranking here: http://t.co/zaGiaAHPt8 Ottawa Topcharts (@otta_topcharts) 3/5/13, 12:10 PM Your Topcharts stats for February. The point of this post is that you can follow how much traffic you are getting from Twitter, how many tweets you send, how many followers, etc. I still have not figured out if this information is actually useful or not and whether it is worthwhile even having this post. Appreciate any comments you might have on this subject or whether Ottawa Twopcharts provides a good service or not.

Ottawa Topcharts

New followers: 23, new tweets: 117. Check your ranking here: http://t.co/zaGiaAHPt8 Ottawa Topcharts (@otta_topcharts) 2/5/13, 12:10 PM You have gained 15 new followers and finished #2,945 in January in the Ottawa Topcharts.

Check it out here: http://t.co/rouzwn9 Ottawa Topcharts (@otta_topcharts) 1/21/13, 11:10 AM Your mid-month stats in the Ottawa Topcharts: new followers: 11, new tweets: 73, position #2,805: http://t.co/rouzwn9 Sent with Twitter for iPhone

They used to send this tweet every week, however, in the past month, the tweets have stopped. I guess the guy decided that he was not making any money off the business and decided to stop the service. How do you make money on Twitter is a big question which I have not figured out.

The only way it can be useful is if you tweet links to your website posts and then people see this and come to your site for information. Otherwise, the stats are not useful at all. I regularly tweet a link to posts randomly selected from this blog to Twitter and I get a few likes, links, and retweets. does this do any good or does it bring in any revenue? It is difficult to tell from the stats that I have at the moment. Will have to dig into this more before I spend any more money on this.

For more general posts, click here.

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The Arias trial has been going on for many weeks and if there was ever an x-rated trial this has to be the one. It is a shame that she is probably going to get away with pre- meditated murder. Because the jury is confused. She is young and an attractive white women. Not many people can give someone like this the death penalty! Although this picture does not do her justice, with a little makeup she is quite attractive and has a nice figure. Who could convict this innocent looking, slightly built women of murder?

Well she eventually got convicted of murder. But the jury could not agree on whether she should be given the death penalty.  Apparently there were four people who could not vote for the death penalty. This is a sad day in our opinion when such a sophisticated liar who admitted to killing her boyfriend should get off because someone does not agree with the death penalty.

Arias Trial and Future Boyfriends

I really pity the poor guy that meets up with Jodi Arias when and if she eventually gets out of jail. She obviously has anger issues and she has control issues. If she is rejected or does not get her way, then someone is going to pay big time. The poor guy that gets tired of her or does not spend enough money on her, is probably going to pay with his life.

Even in jail she will be manipulating the guards and other inmates. She may even cause problems of a serious nature while in jail. Maybe she will not get out for a very long time. We can only hope so. If she does actually have good behavior, she may be paroled and look out guys.

For more notorious crimes, click here.

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This picture is of the Wynn Casino and Hotel – Las Vegas took from across the street at the Fashion Show Mall. All of the major intersections now have walkways across the streets to prevent pedestrians from being injured crossing the streets. There is a great deal of traffic. After all these hotels will have up to 5000 rooms. As a result, it also takes a lot of employees to keep these places running. You really do not want to be a pedestrian trying to cross the street in Las Vegas today since not only is there a lot of traffic, the drivers are really aggressive. They will not give pedestrians the right of way when crossing the street.

The Wynn hotel has a small mountain in front of it complete with waterfalls and rushing streams and ponds. This is the ultimate in water landscapes due to the size and complexity of this work of art. That is really what it is because at night there is a lake that is in the back of the mountain facing the restaurants. They run a water show that is free to everyone watching. It is really a wonderful show and enhances your dining experience. We have seen it and it is definitely worth seeing.

Wynn Casino and Hotel – Rooms

The rooms at the Wynn hotel are really nice with push-button controls to run everything including the comfort of your bed. Open and close the drapes and blinds, turn the lights on and off and of course, the TV is also controlled by this same remote. The room is well appointed with everything that will contribute to your needs while at the hotel. The Wynn Las Vegas room comes with leather couches. Also a beautiful desk and a fantastic view regardless of which side of the hotel you are on.

One side of the Wynn Hotel faces west towards the strip and the mountains. While the other faces east overlooking the golf course and the mountains to the east. Beautiful views regardless of which way you look.

This is a list of great places to eat in Palm Springs.  Most of these restaurants have happy hour Palm Springs deals. Try them and let us know! Many visitors to Palm Springs only go out for happy hour and avoid the more, expensive main courses. It is also a great way to try out a restaurant to find out what the food is like and also the service. If you enjoy the experience you can always go back for happy hour or for a main course. A great way to try out and then go back if you like it. All of these places are found by using Google with the name of the restaurant and the city indicated.

Happy Hour Palm Springs

– The Polish/Soda combo @ Costco. $1.49, 21 yrs & counting… In Rancho Mirage
– In town?? A slice @ Bill’s Pizza on La Plaza with a window shopping stroll to walk it off. In Palm Springs

– Happy Hour bar menu at LuLu on S. Palm Canyon In Palm Springs

– Happy hour at Matchbox is good too as is Geuseppe’s. Early Bird menus there. In Palm Springs

– And Grind Burger has a happy hour menu… real good. In Palm Springs

– Appetizer dinner on the patio during Happy Hour at Wang’s is cheap and good. In Palm Springs

– Ruben and Ozzy’s. Fish taco, shrimp taco, and Pacifico beer, $11. In Palm Springs

– We like the cafe at the Camelot and Rick’s Grill for okay and inexpensive dinner . Just looking for a change tonight.

– Rick’s Desert Grill or don’t laugh, either the Fish & Chips or Cobb Salad at Billy Reeds. And my new fave is the sole at Twin Palms. (All in Palm Springs)

– NEW FORTUNE is good Chinese in Cathedral City across from Trader Joe’s and below Elevations.

More Great Restaurants

– Soup and half a sandwich at Manhattan In The Desert. And if you’re like me you have leftover meat to make another sandwich later. (They’ll even give you the extra bread if you ask nice.) In Palm Springs

– John’s Diner… SO GOOD and SO GUILTY!!! In Palm Springs

– Guacamoles on Sunrise at Ramon. In Palm Springs

– Also Villa Bakery….atmosphere way lacking but good authentic food and bakery goods. In Palm Springs.

– Actually Native Foods and Palm Greens Cafe are reasonable too. In Palm Springs

– Happy Hour at THE FALLS & CASA de FRIDA! In Palm Springs

– Lulu, and Mario’s. In Palm Springs

– Jiao, or El Mirasol In Palm Springs

– The new Greek place in LaPlaza ! (Greek Islands Cafe) In Palm Springs

– Natures health food store makes great meals all for under 10.00. In Palm Springs

– Chipolte….healthy,filling, 2 can eat for 17.00 In Palm Springs

– I really liked Jiao, but don’t know that I’d qualify it as “cheap eats”. Looking forward to their Sunday dim sum menu soon.

– Been curious about Ruben & Ozzy’s too. (Right now if I’m in the mood for something on the half-shell..it’s Zin or Shanghai Red’s.) In Palm Springs

– Fish taco plate at Fisherman’s Market too. Lunch $8. In Palm Springs

– I keep forgetting Ruben and Ozzy’s. Maybe tomorrow night, giving up on the hour and a half wait Birba.

– Love, love, love RUBEN & OZZY’S…everything is delicious & reasonably priced + happy hour menu after 8:00pm:-) They’re open for lunch, too!

Inexpensive Eateries

– My favorite inexpensive eateries – John’s for American food, El Taco Asado for Mexican, China King for Chinese. Plus all kinds of great happy hours downtown and uptown! (I don’t drink very often as my husband said it is not appropriate for me to dance on tables anymore…) In Palm Springs

– I always forget about El Taco Asado. I understand they are owned by the same folks who own Talaquepaque? Do you know if they do dinner too? I only think of them at lunch time. In Palm Springs

– The Taco shop on Sunny Dunes corner of Palo Fiero. I think it’s called Talaquepaque. In Palm Springs

– Oh yes dinner too. I only eat meat occasionally but try the carnitas nachos. I want to live in a big plate of those!

– Also Dehli Palace has a great buffet and under 10.00 during the week and I think 12.95 on the weekends. In Palm Springs

– Don and Sweet Sue on Ramon in Cathedral City along with Michael’s Cafe on Date Palm at Gerald Ford

– Cafe Italia (N Palm Canyon at Racquet Club) is a good bargain too.

For more information about Palm Springs Restaurants and also happy hour in Palm Springs, click here.

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The Palazzo – Las Vegas is shown in this picture from across the street at the Fashion Show Mall. The Venetian can be seen in the background. This is a really huge complex with two towers both in the range of 3000 rooms. Also a shopping center on the 2nd floor in the area running between the two towers. In addition, since this is based in Venice, there are gondola rides on the water canals outside the hotel. Also inside the hotel on the second floor among the shops.

Take a ride and be serenaded by one of the little boat operators dressed in the traditional garb of Venice. The Palazzo and the Venetian are sister hotels with the Palazzo being the newer of the two. The rooms have the same basic design. However, the rooms at the Palazzo will be a bit larger than those at the older Venetian.

Palazzo – Las Vegas – Venetian

In both casinos, there is one in each tower, the Palazzo casino, and the Venation Casino along with many fine restaurants and entertainment areas. This complex is also connected to the giant Sands Exposition center at the rear of the hotel and many conference attendees will stay in one of these hotels while attending a conference at the Sands Convention Center. It is convenient and relatively close given the size of these giant complexes.

This is a very large complex, like many of the Las Vegas vacation destinations and visitors should also wear really comfortable shoes for all of the walking, that will be involved when you go to Vegas.

This picture was taken from the Wynn hotel’s front near the street showing the TI or Treasure island hotel in the background. The foreground shows a pond and shoreline of a small stream at the Wynn hotel. Just beyond this are to the left is what is supposed to be a mountain waterfall. The pond and waterfall are both on the Wynn hotel and casino property. TI – Treasure Island – Las Vegas is across the street and is approximately 3000 rooms with all of the standard attributes. There are many restaurants to try out and they also have a very nice pool. Friends of ours recently stayed at TI – Treasure Island. They were blown away by how nice it was, the pool and the clubs that they went to. They thoroughly enjoyed their time at TI – Treasure Island.

TI – Treasure Island – Pirate Show

One of the things that really stands out at the TI – Las Vegas is the pirate show that is held several times a day. Show times are posted in front of the hotel along the sidewalk. This pirate show at TI – Las Vegas is free to everyone and includes cannon fire, flames and pirate diving into the water. One of the ships actually sinks! The only time the show is not on is during windy conditions which could cause problems with the show.

Note that the pirate show was under construction the last time we were in Vegas in 2014 and may not be in operation. We welcome updates to this blog and will update this post accordingly next time we are in Las Vegas.

Ti – Las Vegas has been rebranded from the former Treasure Island casino. It was built by Steve Wynn, who also built the Mirage and the Bellagio. They were all sold to MGM properties who later sold the Treasure Island to another buyer. Steve Wynn went on to build the Wynn hotel and casino and hotel which is by far one of the nicest hotels in Vegas.

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These mountain waterfalls at the front of the Wynn  Hotel in Las Vegas hotel provide a beautiful backdrop for many pictures. These Wynn waterfalls also extend around the mountain. They provide beautiful restaurant settings for diners at the Wynn hotel and casino. Imagine sitting beside a quiet pool of water with a small mountain in the distance. A waterfall cascades down the side of the mountain into a lake while you enjoy your dinner in a fine dining restaurant with your partner. You can do this at the Wynn Hotel and also be entertained at the same time. This was one of the most memorable evenings we spent in Las Vegas!

Restaurants at the Wynn

The restaurant I  am describing is located just off the lobby downstairs actually under the lobby area. One night my wife and I had a really fantastic dinner in just such a setting with entertainment as well. The mountain lake was lit up with various shimmering colors. A mermaid came up out of the water along with multi-colored shimmering balls to entertain us. It was truly mesmerizing. This was included with our meal and provided lots of conversation topics while we enjoyed dinner. Every hotel updates its restaurants and overall decor from time to time, so it may have changed since we were there. Check the hotel’s main site for updates.

If you have not visited the Wynn, I suggest you do so even if it is just to take pictures and take in the scenery at the hotel and the casino. Don’t forget the championship golf course at the back of the hotel as well. The 19th hole is a spectacular bar that you just have to visit even if it is just to look. Everything about the hotel speaks elegance!

Consumers looking for CPAP supplies may want to compare both online prices as well as prices at a full service medical store. We have found that there are many web sites offering CPAP supplies online. The prices appear to be pretty good. They suggest that they have deeply discounted prices and are much cheaper than full service stores. As with all products that you purchase whether it is online or from a regular store, the price is only part of the story.

Consumers who take the time will know that price is a large factor, but so is the quality of the item that you are purchasing. Another factor to consider is the level of service that you receive and how important that is to each person. Each person applies their own level of priorities to each factor when making their own personal decision. Finally another set of factors is shipping cost if you order online and the taxes that you pay.

What CPAP Supplies Do You Need

Your CPAP machine should be fine for many years so we will assume that the machine itself does not need repairs etc. The other components that may be needed from time to time include the following:

• CPAP connector hose
• CPAP hose attaching the mask to the main hose
• Mask for CPAP
• CPAP straps
• CPAP filters
• Distilled water

Consumers should really use distilled purified water in their machines for several reasons. First the water is pure and all impurities have been removed. This includes calcium and also chlorine which you really do not want to ingest into your lungs. The distilled water is used in the humidifier section of the machine and keeps your nasal passages and throat from drying out while sleeping. If consumers were to use tap water in this humidifier, calcium deposits would also build up in the humidifier after a short time as well making cleaning more difficult.

Why Do I Have to Replace These CPAP Supplies

The answer is that you do not have to replace them until they start to deteriorate. As the plastic and rubber ages, cracks will from in the hoses and also the mask allowing air to escape and making it difficult for the machine to maintain the proper pressure. In addition the sound of the air escaping may also be annoying as well.

Oils from your skin and any makeup or aftershave can also cause the rubbers to deteriorate over time as well. Regular cleaning will help to remove these oils and protect the accessories. Consumers using these machines should always make sure their face is clean and clear of all oils and makeup before using the mask. The mask should be cleaned with warm water and mild soap every day after you get up to avoid buildup of these oils on the mask. In addition this will also ensure that the mask and hoses do not begin to smell. In addition the hoses and straps should be washed once a week in the same manner.

By applying this cleaning regime on a daily and weekly basis your CPAP accessories should last six to 12 months with no problems. Some will last much longer depending on the level of care provided by the user.

Why Wait Until You Have an Emergency

Most people wait until something breaks and then they repair it or replace the item as needed. Your CPAP machine is really helping you sleep much better. In addition also avoiding potential strokes and heart attacks. Why would you wait to replace an item until it breaks? Once your accessories are six months or more old, why would you not at least purchase the CPAP supplies you need and keep them in a safe place until they are needed?

Another reason for taking this approach is to ensure that you also have these accessories with you while traveling. It may not be as easy to find a CPAP supplies store when you were traveling so why not buy your supplies in advance to ensure that you have everything you need while traveling.

CPAP supplies can be purchased online and also in stores. Advice and service support are also important attributes to consider when purchasing your supplies. For more information about CPAP supplies, click here.

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Casinos have pretty much entered every state and province in North America. The only places where there are not casinos at this time are the states of Utah and Texas. We believe that every other state in the US now has casinos of some size. They vary a great deal in terms of size. Hotels are attached to  nearby  amenities. They are offered as part of the package. Most are run by local state or provincial governments or Indian bands. There are a few locations such as Las Vegas, Laughlin, Biloxi and Atlantic city where there are concentrations of casinos.

Major Locations

The major casino locations are as follows based on numbers of casinos operating in close proximity:

• Las Vegas, NV
• Tunica, MS
• Atlantic City, NJ
• Laughlin, NV
• Biloxi, MS
• Detroit, MI and Windsor, Canada
• Niagara Falls, Canada and the State of New York

All other casino locations are single casinos or perhaps with two or three casinos in the general area.  Some states and provinces will actually have many casinos such as Ontario, Canada.  There is only one casino per city. Most government run casinos are not very competitive. They are not interested in introducing competition into a city.

The list of casino locations above, are the mega places that attract gamblers from across the country every year. Las Vegas, Tunica, Atlantic City and Laughlin have concentrations of casinos that allow patrons to walk from casino to casino. Biloxi, Detroit, Windsor and Niagara Falls require patrons to get into their cars to get from one casino to another. Detroit – Windsor and Niagara falls require patrons to actually have to cross the border. This is is not very interesting for many gamblers.

Casino Locations – Las Vegas

Las Vegas is by far the mega gambling power house with over 100,000 hotel rooms available. Many millions of customers coming to the city every year to see excellent shows, partake in excellent dining and gamble. Atlantic city until recently was another hot spot with many people coming to the area. They enjoy the beaches as well as gamble and enjoy the fine dining and entertainment. The recent mega storm that went through the area caused a lot of damage. It will take them a few years to repair all of the damage.

Laughlin is along the Colorado River in southern Nevada and has about 10 casinos. It is one of the nicest casino locations. You can relax, enjoy gambling and fine dining with mid range entertainment. There are also several casinos that require patrons to get into their cars to drive to.

Biloxi used to have many small casinos; however it is still recovering from hurricane Katrina. They are now operating. This is a great place to enjoy the beaches . Also the sun along the cost of the Golf of Mexico in the state of Mississippi.

Windsor and Detroit have competing casinos now with several on the Detroit side. They are really stand alone casinos. We included them as a cluster due to their proximity.

For more information about casinos around the continent, refer to our directory. Select the location you are interested in for a list of casinos, their size, hotel and restaurant information.

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Puerto Vallarta resorts are pretty much just like other resorts all over the world. Some are very modern and up to date, while others bring a sense of old world charm. Some resorts are in secluded areas, that are hard to get to but when you do there is a huge appreciation for the privacy and enjoyment they offer. Be careful of old world charm locations since this could mean that the amenities are not up to par with what you may expect from North American standards perspective. Before you book read the comments and if possible talk to people who have been there.

Puerto Vallarta Resorts – Beach Front Access

The majority of Puerto Vallarta resorts are located along the coast with beach front access for everything from swimming, snorkeling, fishing and boating. One of the neat things about staying at a resort in Puerto Vallarta along the ocean is that you can have a massage on the beach with the wind blowing off the ocean and a beautiful view of the boats, the waves and even the odd hump back whale that may surface.

Resorts in Puerto Vallarta include hotel style resorts as well as condo style resorts. Condo style resorts provide an opportunity to cook your own meals and live almost as if you were at home. Many people will eat out for breakfast, eat in for lunch have a siesta and then head out for a nice meal in the evening.

Hotel Resorts in the City

We have visited several hotel resorts in the city. We found wide variations in the amenities and the rooms as well. One hotel in downtown had a very small roof top pool, a rickety elevator and the rooms were dark and dingy. This was a quiet place with not a lot going on in the hotel. Unfortunately it was also right beside a bus route which was convenient if you are taking the bus but terribly noisy until 10:30 at night when the buses stopped running.

Another resort, a little away from down town, on the beach boasted several pools, with activities in the pool during the day and events at night on the beach. This was an interesting place if you enjoy lots of people and want to be right on the beach. Location means a lot and in this case you could walk on the beach all the way down town.

There is lots to do in Puerto Vallarta. If you get tired of the resort, just head down to the malecon in old town Puerto Vallarta. There is something going on every night. There may be entertainment, markets, dancing and even fireworks from time to time. Many people love to watch the sunset from downtown Puerto Vallarta on the malecon.

For more posts about taking a vacation in Puerto Vallarta, click here.

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We have been fortunate to eat at Louie’s Restaurant in Ottawa several times with friends and each time we were pleased with both the service, the food and the prices. Louie’s is a local Ottawa restaurant in a location that is semi industrial and retail with several big box stores nearby. We actually had a difficult time to find the restaurant the first time. We were meeting several couples at the restaurant and were 30 minutes late. Fortunately, they waited for us before ordering.

They have ice cold beer and they keep their white wine cold as well. We ordered several different kinds of pizza which we all enjoy very much. The restaurants has never been busy when I have been there, however, our friends have told us that it is often very busy when they are eating there.

Louie’s Restaurant – Great Pizza

We have only had pizza at this restaurant; however, they carry a full menu and can seat many people as the picture shows. There is another separate room which is more suitable for groups of people who want to celebrate a special occasion.

From the outside, it does not look like much. There is an outside patio that faces onto the parking lot for use in the summer time. We have never used the patio. The staff is friendly and provide great service. This is the kind of restaurant that provides good food at reasonable prices and one to visit for this purpose.

Many people prefer downtown and more upscale locations. This restaurant is a great little place to spend an evening. Enjoy a nice meal away from the hustle and bustle of downtown. Now that I know how to get to Louie’s restaurant just 3 minutes off the 417 exit at Innes Rd. It is on the South side of Cyrville, before the Home Depot Cyrville Rd.

For more information about Canada’s capital city, click here.

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Rafting tours are starting up in the spring. With the snow melt in the mountains there will be some really wild white water rafting tours available. For those people who love the thrill of the white water trips down the rivers there is lots to choose from. There are basically two types of trips that many people will go on to satisfy their thirst for thrills and fun. Before you decide, check for safety concerns and match your experience and physical capabilities to the type of tour you are planning to take.

High Intensity Rafting Tours

The first is the high intensity white water rafting tours that provide thrilling rides down fast flowing rivers . There are lots of rapids that twist and turn around embedded rocks in the river. These types of tours are usually in the spring. Especially when the river flows are at their maximum and rafting guides are geared up for these thrilling and challenging rides.

Mild Rafting Tours

The second type of rafting tour is when the water flows have calmed down, the weather is mild or even hot in the summer time and river tours can take the time to enjoy the scenery and maybe even go swimming in warmer waters between the rapids. There still are rapids to go through, but these are much more calm compared to the spring run off or even the fall tours which have more water due to the additional rain we receive in the fall. You can actually enjoy the scenery while you are floating down the river in these calm stretches.

Beware of Unusual Flows

Occasionally there are large storms in the area that feed these rivers were rafting tours take place. This extra run off may only last for a day or so. However if you are fortunate enough to time your trip with one of these summer storms, operators can provide a truly thrilling ride. Always go with an expert guide. One who is familiar with the river to ensure a safe and fun ride when white water rafting.

At times water management control groups will release water from behind dams to lower the water level. This can be spontaneous and provide for really great white water. If you are not prepared for this situation, it can also be quite dangerous. If there is a warning about water lowering at the dam, take them seriously and avoid the area. It could mean the difference between your life and not living.

Match Your Rafting Tour to Your Family

Select the best time to go on your rafting tour based on your experience level. Also swimming abilities and comfort level with the challenges of the various classes of river rapids. Talk to your tour guide to find out what the best fit would be for you own experience and skill level. If you are looking for thrills then you may want a high intensity rafting tour. While on the other hand if the whole family is coming along, you may want something that is would be more enjoyable for those not looking for a thrill.

Steve Wynn started with the Mirage, then designed the Bellagio, and then moved on to the Wynn casino and hotel! On the way, he also added the Treasure island hotel which is now called TI. He sold them all to MGM and used the money he gained from the sale to build the Wynn hotel in Las Vegas. Also to fund the construction of hotels in Asia. Whatever Steve Wynn is involved in, you know that it is going to be elegant and top-notch in just about everything. He is an admitted perfectionist. It shows in everything he does. He is said to be a taskmaster but then he does deliver results. He has the imagination to deliver something that attracts tourists from all over the world to his hotels and casinos.

Wynn Casino Gardens – Great for Pictures

The Wynn hotel is the ultimate in sophistication and beauty. Just take a look at this picture of the gardens just off the casino floor! What a beautiful scene! Many people pose for pictures every day in this area. At the end of this walkway, there is a nice quiet bar you can enjoy. While meeting friends or business associates. All of the bars are a bit pricey. But if you have to ask about the price you probably cannot afford the price of the drinks.

We have even seen several movie sets to set up in this area of the casino floor. Visitors get a chance to see just how long it takes to get a shot. How many takes and practice shots are needed and best of all you sometimes get to see your favorite actors. This is also a great area to people-watch. From other tourists to sometimes very famous people. They are interesting to watch as they stroll by or play at a slot machine.

At the very least when you are in Vegas, whether you are staying at the Wynn hotel or not, take the time to tour the property. You will not be disappointed.

The Montecarlo Casino and hotel in Las Vegas is a great place to bring the family and also adults as well. One of the nice things about this hotel is the Montecarlo Pool – Las Vegas area which is available to all guests staying at the hotel. The pool area includes a wave pool, a sandy beach, a beach volleyball court, and a river to float along on a raft. Also, a regular pool to spend time at while staying at the Montecarlo casino. This particular picture was taken from the deck of the Tram that runs from the Montecarlo all the way to the Bellagio Hotel stopping along the way at the Aria Casino and hotel. They are all owned by MGM Casinos.

Montecarlo Pool – Las Vegas – Food Court

Another great feature about the Montecarlo hotel in addition to the pool area is that they have a small fast food court which is excellent for families or anyone really who is vacationing on a budget. We all want to eat at a nice restaurant at least once while in Vegas, however, the rest of the time fast food is fine. They have a Starbucks, McDonald’s, Subway, and a pizza place to choose from. A note about Starbucks, coffee is going to cost you $3.00 for the same thing you would get at a regular Starbucks for $1.75. That is the hotel adding its the price on. as far as we could tell MacDonald’s coffee is the same price and is actually pretty good these days.

We ate at a restaurant called D.Vino’s in Montecarlo. We would not recommend this place to anyone. The Caesar salad was not good, the romaine looked old and the main courses were really tasteless.  The fish smelled fishy, the pasta was actually tough and the pizza had no taste whatsoever. We mentioned this to the maitre’d. Although they were going to tell the chef, they did not offer us anything other than they could redo it. Don’t waste your money, there are lots of other places to try that are much better.

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There is a tram that runs from the Montecarlo casino to the city center Aria casino and then on to the Bellagio casino. This Tram from Montecarlo shown in the pictures is fully automated , very clean and safe and is air conditioned. It can be a bit of a walk to get to the stations, but it is much faster and comfortable than walking along the strip! In most cases you need to walk through the casino to the back of the hotel to catch the tram. We snapped these pictures while waiting at the Bellagio hotel station. In nice weather, walking the strip is fine. However when it gets really hot in Vegas during the summer, take the tram!

Regardless of were you are staying in Vegas, you are going to be doing a lot of walking. The Tram from Montecarlo and the Bellagio is a good way to get from one place to another. However you still have a long walk from the Vegas strip to the tram loading station. We have always wondered why they make you walk a lot like this. We think there are really two reasons. One is that the casinos are really large, much larger than what many people expect and you just have to walk a long way to get through them.

The other reason is that they want you to walk through the casino on your way to your room. The restaurants, the shows and of course the Tram are on the way. There is a good chance that you might drop a $20 in a slot machine or even more. The casinos will use everything they can to get people to do a little gambling. Once you start, it is difficult to stop and that is what they are counting on.

The Bellagio casino and hotel always have some of the best flower arrangements and designs in the world. Visitors can spend hours admiring the Bellagio garden and still not take it all in. This is also a great place to have your picture taken with your friends and loved ones.  The Bellagio garden is located just off the main lobby of the hotel. It is a very popular place for many people to enjoy. There is always the latest scenery that has been created by the artists. Many hours are spent building these beautiful arrangements and maintaining these beautiful flowers. As the flowers fade, more are brought in to replace them.

Bellagio Garden – Las Vegas

The garden is constantly updated to reflect the season or the celebration of the year. At thanksgiving for example there will be a horn of plenty, while at Easter there will be a theme that is interesting to this religious time of the year. All of the flowers are real and in pots. They are kept fresh daily and watered to maintain their optimum beauty and freshness. There is a team of people who are constantly trimming flowers, updating and replacing the flowers to keep everything at maximum beauty.

Sometimes this area is so busy it can actually be difficult to get the picture that you want. We find the best time is early afternoon, and early morning as well before the crowds start. Most people stroll through admiring the flowers and the overall design and then head on to their rooms or to the casino. This is one of the free things you can do in Las Vegas and it is one of the must-see things to do while you are staying in Las Vegas!

While you are in the Bellagio, take a minute to stroll across the valet parking to the fountain on the other side. Here you will have a birds-eye view of Bellagio lake and the fountains that operate. They are choreographed with music and play every 20 minutes or so.

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Riccio’s restaurant is in the uptown area of Palm Springs at the corner of Palm Canyon road and Alejho. They offer a $28 special which includes a salad, main course, and dessert.

I had a Caesar salad, petite filet with baked potatoes and vegetables. The service was excellent and the food also. I had a red house wine, Cabernet, for $6 which was very good.

We dined with friends on a warm spring night in Palm Springs, probably around 80 degrees F, in shorts and T-shirts. A very comfortable evening in a town that offers a great deal to do. There are many restaurants to choose from, so many in fact that you might not revisit the same restaurant twice in a season unless you found one that you really enjoyed. This restaurant, Riccio’s in Palm Springs could be one of them!

Riccio’s Restaurant

Check them out if you are in the Palm Springs area. We enjoyed our evening very much.
This restaurant provides a choice of indoor dining vs. outdoor dining. We sat outside and enjoyed the warm evening while people watching. The atmosphere was very nice and the service was also excellent. If you’re in town, this is a great place to try out. It is a little north of the main downtown area, so it is a bit quieter than some of the other restaurants. This is just fine in our opinion.

For more restaurants to try in the Palm Springs area, click here.

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NOTE: The California Pizza Kitchen Palm Springs is no longer at this location. As a result we will provide more updates to come, stay turned.

We just got back from the restaurant. It was located on Palm Canyon road, just down the street from Starbucks and the Marilyn Monroe statue. We enjoyed our meal at California Pizza Kitchen Palm Springs very much. We had a Caesar salad and a chicken pasta dish. Very good!

Thursday Night Street Fair

This was on a Thursday night in March with the temperature at 75 degrees! In addition this is the night of the street fair and we sat outside for our a meal. In addition we enjoyed watching people walking up and down the street! The street fair is held every Thursday night. As a result thousands of people come to stroll up and down the street every week in the year.

Moving?

The California Pizza Kitchen is located in the old  mall that has been closed for over 10 years. Fortunately for them they have an outdoor entrance with a patio on the street sidewalk. Unfortunately the mall has been torn down. Hence the restaurant is closed. Subsequently we will provide an update once we hear what is happening to this restaurant.

In addition for more Palm Springs restaurants to try out, click here.

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I have friends who actually brag about how expensive some of their trips are and we believe that they are paying the highest prices for all of their travel plans. We just do not understand why someone would not ask for a discount or actively seek out travel discounts. Some people think that you only get what you pay for and this can be true in many situations, however when it comes to travel, you need to be very careful how much you are paying and what you are receiving in return even if you are paying for a trip that is really expensive.

Our motto is that if you do not ask, you will never get a discount. The worst that can happen is that they say no we will not discount your trip, your hotel reservation etc any further. But many times they will offer 10% or even more off the cost and 10% is far better in my pocket than someone else’s!  Always ask and if they will not offer you anything further then you can decide to accept their initial offer or move on and try another location.

Recently a friend of ours followed this approach on a cruise they had recently booked. They had reserved the cruise about 3 months ago and noticed that prices for the same cruise, room etc had declined. They called and asked their travel agent to follow up. Unfortunately they had to be a little bit pushy with the agent. She did not want to waste her time. Besides the commission would be smaller as well, plus she has to do more paperwork for nothing.

My friend saved $1500 on a two week week trip on a cruise from fort Lauder-dale to Los Angeles via the Panama Canal, Talk about discounts and savings!

Travel Discounts – Always ask

We stay in hotels a great deal and they are by far the best at offering discounts. If you do not get a seniors discount, AAA discounts, group discounts,  a corporate discount etc, then you are paying too much for your hotel room. Always ask for these discounts, the worst they can say is we do not offer any discounts. Compare prices and know what your market should be charging for the travel service that you are receiving. A good example is as follows.

We were checking into a hotel one night with no reservation and were quoted a price $50 higher than what we had previously paid at this hotel and this new price was at least $50 higher than this chain usually charges. Turns out that there was a festival going on and they felt they could charge more due to the increased business. This is perfectly legitimate, but we did not want to pay this higher fee, so we asked if we could use their phone. I called the central reservations number of this chain with the idea of finding another hotel in the same area at a better price.

Imagine my surprise when they quoted me the regular price for the hotel I was standing in at the lower price less discounts for senior rate and triple A. I immediately asked for a reservation and went back to the front desk and checked in. The manager was a little upset, but there was nothing he could do.

Always ask for travel discounts and be prepared to shop around. You will be amazed at how much money you will be able to save!

For more travel related discounts and savings, click here.

These are a few pictures taken from our room at the Encore Hotel. Also of our room on the 30th floor. If you ever get a chance to stay at this luxurious hotel, take it. It is fabulous and top notch in all areas. Of course we loved our stay at the hotel, which is a sister hotel to Wynn.

Both places are really fantastic, extremely clean and modern. However of the two we prefer Wynn, just edging out the Encore by a very small margin.

Encore Hotel – Connected to Wynn

Vegas is a very exciting town to spend your vacation in and staying in a lovely hotel like this one is truly the best way to do it. Note that if you are playing video poker at the bar, you must pay for your drinks, while if you are playing at the slots on the floor, all of the drinks are free as long as you have money in the slot machine and are playing.
Both hotels, the Encore Hotel and the Wynn Hotel are connected by a corridor that runs between the two properties. A collection of high end shops, restaurants and the pool area can be found along this corridor. It is a beautiful place to spend some time, relax and enjoy.

The pictures really do not do justice to the rooms or the hotel. If you are visiting Las Vegas, take the time to visit the Encore Hotel or the Wynn Hotel to see for yourself. For more details about Casinos, click here.

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We recently stayed at the Fairfield Inn in Las Cruces, New Mexico, on our way to California for a three-month stay in Palm Springs, California. We have cruised across Texas, where the speed limits are 80 miles an hour, and were looking for a good place to stay for the night. We decided to try the Fairfield Inn for a change.  They are part of the Marriott chain, and we enjoy the Marriott hotels, so we thought we would try one of their other chains of hotels.

Fairfield Inn – Marriott

The WiFi did not work well. It was slow and unpredictable, and pages took a very long time to loan. I used the internet a great deal while traveling and found it unsatisfactory. Breakfast was ok. They provide a cold breakfast in the same way that many of their competitors do. It met our needs but was nothing to write home about.

The rooms were clean and comfortable; if you just stopped for the night, they met this need very well. Prices were competitive, and for what we were looking for, there was no problem. We went to the Unno restaurant next door for a couple of beers and something to eat. On a scale of 1 to 10, where a Texas Roadhouse is an 8, this restaurant was around a 5. It met our needs, but not a place I would go back to.

Having stayed in this area. I do not think I will return to this particular hotel or even this chain of hotels. There are better choices at the same prices.

For more about locations in New Mexico, click here. Click here for Snowbird articles and posts.

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We recently visited the Three Sixty North Palm Springs restaurant in Palm Springs for happy hour. It had been recommended to us by some people who are staying in the same condominium as we are. We found the prices for happy hour to be on par with most other places in Palm Springs. The food that we had was quite good. We had sliders with caramelized onions. We would have liked something else with them such as the standard mustard and relish. However these are not offered. We also had baby clams which were excellent.

Normally happy hour is only inside around the bar area, however they allowed us to sit in the sidewalk patio area since it was not that busy on the evening we went. They seem to be pretty flexible. The only complaint that I have is that the chairs are not that comfortable. they also had a jazz band playing which was very pleasant to listen to.

Three Sixty North Palm Springs

The following is an excerpt from their website:

One of the valley’s newest restaurant and entertainment venues, Three Sixty North is located on the strip in the heart of downtown Palm Springs, California. Drenched in dark woods, linen, granite, and stacked stone, the atmosphere is comfortable, stylish and relaxed.

THE LOUNGE.
A great place to hang with friends or just shoot the breeze with the friendly bartenders, The Lounge features HDTV’s to watch your favorite sporting events, as well as unique specialty cocktails, fine wines and an enticing, yet varied, selection of appetizers and small plates from $4-$8. With “Happy Hour All The Time”, this is a great place to unwind at the end of your day.

THE RESTAURANT.
Similar to the famous “supper clubs” of the 50’s and 60’s, Three Sixty North reinvents this popular era with live entertainment and dancing every night in our dining room. Enjoy great steaks, chops, seafood, pasta and pizza, along with great specialties from our famous “Little Italy Menu”, all at very affordable prices.

THE ENTERTAINMENT.
Three Sixty North features Live Entertainment Wednesday-Sunday! Enjoy great bands, musicians and singers performing Standards, Jazz, Rhythm and Blues, Pop and more!

For other restaurant locations in Palm Springs, click here.

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The Fashion View Mall in Las Vegas is a must to visit and explore. You cannot miss this mall since it is right on the strip located across the street from the Wynn Hotel, TI and across the corner from the Palazzo Hotel & Casino which is part of the Venation hotel and casino. Located on the strip is a huge saucer like structure that dominates the strip in this area. If you see this saucer, you know you have arrived at the Fashion View Mall in Las Vegas.

The mall is huge with well over 200 stores of all kinds. There are many clothing stores for women and let’s face it is a place for the ladies to shop, but there is something there for the men as well. There are a number of gadget shops which the writer likes to visit every time I am in Vegas. Brookstone is one of my favorite places to spend half an hour in to see what new gadgets they have added to their selection. I also like to sit in one of their comfortable chairs and enjoy a massage.

Fashion View Mall

The other store that draws a lot of people is the Apple Store. I have never been there when there was not a crowd of people in the store. Either making a purchase or talking to a sales associate about some problem that they may have. These guys are great at providing advice. They can help for any issue you might be trying to resolve with your Apple products.

The Fashion View Mall really has something for everyone. If you are looking for an inexpensive place to eat there is a fast food court on the 3^rd level that provides ample seating both indoors and out.

The only complaint that we have is that the music they play on the mall area outdoors is far too loud and repetitive. They could subdue it a little and provide more variety if they want patrons to be attracted to this particular area.

For posts about Las Vegas and area hotels, click here.

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