If you want to find out which are the best state parks from the point of view of the director of each state park system, check out The Best of the Best State Parks at About.com

Darren Smith sent out a request to each director for his or her top choice. Because many directors turned in more than one offering, Smith included all suggestions. As he points out, a park that's best for birdwatching may not be best for skiing. What's "best," therefore, is subjective. In the case of a best of the best list, the more the merrier.

Subjective or not, what makes these state parks standouts, according to Smith, are their natural beauty and natural resources, as well as, in some cases, their cultural and historical significance. They are also perfect for spotting the wildlife that is native to each state.

What intrigued me about Smith's list of state parks is that there are many that are often overshadowed by the national parks and monuments that happen to be in that state as well. New Mexico is one such state.

Continue reading Top state parks in each state offer options for seeing native wildlife

Top state parks in each state offer options for seeing native wildlife originally appeared on Gadling on Mon, 09 Nov 2009 19:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Continue reading A review of Cheapflights.com's "Travelnomics: Calling on Cuba" guide

A review of Cheapflights.com's "Travelnomics: Calling on Cuba" guide originally appeared on Gadling on Sun, 08 Nov 2009 13:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

This is a what NOT to do story if you're ever in a Pilatus PC-7 Mk II. Do not, I repeat, do not, use the black and yellow handle located between your legs to steady yourself. Not even if you're pretending to be Tom Cruise in the movie Top Gun. Pull on that handle and you'll find yourself out of the plane before you can say, "Ooops, I shouldn't have done that."

That handle is what the pilots and passengers can use to activate the ejector seat in order to shoot out from the plane in case of an emergency.

In the case of this recent mishap, the passenger was on a joy ride with an expert pilot of South Africa's Silver Falcons air display team when he pulled the lever during one of the maneuvers.

And whoosh!, there he went--the two rockets attached to the back of his chair catapulting him right out of the plane 100m up into the wide open sky.

Luckily, the ejector seat is designed to release a parachute so the man safely floated back to solid ground near the Langebaanweg airfield not far from Cape Town, South Africa.

If one could be assured that you'd land as safely as this guy did, you have to admit this does sound like it would be a blast in more ways than one.

I wonder if pilots will now post a sign front of the passenger seat saying, "DO NOT pull the yellow and black lever. DON"T EVEN TOUCH IT. Ever." [news.com.au]

*The Pilatus PC-7 in the photo is from the Royal Netherlands Air Force

Man accidently ejects himself from plane originally appeared on Gadling on Sat, 07 Nov 2009 10:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

• I love companies that give back. Here are five travel outlets that make giving part of buying. [via Jaunted]
• Yikes! As a single female traveler, I've been wary of couchsurfing. This give me more reason to avoid couchsurfing altogether. [via True/Slant]
• I read this article on the plane recently and was really moved by what this graffiti artist is doing to share his vision of the world. [via Hemispheres]
• This is a nice, comprehensive guide to wine tasting in South America. [via BootsNAll]

More Gadlinks HERE.

Gadlinks for Friday 11.6.09 originally appeared on Gadling on Fri, 06 Nov 2009 18:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Greyhound bus drivers

Now, how many of you heard about the Greyhound bus driver who headed the wrong way for more than an hour last week? Yep, last Saturday morning at about 7:14 a.m on October 31st, that's exactly what happened--a bus driver went the wrong way for more than 70 miles.

Here's an exclusive Gadling report that has yet to show up anywhere. Gadling knows because Gadling was there.

Continue reading Greyhound bus driver heads wrong way: Where's a GPS when you need one?

Greyhound bus driver heads wrong way: Where's a GPS when you need one? originally appeared on Gadling on Fri, 06 Nov 2009 14:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

GPS and PMS originally appeared on Gadling on Thu, 05 Nov 2009 17:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Too bad Pamela Root, the latest woman to be kicked off a plane with her child because of her child's behavior, didn't have Lisa Belkin's method of calming down a screaming toddler. Not the whole method though, just part of it. The whole version is gross. And yes, it is funny--very funny. But it is gross, very gross as well. It's also a cautionary tale of sorts regarding those handy barf bags tucked into an airplane's seat back pockets.

Belkin, who writes for the Motherlode blog in the New York Times, recounts her own trapped-on-a plane-with-an-unruly toddler story. In Belkin's case, it was her own toddler who would not be consoled. Well aware of the looks of horror and sympathy being directed her way by the other passengers, and the not so friendly skies look of the flight attendant who was closest to her, Belkin feared being jettisoned off the plane.

In a flash of brilliance, Belkin pulled the barf bag out of a seat pocket, drew a face on it, slipped her hand inside and turned her hand into a puppet show. Her child stopped crying immediately, pleased as punch.

Belkin, figuring that if one puppet was a hit, two might be Oscar winning material, thrust her other hand into another barf bag. Unfortunately, someone already had found a use for the barf bag-- the use for which it was meant.

Yep. There was Belkin, her hand in a barf bag covered with vomit, and her puppet show at a screeching halt. Fortunately, her husband, who had not been very useful up to that point, was there to help out while Belkin bounded for the restroom lickety split for a sanitation session in the lavatory before the plane took off.

After reading Belkin's story, I'm thankful that when I used a barf bag this summer to hold my son's Lego airplane pieces from the toy I bought at the Detroit airport, I didn't have a mess to clean up. Vomit on Legos? Gaad.

I bought the toy as a way to keep him occupied on our way to Venice via Amsterdam. Fortunately, he's at the age where the in-flight movies do the trick just fine.

Method for quieting child on plane: Works better without the vomit originally appeared on Gadling on Thu, 05 Nov 2009 17:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

It's GPS day here are Gadling, so I think it's only appropriate to offer up some GPS-themed travel reads for you today. Enjoy!

• Prague has tons of wonderful galleries, but they are not always easy to find. [via NY Times]
• Up for a geocache adventure in Portugal? Try your hand at these. [via Matador Trips]
• Check out this comprehensive blog called Adventures in Geocaching.
• Hawaii's islands may be small, but you can still get lost. That's why GPS systems can reduce big-time sightseeing stress. [via Go Visit Hawaii]
• For all you worried parents out there, you could always stuff a tracking device into your child's backpack before s/he sets off on a trip. Voila! You have your very own GPS postcard. [via Jaunted]

More Gadlinks HERE.

Gadlinks for Monday 11.2.09 originally appeared on Gadling on Mon, 02 Nov 2009 18:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

I find costumes scary and Halloween night even scarier. I may love to travel, but on this particular evening there's no better place than the comfort of my living room. For those of you who are a bit more brave and eager to set out into the spooky evening donning a custom costume, have a ghoulish time! But for the others, like myself, who prefer to stay home, I invite you to read these Halloween-themed travel reads.

• Haunted houses? That's nothing compared to notoriously haunted hotels or creepy castles. [via BootsNAll]
• My flick chick homegirl Eva over at World Hum put together this great list of travel horror movies that the faint of heart should avoid, but the brave should check out.
• Oh scary! There's nothing more frightening than graveyards by night. [via Matador Trips]
• Recycled Halloween costumes? If I did dress up, I'd go that route. Here are some frightfully good, green Halloween tips for travelers. [via Go Green Travel Green]

More Gadlinks HERE.

Gadlinks for Friday 10.30.09 originally appeared on Gadling on Fri, 30 Oct 2009 18:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Even though Edgar Allan Poe's funeral do-over in Baltimore was a couple weeks ago, there are several locations where it's not too late to pay tribute to this literary master of horror. Poe, a traveler himself, moved between Boston, Charlottesville and Richmond, Virginia and Baltimore, plus a few towns in between. Because several of the Poe-related landmarks still exist, it's possible to follow his trail from his birth to his death.

Given that this is the 200th year of his birth, why not pay Poe tribute by heading to one of these locations for a Halloween weekend remembrance?

Bring a copy of his short stories or poems with you to add to the ambiance. Make sure "The Raven" and "The Fall of the House of Usher" are among them: some of the stops are where they were written.

Continue reading Edgar Allan Poe travel for Halloween weekend

Edgar Allan Poe travel for Halloween weekend originally appeared on Gadling on Thu, 29 Oct 2009 14:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

For Gadling's day of posts centered on Vintage America, Scott treated us to 10 vintage airline commercials. Those commercials put airlines and their personnel in a positive light. Here's a video with another version of air travel thanks to one very cranky flight attendant.

Thankfully, this is a commercial for a product other than an airline, but it perfectly captures the worst aspects of travel --plus, it's hilarious. Haven't you had times on an airplane when you wish you could behave this way? The passenger version of these scenarios would be funny as well.

Continue reading Flight attendant going bonkers? Here's one hilarious explanation

Flight attendant going bonkers? Here's one hilarious explanation originally appeared on Gadling on Wed, 28 Oct 2009 10:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

• Denmark - Since the first Music Harvest in 1985, the festival has presented contemporary music from the USA, Russia, Britain, Germany, Hungary, Finland, Poland, Lithuania and the Baltic countries, as well as from Denmark. The event takes place in Odense. It begins Wednesday, October 28 and will continue until November 7.
  
• Cambodia - Coronation Day a major religious holiday all over Cambodia and commemorates King Norodom Sihamoni's Coronation. This event takes place this Thursday, October 29th.
• Ottawa - One World Film Festival is a platform for filmmakers and the public to exchange ideas and information about issues of social justice, human rights and the environment. The event begins Thursday October 29 and continues until October 30.
• Hong Kong - Wine and Dine Festival is part of the a range of food and wine events in Hong Kong. The event begins this Friday, October 30 and continues until November 1.
• Las Vegas - The Professional Bull Riders Finals take place this Friday, October 30 at the Thomas and Mack Center in Las Vegas. The event is followed by the National Rodeo Finals later in the year and will continue until November 8.
  
• Transylvania - Halloween in Transylvania is a special event that will be held this Saturday, October 31,. The festival includes tours, shows and celebrations that follow the footsteps of Bram Stoker's novel character, Count Dracula.

Get out and go: Events around the world (October 28-31) originally appeared on Gadling on Tue, 27 Oct 2009 16:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

When picking out a haunted house to go to for Halloween fun with kids, it helps to know your child. Even then, it may not be a guarantee of a good time. When we headed into the Haunted Mansion ride at Disney World a few days before my son's 6th birthday, I envisioned a shriek or two followed by chortles of glee--the mark of a delicious and welcome fright.

After all, his sister loved that ride when she was five, and she's the one that dressed up like a pink fairy princess for Halloween when she was his age. He was Darth Vader that growled out, "Beware of the dark side" in between his "Trick o' Treats."

But from the ride's first scream that pierced the dark, and every one of the floating, dancing holograph ghosts, he hid his eyes in my armpit and kept them there until the very end when we clamored out of the car--him, in relief that the ordeal was over. Happily, he immediately bounded back, ready for a different ride. When he remembers that day, he sees the Magic Kingdom as a good dream come true. That bad mother moment did not last long.

Bad mother (or bad dad) moments seem hard to avoid when accessing the various Halloween options. "How haunted is too haunted?" one wonders.

One the other side of the age spectrum are older kids who might want more than the Casper, the friendly ghost version of ghoulish. Anything less than heart-pounding fright is a big yawn.

Here are 10 tips for picking out an age appropriate haunted house experience so that no one is disappointed and your money is well spent.

Continue reading Ten tips for choosing the right haunted house

Ten tips for choosing the right haunted house originally appeared on Gadling on Sat, 24 Oct 2009 17:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Did you know today is the International Day of Climate Action? According to 350.org, "People in 181 countries are coming together for the most widespread day of environmental action in the planet's history. At over 5200 events around the world, people are gathering to call for strong action and bold leadership on the climate crisis." In keeping with this special day, I've saved our usual Friday Gadlinks for today to present you with travel-oriented reads related to climate change. Hope you enjoy!

• CNN covered 350.org's climate change initiative today, and the world is responding. [via 350.org]
• Here are five of the coolest climate change stories from around the world. [via Inhabitat]
• If you're in Honolulu, there's a free screening of a climate change documentary playing at the University of Hawaii at Manoa's campus this afternoon. [via Honolulu on the Cheap]
• In a personal effort to raise awareness on climate change, one man is biking around South America. [via Tree Hugger]
• That bike trip may be a bit extreme. If you don't have that much time or energy to campaign for climate change, here are six small things you can do to save the environment. [via Go Green Travel Green]

'Til Monday, have a great weekend!

More Gadlinks HERE.

Gadlinks for Saturday 10.24.09 originally appeared on Gadling on Sat, 24 Oct 2009 14:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

If you missed Woodstock forty years ago, or feel that counterculture may have passed you by, the West Fest: 40th Anniversary of Woodstock festival is a place to catch up.

At Golden Gate Park in San Francisco this Sunday, Oct. 25th, counter culture is using its voice again--big time.

From 9 a.m to 6 p.m, hundreds of San Francisco-based musicians, Beat Generation poets, anti-war speakers, members of the Free Speech Movement, members of the Green Movement and others are joining forces to celebrate California's trend-setting role in the counterculture movement.

As part of the venue, 3,000 musicians will play Jimmy Hendrix's "Purple Haze" at the same time in an effort to break the world record for the largest guitar ensemble.

Several of the musicians are from groups that might sound familiar, i.e., Starship, Jefferson Airplane, The Doors, Greg Allman's Band, and the Byrds. To be clear--this doesn't mean these bands will appear, but people who are from these groups will be performing.

As the West Fest page of the Woodstock Story website points out, the San Francisco area is where the Free Speech Movement, Free Love Movement, Farm Workers Movement, Women's Movement, Gay Rights Movement, and the Sexual Revolution first took hold.

Whether you're a counterculture type or not, West Fest sounds like an event not to miss if you're within shouting distance of San Francisco. Couldn't you use a bit of peace, love and good cheer?

As a plus, unlike 40 years ago, the weather on Sunday in San Francisco is supposed to be sublime. How does mostly sunny and a high of 75 degrees sound?

During three days of the four-day Woodstock concert, it mostly rained.

If you're looking for a budget-friendly place to stay in San Francisco, check out The Good Hotel.

West Fest: 40th Anniversary of Woodstock is FREE! originally appeared on Gadling on Wed, 21 Oct 2009 17:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

In Mike's post on he brought up the conflict one can experience in cultural tourism. He was prompted to write down his thoughts after visiting the Tiwi Islands in Australia. In the photo essay and interview in the New York Times, "Behind the Scenes and Still Wounded" Aaron Huey, who found himself drawn into the terrible beauty of the Lakota tribe of the Pine Ridge reservation in South Dakota, Huey alludes to similar ideas.

It is impossible for people to develop an accurate impression of a culture in one visit.

Huey has spent the past five years photographing the Lakota who live in Manderson, one of Pine Ridge's most impoverished towns. This process that has developed friendships that are as close as family and an understanding of the Lakota that few have been able to attain. But, even then, Huey's experience has not brought him any closer to knowing the answer, "'Who are the Lakota?'"

As he writes: In many ways, I feel like it is not my question to answer. The Lakota are a people who have been wronged many times over. Coming from the dominant society and attempting to define them is a guaranteed failure for a white journalist. I have no right to define them.

Huey's photos and essay, along with Mike's musings, are a reminder that as we travel, we're merely picking up tidbits of what a place is about.

What I think happens is that as we travel, we're mostly finding out about who we are by looking through a lens of the "other." If we arrive back home with a better understanding of who we are through our interactions and experiences, we've done well. To really know a place and what a particular culture is about takes years--and even then, it may not make us an expert.

Reading the interview with Huey and looking at the images he captured in Manderson is one place to start on a journey of trying to understand the complexities of the Lakota. It certainly gives an insight into Huey.

(The Hamner Photos image was taken on the Pine Ridge Reservation. Click here for more of them. From what I can tell, they were taken as part of a work camp to build houses on the reservation, just a Band-aid to the poverty problem, according to Huey.)

Photos of the Lakota: a lesson in culture and inclusion originally appeared on Gadling on Tue, 20 Oct 2009 13:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

• Bummer! Just when I thought I'd seen everything in Colombia, I find the Cano Cristales river, which based on these photos, does look like an awfully beautiful place. [via Been-Seen]
• Medellin, in Colombia, used to be the murder capital of the world -- but no longer! Check out five of the most dangerous cities in the world. [via Open Travel]
• I'm heading to the Middle East in January, and after reading this article I have every intention of visiting Jaffa, on the southern edge of Tel Aviv. [via NY Times Travel]
• Want to get an MBA and still travel? This article shows you how. [via Vagablogging]
• I traveled through Mediterranean Europe watching my favorite TV shows on my iPod several years ago. Here are some tips on how to travel and still watch your favorite TV programs. [via Peter Greenberg]

Gadlinks for Monday 10.19.09 originally appeared on Gadling on Mon, 19 Oct 2009 17:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Friday, October 16, in drizzling rain and cool temperatures, 300 people or so, many clad in pre-Civil War attire, at least four of them dressed like abolitionist John Brown, set out on foot for Harpers Ferry National Historical Park.

The beginning of their five-mile walk, the log farmhouse in western Maryland, is the very spot where Brown and his raiders left for the Federal Arsenal in Harpers Ferry. Their aim? To seize the weapons necessary for establishing a colony for runaway slaves.

As a result of the raid, Brown, zealous about his cause, was wounded and captured in a stand off with townspeople and the militia. Brown's bold move is credited with starting the Civil War.

It also found him swinging at the end of a hangman's noose six weeks later after he was found guilty of treason for his efforts. Although Brown wasn't successful, his actions, along with those of his men, did put the nation's attention firmly on the issue of slavery.

The original march, also on October 16, was 150 years ago. The march that led to the raid on Harpers Ferry, isn't the only event being held to commemorate Brown's important place in American history. There are several more happening this month and into November.

With fall foliage still showing it's glory, these are perfect days for taking a drive to trace Brown's journey, both on that night years ago and at other parts of his life. Here are suggestions for a do-it-yourself John Brown sesquicentennial celebration that takes in parts of Pennsylvania, Maryland, West Virginia and Virginia.

Continue reading Weekend Drive: Retrace the steps of John Brown and the beginning of the Civil War

Weekend Drive: Retrace the steps of John Brown and the beginning of the Civil War originally appeared on Gadling on Sun, 18 Oct 2009 11:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

During this week, the start of Gadling's 5th birthday celebration, we've also highlighted aspects of eco-friendly travel and have continued to ferret out travel bargains. Brenda found a screaming deal on a trip to China. Heather's weighed in on how to get free beer from a flight attendant and provides a reminder as to what NOT to do as well. I haven't been given free beer on a flight, but I have been given free wine.

Here five other posts that cover subjects from sports to destinations to eats. This week was filled with such goodies, it was hard to pick.

• Although it may not be the cheapest destination to reach, Alice Springs, Australia has much to offer. Mike was fortunate enough to see this Outback location from the vantage point of a hot air balloon. Lucky him!
• In one of the most creative ways to fund travel that I've heard about in awhile--if ever, Daniel Seddiqui lined up 50 jobs in 50 states. Katie's post highlights how Daniel did it and gives just enough of a taste to make us want more details about Seddiqui's grand idea. We'll have to wait for his book. Here's hoping he'll send it Gadling's way when he's done.
• One of the great things about traveling is being exposed to the variety of ways in which people entertain themselves around the world. Grant found an amazing video of people playing Sepak Takraw in Thailand, something he relates to volleyball and hackey sack with an acrobatic twist.
• Sepak Takraw isn't the only unusual aspect of Asia we've highlighted this week. Catherine found out about a dwarf village in China. This village near Kunming is actually a theme park where 80 dwarf residents perform musical numbers. I have to say, this place sounds odd, but very intriguing. Catherine's wondering if she should go there after she moves to Kunming in the next couple of weeks. I'm wondering how can she not?
• In Chicago, Felony Franks is an intriguing restaurant that hires ex-convicts to serve up the dogs and french fries. Tom also points to similar establishments doing good work while serving the public in San Francisco and Trenton, New Jersey.

And one more. Here's some music for your weekend. In the "Top 10 travel-themed 50's songs," a follow-up to Jeremy's post on the "Top 10 travel-themed '80's songs," there are some songs you probably know. One song I didn't know before has become my new favorite. "Wayward Wind" captures so much about how hard it is to pin a world traveler down.

Gadling Take FIVE-- Week of Oct. 10 to Oct. 16 originally appeared on Gadling on Fri, 16 Oct 2009 18:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

• Our Sex and the Woods friends offer up some hilarious advice and commentary on travel romance in the age of social media. [via Wend]
  
• Easter Island is overloaded with tourists, and it's not good for the environment. [via The Economist]
• If you missed Burning Man this year -- or have yet to experience it, this is a really fascinating photo essay of one of the world's craziest desert parties. [via Tripbase]
• Even if you don't like dressing up, here are 31 places to enjoy Halloween. [via BootsNAll]
• There are plenty of bad travel illnesses out there. Here are the world's worst travel diseases. [via Vagabondish]

Gadlinks for Friday 10.16.09 originally appeared on Gadling on Fri, 16 Oct 2009 17:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.