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Credit Cards and Travel

When preparing for your next trip, you probably put a credit card or two in your wallet or purse. Right? Have you ever been in a foreign country or a city far from home and that credit card was denied? You know you have an ample limit…so what happened?
Here are some things to do that may prevent that from happening…
Call the credit card company to let them know where and when you will be traveling. This way it will not look like unusual or suspicious activity to the company. In turn they will not cancel or close your account!
Check your credit card’s transaction fees when using that card abroad. Some charge a percentage of withdrawals or transactions.
Check your credit card’s rate of interest when using it abroad.
You may want to check with your bank to see if they offer one with no fees.
Do consider using a credit card for purchases over $100. Under Section 75 of the Consumer Credit Act of 1974 if there are any products purchased that are not as fully described, you will be able to recover the cost from the credit card supplier or retailer.
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Beach Time

When is your favorite time to head to the beach? This star fish was caught between the rocks at low tide.
Is it low tide when you can find all kinds of shells, rocks, critters and stuff?
Or is it when the tide is coming or going…and the waves are crashing?
Maybe you like the beach no matter what the tide is doing…
Just listening is soothing in its own way.
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Traveling with Kids

When thinking about traveling this fall or over the holidays with kids…keep these thoughts in mind.
Airport security is always time consuming. Remember even kids need to remove shoes, jackets, sweaters and empty their pockets. Plus, their carry-on bags also need to be placed on the belt to be looked at by the TSA Agents. With that in mind, it would be a good idea to allow more time to get through security.
Rolling backpacks now come in kid size. Even if you don’t pack many clothes in one, they are great for snacks (no water until after security), books, etc.
Pack clothes that don’t take up much room, ones that don’t wrinkle, ones that are multi-purpose or ones you can hand wash and dry quickly.
Planes can be cold. Tie a jacket or sweater around their waist so they can get to it easily.
If you are using carry-on luggage only, have everyone wear their heaviest shoes and jackets. It makes the bags a little lighter.
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California’s Diverse Coast

Along Pacific Beach, California sandy beaches stretch in front of rolling waves. Palm trees tirelessly watch over surfers all day.

America, because of its size, can feel like several countries all rolled into one. For example…the northern California coast varies greatly from the southern California coast.
Here along Bodega Bay, California waves crash over rock after rock.
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Point Arena Lighthouse: A Guiding Light Since 1870

At six feet tall, this first order Fresnel Lens is the largest Fresnel Lens ever made. Using a clockwork mechanism it provided a double flash every six seconds. That mechanism which turned the lens was lubricated by liquid mercury. Since mercury is now considered a hazardous waste, that mechanism will not be reactivated.

Lenses such as these were used in lighthouses all along the California coast to warn ships of the unsuspecting rocky shoreline. Roughly 90 miles north of San Francisco, this stretch of the Mendocino coast is home to one of the tallest lighthouse towers in the west. Dramatically perched on a narrow peninsula, the Point Arena Lighthouse tower is 115 feet tall. Erected in 1870, destroyed by the 1906 earthquake and rebuilt the following year, it was the first lighthouse to be made of steel and concrete.

The original Fresnel Lens was removed in 2008 and now resides in a museum at the base of the lighthouse.

Looking down from atop the Point Arena lighthouse, look in the upper right hand corner of this photo. That small white looking wave is actually water breaking over a tall rock formation called Arena Rock. Arena Rock is a mile long and a mere six feet under water. This point is difficult to navigate due to its currents, reefs and below the surface rocks. Thus a reason for lighthouses along this coast.

View of the copper roof looking up inside the lighthouse.

The Point Arena tower is the only Pacific west coast lighthouse of significant height you can climb all the way to the top. Narrow, spiral, see-through metal…did I mention spiral and narrow…steps lead you to the top. Once there the views are unrivaled. Plus for extra views, you can walk outside around the edge. The railing keeps you from falling. The wind buffets you against the walls.
See the whale bones in the museum’s yard?

More spectacular downward views.

The current lens.
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Shoulder Season – An Excellent Value!

Booking your trip during “shoulder season” usually means lower prices and fewer tourists, but can vary according to destinations. Here are some things to keep in mind…
Lower airfares will only apply if your whole trip is within that time period, however. So if you book your flight and part of it falls outside of a shoulder season, you will pay the higher price for the whole flight.
Pay attention to weather issues in certain areas. If you are going to the Caribbean, you will find emptier beaches and calmer weather…provided you are not traveling during hurricane season.
You may want to ask your resort when you book your stay if there will be construction. Often shoulder season is the best time for resorts to get all the repairs and remodeling finished.
Check the weather before you pack. And it never hurts to be prepared with a lightweight rain coat or umbrella.