Travel Blog

Hotels in Belfast & Accommodation:

As befitting a major European destination, a full range of accommodation options are available in Belfast.  We cannot confirm that all of these hotels etc are in fact still in business, so please check each one out separately. Confirm they are open and have the type of  accommodations that you are looking for. Location is also important as well if you want to be near the city center for example or close to one part of the city vs. another. Location is also important from a safety perspective. In any large city, there are areas that are typically better than others. Especially if you like going out for a walk or are dining out in the evenings.

Visitors can chose from cozy, family run bed and breakfast establishments, a variety of self catering options and luxury five star hotels to suit every taste, set of requirements and budget. Check out their web sites and also review comments about each of these locations to make sure that they are at the level in terms of luxury that you are looking for. Comments about each location are important. Check the hotels web site, but also check independent travel sites for comments. Sometimes these will be a little more objective about the location you are interested in. You can also enjoy a little bit of history by picking one of the older historic hotels.

Hotels in Belfast – Dublin

Having stayed in similar hotels in Dublin, we are confident that the accommodations in Belfast will be equally cozy and meet all of your needs. I gained almost 10 pounds in two weeks from all of the fabulous restaurants and pastries that they offer. There were numerous coffee shops with all kinds of pastries to try and it was really difficult to resist them. We enjoyed our time in Dublin Ireland very much and are quite sure that Belfast, Ireland offers the same opportunities to tourists.

There are lots of things to see in Belfast. We have always found that checking with the concierge is a good idea to find out what the best sites to visit are and how much things will cost. If there is a city tour, take the tour and make note of those places that you may wish to return to when you have more time on your own.  City tours are also very good since you will learn about local places and some of the history that abounds almost everywhere. These countries go back many hundreds of years and there is always lots to learn. Tourists can also find out when various venues are open and when there are discounts on entry fees etc.

Hotels in Belfast – List of Hotels

Here is our current list of hotels in Belfast , Ireland.

• Ravenhill Guest House
• The Crescent Townhouse
• Europa Hotel
• The Malone Lodge Hotel
• Tara Lodge
• The Park Avenue Hotel
• The Stormont Hotel
• The Chimney Corner Hotel
• Culloden Hotel
• Days Hotel
• Jurys Inn Belfast
• Ramada Belfast
• Parkview Lodge
• Ten Square

These hotels may change over time due to the economy as well as due to sales and acquisitions. Please check directly with the hotel before making any final plans for your trip. You may also want to confirm the location of the hotel to make sure that it is in the area that you prefer. A final check of past reviews would also be a smart thing to do to confirm that other guests were satisfied with the level of service at the hotel you are planning to stay at.

For more posts about Ireland including both Belfast and Dublin, click here.

This web site is about a series of funny stories and events that have happened to my family over the last few years. Hopefully you will enjoy them as we add a new story from time to time. This particular story is about the time that a family of raccoons found their way into our attic over our living room with the intention of making our attic their home. They only stayed for a short while, however the experience is not something I would want anyone to have to deal with.

Raccoons as we found out are very curious and very smart. They climbed up a 10 foot brick wall on the side of our home onto the garage roof and then pushed up the soffit to gain access to our attic. This is pretty common in urban areas and many people every year have to deal with this kind of situation. In fact over half the houses on our street had the same problem. I did not know this until I had to deal with them and did some research on the topic of raccoons in urban areas.

They raised their young in our attic before we realized what was happening. I started trying to take steps to get them out. I tried loud noise, I tried moth balls, I tried music turned up high . I found all of these solutions on the internet and only one of these work  so don’t waste your time.

I also tried trapping them and this is where it started to get interesting. Picture a humane trap up on our garage roof next to the opening in the soffit were they get into our attic. They cannot miss it and all they have to do is walk inside the trap to get some food and bingo we have a raccoon in a trap!

Trapping Raccoons

Well it turns out that trapping the young ones was no problem. Young children no matter what species do not listen to their parents. They paid the price and found themselves in a new home in the bush. The parents have seen this before and knew enough to not go inside the trap. We put peanut butter, jam, cheese, raw meat, cooked meat and a bunch of other things to entice them into the trap. Not only did they not go in the trap. They would reach through the side of the trap to reach the food and ate almost all of it without setting off the trap!

Well one day, late in the evening, I had just finished having a shower and decided to go outside and see if there was anything inside our trap. It was near dusk and this is typically the time they come out. They are nocturnal and like to hunt for food at night. I had a pair of shorts on, bare feet and no shirt. As I come out side the door of the house is blown shut by the wind and it locked automatically so I cannot get back into the house.

The Raccoon Attacks Me

As I am standing on the front step,  looking up at the trap on the roof, a huge raccoon comes walking around the side of the house across the driveway towards me. He is obviously planning on climbing the wall beside the front step to go back to his nice warm den.

When he sees me , he is half way across the driveway and he is quite surprised as am I. He stops and looks at me for a moment and then stands on his hind feet and hisses at me. Then takes a few steps forward and does it again. He is trying to intimidate me into leaving so he can get to his home.  I am defenseless and standing in my bare feet. What can I do?

Now I am not normally afraid of small animals. However when you are in your bare feet and a raccoon is advancing and hissing at you and they have taken you by surprise , what would you do?

What Do You Do

Well a story I had heard about a guy encountering a bear in the wild came to mind. He made himself as big as possible, waving his arms and making loud noises. The bear thought better of it and decided to back off, as did the guy in the story.  So I decided to try the same thing. I am a lot larger than a raccoon and so I must have looked really big to him. Can you imagine his surprise! He stopped hissing immediately, hesitated for a second while h thought about what he should do next. I hissed again and that was enough for him. He quickly scrambled around the side of the garage, not to be seen again!

I was able to ring the doorbell and get the attention of my wife who came and opened the door. When she heard my story she could not stop laughing at me. What a wimp! No sympathy at all and every time I retell this story, I get lot’s of laughs and guffaws. No one can really believe it.  I tend to act it out a bit as well when I am telling the story so it is funny. Hopefully the written word conveys in your mind a picture of what I felt as that huge raccoon was deciding to attack me or not!

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

One of the great things to do in the Palm Springs area is hiking. There are many trails, most are groomed, but not monitored. Nor do they have guides and maps. The White water canyon area just outside of Palm Springs is different. There are guides and programs that you can take advantage of if you wish or you can just go hiking on your own and follow the trails.

White Water Canyon Location

This location is unique. The mountain water is diverted from the mainstream into 3 large pools of water where rainbow trout are stocked. There are literally hundreds of fish in these pools and they are reserved for fishing by children. Let’s face it there are not many places to fish in the desert.

This is one of the few places you can take your kids to fish and try out a new rod. Note: adults are not allowed to fish and the kids are asked to use barbless hooks so that the fish can be thrown back in without being harmed.

Another neat thing about this area is that there are actually mountain goats in the area. I have only seen them once and this was early in the morning when we arrived. Once it warms up they seem to seek cover from the sun so they are really hard to spot. Early in the morning, they are usually out and about.

Picnic Tables

There are picnic tables for anyone who wants to have a picnic with their families. There is lots of shade as well this is a really nice spot to spend an afternoon away from the heat of the desert. It is usually 10 to 20 degrees cooler in this area because of the elevation.

There is also limited camping in the area. Campers need to reserve a campsite, otherwise it is first come first serve.  There are not many sites so it is a good idea to call ahead. There are also volunteers at the site along with park wardens. They have lots of information about the area.

There is a large topographical map where you can view the roads, and the hiking paths and get an orientation of where you are. When we look at this map we were impressed with just how large the entire area is around the white water canyon and the overall drainage area of this particular stream.

This is one of the locations where you can also link up with the Pacific Coast trail which runs from the Mexican border all the way to Canada. The writer has not hiked on this particular trail, however, many people do every year and enjoy the scenic vistas that it presents. This is really for serious hikers only.

Canyon Formation

The White Water canyon area was formed and is still being formed by water runoff from melting snow caps in the mountains above the canyon as well as storm runoff. Everywhere you look you can see the results of the strong floods that have shaped this area.

These pictures show the wide swath the stream takes when it is at flood stage. At this particular time when we were there, which was Oct, the stream is fairly small and just dealing with snow melt from the nearby mountains.

There are small bridges built across the stream to make crossing easier. In most cases, though you just jump from rock to rock to get across any water areas. The park wardens are constantly monitoring the runoff and will make repairs whenever they are washed away by floods.

For more hiking places to consider, click here.

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We cannot help but be drawn to the Kardashian mess. It is just so outrageous that the news channels and the gossip columns just cannot get enough. They do not even have to make it up , the Kardashians provide it for free. The latest of course is the wedding and the subsequent divorce which is now making the rounds. Lately she is pregnant with another man and still married to Chris Humpfries. The Kardashians are simply white trash who unfortunately made it big.

Kim Kardashian’s Marriage

We think that Saturday Night Live got it right with their skit, when her ex-husband was quoted as saying, ” When you are living in Minnisota and raising kids, you will not need to worry about your reality show and clothes lines” or something to that effect. That line would scare almost any women away, let alone someone like Kim. We do not know if he actually said that or not, probably not. However it is pretty close to reality and something similar probably went through Kim’s mind and she suddenly realized that this marriage was not for her.
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Well, Conrad Murray has been convicted and is currently waiting to be sentenced as we write this post. Many people are rejoicing that the guy who allegedly killed Michael Jackson was convicted and will be punished. Conrad Murray was convicted. He paid the price for someone who refused to get help to deal with his many other issues.

But there really is another issued here that we would like to bring up. The concept for this idea was taken from an impromptu interview that we saw on TV of a fan of Michael Jackson.

Para phrasing, he said that he was happy that Murray was convicted. But he also recognized that Michael Jackson had issues and needed help. As a population we are satisfied that some one has been blamed for his death. For example he will bear the ultimate responsibility.
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There are all kinds of diet plans out including High fiber diets out there. And most make claims that they just cannot deliver. They have lots of disclaimers so even if you wanted to, you would never be successful at making a claim against them. So what about High fiber Diets and weight loss? Is this another fad? We are from the old school that you do not get something for nothing, you need to work at it and you need to exercise some control. That means exercise and watching what you put in your mouth. But what about a high fiber diet, will it help with weight loss?

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There is lots of equipment available to white water enthusiasts and one of the pieces of equipment rafters may want to consider is a rafting dry box. In addition to bags that will keep your gear dry there are also rafting dry boxes. They seal up tight to keep your food, clothing and other gear dry. It is so important to have something you can count on to keep your gear dry if you are staying over night in the forest along a raging river.

Fortunately there are lots of solutions to keep things dry. In an earlier post we discussed Dry Bags and you might want to take a few minutes to read that post as well before you decide that buying a dry box is the solution for you. Both dry boxes and dry bags  have their advantages. However depending on your situation and your raft one solution can be better than another.

Rafting Dry Boxes

A typical dry box that is used by rafting companies and individuals  is shown on the right. This particular one measures 13.5 inches wide by 15 inches  deep by 26 inches long. It is not a large box. However it can store all of your essentials that you need to get your camp site going at night. Besides the larger the box, the more things you will likely take with you. Small is often better!

Even if everything else is wet, emergency matches, flashlights a quick change of clothes can be stored in this box to get you going. Once that fire is going, you can quickly dry out and more importantly get something hot to eat and dry your clothes out. It can be extremely important to have a warm fire at night to avoid hypothermia setting in.

Rafting dry boxes come in a variety of sizes to meet all of your needs and can be tailored to the size of raft and the number of people who you have in your group. Sometimes it is better to have a number of small boxes than one large rafting dry box. They are just easier to carry and certainly not as heavy. Even if you have several small boxes, they will be extremely appreciated at the end of the day.

Bring Your Lunch

Forgot about lunch! You may be only on a day trip with a pick up at the end of the day. You plan to lunch along the river somewhere. If it gets wet, it is going to be a long day and everyone hungry at the end. A dry box packed with your lunch and snacks is the answer for many rafting companies or individual teams.   There is nothing better after a mornings rafting than pulling up along a beach in a bit of calm water  and arranging for a picnic along the river. Make sure that you enjoy yours by being prepared. Use a dry box to pack your lunch and other things in such as electronics, matches and an extra set of clothes.

White water rafting can be a lot of fun. However like many sports, they can easily be ruined if you are not properly prepared and have the right equipment. In this post we have focused on dry boxes. While in an early one we focused on dry bags. Which ever you use, make sure that you have all of the right gear to make your trip enjoyable. Plan your trip in advance including the raft you will use. As well as the gear you take along to be comfortable both on and off the river.

If you have a piece of white water gear that you find particularly useful, why not let our readers know about it. We will even write a post about it if it is something you feel pretty strong about.

History and background

Belfast Waterfront opened for business in 1997 and has played a key role in Belfast’s economic and social development since then. Many jobs were created as part of this development as well as ongoing operation. The city is now recognized as a major European destination for conferencing, culture and business investment. This is the premiere facility in the city with many shows, restaurants and bars coming to the area as a result. This entire area is an example of what can happen when a city follows a revitalization of its core downtown area. It takes commitment by city leaders as well as consumers to make these types of things a success, and the Irish certainly have demonstrated this commitment.

Waterfront Hall – Belfast – What They Offer

They advertise that they are an  award-winning, purpose-built conference, arts and entertainment center offering a variety of facilities including:

• Main Auditorium
• Studio
• 14 meeting rooms
• gallery space
• gift shop
• restaurant
• two bars.

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This a short post to alert hikers to a great place to hike in the Palm Springs area. There are many places to hike, however this is one of my favorites so far to spend a little time. We have gone out to this location White Water Canyon Palm Springs several times over the past years and always enjoy the time spent there.

The best time to go is early in the day, when it is still cool. You do not need to worry about the heat too much. Always make sure you take lots of water with you to avoid any dehydration issues.  Always bring a hat and sun tan lotion. If you plan to go on a serious hike, tell someone were you are going and hike with a partner. Also if you go early in the morning there is a good chance that you will spot a couple of big horn mountain sheep on the surrounding mountains. Twice now we have just missed then after we arrived at 10 in the morning. Get there early if you want to see them live on the mountains.

Hiking in White Water Canyon Palm Springs

We know that everyone is looking for a variety of things to do. Hiking may not be what everyone is looking for. Perhaps you just want to get away from the heat in Palm Springs. Or just want to have a family picnic around under the tree’s. There is lots to do for the day so here is a quick list of the advantages of this particular location in no particular order:

• Well groomed trails which are repaired any time there is a flood
• Several trails to choose from that vary from easy to medium in difficulty
• Maps available for hikers
• Links with Pacific Coast trail
• Camping sites available although there is a limited number and it is encouraged that campers reserve ahead of time
• Picnic tables at the main site were all of the trails begin
• Volunteers available to provide information and assistance to hikers
• Trout ponds for the kids to go fishing – catch and release; 3 ponds stocked with fish
• Occasional sightings of big horn sheep on the surrounding mountains

Take a few minutes and speak with one of the volunteers in the main cabin and you will learn lots of things about the area. Most are serious hikers and can provide lots of information that will be of use to you. On the day we went to the Whitewater canyon area, the volunteer told us about how everything got started and how it ended up as a park for people to hike in with rainbow trout that you can catch in the desert!

Fishing At White Water Canyon Palm Springs

If you decide to try fishing, remember that it is catch and throw back and you must use barb less hooks to protect the fish from being damaged. Also fishing is for the kids and there will be someone around to assist them with how to fish, how to cast and pulling the fish in, if needed. This is a really great place to spend a few hours and get away from the desert, although it is all around you.

For more hiking related posts, click here.

Well if you read our last post which was a summary of the US Governments New Diet Guidelines, we are assuming you are confused and wondering if you can eat anything at all. You may be also wondering if you have to give up all of your favorite foods with pizza possible at the top of the list. Well this writer does not think so and it is not based on any kind of scientific study, nor is it based on lobby groups. Or opinion is based on experience and a little bit of common sense. Common sense usually is the best approach to many things in life and this is just one more.

Common sense says that if you eat 5000 calories every day and sit on the couch you are going to get fat. Just think about if for a second. The Tour de France bikers participate in races that span 5 to 6 hours and cover up to 200 kilometers. During this time they will burn between 5000 and 7000 calories. If you are not burning calories you either have to limit your intake or increase your activity to avoid gaining more weight and also to lose weight.

But the new diet guidelines are more than just calories. They are also about making sure you get the right amount of vitamins, fibre and minerals to keep your system running well and staying healthy. This is also very important because if you are not well , then you are sick, become lethargic and likely will gain weight.

Diet Guidelines – Study the Guidelines

Remember they are guidelines. They are not a bible that you have to follow religiously. Rather they are a set of instructions that you should follow most of the time if you want to avoid gaining weight and also stay healthy. Print out the list of things you can eat and those you cannot eat. Carry it with you and use it as a reference. After awhile you will know it by heart, but until you do it will be a handy reference for you to refer to each time you are deciding what to eat.

They Are Really a Guideline and not a Law

This is so important. While you want to follow these guidelines as much as possible, what is important to remember is that these new diet guidelines are just that. Follow them as best you can, at least 90% of the time , which means you may fall off the wagon once in a while, but that is ok as long as it amounts to only 10% of your food intake. They are a guideline so use them as guidelines !

Portion Control

Use small plates. It just makes so much common sense. We all love big plates so that we can pile all of our favorite foods on them. If you use a small plate you will reduce a few hundred, maybe even a thousand calories. Drink a glass of water with your meal as well to fill you up and you will be surprised at how much less food you eat. After awhile it becomes habit to eat less.

We love going to buffets and they all have these huge plates. You can pile so much food on them of all different types. We have learned to take the desert plates instead of the dinner plates when we are browsing the main course buffet lines. You cannot get that much food on them. You have to go back for seconds. But that is just fine since it limits our caloric intake! By the time we finish these little plates we are starting to feel full and often decide to not continue eating.

You have to use small tricks like these to limit your food intake other wise it is just to tempting to just keep on eating.

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Just read a post or actually a tweet,  from President Obama telling us that the troops are coming home from Iraq by the end of the year. Apparently they could not reach a deal with the government, but this is still a win win for everyone. Troops coming home is really great news for many families.

The troops are coming home and Iraq will get to define its own culture. Let’s hope that they can work to develop a moderate society that welcomes all people’s from all over the world and not one that is closed to other nationalities. Let’s hope they recognize the rights of men and women equally and not continue to suppress women they way they have.

Troops Coming Home

It is a good day for the Americans too. They get to bring all of their troops home,  they get to begin to cut costs that the war was costing and they probably enhance their image as well.  Now if they could only get out of Afghanistan,  wouldn’t it be a great thing. Unfortunately in the writer’s opinion the country is just not as mature as Iraq is and will have to work harder before the Americans leave.
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Tonto Creek, Arizona is one set of rapids that is only for experts and only at certain times of the year. This creek is really only navigable just after a major rain storm in the surrounding mountains and even then there are many natural obstacles as well as man made obstacles to watch out for.

With a class IV / V set of rapids with massive boulders to navigate around and a narrow water way, this is really only for experts.

Additionally there can be barb wire strung across the creek by ranchers to stop their cattle from roaming too far. You need to watch out for this and other items that can ruin your trip in a big way.

Review of Tonto Creek Rafting

Rafting Trip – There are no rafters offering trips on this creek and you must bring in everything that you need.

Access can be gained at SH 260 crossing just east of Payson; Rye Creek confluence just east of the SH 188/SH 87 intersection; Any USFS park on the banks of Roosevelt Lake .

Description – Hazards may include, barbed wire fences strung across the creek. Also dead-fall strainers in the channel, live tree strainers overhanging the creek along its banks. Or boulder garden rapids dropping into keeper holes, ample opportunities for pinning and wrapping, narrow slot drops of 8-10 feet, or more, rattlesnakes and copper heads hiding in the rocks along the creek, and very difficult access for emergency personnel in the event of an accident.

Christopher Creek (USFS) and Ponderosa (USFS) Campgrounds, both primitive forest campsites, are located between Tonto Creek and SH 260 just east of Payson. There are no other campgrounds located along or near Tonto Creek.

The best time to run Tonto Creek is right after a heavy rainfall in its drainage basin. There is a short window of opportunity unless in the midst of a prolonged period of rainfall.

River Rating – Class IV / V

Number of Rapids – Varies based on amount of rain and the time you go. Water flow does not last very long, depending on the amount of rain that has fallen in surrounding mountains.

Minimum Age – Experts only

Departure Dates – No scheduled trips, you are on your own.

Boat Type – Kayaks are apparently the best for this, with experts who can exert perfect control

What to Bring – Everything you are going to need. Note if you catch the runoff late, you could end up walking out. The water flow falls as fast as it rises.

Reviews – None that we found

Outfitters – None offered

Location – The Europa Hotel in Belfast

One big reason to check-in to The Europa is, without doubt, is the location – right in the middle of Belfast’s “Golden Mile”. Located near the Grand Opera House and the historic Crown Bar, the National Trust’s only public house property, beckons from just across the road. And then you’ve got shops, several award-winning restaurants, high-end entertainment and the business district – all within walking distance.

Parking

As with most City Centre hotels, there is no on-site car parking available. Your hotel concierge can help you with finding local parking and rates that you should expect to pay. As with all large cities, parking at hotels and in downtown areas can be expensive. Some people will only rent a car after having spent a few days touring on foot.

Europa Hotel – Belfast Rooms

Thick duvets and fluffy pillows scream comfort and luxury. While Ralph Lauren fabrics and Zoffany wall coverings stamp designer authority all over the décor. The bathrooms are exquisite with glass, chrome and ceramic finishes . The hotel advertises superior sound proofing in every room to ensure that every guest is guaranteed a good night’s sleep.
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We stayed at another Drury Inn, this time in Albuquerque, New Mexico, and found that this location lived up to the value and the comfort that the first two locations we stayed in did. This location is just north of the downtown area of the city off of I25 which takes you North to Santa Fe.

We got there just in time for the evening hot food and drinks that come with your room. We paid $81 plus tax for a room on a weekend with triple A discounts for a king bed, and two people.

With this, we got the usual free long-distance service, free wi-fi and a hot meal in the evening and in the morning as well. In addition, we also receive 3 drinks each consisting of beer, wine, and mixed drinks. There are also soft drinks and popcorn available 24 hours a day.

Drury inn – Alburqueque

We included a couple of pictures, one of the outside and then two pictures of the inside eating area. This is a really great place to stay with not only the deal you get but also the location. There are at least 5 restaurants within walking distance of the hotel if you decide you want something more than what is offered at the hotel.
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We recently stayed at the Drury Inn in Nashville, TN along I40 on the east side of the city. What a pleasant place to stay at and good value for the price as well. We normally stay at other chains but decided to stay for one night at this hotel and would highly recommend it to anyone who is traveling.

The picture on the right was taken with my smartphone and it is a bit dark even after adjusting the effects on the picture. Blame it on my smartphone and not the Inn. It is a bright, very clean eating area with lots of places to sit both at tables and on comfortable couches and chairs.

Drury Inn in Nashville – Hotel Renovations

The hotel apparently has been recently renovated. the rooms were large, well appointed with all of the amenities you need and lots of granite. We paid $109 with a Triple-A rate, while the walk-in rate was $129. We could have paid $10 less with two double beds instead of a king bed.  This may seem a bit high for some folks but wait until you hear about the advantages you get with this hotel for the price.

• Evening snack which is really more than a snack
  • Baked potatoes with sour cream and butter
  • Chicken strips
  • Pasta
  • Salad
  • Soup
  • Hot dogs for the kids
  • Three drinks per person – beer, wine, or mixed drinks
  • Chips and sauces to go with everything

• Just about to have breakfast, so cannot provide a list, however, looks like it is a full hot buffet breakfast with the normal things that you would expect and coffee and juice.
• In addition, there are flat screen TV’s in every room, free long-distance calling across the US and into Canada as well, and free parking inside a gated area.

Drury Inn’s

When you compare a cheaper hotel plus paying for two meals, this is really a good deal and you do not have to worry about drinking and driving after your meal out at a local restaurant. This hotel really works for us and we would recommend it to anyone passing through Nashville. Apparently, Drury has a number of hotels across the mid west so we are looking forward to staying at more of them.

Leave us a comment if you have had a similar experience. For more posts about hotel service, click here.

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The incumbent Ontario Liberals received a slap on the wrist from voters, being reduced from a majority to a minority government with voter turnout at only 47.6%, the lowest in history. This is the 3rd term for the Ontario liberals and it is unfortunate that the Ontario voters allowed this to occur, however the conservatives can only blame themselves.

Ontario Liberals – Ready to Make a Change

The Ontario electors were ready to make a change, however with a lackluster campaign by Mr. Hudak and his party, the voting public decided they wanted to vote for the party they knew even with the lies of Premier McGuinty! But they did not give him a majority! At least we got that right so that the liberals will not be able to increases our taxes easily. With the NDP and Conservatives controlling the votes, we should actually get some good governing from this next Ontario provincial  government.
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Buffalo Wild Wings Restaurant is part of a chain of restaurants in the United States. We happened to visit the Buffalo Wild Wings Restaurant in Bullhead city , Arizona. The address is 2040 Highway 95, Bullhead City, AZ 86442. It is up on a bit of hill along highway 95, which runs through Bullhead. Many people chose to sit inside, however we sat outside on the patio and enjoyed the view of the mountains and the Colorado River.

Buffalo Wild Wings Restaurant – Comments

We visited there several times and really enjoyed the ice cold beer and the chicken wings which is what they are known for, as their name suggests. They have many different styles of wings with a variety of dips and rubs that will appeal to just about anyone. In fact these are among the best wings we have had at any restaurant. While they are generally not good for you from a health perspective, they sure taste good. Every time we went at lunch time to this restaurant, it was full and many people were also taking advantage of the take out service.

We only went here at lunch time, so cannot report what it is like in the evening. We think that it is probably busy at that time as well. They have lunch time specials as well as evening specials, so make sure you check these out and save yourself a little bit of money as well.

Sit out on the Patio

We sat out on the patio in the shade. In fact the restaurant was full at lunch time, while no one was on the patio. We could not understand this and mentioned it to the waitress. Even though it was 80 F, most people will sit inside and watch the sports on the big screen TV’s. We found this to be a pleasurable place to go for a quick lunch and a beer.

Apparently this restaurant,  Buffalo Wild Wings is part of a chain and has places in many cities across the US. We will definitely be going to this location again sometime in the future. We also want to visit some of the locations around the US.

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Sarah Palin White Water Rafting on the Matanuska River

An exciting glacial fed, class III & IV whitewater trip next to the 27 mile long Matanuska Glacier. The main rapids are several miles long and the result of a squeeze play between the glaciers lateral moraine and “Lion Head”, a massive basalt rock wall from an ancient volcanic plug. A perfect trip for first-timers or experienced river runners! Oar rafts with paddle assist or full paddle rafting available.

Sara Palin White Water Rafting

On the Sarah Palin show about Alaska were Sarah and her family went white water rafting, there was her brother and sister, her father and a number of the kids along with an expert guide. They appeared to have a wonderful time, getting totally soaked and thrills galore as they traversed the class III rapids. The water was ice cold since this river comes from the glacial melt that is just above the freezing point. It is also just plain cold in Alaska most of the time anyway.

All though I am sure that the entire event was somewhat staged, this was a great show and demonstrated what it is like for people to go white water rafting in a setting such as Alaska. Surrounded by mountains, glaciers and a raging river, it provides some of the best scenes for a show such as this. The scenery is fantastic and anyone who enjoys this sort of thing will like rafting on these rivers.

Other Rivers in Alaska Suitable for White Water Rafting

Perhaps the wildest and most visually spectacular rivers in North America, the Alsek and Tatsheshini give you mountains, glaciers and more! Flowing from the inlands of the Yukon Territory to the coastal regions of the Gulf of Alaska, these rivers offer a full range of outdoor experience.

The Tatshenshini River flows through the heart of the largest bio-preserve in the world. Wildlife abounds as you travel through tall mountains, vast glaciers and ice burg dotted lakes.

The Alsek is extraordinarily different from the Tatshenshini which is only “one valley over”. Glaciers, icebergs, wildlife, canyons and a helicopter portage around Turnback Canyon add to the adventure. The Alsek valley is perhaps the most “Himalayan-like” topography on the continent!

Additional rivers that can be candidates for white water rafting are COPPER RIVER – CHITINA RIVER – – NIZINA RIVER – KENNICOTT RIVER – GULF OF ALASKA.

If you are planning to head off to Alaska to do some white water rafting, check out the rivers online. Then book your trip with one of the rafting companies ahead of time. You want to make sure that you have a spot on the raft of course. But you will also want to find out what equipment they provide to their customers. Also what equipment and clothing you need to bring. A second set of warm dry clothes is definitely on the list for these cold water rivers.

For more posts about Alaska, click here.

The following is a summary of the new US Government dietary guidelines. In our next post we are going to discuss these guidelines and how the average person may be able to apply them!

A new term has been coined by the US Government and they want you to  avoid extra calories from Solid Fats and Added Sugars (SoFAS). Also consumers  who eat a lot of SoFAS also tend to eat a lot of refined grains which should also be avoided. They want consumers to move away from our over reliance in the past on sugar and sodium and saturated fat.

If it tastes great, then you probably should avoid it and of course that means pizza, which is major source of food types Americans enjoy and  are advised to avoid.

We also need to cut back to 1,500 mg of sodium per day for people over age 51, African-Americans, and people with high blood pressure.  Everyone else are advised to cut back to less than 2,300 mg of sodium per day. There is salt in just about everything, so start by putting the salt shaker away! Avoid processed foods were salt is very high. Read the labels and look for low sodium levels in foods. Also avoid fast food restaurants that do not have low salt menus and low calorie foods.

The New Diet Guidelines focus on two major themes:

• watching calories to achieve and maintain a healthy weight
• tipping the balance of calorie intake: More calories from nutrition-rich foods, fewer calories from solid fats, sugars, and refined grains

The new American guidelines suggest:

• Eat more seafood — at least 8 ounces a week
• Eat more fruits and vegetables
• Substitute healthy oils for solid fats (such as margarine)
• Lower your sodium intake
• Avoid fast foods
• Exercise more
• Read food labels
• Substitute whole grains for refined grains
• Eat more beans and peas
• Get plenty of fiber, potassium, and vitamin D
• Eat/drink more nonfat or low-fat dairy products
• Replace high-fat meats with lean meats
• For some Americans, drink less alcohol
• Get off your SoFAS

The new guidelines point to specific sources of SoFAS and refined grains that we should not eat.

Dietary Guidelines: Worst Foods for Solid Fats

Solid fats make up almost a fifth of the total calories in American diets. They are a major factor behind the obesity epidemic.

The 10 foods that give us the most solid fats (and the percentage of solid fats from each food):

• Grain-based desserts (10.8%)
• Pizza (9.1%)
• Regular cheese (7.6%)
• Sausage, franks, bacon, and ribs (7.1%)
• French fries (4.8%)
• Dairy desserts (4.7%)
• Tortillas, burritos, and tacos (4.6%)
• Chicken and mixed chicken dishes (4.1%)
• Pasta and pasta dishes (3.9%)
• Whole milk (3.9%, just ahead of burgers at 3.8%)

Dietary Guidelines: Worst Foods for Saturated Fat

The body makes its own saturated fat — and we don’t need any more from our diet. High intake of saturated fat is linked to high cholesterol levels, which in turn are linked to heart disease.

The 10 foods from which Americans get most of their saturated fat

• Regular cheese (8.5%)
• Pizza (5.9%)
• Grain-based desserts (5.8%)
• Dairy desserts (5.6%)
• Chicken and chicken mixed dishes (5.5%)
• Sausage, franks, bacon, and ribs (4.9%)
• Burgers (4.4%)
• Tortillas, burritos, and tacos (4.1%)
• Beef and beef mixed dishes (4.1%)
• Reduced-fat milk (3.9%)

 Dietary Guidelines: Worst Foods for Added Sugars

Added sugars make up 16% of the total calories in American diets. Like solid fats, they’re a major factor in obesity. Far atop the list are sugary beverages.

The 10 foods from which Americans get most of their added sugars:

• Soda, energy drinks, and sports drinks (35.7%)
• Grain-based desserts (12.9%)
• Fruit drinks (10.5%)
• Dairy desserts (6.5%)
• Candy (6.1%)
• Ready-to-eat cereals (3.8%)
• Sugars and honey (3.5%)
• Tea (3.5%)
• Yeast breads (2.1%)
• All other foods (15.4%)

The new dietary guidelines say we should get more fiber in our diets.

The guidelines’ top 10 selected sources of dietary fiber :

• Beans — navy, pinto, black, kidney, white, great northern, and lima (6.2 to 9.6 grams)
• 100% Bran ready-to-eat cereal (9.1 grams)
• Split peas, lentils, chickpeas, or cowpeas (5.6 to 8.1 grams)
• Artichokes (7.2 grams)
• Pears (5.5 grams)
• Soybeans (5.2 grams)
• Plain rye wafer crackers (5.0 grams)
• Bran ready-to-eat cereals — various types (2.6 to 5.0 grams)
• Asian pears (4.4 grams)
• Green peas (3.5 to 4.4 grams)

Dietary Guidelines: Best Foods for Potassium

The new dietary guidelines say we should get more potassium in our diets.

The guidelines’ top 10 selected sources of dietary potassium :

• Baked potatoes including the skin (738 mg)
• Prune juice, canned (707 mg)
• Carrot juice, canned (689 mg)
• Tomato paste (664 mg)
• Beet greens, cooked (654 mg)
• White beans, canned (595 mg)
• Tomato juice, canned (556 mg)
• Plain yogurt, nonfat or low fat (531 to 579 mg)
• Tomato puree (549 mg)
• Sweet potato, baked in skin (542 mg)

Dietary Guidelines: Best Foods for Calcium

The new dietary guidelines advise Americans to get more calcium in their diets.

The guidelines’ top 10 selected sources of dietary calcium:

• Fortified ready-to-eat cereals (250 mg to 1,000 mg)
• Orange juice fortified with calcium (500 mg)
• Plain yogurt, nonfat (452 mg)
• Romano cheese (452 mg)
• Pasteurized processed Swiss cheese (438 mg)
• Evaporated milk, nonfat (371 mg)
• Tofu, regular, preserved with calcium sulfate (434 mg)
• Plain yogurt, low fat (415 mg)
• Fruit yogurt, low fat (345 mg)
• Ricotta cheese, part skim (337 mg)

Dietary Guidelines: Best Foods for Vitamin D

The new dietary guidelines advise Americans to get more vitamin D in their diets.

The guidelines’ top 10 selected dietary sources of vitamin D :

• Salmon, sockeye, cooked (19.8 mcg)
• Smoked salmon(14.5 mcg)
• Salmon, canned (11.6 mcg)
• Rockfish, cooked (6.5 mcg)
• Tuna, light, canned in oil, drained (5.7 mcg)
• Orange juice, vitamin D fortified (3.4 mcg)
• Sardines, canned in oil, drained (4.1 mcg)
• Tuna, light, canned in water, drained (3.8 mcg)
• Whole milk (3.2 mcg)
• Whole chocolate milk (3.2 mcg)

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The childhood of someone growing up in Belfast, Ireland during the 70’s and 80’s was  very different than other kids around the world. If you  grew up in west Belfast, you heard the sound of bombs and gunshots which was a normal everyday experience. With people being killed daily and British soldiers patrolling the streets; life on the streets just wasn’t the same as we experience it today in North America. Sure there are some areas in our larger cities that are bad, but not as bad as what the Irish had to put up with during those years.

This was a difficult time for the Irish as it had been for many years prior to that. An entire generation Growing up in Belfast was affected by the issues that took place during the 70’s and 80’s. It will be another generation before it is really historical and not present in the minds of the Irish.

Growing up in Belfast – Weekend Activities

The weekend activities for young men in those days was very different than what young people know today. Instead of thinking about going out to socialize or play games the majority of local youths would go out to riot. With either people from the other side of the political of the other side, or with the British soldiers and/or RUC (royal Ulster constabulary). This was the popular thing to do at that time. It was a very violent and difficult society to live in.

During the 1970s and 80s Belfast was like a war-zone. Belfast’s troubled history has seen many tragedies and atrocities. One positive thing that has come out of these bad times and helps everyone to remember what happened in the past is the murals that now dot the city.  These atrocities are illustrated in the many murals dotted all over Belfast. They are painted on the sides of houses, on walls of building and anywhere paintings are allowed in public.
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It is the classic conundrum. Everyone wants to conserve energy and become less dependent on oil from other countries. Our own country is the same with all of the pollution etc that goes along with oil, as long as it is not in my backyard. No one wants an oil refinery or a coal fired electrical generation plant too close to them . Now it is going to be those magnificent windmills that are receiving a negative vote.

You can pretty much locate a coal fired plant almost anywhere, so most of the time they locate them a long way from concentrations of the population. Not so with wind farms. You have to find a location that has a lot of wind, preferably stable and located on a higher hill or across the flat plains were the wind blows.  You can see them for miles and they really are something to watch. Those majestic wings or propellers sweeping around with little noise and interference.
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It is increasingly looking like it will be another Liberal government after the Ontario Election. Many people just cannot believe this is going to happen. It is not because they like the current incumbent, McGuinty! The majority of people know he lies and will do and say whatever he needs to in order to stay in power. The problem is that the competition from the conservatives is just not enough to convince voters they should vote conservative. What a shame! We are updating this post several years later. Although McGuinty has resigned amid shame and controversy, it looks like the liberals are still going to be voted in again . What is wrong with Ontario?

Post Ontario Election

And what a squandered opportunity. After the election is over and we have the final results , chances are that the conservatives will sit back and assess the situation. They need to decide if they should have been harder hitting with their policy and their positions. But it will be too late by that time. In fact 3 days before voting day it is already to late. Barring some major mistake by either party, it is pretty much a done deal as far as the pollsters are concerned.
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If you can believe some of the news reports, the Ontario Progressive Conservative Leader Premier Dalton McGuinty is in a panic that not only will he lose the election, he could lose to the conservatives in a big way giving them a majority. With the liberals in a panic in Ontario, the big guns come out. It is too bad for Ontario if he wins! He is busy promising more jobs and more spending to try and trying to buy votes in Ontario’s election. Does this sound familiar? I think that it does and it is typical of the liberals and the party in power to realize at the last minute that they could be kicked out in favor of a new party.

There is another reason that every one should consider which way they vote in this election. We know that the liberals have lied to us over the past years. They have promised us all kinds of things and then reneged on the promises. They have raised taxes significantly over the past 8 years and driven business out of the province. The reality is though that all politicians are really no better, so it is quite likely that I would be saying the same thing had the conservatives been in power for the past 8 years. So why not just leave the liberals in power?
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It appears to be common knowledge that the Liberals have more than doubled spending over the past 8 years they have been in power. Even in this election they are talking about Ontario’s Budget Increases. They are increasing our taxes even more than they already are. Does anyone have concrete figures that support these commonly held notions about the increases. I tend to believe them but would like to see some facts on this particular subject. Hopefully the Ontario electorate will not put up with this and vote them out of office.

As a rule Liberals tend to spend money a lot more than the conservatives, I am not surprised. They dole it out to supporters. They have had a number of really bad errors in the past 8 years. One of the most notable was the health systems squandering of over a million dollars for computer systems that still do not work.
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Can you imagine being called a bed blocker in a hospital!  That is what hospital staff call people who should be in an long term care facility and not in the hospital! They are not patients, they are not someone that the staff really cares about, they are called “bed Blockers”!

We do not know if this is a liberal thing or just a part of the culture in our hospitals. But one thing is sure, it is only going to get worse unless they add more funding to support the availability of long term care facilities and also home care facilities. Apparently it costs $70 per day for home care and $235 for a hospital stay per day. Long term care is somewhere in between.  The number of baby boomers in the 65+ bracket is growing by leaps and bounds so it is only going to get worse.
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Well it looks like another week of the markets going up and down. Nervous are investors trying to figure out what to do with their portfolios. Market volatility makes everyone nervous. As of writing this post, indications are that the stock futures are pointing up, but as we all know, it really means nothing with the current debt crisis in Europe. Until the European countries get their collective act together we are going to see a lot more of this.

What are investors supposed to do in this climate? Well if you are invested in quality stocks and bonds, most experts will tell you to stay put. Certainly that is what my adviser is suggesting at the moment. On the other hand if you are invested in speculative stocks and mutual funds, it might already be too late to get out. You will be selling at a loss and trying to time the market is next to impossible. If your stocks are paying good dividends, at least you will be collecting income while you are waiting to see which way the markets are going to go.
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The markets are on a roller coaster again and this time headed into a deep trough! Or as some would say this is temporary and as soon as the worlds countries get things stabilized we will be back to normal! Who do you believe and what should the average person do in these difficult times? An update from June 2013 suggests that the market rose to new heights and is now about to tumble again. We will have to wait and see what happens this year in a year with market volatility.

We think government workers every where should be really nervous. Private industry has been shedding jobs for years and conserving cash, something that the worlds governments have yet to do. If this latest round of market and debt problems gets really bad, the government is going to need to reduce their costs as well. First thing to go will be programs and then the workers that administer those programs. All we can say is try to make sure that you are working on something that will not be cut!

Market Volatility  – Dow Tumbles

But back to the issue of the market and the up and down swings we have seen. On Thursday, Sept 22, the Dow tumbled as did many other markets. If you are invested in good quality bonds and stocks, then you are probably ok. Sure you have lost money , but only if you sell. If you sell now you are locking in those losses. Hold on to quality and as long as you have time, the market is likely to bounce back! Too many people are panicking and selling low and locking in the losses that are now in the market.
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McGuinty’s tax increases for Ontario have increase a lot. Wondering about the tax increases over the past seven year. Here is what our Premier has done for Ontario in the past seven years. and there is more coming ; the smart meter tax and the Ontario Carbon tax! It is time to wake up Ontario! More tax Increases for Ontario are coming.

Note: we did not write this, it was passed on as part of an email campaign to us. We thought it was too good to not pass along to our readers. If you were the writer please let us know and we will add your name to this post.

Of course the liberals will say that the conservatives would have and will do the same thing. After all someone has to pay for the increasing costs. This is true, but then if you control your costs like the average household perhaps you would not have to add all of these taxes!

McGuinty’s tax Increases for Ontario

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Well the folks in the province of Ontario, are going to be hit with another tax! It seems that the province has spent $850 m to install Smart Meters for Electrical Usage around the province. Now they want to charge 75 cents a month for two years to recover some of these costs. It was not enough to raise the rates, install smart meters and force us into doing laundry at night and on weekends. We now have to pay for these meters which we did not want in the first place.

There is an election in Ontario right now and we vote on Oct 2nd. Surely we can send a message to the liberals in power at the moment. Either give them a minority or send them packing! It is just disgusting the way they have raised our taxes to an unbelievable level in this province. We are one of the highest taxed governments in north America.  No wonder we are losing jobs, business does not want to move here and many are moving out of the province.
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If you are planning a whitewater rafting trip, there are several options for camping near or on the Middle Fork American river and American Middle Fork campgrounds.  There are a few public campgrounds in nearby Forest hill. Primitive campsites are available in Auburn State Recreation Area by reservation. Wilderness camping (camping outside designated camping areas) can be enjoyed in the river canyon by obtaining a Wilderness Camping Permit.

American Middle Fork Campgrounds – Primitive

There are five primitive campgrounds that  are available in the Auburn Recreation Area. There is  a 30 day total camping limit along the American Middle Fork in this area. Camping fees are $7-9.00 per night, last time we checked, with additional vehicles charged at $5.00 each. There is also a $1.00 fee charged per dog per night. Dogs must be on a leash or secured inside a vehicle or tent at all times. Animals kept in vehicles must be monitored at all times to avoid any possibility of over heating.  Fires are allowed in fire pits, where provided. You should pay attention to fire warnings in the area to avoid starting forest fires.

Wilderness Camping Permits

Most locations also will require a permit before you can camp on these sites. While there is a nominal camping fee, this money is not even close to what they need to manage the camp sites and the wilderness parks. Purchasing a permit is in your best interest for your own protection.

The reason many parks use permits is so that they can keep track of how many people are using their sites and are camping in the wilderness. If there are too many people it puts a lot of pressure on the ecosystem. If someone does not check out when they leave it may trigger a search party to look for them in the area they indicated that they were going to be camping. It is so important to be accurate about were you are going in the wilderness. If you get into difficulty, the first place the search parties will look will be based on the information you provided when you registered at the park rangers station.

Changing Locations within the American Middle Fork Campgrounds –  Wilderness Area

If you decide to change locations in the area while camping, it is always a good idea to advise the camp wardens as to your location just in case there is some kind of emergency. If they need to find you for whatever reason, the first place anyone will look is the last known location. This can make a huge difference between life and death in many situations. Always tell people were you are going, always take lots of water with you and hike with a partner.