Happy Thanksgiving - Late I Know

I know this is a little late but....

I still wanted to wish everyone a blessed Christmas season and say a belated Happy Thanksgiving. We are all truly blessed and at this time of year we need to be even more thankful for and generous with the blessings God has granted us.

Here are a few pics of the resort where my family and I were staying. It is in the Ozarks of Missouri on Table Rock Lake. It was beautiful weather the first part of the week with 70 and sunny Monday through Thanksgiving. The only little snafu on the trip was that on our second day there, Tuesday evening, my daughter fell and broke her collar bone. She was still able to have a wonderful time and impressed the heck out of me with how she handled her injury...well anyway...

Here are some pics...these are raw...I haven't had the time to touch them up



Yours Truly,

Cman

Because You Need To Know What I Think

Spring Vaction Time Is HERE!

One of my most memorable travel moments was on spring break when I took a tour to Washington DC. I was staying in Williamsburg and the resort I was at was running a day long tour to DC that included breakfast, lunch, dinner, round trip transportation, and all admissions to the DC area attractions the tour was going to. The price for the tour was a low 60$.

We saw sooo many memorials and national monuments and museums. It was a day crammed with awe inspiring moments, tearful memories, and national pride. We visited the capital building, the national mall and the Smithsonian, Vietnam and Korean War memorials, FDR memorial, Lincoln memorial, Arlington Cemetery, and more. My only regret about this wonderful tour was that it was only one day. I am really looking forward to getting back and spending some more time in our nation's capital and visiting the new WWII memorial. It was one of the best sightseeing tours I have ever done.

With the price of gas these days staying close can be a great low cost option. There are always hidden gems close to home that would make a great getaway. I know for me I am always looking for new things to do in Chicago. I like to head out on the weekends and take little "mini vactions," and things close to home work the best.

Trusted Tours and Attractions offers discounted tickets to the best sightseeing tours in 21 cities across America. If you are looking for a great spring break idea why don't you check out their packages for the San Diego zoo tickets? I've never been, but a friend of mine just got back from San Diego and said the zoo was great for the family. TT & A are also having a contest where anyone who signs up to receive the Trusted Travel eNewsletter is automatically entered into a drawing to win a handheld GPS.

Yours Truly,

Cman

Because You Need To Know What I Think

Looking For Apartments Sucks

There have been many times from college to relocations due to a job, where I have had the pleasure of trying to find reasonable apartments for rent at a reasonable price. That is no easy task. In college we were always looking for something with at least 2 bedrooms preferably 3 as this would always be cheaper. Finding apartments of this size at a price 2 or 3 college kids can afford certainly isn't the easiest thing I ever attempted.

You end up looking on bulletin boards around campus. You start asking total strangers if they know of any good apartments. You look in classifieds and make a ton of phone calls. There is an easier way - ApartmentFinder.com. They have listings for Los Angeles Apartments to New Your City apartments, and just about everything in between. The Apartment Finder is a search engine for apartments for rent nationwide and is a nationally recognized brand. This is much better than a bulletin board or something like that. You can compare rents, locations, and more and find the perfect apartment.

Another great benefit of doing your apartment search online is that you can do it from a distance. You don't actually have to be in the place where you are looking for and apartment in. Say you live in Michigan and are getting ready to go to school down in Florida. You can start looking for apartments, and even lease one, before you ever get there. This is also a great option for temporary housing for people that are relocating for work or any other reason.

Yours Truly,

Cman

Because You Need To Know What I Think

VOIP Service Not Just For Landlines Anymore!

I travel quite a bit outside the US and have friends and business associates outside the US that I phone on a regular basis. Having to use calling cards and find a landline is a hassle. This new mobile voip service from Packet8 looks to be something very beneficial. With the news today that for the first time ever consumers spent more on cell phone service than landline. Also there are over 250 million cell phones in the US and only about 190 million landlines. Cell phones are the future and VOIP service has now moved from landlines to become mobile.

Packet8 MobileTalk™ lets cell phone users reduce their international calling rates by as much as 90%--quickly and easily. No more special PIN codes to keep track of. No more long access numbers to dial. Just the highest quality digital voice service and great calling rates to any of your international locations— all for a low monthly access fee. With MobileTalk, you’ll never run out of minutes or leave your international call quality up to chance. And, you can view your call history, and your MobileTalk savings, from anywhere in the world.

Packet8 MobileTalk™ is sponsoring a video contest, where people can make a video and upload it to youtube for a chance to win a some great prizes. If you are into youtube or just like to make videos this contest is for you. Here are the requirements.

1. Visit and learn about their offerings:
http://altfarm.mediaplex.com/ad/ck/7034-54937-20324-0

2. Create a 30 second to 1 minute video highlighting the benefits of Packet8's new international mobile VoIP software.

3. Dress yourself as a traveler from around the world, complete with luggage, etc. Discuss with your readers the value of keeping in touch with your friends and family around the globe.

4. Upload your video to YouTube then embed it into your post.

5. Embed the required Packet8 disclosure video bumper to the beginning of your video.

6. Be creative and out-of-the-box as possible with your post, as your video will be uploaded and judged by the Yahoo!'s Bix Community.

7. Encourage your readers, friend, and family to visit and vote:
http://bix.yahoo.com/contest/33995

And the prizes

The best video, as voted by Yahoo!'s Bix Community, will win the following:
(1) MacBook valued at $1,099
(1) iPhone valued at $399
(1) iPod valued at $249

Here is the video I have entered in the contest so head over to http://bix.yahoo.com/contest/33995 and vote for me.




Yours Truly,

Cman

Because You Need To Know What I Think

Win An Ipod Nano

One of my most memorable travel moments was when I took a tour to Washington DC I was staying in Williamsburg and the resort we were staying at was running a day long tour to DC that included breakfast, lunch, dinner, round trip transportation, and all admissions to the DC area attractions the tour was going to. The price for the tour was a low 60$. The whole family went, My wife, daughter, and I, my parents, my grandmother, and my sister and brother-in-law.

We saw sooo many memorials and national monuments and museums. It was a day crammed with awe inspiring moments, tearful memories, and national pride. We visited the capital building, the national mall and the Smithsonian, Vietnam and Korean War memorials, FDR memorial, Lincoln memorial, Arlington Cemetery, and more. My only regret about this wonderful tour was that it was only one day. I am really looking forward to getting back and spending some more time in our nation's capital and visiting the new WWII memorial.

Trusted Tours and Attractions offers discounted tickets to the best sightseeing tours in 21 cities across America. They are also having a contest where anyone who signs up to receive the Trusted Travel eNewsletter is automatically entered into a drawing to win an iPod Nano. This offer ends December 31st, 2007.


Yours Truly,

Cman

Because You Need To Know What I Think

Escape The Ice Storms

Are you tired of the cold weather? Looking for a warm place to go? I know I am already tired of the cold, ice/rain, and snow. I have just the place to get away to - Amelia Island, Florida. How does that sound? Why don't you trade your nasty winter weather for the sun and fun of Florida. Best of all they are running a great Lodging Special, when you book 2 nights, you get the 3rd night FREE at any of the 12 participating Hotels and Bed and Breakfasts.

I love staying at a Bed and Breakfast. Some people don't like it because they feel weird staying in a person's home. Me I like that homey atmosphere, the quiet, the privacy, and the cozy feel of most bed and breakfasts. Amelia Island is known for it's bed and breakfasts and is a beautiful island. I would have to rate it second behind Mackinac Island as my favorite.

The only thing better than visiting Amelia Island where it’s warm and sunny, is getting your 3rd night free. Did you know it was voted one of the top 10 islands in America by Condé Nast readers? Great golf courses, shopping, incredible restaurants and unlimited activities and adventure – what more could you ask for?

Yours Truly,

Cman

Because You Need To Know What I Think

Premium Cigars For Your Man This Christmas

Are you looking for a unique gift idea for the man in your life? A friend? Your boss? Buy them a Premium Cigar or two from Tinderbox.com. In addition to cigars you can also Shop Tinderbox.com for Pipe Tobacco, Humidors, and Cigar Accessories for the aficionado on your Christmas list.

Tinderbox.com is also offering free shipping on orders of $99 and up and they have a great sampler pack where you can get 10 Super Premium Cigars for only $23.95! That is less than $2.50 a piece for PREMIUM cigars. These aren't cigars you will find at your local gas station or tobacco shop.

Yours Truly,

Cman

Because You Need To Know What I Think

Holidays Travel Deals To The US

I know I have quite a good readership in the UK as that is my third highest in traffic after US and Australia. I would like to share a great travel site with you folks that might be taking a holiday in the USA and looking for some great flights to the USA. Well DialaFlight is running some great holiday offers this season. Full of useful travel information, the www.dialaflight.com website is a great starting place to find flights to the US for the US Christmas holiday of your dreams. From the site you can search for flights, hotels, car hire and many travel ideas including weekend breaks, beach holidays, spa holidays & much more. The have some great holiday travel specials on flights to Florida, flights to New York, and flights to Washington DC. If you are looking for great holiday travel deals to the US then give the DialaFlight.com a look.

Dialaflight is a leading independent UK travel company offering flights, hotels & travel ideas worldwide. To book with DialAFlight you need to call and speak with one of our UK travel consultants who will ensure that your requirements are fulfilled. By speaking on the phone with us you can be sure that your tailor-made holiday is exactly as you want it.

Yours Truly,

Cman

Because You Need To Know What I Think

Traveling For The Holidays? Book Your Travel Online & Save Big

If I have said it once I've said it a thousand times. Before you buy ANYTHING shop around online and almost invariably you will find a better deal. Saving money is almost like a game with me. I'm always looking for angles that save me money. You know the saying, "a penny saved is a penny earned."

Well if you are going to be traveling over the Christmas season you might want to check out HotelReservations.com. Now the name can be a bit deceiving. They offer way more than just Hotel Reservations. They offer flights, rental cars, and vacation rentals and packages. They really are a full service travel site.

I checked their prices compared to other travel sites and the prices were very competitive. They do have a "lowest internet price" guarantee which is nice. Overall the interface and website in general are easy to use. The forms and tables are pretty much like you find standard on most travel. You can book a flight, flight & hotel, flight, hotel & car, just about any combination of those that you need. Another nice feature is that you can book a two destination vacation package. This is a very nice feature that is lacking on some of the more popular sites.

For more than 6 years HotelReservations.com has been providing travelers great prices on the places you want to stay for both leisure and business travel. They know the hotel experience is an important part of your trip. Their are more than 70,000 properties worldwide - from hotels to B&B's to condos to all inclusive resorts. HotelReservations.com offers the information travelers you will need to book the perfect trip and it is all backed by the HotelReservations.com Price Guarantee. So if you are going to be traveling stop by HotelReservations.com and give them a look see and the chance to win your business.



Yours Truly,

Cman

Because You Need To Know What I Think