Gadling http://www.gadling.com Gadling http://www.blogsmithmedia.com/www.gadling.com/media/feedlogo.gif Gadling http://www.gadling.com en-us Copyright 2009 Weblogs, Inc. The contents of this feed are available for non-commercial use only. Blogsmith http://www.blogsmith.com/<![CDATA[New to Hong Kong Disneyland: Big Grizzly Mountain]]>http://www.gadling.com/2009/11/16/new-to-hong-kong-disneyland-big-grizzly-mountain/http://www.gadling.com/2009/11/16/new-to-hong-kong-disneyland-big-grizzly-mountain/http://www.gadling.com/2009/11/16/new-to-hong-kong-disneyland-big-grizzly-mountain/#commentsFiled under: , ,

The Wild West is going farther west. So far west that it's the far east.

The newest roller coaster announced for Hong Kong Disneyland is Big Grizzly Mountain. Set to open in 2012, it will be the main attraction in Grizzly Trail -- Hong Kong's version of the original park's Frontierland.

The ride follows a runaway mine train through the mining town of Grizzly Gulch, which comes decked out with a stagecoach, a jailhouse, and the world's largest nugget of gold -- plus the ubiquitous audio-animatronic bears, of course. Disney legend has it that Grizzly Gulch was founded by gold prospectors on August 8, 1888 -- all of the eights make it the luckiest day, month, and year in Chinese culture.

Big Grizzly Mountain will be part roller coaster, part water ride -- with geysers, leaking buildings, and a splashdown finale.

These are big days at the theme park. This ride is just part of a $500 million expansion that will add on three new theme lands -- Grizzly Trail, Mystic Point, and Toy Story Land -- to increase the size of the park by 23%.


[Thanks, LATimes.com]

New to Hong Kong Disneyland: Big Grizzly Mountain originally appeared on Gadling on Mon, 16 Nov 2009 11:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>Big Grizzly MountainBigGrizzlyMountainFrontierlandGrizzly GulchGrizzly TrailGrizzlyGulchGrizzlyTrailHong Kong DisneylandHongKongDisneylandMystic PointMysticPointroller coasterRollerCoastertheme parkThemeParkToy Story LandToyStoryLandwater rideWaterRidewild westWildWestMon, 16 Nov 2009 11:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Frontier's new seating: 'Stretch' for some, 'scrunch' for others]]>http://www.gadling.com/2009/11/15/frontiers-new-seating-stretch-for-some-scrunch-for-others/http://www.gadling.com/2009/11/15/frontiers-new-seating-stretch-for-some-scrunch-for-others/http://www.gadling.com/2009/11/15/frontiers-new-seating-stretch-for-some-scrunch-for-others/#commentsFiled under:

Sure, I think it's great that Frontier is introducing Stretch -- a new premium economy section in the first four rows of coach that adds more legroom.

But what I don't like is that they're not taking out any rows in back. Instead, they're squeezing the space between the other rows to make up for the extra room.

Sounds as though you're either moving up to riches, or being pushed back to rags.

Originally, seats were 33 inches in pitch -- meaning the space from a spot on your chair to the same spot of the chair in front of you. The Stretch section now gets 36 inches. The other seats behind are scrunched to 31 inches -- or even 30 inches.

Because of Frontier's tier class system, the only way that you can get a Stretch seat at the time of booking is if you're a Classic Plus member. For you, it's free. For everyone else, you get your chance at check-in. Those in the Classic class can get an upgrade for $15 per flight segment. Those in the Economy class pay $25 per flight segment.

You can currently find Stretch in the airline's Embraer 190s. A320s, A318s, and A319s will follow suit in the next few months. The new seating class just started earlier this month.

Continue reading Frontier's new seating: 'Stretch' for some, 'scrunch' for others

Frontier's new seating: 'Stretch' for some, 'scrunch' for others originally appeared on Gadling on Sun, 15 Nov 2009 11:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>airplaneFrontier AirlinesFrontierAirlineslegroompitchStretch seatingStretchSeatingSun, 15 Nov 2009 11:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Friday the 13th: a lucky day for booking a hotel reservation]]>http://www.gadling.com/2009/11/11/friday-the-13th-lucky-day-for-booking-a-hotel/http://www.gadling.com/2009/11/11/friday-the-13th-lucky-day-for-booking-a-hotel/http://www.gadling.com/2009/11/11/friday-the-13th-lucky-day-for-booking-a-hotel/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,

Superstitious or not, if you're thinking about booking a hotel, you might want to wait until Friday the 13th to book.

(Is that like intentionally waiting for a black cat to cross your path?)

What can we say? That's the day that Hotels.com is discounting a lot of its properties by 50% in a Friday the 13th Sale.

Pick from about 200 properties, including locations in Mexico, Argentina, and the Caribbean. The Hard Rock Hotel in Chicago is going for $89/night (instead of $199), and so is the Sir Francis Drake Hotel in San Francisco (instead of $170).

The sale is valid when you book a reservation on Friday, November 13th, and complete your stay by November 27th.

Friday the 13th: a lucky day for booking a hotel reservation originally appeared on Gadling on Wed, 11 Nov 2009 17:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>50 off50OffargentinacaribbeanFriday the 13thFridayThe13thHotels.commexicoWed, 11 Nov 2009 17:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Battle of the bulge: Breeding season starts soon for elephant seals at Año Nuevo]]>http://www.gadling.com/2009/11/09/battle-of-the-bulge-breeding-season-starts-soon-for-elephant-se/http://www.gadling.com/2009/11/09/battle-of-the-bulge-breeding-season-starts-soon-for-elephant-se/http://www.gadling.com/2009/11/09/battle-of-the-bulge-breeding-season-starts-soon-for-elephant-se/#commentsFiled under: ,

Pull up a chair and start placing your bets -- it's about to get ugly.

No, really, the elephant seals will be gathering soon at Año Nuevo State Park in California for their breeding season. (And have you seen one before?) All nose and gut, the males vie for alpha male status, bellowing their complaints and battling it out by throwing their chests against each other.

They make the Central California coast their home from December to March, and visitors can take a guided tour to see the breeding colony up close -- from the first arrival of the males to the final departure of the pups.

Año Nuevo is the world's largest mainland breeding colony of the northern elephant seal. But back in 1892, fewer than 100 elephant seals existed anywhere because of hunting. Now, thanks to legislation first implemented in Mexico and then the US, they are more protected. Their numbers have increased to about 150,000 -- many of them come to Año Nuevo annually.

Advance reservations are recommended for the 2.5-hour walking tours, which run December 15-March 31. First, read the FAQs about the walks, then book your reservation either by phone (650-879-2033) or online. The admission price is $7.00 per person (free for children 3 and younger).

Año Nuevo is located along Highway 1, just 20 miles north of Santa Cruz. Another elephant seal spot is farther south on Highway 1 at Piedras Blancas (7 miles south of San Simeon), which is home to about 15,000 elephant seals. No admission fee or reservation is required there.

Battle of the bulge: Breeding season starts soon for elephant seals at Año Nuevo originally appeared on Gadling on Mon, 09 Nov 2009 15:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>Ano NuevoAnoNuevobreedingCaliforniaelephant sealsElephantSealsPiedras BlancasPiedrasBlancaspupswalking tourWalkingTourwildlifeMon, 09 Nov 2009 15:30:00 EST<![CDATA[The Spice Isle: What the Grenada guidebooks might not tell you]]>http://www.gadling.com/2009/11/07/the-spice-isle-what-the-grenada-guidebooks-might-not-tell-you/http://www.gadling.com/2009/11/07/the-spice-isle-what-the-grenada-guidebooks-might-not-tell-you/http://www.gadling.com/2009/11/07/the-spice-isle-what-the-grenada-guidebooks-might-not-tell-you/#commentsFiled under: ,

Grenada is so off the radar for a lot of Americans that it leaves a lot to be learned about the country. (For one, how it's pronounced. Answer: "Gren-ay-da.")

But here are some of the more practical tidbits that I learned while in the island country that might also serve you well on your visit:

Keep your swimsuits to the beach. An indecent exposure law forbids it elsewhere. Cover up, even if it's just a little bit.

Don't wear camouflage. It's illegal to wear it in any color or format.

Ask before taking that photo of someone. It's good tact in any situation (although goodbye to spontaneity), but I especially felt the need to in Grenada. In fact, a few people called me on it when I didn't. My instinct was to snap photos left and right at the market, but I intentionally stopped to talk about and buy produce first.

US money. Yes, you can use it and businesses accept it.

Go SCUBA diving. Grenada has the most wreck dives (sunken boats) in the Caribbean.

Gallery: Tropical Flora in Grenada

Continue reading The Spice Isle: What the Grenada guidebooks might not tell you

The Spice Isle: What the Grenada guidebooks might not tell you originally appeared on Gadling on Sat, 07 Nov 2009 11:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>beachbendsbikinicamouflagecashchocolatedrivingdriving permitDrivingPermitgrenada chocolate companyGrenadaChocolateCompanyhydrateinsect repellentInsectRepellentlocalsmoneymosquitosoff the radarOffTheRadarpatoisphotophotographyscubaslangspiceislespicesswimsuitwaterSat, 07 Nov 2009 11:00:00 EST<![CDATA[The Spice Isle: Making the most of a cruise stopover in Grenada]]>http://www.gadling.com/2009/11/06/the-spice-isle-making-the-most-of-a-cruise-stopover-in-grenada/http://www.gadling.com/2009/11/06/the-spice-isle-making-the-most-of-a-cruise-stopover-in-grenada/http://www.gadling.com/2009/11/06/the-spice-isle-making-the-most-of-a-cruise-stopover-in-grenada/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,


It's official -- the cruise season in Grenada has begun. Actually, the first day of the season fell on a day when I was there recently. I might've missed the influx because I was across the island during most of their 12-hour stay, but I saw the big boat sail in during my breakfast, and sail away during my dinner.

Ideally, you'd want several days on the island where you could see waterfalls in the inland mountains, leatherback turtles off the northern beaches, and French and British influences in the capital town of St. George's. But if you plan it right, you can see some amazing things in the short amount of time.

Get out on the water:
I know. You might be thinking that the last thing you want after being on a cruise ship is to get on another boat. But a Grenada Seafaris boat isn't just any boat. When it powers at full-speed, it's a fun wind-in-your-face ride. And it stops for snorkeling at the underwater sculpture park, designed by Jason de Caires Taylor. The 2.5-hour tour also includes off-coast stops up the west coast and discussions about conservation and local marine life.

Continue reading The Spice Isle: Making the most of a cruise stopover in Grenada

The Spice Isle: Making the most of a cruise stopover in Grenada originally appeared on Gadling on Fri, 06 Nov 2009 14:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>BelvedereConcord FallsConcordFallsconservationcruiseDougaldstone Spice EstateDougaldstoneSpiceEstateGouyaveGrand Anse BeachGrand EtangGrandAnseBeachGrandEtangGrenada SeafarisGrenadaSeafarisJason de Caires TaylorJasonDeCairesTaylormarketsnorkelspiceisleSt. GeorgesSt.Georgestourunderwater sculpture parkUnderwaterSculptureParkFri, 06 Nov 2009 14:00:00 EST<![CDATA[The Spice Isle: Grenada moves on past Hurricane Ivan]]>http://www.gadling.com/2009/11/05/the-spice-isle-moving-on-past-hurricane-ivan/http://www.gadling.com/2009/11/05/the-spice-isle-moving-on-past-hurricane-ivan/http://www.gadling.com/2009/11/05/the-spice-isle-moving-on-past-hurricane-ivan/#commentsFiled under: , ,


I didn't know a lot about Grenada before visiting recently, but one name was familiar to me: Ivan -- the hurricane that came through with force in 2004. So once I got there, I wanted to find out two things: what's it like during a hurricane? And how does the country look now, five years later?

You first have to realize -- the hurricane was a fluke. The reason some residents were actually excited to see a hurricane in person was because hurricanes come so infrequently and Ivan would be their first. (The previous one was Janet in 1955.) Located 12 degrees above the equator, in the southeast part of the Caribbean, Grenada sits outside the hurricane belt.

By all accounts from the stories I heard, "Ivan the Terrible" was a rager. News had been as moody and unreliable as the hurricane itself - first saying that it was coming, then saying it wasn't - before Ivan struck soon after. Winds blew 130 mph strong, making it a category 3 storm, as it made its way to Grand Cayman, Jamaica, and Florida. 28 people in Grenada were killed, 18,000 people were homeless, and 90% of the buildings were damaged and 30% were destroyed.

All important things to realize. But even more, from what I've seen and heard, Grenada should be known for overcoming these things as much as enduring them.

Continue reading The Spice Isle: Grenada moves on past Hurricane Ivan

The Spice Isle: Grenada moves on past Hurricane Ivan originally appeared on Gadling on Thu, 05 Nov 2009 13:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>constructiondamageGrand Etang National ParkGrandEtangNationalParkHurricane IvanHurricaneIvanrain forestRainForestrebuildingspiceislestormThu, 05 Nov 2009 13:00:00 EST<![CDATA[The Spice Isle: Where trails are paved with nutmeg shells]]>http://www.gadling.com/2009/11/04/the-spice-isle-where-trails-are-paved-in-nutmeg-shells/http://www.gadling.com/2009/11/04/the-spice-isle-where-trails-are-paved-in-nutmeg-shells/http://www.gadling.com/2009/11/04/the-spice-isle-where-trails-are-paved-in-nutmeg-shells/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,


"You can use it for tea" he says after picking the small leaf and handing it to me to smell.

There doesn't seem to be anything that Telfor Bedeau doesn't know about Grenada's plants. In the past 50 yards alone, he's pointed out trees that would've gone unnoticed as anything other than anonymous tropical trees. But now they're recognized as some of my favorite things in the world: guava, mango, cinnamon. I'm already imagining my next supermarket trip back home going a little differently.

Telfor would be considered spry for any age, but especially since he just turned 70. He celebrated the day by doing what he seems to do (and love) best: hiking up to the top of Grenada's highest peak, Mount Saint Catharine (2,757 feet).

It was his 157th time.

Known as the "Indiana Jones of Grenada," he reached the milestone of having hiked 10,000 miles throughout Grenada in 2005. Guiding since 1990, he hikes in jellies (plastic sandals) while everybody else on the trail relies on treaded sneakers and walking sticks. He's easy to extend a smile to everyone, and a hand to anyone who needs one.

It's not that I'm writing this to flatter him -- there's little chance that he'll read this, since he doesn't use a computer or have email. No doubt it contributes to his youthful appearance. That and all the hiking. And the fact that his diet solely consists of raw fruits and vegetables.

So it was with intrigue -- both in my hiking guide Telfor and the trail -- that I hiked to the Seven Sisters Waterfalls in Grand Etang National Park.

Gallery: Grand Etang National Park, Grenada

Mona monkeyGrand Etang National ParkGuava treeSeven Sisters Waterfall hikeSeven Sisters Waterfall hike

Continue reading The Spice Isle: Where trails are paved with nutmeg shells

The Spice Isle: Where trails are paved with nutmeg shells originally appeared on Gadling on Wed, 04 Nov 2009 13:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>adventurearmadillocinnamonGrand EtangGrandEtangguavahikingIndiana JonesIndianaJonesmangomona monkeyMonaMonkeymongooseMount St CatharineMountStCatharinenutmegrain forestRainForestSeven Sisters WaterfallsSevenSistersWaterfallsspiceisleTelfor BedeauTelforBedeauWed, 04 Nov 2009 13:30:00 EST<![CDATA[The Spice Isle: Nutmeg's always the answer in Grenada]]>http://www.gadling.com/2009/11/03/grenada-nutmeg/http://www.gadling.com/2009/11/03/grenada-nutmeg/http://www.gadling.com/2009/11/03/grenada-nutmeg/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,


You wouldn't know it from the abundance of nutmeg in shops, but Grenada's production of the spice stopped five years ago. And it'll continue to be at a halt for another five years. Why? Because of Hurricane Ivan. 82% of the island's nutmeg trees were destroyed by the 2004 hurricane.

But amazingly enough, there's still plenty of nutmeg there.

On my recent trip to Grenada, I found it everywhere -- mostly whole (as large seeds) and ground. But at any market, you'll also find it as jelly and jam, as essence and oil, as syrup for ice cream, as a sugary candy (oddly named "nutmeg cheese"), and in everything else from ice cream to coffee. Buy one of the island's rum drinks from the bar, and you'll always get a finishing touch of grated nutmeg on top. It even has medicinal purposes -- Nut-Med comes as a lotion or spray to relieve pain in muscles and joints.

Is it just me, or does it seem to make everything happy, like egg nog during the holidays?

Actually, it may be scientifically proven. It's been said that if you get a big enough whiff of the fresh spice, you'll get a type of addictive high.

Gallery: Dougaldston Spice Boucan, Grenada

Dougaldston Spice Boucan, GrenadaCacao podCocoa beansCocoa fermentationDrying cocoa beans

Continue reading The Spice Isle: Nutmeg's always the answer in Grenada

The Spice Isle: Nutmeg's always the answer in Grenada originally appeared on Gadling on Tue, 03 Nov 2009 12:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>agricultureCaribbeanDougladston Spice BoucanDougladstonSpiceBoucanGrand EtangGrandEtangHurricane IvanHurricaneIvanIsle of SpiceIsleOfSpicemaceNut-MedNutmegrumspicespiceisleTue, 03 Nov 2009 12:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Blizzard forces delays and cancelations at Denver airport]]>http://www.gadling.com/2009/10/30/blizzard-forces-delays-and-cancelations-at-denver-airport/http://www.gadling.com/2009/10/30/blizzard-forces-delays-and-cancelations-at-denver-airport/http://www.gadling.com/2009/10/30/blizzard-forces-delays-and-cancelations-at-denver-airport/#commentsFiled under: , ,

Is it just me or is it a little early for a winter snowstorm?

The Denver International Airport (DIA) had to cancel flights yesterday due to blizzard conditions. It was just too difficult to keep runways and taxiways clear, so United canceled about 200 of its 400 flights departures and arrivals, and Frontier canceled 19 of its 155 departures. Passengers on flights that had been delayed find themselves waiting one to four hours.

As of yesterday afternoon, about a foot of snow had dropped since Tuesday evening. But the wind -- with 20 to 40 mph gusts -- is actually the greater threat, rather than the snow.

The two east-west runways have been closed, but the other four north-south runways remain open.

Anybody with a flight scheduled into or out of DIA should check their flight status before going to the airport.

Blizzard forces delays and cancelations at Denver airport originally appeared on Gadling on Fri, 30 Oct 2009 10:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>denver international airportDenverInternationalAirportflightfrontiersnow stormSnowStormunitedFri, 30 Oct 2009 10:30:00 EST<![CDATA[New luxury trains coming to India]]>http://www.gadling.com/2009/10/29/new-luxury-trains-coming-to-india/http://www.gadling.com/2009/10/29/new-luxury-trains-coming-to-india/http://www.gadling.com/2009/10/29/new-luxury-trains-coming-to-india/#commentsFiled under: , ,

It just goes to show that luxury travel may be as enduring as the Taj Mahal.

Even in this economy, not one but two luxury trains are debuting in India in the next few months.

The Indian Maharaja-Deccan Odyssey, the first privately-operated luxury tourist train in India, will launch on November 18. Its seven-night, eight-day itinerary includes Mumbai-Aurangaba-Ahmedabad-Udaipu-Sawai-Madhopur-Jaipur-Bharatpur-Agra-Delhi.

Maharajas' Express will launch soon after, on January 9. It's making the rounds along two routes: either seven nights/eight days through Mumbai-Vadodara-Udaipur-Jodhpur-Bikaner-Jaipur-Ranthambore-Agra-Delhi and back; or six nights/seven days through: Delhi-Agra-Gwalior-Khajuraho-Bandhavgarh-Varanasi-Gaya-Kolkata (with an option of a reverse trip).

The trains will be a throwback to Orient Express standards. On the Indian Maharaja-Deccan Odyssey, the Presidential Suite replicates a five-star hotel, complete with a bedroom, living area, and personalized bathroom. Prices range from $525/per person per night to $1,120 on the Indian Maharaja-Deccan Odyssey, and $800 to $2,500 on the Maharajas' Express.

So far, the trains are said to have strong bookings, especially with travelers from the UK, Japan, and Germany.



[Thanks, Jaunted]

New luxury trains coming to India originally appeared on Gadling on Thu, 29 Oct 2009 15:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>agradebutdelhiIndian Maharaja-Deccan OdysseyIndianMaharaja-deccanOdysseyluxuryMaharajas ExpressMaharajasExpressmumbaiorient expressOrientExpresstrainThu, 29 Oct 2009 15:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Joie de Vivre deals: Mobile Mondays, Twitter Tuesdays, Facebook Fridays]]>http://www.gadling.com/2009/10/27/joie-de-vivre-deals-mobile-mondays-twitter-tuesdays-facebook/http://www.gadling.com/2009/10/27/joie-de-vivre-deals-mobile-mondays-twitter-tuesdays-facebook/http://www.gadling.com/2009/10/27/joie-de-vivre-deals-mobile-mondays-twitter-tuesdays-facebook/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

Before you finalize your travel plans, check the calendar first.

The California hotel chain Joie de Vivre is offering deals galore, but you have to know where and when to look. If it's a Monday, check your cell phone. If it's a Tuesday, check Twitter. If it's a Friday, check Facebook.

The day also determines the type of discount. You'll get special offers at restaurants and spas on Mondays, while you'll get news on hotel discounts on Tuesdays and Fridays -- all through December 2009.

To fully be in the social-media loop, become a mobile subscriber by texting the message "JDV" to 888999, follow them on Twitter, and become a fan on Facebook.

These deals are in addition to their current "Third Night Free" promotion.



[Thanks, LA Times]

Joie de Vivre deals: Mobile Mondays, Twitter Tuesdays, Facebook Fridays originally appeared on Gadling on Tue, 27 Oct 2009 11:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>calendarcaliforniadiscountfacebook fridayFacebookFridayhoteljoie de vivreJoieDeVivremobile mondayMobileMondaypromotiontwitter tuesdayTwitterTuesdayTue, 27 Oct 2009 11:30:00 EST<![CDATA[The Bookmobile: swapping stories and hitting the road]]>http://www.gadling.com/2009/10/23/the-bookmobile-swapping-stories-and-hitting-the-road/http://www.gadling.com/2009/10/23/the-bookmobile-swapping-stories-and-hitting-the-road/http://www.gadling.com/2009/10/23/the-bookmobile-swapping-stories-and-hitting-the-road/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

It's appropriate that at Litquake -- the recent week-long celebration of books in San Francisco -- I'd find out about unconventional ways of honoring the written word.

I came across the Bookmobile, parked on busy Valencia Street with its doors open wide, inviting visitors to come inside.

'Is it a library or a bookstore?' I wondered, trying to categorize it so I could understand it. The thing is, it's neither.

It's a truck that's empty inside, except for wooden shelves on each of the side walls, which are filled with books. The concept is simple and brilliant: step inside and get a book. In return, they don't ask for money. They ask to videotape your response to the question "what book influenced your life?"

Creative and thought-provoking, right? Even better, the Bookmobile will soon put its wheels in motion to reach people in small towns along the Lincoln Highway. It's set to leave San Francisco in April and arrive in New York City in mid-May.

At the helm is founder, Tom Corwin, who has had success as an author, music producer, and film producer. And if you think the driver looks familiar, you'd be right. Along the way, different authors -- including Amy Tan, Tom Robbins, and Dave Eggers -- will be joining the road trip and taking their turn at the wheel.

At the end of the project, Tom will combine the interviews with a history of the Bookmobile and create a documentary, appropriately named "Behind the Wheel of the Bookmobile." He hopes to finish the film by spring 2011.

"Books influence our lives in ways too often untold," says Tom. "Our trip is designed to tell some of those stories while our back roads route connects the project to America's literary history."

You can only imagine the stories waiting to be told -- both by people along the Lincoln Highway and the authors themselves. They're likely to be as varied as the books out there. Already in the archives is the story of Ralph Eubanks, the Director of Publishing at the Library of Congress, who recalls being thankful to visit a bookmobile during his childhood. As an African-American in Mississippi, he could get books there, when he couldn't get them at the library.

The Bookmobile on this trip is authentic, alright. Until recently, the "Old Gal" made her rounds of the suburban Chicago area for 15 years (and 70,000 miles) to bring books and the love of reading to children and adults. Bookmobiles have been used as mobile libraries for towns without library buildings and for people with difficulty accessing libraries -- the first U.S. bookmobile ran in Maryland in 1905.

Books have already been donated by libraries and publishers, but what the project could use now are money donations (from $35 for 'buy a mile' to more for 'buy a state').

If you're not on the cross-country route, you can still be a part of the Bookmobile experience. Submit the story of the book that influenced your own life (in 200 words or less) to the Bookmobile website. And follow along via the website's blog and interviews, or get updates on Twitter and Facebook.

The Bookmobile: swapping stories and hitting the road originally appeared on Gadling on Fri, 23 Oct 2009 12:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>Amy TanAmyTanauthorsBehind the Wheel of the BookmobileBehindTheWheelOfTheBookmobileBookmobilebooksDave EggersDaveEggersdocumentaryinterviewsLincoln HighwayLincolnHighwayNew York CityNewYorkCitySan FranciscoSanFranciscostoriesTom CorwinTom RobbinsTomCorwinTomRobbinsFri, 23 Oct 2009 12:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Virgin America considers new boarding: baggage-free passengers first]]>http://www.gadling.com/2009/10/21/first-to-board-bagless-passengers/http://www.gadling.com/2009/10/21/first-to-board-bagless-passengers/http://www.gadling.com/2009/10/21/first-to-board-bagless-passengers/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

It happened to me the other day. I had my plane ticket in hand and stepped aboard the soon-to-depart airplane, but couldn't sit down. Why? Because of the 15 people in front of me who needed to find spots in overhead bins for their carry-on suitcases.

We all know that the boarding process has slowed down because of baggage fees. More people are opting to stow their suitcases as carry-ons rather than check them.

Virgin America is testing a way that might speed up the entire process.

It would mean that anybody without carry-ons would board first. Then, everybody with carry-ons would board second.

I think it's brilliant. Fewer people would be in the aisles, meaning that the folks with bags might be able to find overhead space more easily. And hey, fewer people would be annoyed. It has the potential to work, and I'm glad to see that an airline has the foresight to consider it as an alternative to the norm.

That said, I might personally choose to stall, if given the choice. I usually prefer to be one of the last people on the plane (I'd rather spend my time standing in the airport than sitting on the plane). If others rationalized the delayed boarding in the same way, would that just negate all of the positive aspects of this new system?

Gallery: Top Ten Strangest Hotel Guest Requests

Can you turn down the ocean?Can I get a New York Cheesecake? From New York?My dog needs her own room. Can I have a bonfire on the terrace?Can you cut holes in my sheets?
Follow us on Twitter!
Be our fan on Facebook!

Gallery: The Girls of Ryanair Calendar 2008


Virgin America considers new boarding: baggage-free passengers first originally appeared on Gadling on Wed, 21 Oct 2009 11:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>baglessboardboardingcarry onCarryOnfirstpassengerVirgin AmericaVirginAmericaWed, 21 Oct 2009 11:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Say 'arrivederci' to cars in Florence's Piazza Duomo]]>http://www.gadling.com/2009/10/16/say-arrivaderci-to-cars-in-florences-piazza/http://www.gadling.com/2009/10/16/say-arrivaderci-to-cars-in-florences-piazza/http://www.gadling.com/2009/10/16/say-arrivaderci-to-cars-in-florences-piazza/#commentsFiled under: ,

It's a given -- any visit to the main piazza in Florence means being among a crowd. But thanks to a decision by the city's mayor Matteo Renzi, visitors will soon get a little breather (literally and figuratively).

Starting October 25, cars, buses, and even horse-drawn carriages will be banned from the popular nucleus of activity near the Duomo and Baptistry.

The reason is to reduce the carbon monoxide (2.6 tons) and fine particulate (450 kilos) in the area -- bad for both lungs and the walls of the light-colored cathedral. The number of buses making rounds daily through the area will be reduced by 500 -- from 2,740 to 2,200.

The people least likely to celebrate the change? Taxi drivers, of course. That just means more space for you and I to dance for joy at the celebratory open-air concert on October 25th.

And if the mayor's decision just happens to extend the length of space available for a good stroll -- the lovely passegiata -- I say 'grazie' to that.

Say 'arrivederci' to cars in Florence's Piazza Duomo originally appeared on Gadling on Fri, 16 Oct 2009 11:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>baptistryclosedduomoFlorencepassegiatapedestrian zonePedestrianZonepiazzaFri, 16 Oct 2009 11:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Free night at Sheraton up for grabs]]>http://www.gadling.com/2009/10/01/free-night-at-sheraton-up-for-grabs/http://www.gadling.com/2009/10/01/free-night-at-sheraton-up-for-grabs/http://www.gadling.com/2009/10/01/free-night-at-sheraton-up-for-grabs/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

It's not often that you have such a good chance at winning a free stay at a hotel. Sheraton will be giving away 2,100 one-night stays at 86 locations during its Check-In On Us Giveaway.

You must be able to stay at the Sheraton hotel that you choose on Friday, October 23rd. You'll be limited to that day for your overnight.

First register online, and then you can enter the giveaway once a day between October 6-9. There's a chance that you might not win a room at the specific hotel you choose, but you'll know instantly.

If you don't win, you can try back the next day, through October 9. The rooms are available on a first-come, first-served basis.

If you win, congratulations--it's all paid for! The hotel will cover the fees, taxes, and surcharges for the one night, but any additional nights and services will be your responsibility.

The promotion isn't valid at all of the locations, but it is at 40% of them in the U.S. and Canada--meaning 86 locations. You must be specific and choose one hotel each time that you enter to win.

If the rooms are already booked by the time that you enter, you'll still be offered a coupon for a room discount.

The promotion highlights Sheraton's recent renovations. They've added or renovated 70,000 hotel rooms worldwide since 2007, and all of the hotels featured in the promotion are either new or newly renovated.

Free night at Sheraton up for grabs originally appeared on Gadling on Thu, 01 Oct 2009 09:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>check in on usCheckInOnUsfreefree nightFreeNightgiveawayrenovationSheraton hotelSheratonHotelThu, 01 Oct 2009 09:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Passenger's bathroom dash causes panic on United flight]]>http://www.gadling.com/2009/09/29/passengers-last-minute-bathroom-dash-causes-panic-on-united-fli/http://www.gadling.com/2009/09/29/passengers-last-minute-bathroom-dash-causes-panic-on-united-fli/http://www.gadling.com/2009/09/29/passengers-last-minute-bathroom-dash-causes-panic-on-united-fli/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

You know when you've just downed your water bottle before reaching airport security? And you didn't have time to use the airport bathroom? And then the plane is delayed on the tarmac?

Yeah, even then...don't use the airplane toilet before takeoff.

One passenger learned the hard way yesterday. United Flight 22 had already left the gate at Los Angeles International Airport, but hadn't taken off yet, and the man needed to use the toilet. But of course the fasten seat belt sign was on and a flight attendant told him to sit down.

He got up and ran to the toilet anyway.

I could easily imagine that happening. In my mind, it's more of a personal emergency and not a threat to public safety.

But apparently, the flight crew didn't think so. The plane was brought back to the gate. Once there, the man was escorted out, and the other passengers were let off the plane. Then, the plane was searched.

What did they find? Nothing. Nothing on the plane. Nothing in the man's luggage. Nothing but proof that the passenger really needed to use the toilet.

Continue reading Passenger's bathroom dash causes panic on United flight

Passenger's bathroom dash causes panic on United flight originally appeared on Gadling on Tue, 29 Sep 2009 09:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>bathroomlaxlos angelesLosAngelesrestroomthreattoiletUnited airlinesUnitedAirlinesTue, 29 Sep 2009 09:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Family Guy cartoon banned in Venezuela]]>http://www.gadling.com/2009/09/27/family-guy-cartoon-banned-in-venezuela/http://www.gadling.com/2009/09/27/family-guy-cartoon-banned-in-venezuela/http://www.gadling.com/2009/09/27/family-guy-cartoon-banned-in-venezuela/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

I think we'd all agree that there are some bad TV re-runs out there that deserve to be taken off the air. But I'm not sure that Family Guy is one of them.

Venezuelan authorities have banned the cartoon from future broadcast. Any TV station that doesn't drop the show will be fined.

What prompted this reaction? The recent episode in which Brian, the talking dog, started a campaign to legalize marijuana.

Watch out future cartoons, so you don't offend the Venezuelan government! It has happened before, and it will surely happen again. The Simpsons was banned there last year because of its "messages that go against the whole education of boys, girl, and adolescents."

Televen was one station threatened with a fine for showing The Simpsons in the morning hours. What did they do to avoid the fine? They were forced to show public service films as an apology. And they replaced The Simpsons with Baywatch.

Really, now. Baywatch is better?

It seems as though the government and TV in Venezuela are closely linked. President Hugo Chavez hosts his own talk show. And if new regulations go into effect, cable stations would be forced to broadcast all of Chavez's speeches.


Continue reading Family Guy cartoon banned in Venezuela

Family Guy cartoon banned in Venezuela originally appeared on Gadling on Sun, 27 Sep 2009 15:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>BaywatchFamily GuyFamilyGuyHugo ChavezHugoChavezmarijuanatelevisiontvVenezuelaSun, 27 Sep 2009 15:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Tour the White House gardens for free on Oct. 17-18]]>http://www.gadling.com/2009/09/22/tour-the-white-house-garden-for-free/http://www.gadling.com/2009/09/22/tour-the-white-house-garden-for-free/http://www.gadling.com/2009/09/22/tour-the-white-house-garden-for-free/#commentsFiled under: , ,

If you were like me, you loved that Michelle Obama planted a garden at the White House last March.

You can see it for yourself. It'll be part of this year's White House Gardens and Grounds Tours on October 17-18.

Also on the tour are the Jacqueline Kennedy Garden, Rose Garden, Children's Garden, and South Lawn.

Even though it's free, you'll need to get a ticket to attend. Pick up your timed ticket at the Ellipse Visitor Pavilion (15th & E Streets) on the dates of the tours, starting at 8 a.m. The tickets are first-come, first-served.

The tours run 10:00 a.m-4:00 p.m. on Saturday, October 17, and 10:00 a.m.-3:00 p.m. on Sunday, October 18.

In bad weather, the tours will be canceled, so be sure to check on the status of the event by calling the information line at 202.456.7041.



[Thanks, LATimes.com]

Tour the White House gardens for free on Oct. 17-18 originally appeared on Gadling on Tue, 22 Sep 2009 13:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>Obamasouth lawnSouthLawnWhite HouseWhite House Gardens and Grounds ToursWhiteHouseWhiteHouseGardensAndGroundsToursTue, 22 Sep 2009 13:30:00 EST<![CDATA[National Public Lands Day: enter a park for free and volunteer]]>http://www.gadling.com/2009/09/10/national-public-lands-day-enter-a-park-for-free-and-volunteer/http://www.gadling.com/2009/09/10/national-public-lands-day-enter-a-park-for-free-and-volunteer/http://www.gadling.com/2009/09/10/national-public-lands-day-enter-a-park-for-free-and-volunteer/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

Maybe you took advantage of one of the fee-free weekends at a national park this summer? That was for 147 parks. Here's a free day that's valid at all 391 national parks.

National Public Lands Day is on Saturday, September 26th.

It's not just a time to get into a park for free, but it's a time to participate, if you can. Organizers of the event hope to honor the parks with both celebration and service. Volunteer activities and festivities will be specially tailored for each of the parks.

The reward for your troubles if you volunteer? A sneak preview of Ken Burns' new documentary "The National Parks: America's Best Idea."

A few of the special events of the day:

Minute Man National Historic Park (Massachusetts): Celebrate its 50th anniversary as a national park on the same day. Recently rehabilitated buildings will be open to the public for the first time.

George Washington Carver National Monument (Missouri): Volunteer with others to remove invasive exotic plants in the park's woodlands and prairie.

Rocky Mountain National Park (Colorado): Build a new connector trail along the Continental Divide between the park and U.S. Forest Service lands. Local musicians will perform music from the Ken Burns' movie.

National Public Lands Day: enter a park for free and volunteer originally appeared on Gadling on Thu, 10 Sep 2009 14:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>documentaryfee-free weekendFee-freeWeekendgeorge washington carverGeorgeWashingtonCarverken burnsKenBurnsminute manMinuteMannational parknational public lands dayNationalParkNationalPublicLandsDayrocky mountainRockyMountainthe national parks: americas best ideaTheNationalParks:AmericasBestIdeavolunteerThu, 10 Sep 2009 14:00:00 EST