July 23, 2008
Glacier National Park - A Jewel in the Park System
Quick, go now while the weather is good.
Glacier National Park is impressive in size- over 1.4 million acres, more than 200 lakes and streams, and 730 miles of hiking trails. As well as breathtakingly beautiful- home to over 50 glaciers, 300 grizzly bears, 20 waterfalls and thousands of dew-bedecked wildflowers. This park in Montana has flourished in the 500 years the have passed since the last forest fire in the area.
Because of the high moisture content, the area has some of the largest cedar and hemlocks anywhere at the Trail of the Cedars boardwalk. If you drive yourself, you can stop and you're sure to spot a flying squirrel. Be patient, and near nightfall you can hear the owls hooting while the mountains around Lake MacDonald, glowing pink in the setting sun, make you want to stand still until dark.
Filed under Destination Travel, Family Vacations, Vacations by Jerry Stearns
It’s much easier to stay healthy at home than on the road. Travel alters your daily routine of sleep, diet, exercise and environment. When this happens your body can cease to function properly and this can lead to insomnia, upset stomachs, allergies and emotional stress. But there are many ways to stay healthy while traveling.
Eons of wind and water have created deep canyons and high buttes where dinosaurs once roamed freely. Parts look like the dead surface of the moon. Others are so filled with life and color you'll wonder how the two can exist together. 
If you are trying to decide whether or not to take your next vacation on the glorious beaches of the Bahamas or, say, the Gobi desert, many people will look at you as though you're crazy. "Go for the beach!" they'll say. "But the desert has sand too" you'll argue back, and so it will go until the two of you have come full circle and call it a draw without ever having reached a decision. It's a legitimate question-what is it about the Bahamas that makes it such a popular tourist attraction? More importantly, why should you spend your vacation there?
The last thing you want to think about when planning your European vacation is what can possibly go wrong. It is best that you are aware of the likelihood of these situations and how to avoid them before your travel to Europe. Crime against tourists is not often discussed topic in the news, because these crimes are usually not reported. That is because even if you file a report with the local police, you will likely be safe at home and unable to follow through with the charges, if any are ever pressed.
Mexico is often referred to as a vacation "hotspot." The popularity of Mexico has led to an increase in the amount of tourists that visit the area. To cater to tourists, of all financial standings, a number of popular resorts have developed all-inclusive vacation packages.
Since winter driving in the mountains is treacherous, many travelers do not vacation during the colder months. This trend of staying at home during the winter are being changed by train tours of the National Parks in the Rocky Mountains. The train tour of the Rockies is offered by Amtrak and begins in Chicago, Illinois. Two trains, the Amtrak's California Zephyr and the Montana Empire Builder will take you through some of the most majestic scenery of the Rocky Mountain area. Packed full of activities and excursions the train trip will take you through Yellowstone National Park, Teton National Park, the lower half of Glacier National Park, and many mountain towns of historical significance.
Carnival Cruises made cruise travel accessible to everyone. From their image as the "Fun Ship" to adding children's programs that were much more than babysitting, Carnival priced cruises so that families could afford to travel together. 
