Baggage Claim, A-Z Challenge

BAGGAGE Claim (or Baltimore Harbor)

Another challenge Post.  Baggage Claim can be a wild and frustrating part of travel.  Why?  Everyone is excited and anxious to get their bags and get on with their trip, or they're tired and want to get home if it's the return trip.

Everyone lines up 2 inches from the conveyor belt...crowding each other out and making it next to impossible see bags or for the person who's bag does arrive to retrieve it without hitting those crammed together.  BACK UP.  Yes, you really can see from a foot away, and yes you won't get hit, and yes you'll have room to get your bag.

Got twelve people in your group?  Do all twelve of you need to be there?  NO!  Station a few people to get the luggage and others well back to watch over the luggage as you get it.  Particularly if you have children in the mix.  Kids at the edge getting fingers caught trying to grab luggage not smart.  Kids sitting on the lip of the conveyor belt........really not smart.  Wake up parents.

How many people have black luggage?  THOUSANDS and then some.  Attach ribbons, bows, colorful something to your bag so you can spot it easier.  And while they...(airport officials) always tell people to look at the address label that should be on luggage, 9 out of 10 people don't look.  I've lost track of the number of times I see someone grab and go and minutes later someone finds out their luggage was taken by someone else.  Pay attention, yes it takes a few minutes; but far less time then filing a claim and going to the hotel empty handed or returning home waiting on the jerk to realize he or she has your luggage.

Travel isn't very civilized, but YOU can make it nicer.  Breath and take a few minutes, everyone will feel better if you do.

Pop in Often, remember Menu Mondays for dining tips, Traveling Tips on Thursday, and any day for vacation destinations.

The ABC's of Travel

Summer will soon be here and the kids will be out of school, if they're not already. No doubt you'll be thinking about where to take a family vacation...OR, if you're without children at home where to take a non family oriented vacation.

Here's some ideas for you in Alphabetical Style, there's something here for everyone. (all bolded and or colored type are live links, just click to get where you're going)
A
Aruba
Eating and Drinking and Being Happy in Aruba Iguana's in Aruba (the kids will love them)
Claudia's Bar in Aruba (for the adults)
General Information about Aruba

Arizona
Golf in the desert
Marriott's Canyon Villas, great place to stay for adults and or families
Sedona AriZona (teens and adults, not well suited for young children)
Taliesin West, Frank Lloyd Wright (teens or adults best)
Montezuma's Castle (not for young children with the hiking and climbing)
Grand Canyons (can see lots from the car and on over looks so can be family geared if you stay away from the difficult trails)
Desert Botanical Gardens (ok for all in terms of walking, though the kids maybe bored)
Carefree Arizona (can be family oriented, as the beauty can be seen without doing difficult hiking; though the later certainly exists)
Apache Trail Arizona nice for all

B
Breckenridge, Colorado
Historic Main Street Area (appropriate for everyone)

Things for the Girls in Breckenridge (teens and adults)
The Softer side of Breckenridge (for all who appreciate the arts)
Going to the Dogs (for the animal lovers)

Baltimore, Maryland
Ryan's Daughter (cool Pub)
Inner Harbor (fun for all)
Westminster Hall Burial Grounds (adults and teens)

Boston, Mass
Bunker Hill (depends on the age of the child, great history)

Beaufort, South Carolina
What a place for a bathroom break! (all ages)
Historic Episcopal Church and Graveyard (teens and adults)
Luthers best place for lunch and or dinner, and entertainment (day ok for families, later on best for older kids,teens and adults

Brisbane Australia

California
There are 15 posts for California
covering Joshua Tree National Park
Pigeon Point Light House
Alcatraz
Santa Barbara
Muir Woods
San Francisco
Palm Springs Area
Seals on the Beach
Mission San Carolos Borromeo-o de Carmel
Sausalito
Cayucos
Peeble Beach
Big Sur
Golden Gate Bridge
Temecula
General posts about wine country and beaches

Cape Cod, Mass
Cape Cod Lighthouse

Chillicothe, Ohio
Lots of post covering the first capital of the state,
Historic Carlisle Building and Fire,
Knole Log House and Adena,
Masonic Lodge-Haunted Magestic Theatre,
Adena Indian Mound,
Haunted Cross Keys Tavern,
A general overview of Chillicothe.

There's so much more, check the cloud area to see the full listings, I'm sure you'll find something there of interest whether you want a quick day trip or a longer vacation away. Don't find what you think you're interested in, leave me a note and I'll see if I have something on it for you.

AND don't for get the always popular travels of Flat Stanley. Click here for a full listing of his Travels to date. There are 28 adventures, with ideas of things you can do in your day to day with the kids. Learning can and is fun.

Ryans Daughter, Baltimore Maryland

Ryan's Daughter. Known as a neighborhood restaurant this classic Irish Pub is one you must put on your list of places to visit, eat and enjoy while touring Baltimore, Maryland. It's located at 600 E. Belvedere Avenue, Baltimore, Maryland 21212. Hours are: Monday through Sat 11 am til 2 am. They serve Sunday Brunch startingf at 10:30 am, except for special Sundays like Mother's Day, Father's Day, etc. On those special days they open earlier and have a special menu.
Doesn't it look cozy, inviting? They have snug's, and open areas. Whatever is your preference.
We had been working, cleaning and moving when we had to stop for a late breakfast. It was tasty!
The menu is varied whether you're there for a quick lunch, a snack, happy hour, or dinner. Happy hour specials run from 3 pm to 6 pm daily and include both drinks and food. For traditional Irish Music don't miss Friday and Sat evenings from 4:30 pm to 8:30 pm. This comfortable, fun Irish Pub also caters. This picture shows one of the sectioned areas which would work well for a group.

My daughter spent lots of time here during her 2 years in Baltimore and she always loved it. The music, and the food, and the service...all good. Put this on your list and enjoy!

**This is my R post for the Z-A Challenge
V = Vintage post Here
U= Urbana post Here

Baltimore (Inner Harbor), Maryland

Mother and Daughter Quacking while touring on Ride the Duck in Baltimore's Inner Harbor. This photo was from 3 years ago when we went to Baltimore for the first time. The Duck is an amphibious vehicle, from World War II; updated for tourism in cities around the country. You get a nice over view of the area on land and on sea. The Captain gives you history and points out areas of interest. After your tour on The Duck, you can decide what you'd like to go back and see in more detail. The tour began on Light Street in The Inner Harbor, went through Fells Point, and Little Italy then entered the water. Everyone gets a quacker to wear and blow calling attention to the tour as you meander through the downtown streets.

The second photo is us entering the water. The 3rd photo is Seven Foot Knoll Light. This historic lighthouse has a long and interesting history from the early 1800's. You can tour the lighthouse and learn all about the families that lived and worked there, the live saving mission, and how it was moved to it's current location. The lighthouse is now owned and operated by The Baltimore Maritime Museum located on Pier 5.

We passed a very historic graveyard (where Poe is buried), the first Washington Memorial and many other interesting areas. The Duck Tour in Baltimore has since closed down. I'm not sure why or when. However, one can still use the water taxi's to see the sights from the water, and there are still Duck tours in other cities (San Francisco, Newport, Branson, and Philadelphia) you might enjoy. So, while you can't enjoy this specific tour; I do highly recommend this as a good family, all age appropriate adventure. You can order your tickets on line, or call ahead.

Quack Quack

Westminster Hall & Burial Grounds, Baltimore Maryland

A Gothic style church built over a old cemetery. Because of the building over the cemetery there are catacombs. What? Tour a cemetery? This is a very historic graveyard with a large list of who's who in Baltimore history. James McHenry signer of The Declaration is buried here. Many Veterans of The War of 1812, as well as The Revolutionary War. But, the most famous probably is Edgar Allen Poe. Poe, famous for "The Raven", and "Tell-Tale Heart", along with his family take center stage.

At the age of 40, Poe died of mysterious causes. The year 1849. That's not the end of mysteries though with regard to Mr. Poe. Every year on his birthday, Jan 19th a mysterious visitors comes to his grave and leaves 3 roses and a half bottle of Cognac. No one knows who the mysterious visitor is. The 3 roses are said to be left for Poe, his wife, and his mother-in-law.

There are tours both of the graveyard and the catacombs; however when we were there everything was closed for restoration. I was sooooooooo disappointed. Halloween is a special time there, so if you're in the area and your brave enough to go....Be Ware!

Westminster Hall & Burial Grounds
509 W. Fayette Street
the corner of Greene and Fayette.

Happy Halloween