TravelsandEscapes

The Wild Cat Education and Conservation Fund gave us a glimpse of two cats living in northern California.

They take these and other cats to schools to teach kids about our native animals.

At Peterson Winery, we met a bobcat and a mountain lion. Both are wild animals, not trained pets. Both were amazing.

The credentialed teachers combine fun and learning for school kids. For us…it was the same. Fun and educational. Each cat was presented on a leash and the teachers explained natural habitat, behaviors, and the individual animal’s characteristics.

They have several wild cats including cheetah, bobcats, ocelots, servals, Canada lynx, Siberian lynx, Geoffryoy’s cat, and mountain lions.

Many cities such as Paris, London, New York, and Rome offer city passes which include admission to popular museums, galleries, and attractions. Some include transportation passes. Most allow you to skip the long check in lines and go directly to the will call or purchased ticket lines. Check to see how many days you will be in that city and then purchase your pass for one day or for multiple days.

Almost all will save you money and time, allowing you to spend more time visiting your favorite sites.

What should you do if your passport is stolen or lost?

If you feel it has been stolen, immediately visit the local police station. File a report and make sure to get a copy of that report.

If you are abroad, your next step should be to visit the US Embassy or Consulate. Bring all of your identification and documentation with you, as well as someone who can vouch for you if necessary. You should be able to receive a temporary passport.

If you are in the US, file the police report and then fill out form DS-64 from the State Department. This will allow you to apply for a new passport. You will need the appropriate documentation as if filing the first time.

Either way, you can get a replacement.

Have you ever been tempted to buy a knock-off or faux label souvenir when traveling? Many look like the real thing…until you look closely.

Still, I see them all over the place when traveling. Chanel or Dolce and Gabbana bags on the streets of Florence, Mickey Mouse or Rolex watches on the street corners in New York, designer scarves and sunglasses in so many places.

Did you know that the real labels are subject to U.S. copyright and trademark protections? What does this mean to you as a traveler? Your purchase could be confiscated by customs. If you only have one item, they may grant you an exception and let you keep it. But, they don’t have to. And…you only get one exemption every 30 days.

Just something to think about when you’re pondering the price of that high end bag, sold by a young kid who’s looking over his shoulder for the cops.

Vitus Merlot grapes sitting in their tub, just waiting to be punched down. The wine will be amazing…in a few years.

Last night the Rodney Strong Pinot from Sonoma County rounded out both the salad and a chicken dish.  It’s slightly fruity nose and mild spicy taste paired nicely.

Not only does it look nice…it’s a great wine to sip without food as well.