The Traveling Fool

I spent the last week traveling between Mammoth Mountain in California, and Reno, Nevada. As hard as it is to believe, all was done in the name of work.

I traveled with two friends and co-writers to Mammoth Mountain in California to write a review of the resort for my new venture. Being the third week of April, we all anticipated a sun-filled, Spring Skiing adventure. Boy, were we ever wrong! Two storms, perfectly spaced, dumped a total of 22 inches of powder on Mammoth for our visit. And because Mammoth is close to perfect, it only snows at night. In fact, it began snowing just moments before we arrived, and it continued to snow all night, stopping just before dawn, giving us first tracks, in the sun, on a perfect "Spring" day.

Then it was off to Reno, NV to attend a bi-annual, members only Internet Conference. Members of what, you ask? Well, that's by invitation only. To even know the name of the group is a privilege, and I'm prohibited from even printing it's name here for you to read.

While in Reno I did manage to scratch off just one item from the list of things I feel I must do before I leave this planet in search of whatever comes next. I attended Greg Thompson's production of Showgirls. I honestly didn't expect much; it was just something I wanted to do. But I'm pleased to report that I was pleasantly surprised. The show was simply incredible!

I know that there are people in this world that will avoid the show simply because it is topless; and to them, I say, it's your loss. You are turning your cheek on an incredible display of talent, and an evening of splendid entertainment, just because of a particular style of costume.

But it's not my intention to try to open your mind. In fact, it's my intention to do just the opposite. I'd prefer not to compete with you for the good seats when I attend my next Las Vegas style show. So please, take your narrow point of view and enjoy your life just the way you always have. I've got show tickets to purchase!

Winter Travel

The weather changes very quickly around here, and I've been caught in the snow at times when I certainly didn't expect to be. I once threw a snowball in Sun Valley, ID on the 6th of June! Planning to take a few extra items into the backcountry with you can make your trip safer, and more enjoyable, if winter weather unexpectedly delays your travels.

Before your next winter road trip, consider adding these items to the safety equipment that is already in your car: A 24-hour supply of food and water; MRE's are an easy and affordable way to do this, and they are now available in most sporting goods stores; Extra Clothing, including rain gear, hat and gloves, and a sweater or coat; Flashlight, with extra batteries and bulb; Or even better, one of the new flashlights that operate without batteries; Matches (or other fire starter) in a waterproof container; First Aid Kit, including any personal use items such as toilet paper, feminine products, or prescription medications; Signaling devices such as a mirror, and a whistle; Your road flares also make for good signaling devices; A Blanket or Sleeping Bag; A candle; And a small snow shovel.

If you are hiking into the backcountry, or even if you are out hunting for an afternoon just a mile or two from your truck, you’ll want to carry these items in addition to all of the equipment you added to your car above. A compass; a tarp, sleeping pad or bivouac sack; 1/8-inch nylon “parachute” cord; a pocket knife; a backpack to carry all this stuff in; and a way to communicate with the outside world. A “ham” radio is the best way, and the test to get your license is very easy since the Morse code requirement was dropped for entry-level operators. GMRS Radios are a popular alternative, but they are actually more expensive, and they don’t offer near the security of a good ham radio.

It's not enough to simply carry all this stuff; you also need to know how each one might be used to save your life if an unexpected survival situation should occur. Taking a survival class from your local Search & Rescue organization will teach how to use all of the survival tools that I've mentioned above, and they'll almost certainly have some other ideas for you about what else to carry, and what might be of the most use to you in your neck of the woods.

"Energy Surcharges"

Exploring the Great Outdoors means that you will occasionally need to spend the night in a hotel. So if you are forced to give up your tent for the night, be sure that the hotel you've chosen doesn't try to tack on an "Energy Surcharge".

It all started back in 2001, right around the time of September 11th. Times were tight and travel was something that a great many of us stopped doing. At least for a while. The travel industry was having DESPERATE economic times, and in their own short-sightedness they created a new scam called "Energy Surcharge".

Hotel "Energy Surcharges" are about one thing: lying to you about what the room rate is. They quote you a nice rate to get you to stay there, but then expect you to pay a "surcharge" for a standard amenity (like the lights!) to get a few extra bucks out of you. If a hotel can't afford its power bill it should be honest about it and raise their nightly rate to cover it.

By any other name, the "Energy Surcharge" would be considered "Bait and Switch". The hotels have found a way to make Bait and Switch legal. You can, and should, refuse to play their game. Insist they charge you ONLY the rate they quoted to you.

This post inspired by one of Randy's Rants in This is True.