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Read ID…Confusion and Clarification

Real ID Questions and Confusion

In just 19 months air travelers will need the driver’s license/ID card known as a Real ID if they want to board domestic flights, but as states roll out the new cards there has been both confusion and anxiety.

Oct. 1, 2020, is the day the Real ID law will finally be enforced. Conceived as part of 2005 legislation in the wake of the 9/11 terrorist attacks, it requires people to show security-enhanced IDs to pass through airport security checkpoints or to enter certain federal facilities, such as military bases.

You can, however, use your passport in lieu of a driver’s license with the Real ID logo.

Many states are marking their drivers’ licenses with a gold or black star in the top right-hand corner. They must also include an encoded machine-readable zone, similar to a passport. Many states already had this feature in use.

So, why the confusion?

If your driver’s license needs to be renewed, you will need to go to the DMV with your passport, birth certificate, Social Security card, or tax form AND two proofs of address.

A “regular” driver’s license won’t work when flying. You won’t be able to go through security. You can use your passport. Likewise, for all international travel…you need your passport.

If you’re like me, my license doesn’t expire for four years. The mandatory date for having my license as a Real ID is prior to that. Guess I will be taking my passport with me on domestic flights.

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How Do You Travel?

When traveling, do you pay attention to what you do and how you act?

Check out these simple suggestions. Maybe you have more you’d like to share…

Don’t leave a mess. This is true whether you’re staying in a hotel, camping on the beach, tenting in a national park, or hanging out in a vacation rental. It is a good idea to clean up after yourself and make sure everything is back where it belongs before you check out.

Be respectful of the local culture. That means you may need to research local customs wherever you are going. Clothing, language, shaking hands, when to speak, and more. Learn some key phrases. Please and thank you go a long ways. If you say it incorrectly, at least you tried. You could always ask how to pronounce a word.

Have you engaged with the locals? Ask questions. Find out the best place to go for coffee or an afternoon spritz. Ask where the best place is to buy a few groceries.

Take photos…but enjoy the scenery. I’ve been in places where someone is trying to get the perfect shot. Guess what? There are dozens of people in their way also looking at the same thing. Don’t worry about your perfect photo. Enjoy what you’re looking at and get a few shots at the same time. Also check if you can use a flash when you’re in a museum or palace. Pay attention.

Shop local. Need a souvenir? Check out the neighborhood markets, street fairs, and local shops. I look for interesting spices and cooking gadgets to bring to my friends. Last time in Saint Remy, I brought knobs for a dresser. Make your shopping unique.

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What Do You Do On Long Flights?

If you’ve ever been on a long flight, you’ve probably encountered some of these issues.

You’re sitting for a nine-hour flight to Paris. When you arrive, you notice your ankles are three sizes larger than when you left. What’s up with that?

Because you sit for so long, your ankles and lower legs will probably expand. The blood is beginning to pool in your legs and ankles. Since this is not something you want, try wearing compression socks on the flight. I swear by them every time my flight is over three hours.

Have you also noticed you are thirstier, your lips are more chapped, and your hands feel dryer, especially on long flights? It’s the low humidity in the cabin.

Bring your own water bottle. Empty it before you go through security, then fill it up before you get on the plane.

Bring lip balm and hand cream. You might need eye drops to help with your eyes drying out.

I’ve read our sense of smell is weakened on planes. Have you ever noticed that?

I’ve also read you can actually get a sunburn if you sit next to the window. I guess it makes sense, as we are closer to the sun. What are your thoughts?

Do your ears plug up and then pop? The pressure increases as the plane ascends. Yawning or blowing my nose helps me to clear my ears. What do you do?

Some people experience motion sickness every time they fly. Not just in turbulent weather. Why? Because your eyes don’t detect any upcoming movement, but your inner ear knows you’re flying. It’s the imbalance between your eyes and ears which causes the motion sickness. If you need, ask your doctor about medication.

Any issues you encounter when flying long distances?

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State Department Alerts

Because I subscribe to the State Department’s Smart Travel Program, I receive alerts and warnings like the following one.

What does this mean? It means if we’re traveling to this area, we need to be more aware than normal. Keep you eyes open when traveling.

Exercise increased caution in France due to terrorism and civil unrest.

Terrorist groups continue plotting possible attacks in France. Terrorists may attack with little or no warning, targeting tourist locations, transportation hubs, markets/shopping malls, local government facilities, hotels, clubs, restaurants, places of worship, parks, major sporting and cultural events, educational institutions, airports, and other public areas.

Demonstrations in Paris and other major cities continue in France and are expected to continue in the coming weeks. Property damage, including looting and arson, in populated tourist areas has occurred with reckless disregard for public safety. Police have responded with water cannons, rubber bullets, and tear gas. The U.S. Embassy is advising official U.S. government travelers to avoid travel to Paris and other major cities in France on the weekends.

Read the Safety and Security section on the country information page.

If you decide to travel to France:

  • Be aware of your surroundings when traveling to tourist locations and large crowded public venues.
  • Avoid demonstrations.
  • Review travel plans if you will be in France on weekends.
  • Follow the instructions of local authorities including movement restrictions related to any ongoing police action.
  • Find a safe location, and shelter in place if in the vicinity of large gatherings or protests.
  • Monitor local media for breaking events and adjust your plans based on new information.
  • Enroll in the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program(STEP) to receive Alerts and make it easier to locate you in an emergency.
  • Follow the Department of State on Facebook and Twitter.
  • Review the Crime and Safety Report for France.
  • U.S. citizens who travel abroad should always have a contingency plan for emergency situations. Review the Traveler’s Checklist.

Last Update: Reissued with updates to the Risk Indicators.

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Look at Those Planes

Sure. Let’s visit the Palm Springs Air Museum. We’ve been to other air museums and enjoy seeing the planes and reading about their history.

This one is different.

The Palm Springs Air Museum is home to one of the world’s largest collections of flyable WWII aircraft and from Korea and Vietnam. Flyable, being the key word. Also, unlike many other museums, the air-conditioned hangars have no ropes to keep people from interacting with the exhibits and the more than 60 planes.

We wandered in and out of hangers, asked questions of many volunteers who actually flew some of the planes, and toured the interior of a flyable B-17. This one has been used in several Hollywood films. Impressive.

Hangers are organized by theme. The Pacific (Navy) Hangar includes exhibits and aircraft used by the Navy in the Pacific Theater during World War II. Highlights include the Pearl Harbor diorama narrated by NBC journalist and author Tom Brokaw, the Grumman “cats”; the Avenger, Corsair, Dauntless and Invader.

The European (Army) Hangar features exhibits and aircraft used by the Army in the European Theater during World War II, plus a T-33 training jet used in Korea and Vietnam.  Some planes in this hangar include the B-25 Mitchell Bomber, P-47 Thunderbolt, the renovated flying Red Tail P-51 Mustang, the P-63 King Cobra, the Spitfire and the C-47. There is also a Tuskegee Airmen mural and a wall showing the European battles of WWII.

The smallest hangar is where we found the B-17 Flying Fortress.

Since opening in 1996, they have maintained their status as a museum that flies its aircraft. Definitely worth a visit to be able to see and get near planes that shaped our history. It was even more impressive to hear the engines and see the planes as they readied for takeoff.

They are open every day from 10 to 5, except Thanksgiving and Christmas, with free parking. Check their website for more info, https://palmspringsairmuseum.org. Then, plan a trip. You’ll be glad you did.

If You Go: The Palm Springs Air Museum is located at 745 North Gene Autry Trail, Palm Springs, CA.

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La Quinta Arts Festival

You really do need to see it to believe it.

La Quinta Arts Festival has been ranked the #1 Fine Art and the #1 Fine Craft festival in the nation.

Strolling the grounds, the setting couldn’t be more beautiful. Green grass, a lake in the middle with its own Island Bar, and plenty of food and beverages…this is no ordinary festival. It’s truly an outdoor gallery.

Presenting 220 of the foremost cotemporary artists, this is a four-day event. Wander through a delightful mix of culture, whimsy, serious glass and paintings, diamonds, sculptures, and so much more. You’ll wonder how to fit that copper fountain into your patio design, which piece of glass would catch all the sunlight in your living room, and if the hummingbird piece or the woodpeckers on a tree would look better in family room.

With music and performing artists, there are a plenty of places to sit and appreciate both while also enjoying trendy food, beer, and wine. 

This year’s festival runs from March 7 to 10. Keep it in mind for next year.

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Indian Wells…Terrific Tennis

If you’re into top-level tennis, watching ranked tennis players, or just want to experience tennis in the desert…head to the Indian Wells Tennis Garden in Indian Wells, California.

This state-of-the-art facility opened in March of 2000.

We had the opportunity to see players participating in the Tie Break Tens, a first ever Eisenhower Cup event. This one-night event featured Nadal and several other ranked men, playing a fast-paced round robin of the first to ten-point break matches.

Not only did we see fantastic tennis, we were able to wander the grounds and watch other players warming up for their upcoming matches.

Since this is the second largest tennis stadium in the world, and a full-service year-round tennis club, you might expect it to have the amenities. It does. Stadium 1 seats 16,100, including 44 stadium suites, broadcast and media facilities, and an 8,000 square foot food commissary.

Stadium 2 has 8,000 seats and three fine dining restaurants.

Keep in mind, it gets in the desert. Especially in the summer. There are two 19,000 square-foot shade structures to help with that.

Having said all that…it’s impressive.

Better than that…we saw major tennis matches. Nadal, ranked #2 in the world, ended up losing in the final match. But, what a match it was.

Next year…we’ll go for more.

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Identity Theft…Do You Pay Attention?

Identity Theft Prevention

Do you think about identity theft when traveling? Here are some simple tips you may or may not know about.

Some of these may bear more investigation, depending on how you travel.

Don’t use public computers for any sensitive actions. That means avoiding internet cafes to look up your bank balances or to pay for your next day trip.

Think about using a password manager. Those are dedicated services for storing and managing your passwords. You might want to look into these if you travel a bunch and access several different sites.

Do you have an anti-theft app on your phone? If so, do you use it?

Many sites have a two-step verification feature if you are logging in from a device different than where you normally log in. Many times a code is sent to your phone if you are using a computer other than your phone or laptop or tablet.

Did you know USB sticks are a great way for spreading viruses? As a security risk, it might be a good idea to avoid them unless you are positive yours is clean.

Which brings me to…do you have everything backed up? Do you keep a copy of your documents in the cloud? Is your phone backed up as well?

Did you know Gmail and Facebook allow you to see any recent activity on your account? If you think your account may be compromised, it would be a good idea to check.

I also wouldn’t suggest letting unknown people use your laptop. Just sayin…

Simple, common sense goes a long way. Travel smart.

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Acquiesce…

Acquiesce Winery…Definitely Worth the Visit

We travel to find interesting wines.

So, when asked if I wanted to taste a white wine blend, of course I said yes. Then I was told it was from Lodi. White wine from Lodi?

Don’t get me wrong. Lodi has some amazing wines. It’s just that Lodi has been known for their Zins. Not whites. It is hot in Lodi, after all. Not the climate you typically think of for whites. Or, is it?

Okay…let’s try it.

The first smell was not what I expected. The first sip was even more different than I assumed it would be. In fact, it took me back to France. Crisp and slightly fruity. Full mouth feel. Not in-your-face high alcohol. Is this wine really from Lodi?

It turns out…yes.

The owner of Acquiesce Winery, Susan Tipton, makes her wines in the southern Rhone style. What does that mean? It means her vine cuttings started out in the famous region of Chateauneuf du Pape in France. Lodi’s sandy soils, hot days, and cool, evening Delta breeze are a great place for these vines to flourish. It means she also has to pay attention to the wines. She picks her grapes early to avoid overripe fruit.

What did we taste? Grenache Blanc, Picpoul Blanc, Clairette Blancke, Viognier, and Grenache. All stellar, well-made wines that just caress your palette. Not an oaky Chardonnay nor a grassy Sauvignon Blanc to be found.

It’s no wonder she sells out every year.

And, Lodi. Well…before Zins were popular here, Chenin Blanc was the leading varietal.

If you haven’t visited Lodi, you might be surprised to learn there are 110,000 acres of wine grapes in the Lodi Appellation. That’s more than Napa and Sonoma combined.

I’d visit if I were you.