Oregon's B'nai B'rith Camp for Special Family Vacations

Humor columnist Dave Barry once wrote that there's no such thing as “family fun.” Not so. B'nai B'rith Camp proves the Pulitzer Prize winning writer wrong. And sets many families to rights.

Chase McMullen is a regular camper at BB Camp in Lincoln City, Oregon

Indeed, B'nai B'rith Camp – located in North Lincoln City, on Devils Lake, on the mild and soporific Oregon Coast – is reputed for the hundreds of kids it serves every summer, all summer long, in its overnight and day camp sessions.While overnight sessions are usually focused on Jewish culture and learning, the day camp is totally non-denominational and serves children from throughout the region.

B'nai B'rith Camp – “B B Camp” for short – sits on 14 acres and not only has 18 cabins for its overnight-sessions campers, but a Lake House on the periphery of Camp that sleeps 10. So Camp offers many options to families: Parents can send their children to its popular and active Day Camp; and they can rent the Lake House family group getaway.

Affordable Family Reunion Destination - BB Camp
Olga Mazzeo of Portland, Oregon, relished her recent family reunion at B B Camp. Olga, 36, and husband, Steven, 43, and daughters, Nicole, 9, and Natalie, 6, rented the Lake House for a three-day family retreat.

Nicole and Natalie spent their days taking advantage of Camp's great amenities, like the sports its recreation room – pool, ping-pong, basketball and more – and water activities, such as canoeing and kayaking.

And when hungry, Olga says, the girls loved eating on the Lake House's private dock.

“We liked the proximity to Devils Lake and the fact that the house was right on the lake. It was a blast!” says Olga, a software engineer.

In addition to its ideal and calming location, the Lake House has four bedrooms and three bathrooms, a master suite with its own Jacuzzi bath, a gourmet kitchen and more.

With Camp's proximity to coastal towns, the extended Mazzeo family also drove off the grounds and spend time being tourists in Lincoln City proper, or nearby Newport, home to the nationally home to the nationally renowned Oregon Coast Aquarium and Hatfield Marine Center.

Turns out that Olga and Steven's daughters specifically liked so much of what they saw about B B Camp, they've since enrolled as overnight campers for an upcoming summer session.

“Everyone was friendly and helpful,” says Olga of Camp's staff and whose eldest daughter is returning this summer for an overnight Camp session. “We would do this again; we left with lots of fun memories.”

B B Camp's Day Camp for Local Children
Mason McMullin's son, Chase, 6 ½, last summer attended six of Camp's seven week-long Day Camp sessions. The family lives in nearby Neskowin, a small community coastal community.

A special advantage to the McMullin family is access to the Day Camp's special accoutrements, which are lacking in most nearby coastal communities. Extras such as Camp's heated pool; hydrotubing; tennis; drama; and Ga-ga, a game more well-known in Israel that kids quickly take to.

B'nai B'rith Camp's overnight sessions – those just for kids and those for adults-only and families – include Jewish learning and culture. Its Day Camp, however, is entirely non-denominational and absolutely non-faith based, emphasizes Michelle Koplan, B B Camp's executive director.

In fact, says Danika Duren, B B Camp's Director of Sales and Marking, most of B B Camp's Day Camp kids and Lake House renters are non-Jews. These thousands of individuals quickly come to call B B Camp “home” and a “respite” from their work-a-day lives, not only in the off-season but during summer's seven Day Camp sessions, Duren adds.

“What makes it special is the vast array of different activities for the kids. It's structured and it's organized,” Mason, Chase's mom, says. Day Camp is geared toward children ages 3 to 12.

“Most coastal kids are never exposed to such things,” she continues. “Especially the water sports and tennis. There's nothing camp-like around here, and most (families) don't leave the community. This is great for locals to check out.”

Last summer, when Chase's final Day Camp session came to an end, he immediately asked his mom, “When do I get to go to Camp again?”

BB Camp Trip Planning Details

B. B. Camp's office is located at 9400 S.W. Beaverton-Hillsdale Hwy., #147, Beaverton, OR 97005. The camp itself is in Lincoln City. Day Camp sessions are $120, plus early care and extended-day options per week. For more information and to enroll, click to www.bbcamp.org (503/452-3429). The Lake House rents for $300 per evening. Rental packages are available. For more information, contact Danika Duren, at dduren@bbcamp.org, or (503) 345-9476.


Thanks to Jenn Director Knudsen for contributing this article and photos to TheFamilyVacationist.

Guess Who's Coming to America? DOC Has the Answers

All year long, the U.S. Department of Commerce interviews tourists flying to U.S. airports to find out why they're traveling and where they're going.  They surveyed more than 34,000 visitors coming to America in 2010 to collect data about what's known as Inbound Tourism.

Lufthansa's new A-388 Airbus transports more than 600 passengers to the US several times each day.

After DOC studies the states, cities, and territories that most benefited from overseas travelers to the United States, this information is used to calculate the value of tourism. The good news is that in 2010, overseas arrivals to the United States posted an 11 percent increase compared to 2009.

New York State Leads, followed by Florida & California

New York State was the most visited state by overseas travelers in 2010 for the ninth consecutive year. Although visitation to New York increased eight percent, its market share slipped slightly since its growth was less than the national average. Florida maintained its second position, with a 10 percent increase in visitation. California remained at third position, however increased its market share by experiencing a 21 percent increase in visitation. Nevada, Hawaii, Guam, Massachusetts, Illinois, Texas and New Jersey rounded out the top 10 states in visitation estimates.

Of the 20 states/territories for which estimates are available, double-digit increases were experienced by 10 states. This was a reversal from 2009 results in which 10 states posted double-digit declines. Nevada and Washington States posted stunning 32 percent increases, respectively, in their visitation estimates, the highest growth among all states.

The cities most visited by overseas travelers in 2010 were New York City, Los Angeles, Miami, Orlando, San Francisco, Las Vegas, Washington DC, Honolulu, Boston and Chicago. Thirteen states posted double-digit increases in 2010 compared to 10 cities that registered double-digit declines in 2009. The largest visitation increases were experienced by Los Angeles, Seattle and Las Vegas, all over 30 percent. Los Angeles regained its spot as the second most visited city in the U.S.

Why are these Tourism Statistics always changing? 

According to DOC, changes in a state or city’s visitation estimate vary from year-to-year due to changes in origin market ‘demand side factors’ and shifts in traveler characteristics. For example:

• New York State was up eight percent overall, however travel to the state from Asia, Oceania, South America were up 35 percent, 18 percent, and 17 percent respectively. In contrast, New York State experienced a one percent decline in visitation from W. Europe which accounted for 50 percent of its overseas visitation.
• Florida state visitation was up 10 percent. W. Europe, which generates 46 percent of Florida’s overseas visitors, was only up five percent, however, South America, accounting for 30 percent of visitation, was up 20 percent. The Asia and Pacific regions also posted strong growth, but contributed five percent or less of the visitors to the state.
• California state visitation was up 21 percent due to 28 percent increase from Asia (35 percent share), and a 40 percent increase from Oceania (11 percent share). W. Europe (40 percent share) registered a 14 percent increase in visits to the state.

Travelers change too.  Changes in key traveler characteristics may also influence visitation, such as, business versus leisure travel, the number of destinations visited, and/or the traveler’s use of transportation within the country.

Some of the key shifts in traveler characteristics that occurred in 2009 compared to 2010, and over the past several years, that can impact the destinations visited include:

• Increases in leisure travel as a purpose of trip, up two percentage points to 67.9; the highest share since OTTI started the survey in 1983.
• Business travel’s share dropped slightly in 2010, to 20.2 percent. The share of business travel has declined for three straight years and was down from a high of 30.2 percent in 2000.
• After five straight years of declines in tour package travel, the share increased to 16.9 percent, the highest figure since 2006.
• This year, the percent of travelers who only visit one state dropped to 67.1. This is only the fifth drop in this metric in the last 15 years. In 1995, only 61.7 percent of overseas travelers visited only one state. So, we are seeing a long term trend of staying put once they arrive in the country. The high was just over 70 percent and this was reached in 2003, 2004 and 2006.
• Likewise, there has been a trend in the declining use of automobiles (rental cars, company/private autos) as a mode of transport within the United States. Rental car use was up in 2010 (30.2%), but it has been down seven of the last nine years. Access to private autos has declined seven years in a row, which also impacts secondary destinations. However, there has been a slight shift in inter-city transportation (airlines, rail and buses).
• Increases in the share of first time travelers to the United States increased in five of the last eight years; it dipped slightly in 2010.
• Women travelers as a percent of the total have increased to over 44 percent in 2010. Their share has increased nine of the last eleven years.

Learn more about the OTTI and its statistics on inbound tourism.

Grand Idea: Taking Grandparents to the National Parks

National Parks are on everyone's minds these days. Cubs are being born, waterfalls are swollen with snow melt, flowers are bursting into bloom.

Our staff has just selected what we think are the 10 Best National Parks for Family Vacations. Others are worried about what federal budget cuts might to this priceless recreational system. And we've just found a list of the national parks favored by senior travelers.

This list was put together by the very knowledgeable team at Xanterra, the leading concessioneer operating rooms, restaurants, gift stores and activities in national parks.As they note, extended-family vacations are one of the fastest-growing segments of the travel industry.

With more than 70 national parks, there are plenty of options for family travelers, who can choose adventures that include geology, wildlife, geothermal features, history, culture and architecture; and landscapes that range from canyons to mountains and deserts or geysers. We always say, "With age comes wisdom," so here's their list-

Top National Parks for Multi-Generational Family Vacations

Yellowstone National Park has always been a place where all ages can find fun and experience some of nature’s wonders. Geysers, like Old Faithful, spout off to everyone’s delight. Mud pots bubble and streams steam, sometimes creating new geological features. Easy walking trails take visitors to the best viewpoints. Or visitors can see it on horseback or take a guided motor-coach tour – perfect for older and very young guests, as well as those who consider a walk to the mailbox a “hike.” Yellowstone’s nine lodges offer a variety of budget options in locations throughout the park.A particularly good activity for families is the Old West Cookout at the Roosevelt Lodge. Catch a wagon ride to this cowboy cuisine experience, especially if there are very young children or folks not comfortable on horseback. With cowboy entertainment and Western-style food, this activity is fun for all ages.

Grand Canyon National Park features majestic views everywhere you look, and only requires an easy walk along the South Rim to enjoy them. For those who just want the highlights, the South Rim park shuttle will ferry them from one great viewpoint to another. Visitors of every age will enjoy arriving at the park aboard the Grand Canyon Railway, a daily train from Williams, Ariz. that travels 62 miles across the Colorado Plateau. There is live musical entertainment and a kid-pleasing old-fashioned Western shootout. It is easy, fun and appropriate for the whole family. Upon arrival, relax at the historic El Tovar Hotel, enjoying its architecture and its perch on the canyon’s edge. Watch the tiny hummingbirds dart from feeder to feeder, or saunter to the rim for a peek at one of the canyon’s resident giant California condors. Take a self-guided tour of Grand Canyon Village and see more historic buildings and learn about some of the area’s most interesting characters. And more adventurous and fit members of the group can take a day hike into the canyon.

Zion National Park offers visitors the opportunity to explore the bottomland of a lush valley with soaring red sandstone walls. A stream runs through it and wildlife comes here to drink. For those who prefer not to hike, there’s a six-mile scenic drive loop through the park, or visitors can hop on a guided shuttle tour. Again, hikes here can be easy or hard, depending on your ability level, enthusiasm and age. Be cautious of climbing on the slick-rock, especially if it gets wet. Wade in streamside pools and do a little bird-watching. Zion Lodge, designed by Gilbert Stanley Underwood, offers overnight accommodations.

Death Valley National Park in California features spectacular desert scenery that anyone can appreciate. Older folks might remember a TV show, “Death Valley Days,” that transported them to this spot every week. Little ones may just see a giant sandbox. Either way, it’s a fascinating place. Those who don’t want to hike, bike or otherwise explore this vast desert landscape can lounge by and play in the pool at the Inn at Furnace Creek or Ranch at Furnace Creek. While the kids splash in the pool, some adults may prefer a visit to the Harmony Borax Museum or to Scotty’s Castle, a Spanish hacienda complete with period furnishings and artistic tile work.

Crater Lake National Park in Oregon features the deepest lake in the nation (at nearly 2,000 feet deep), dramatically surrounded by lava walls that soar equally high in some places. In addition to the usual park activities, there is a narrated boat tour of the lake accessible to all ages and abilities. Crater Lake Lodge is the base camp for whatever level of adventure a visitor chooses.

Petrified Forest National Park is easy to see by car. A 28-mile road takes visitors close to some of its best sights and offers stepping-off points for hikers. Hikes range from short and easy to longer and more strenuous, but give everyone a chance to get out of the car and stretch their legs.

Mount Rushmore National Memorial is an iconic American destination. Who hasn’t seen the post cards? There are convenient viewpoints for examining the faces of four famous presidents, and those who don’t mind a moderate hike can get even closer. This master work of artist Gutzon Borglum is always ranked as one of America’s top family attractions.

If you've done a multi-generational road trip to the national parks, please let us know your favorites.

Handy With a Needle? Summer Camp for Fashionistas

A really fun summer vacation has come to our attention, and it's an ideal getaway for that child in grades K-10 who loves to work with his or her hands.  It's called The Handwork Studio, and it's described as "a kids' needle arts and fashion community based in suburban Philadelphia." Of course, you can always enroll the kids there by booking a Philadelphia hotel and setting yourselves up in this fair city for a week-long vacation.

But the women behind this are doing a Road Tour this summer to take their unique, award-winning summer camps, in operation since 1991, around the country. Read on to learn about the other great destinations you can vacation in while the camp is in progress.

According to their press release, The Handwork Studio's program about needle arts and machine sewing is designed to foster creative expression in an energetic daily program that is both fun and on-trend. 

Instructors Miss Julia and Miss Alisha will be driving The Handwork StudioMobile, a van filled with sewing machines, bolts of fabric, baskets of yarn and tons of needle arts accessories -- arriving at each of their locations prepared to teach camp.  The StudioMobile has been outfitted to provide the identical high-quality one-of-a-kind experience found at the main studio. 

The Handwork Studio's "Summer Road Tour 2011" includes stops in the following cities:

*  June 13-17, 2011:  Washington, DC: Sidwell Friends School
*  June 27-July 1, 2011: Dallas, TX: The Parish Episcopal School
*  July 11-15, 2011:  Colorado Springs, CO: The Colorado Springs School
*  July 18-22, 2011: Avalon, New Jersey: Avalon Elementary School
*  August 1-5, 2011:  Washington, DC: Sidwell Friends School
*  August 8-12, 2011:  Potomac, MD:  The Bullis School
*  August 15-19, 2011: Montclair, NJ: Montclair State University
*  August 22-26, 2011:  The Gill St. Bernard's School, Gladstone, NJ

At each location two programs will be available.  Handwork Day Campers (grades K-6) will participate in creative activities such as knitting, crocheting, machine sewing and making crafts.  Gender-appropriate projects include backpacks, stuffed animals, room decor, toys, fashion accessories and more.

In the Machine Sewing Camp (grades 5-10), kids begin the week by choosing several patterns from the Studio's large selection of projects which include pajamas, hoodies, skirts, quits, bags, dresses and more.  While creating their projects, campers will learn pattern reading, measurements and sewing techniques.

"Thanks to the popularity of TV shows like 'Project Runway' and a host of DIY crafting Web sites, kids are tuned in to the various handwork and machine sewing techniques," says Laura Kelly, founder of The Handwork Studio. "The 'Summer Road Tour 2011' will allow us to share our unique camping experience beyond the New Jersey to Maryland corridor that we currently serve."

Miss Julia and Miss Alisha's on-the-road antics, pictures and videos of the kids they meet, and the projects they create will be documented daily on the Handwork Studio' website.

For more information on the Handwork Studio's "Summer Road Tour 2011" or to register for a camp session, call (610) 660-9600 or visit www.TheHandworkStudio.comwww.

Yosemite Hotels Give Gas Rebates to RoadTrippers

As gas prices continue to rise, many businesses throughout Madera County, California’s Gateway to Yosemite National Park, are offering discounts aimed at taking the sting out of filling up to go on vacation.

“Many hotels and attractions know that families still want to take trips, but are looking at ways of doing so without impacting the family budget,” reports Jarrod Lyman with the Yosemite Sierra Visitors Bureau. “These incentives, when combined with the central location of Madera County, make the region very attractive for vacation seekers.”

Yosemite National Park is a family favorite road trip destination in northern California. Local families know there are ways to save by staying a bit outside the park, and driving in to enjoy the many national park sponsored summer activities and events.

This summer, there are discounts at several popular hotels. The Madera Valley Inn in Madera, known as the historic gateway for Yosemite National Park, is a perfect spot for day tripping to Kings Canyon and Sequoia National Parks. They are offering a $25 gift card redeemable at numerous businesses including gas stations with any three night stay.

Even smaller properties are offering discounts. The Yosemite Sierra View B&B in Oakhurst is offering a $10 travel incentive for any two night stay, as is the Sierra Mountain Lodge bed and breakfast in Ahwahnee.

Others, like the Springhill Suites by Marriott in Madera are going all out, offering the “Cars Eat Free” package. Stay with Springhill Suites by Marriott, Madera any day between June 1, - August 31, 2011 and your stay will include a $25 “gas” card redeemable at any station accepting the visa logo.  Package is priced at $134night mid-week and $114/night on weekends.   A $25 gift card is earned for every night stay you book.

“It’s the perfect way to explore Yosemite and the surrounding area,” adds Lyman. “By saving money on gas, families can see more of the waterfalls in Yosemite, take a train ride aboard the Yosemite Mountain Sugar Pine Rail Road enjoy Bass Lake, tour the Madera Wine Trail or explore the Fossil Discovery Center in Chowchilla.”

Family Fun Along Mexico's Caribbean Coast

The Mexican Caribbean, the stretch of coast from Cancun south past Tulum in the state of Yucatan, offers lots of fun and activities for the whole family. Children and adults can enjoy the refurbished white sand beaches, have fun with colorful fish, swim with dolphins in ecological parks, go hiking at archaeological sites, and explore underground rivers and forests full of adventure.

Families who base themselves at any of the fine all-inclusive family beach resorts should visit at least one of the ecological parks of the Riviera Maya region. Among the most visited are Xcaret and Xel-Ha. Both parks are located within short distance of Cancun.

The Xcaret Park is located in a jungle surrounding, with an underground river or cenote running through it where families can swim with life vests. There’s a Mayan village replica, where children can learn in a fun way about the history and traditions of this impressive civilization. Inside the park, there's a beautiful beach where you can swim with dolphins or go diving and snorkeling. A family “must” in this park is its hatchery, where children can learn about environmental protection issues to ensure the survival of small creatures. There are also manatees, an aviary, a butterfly park, a bat cave, the corner with deer’s and the jaguar island. If you have time, we recommend the two-day pass so you can return and explore even more.

Xel-Ha park is the largest natural aquarium, declared a wonder by the Mexican Government.  Xel-Ha is a haven for scuba diving and snorkeling, where parents can show their children all kinds of fish and abundant marine life. You can also visit a mural of the Mayan people, visit the apiary, and swim with dolphins or kayaking.

The Chankanaab Park is located in the island of Cozumel. This natural reserve is where you can plan a full day excursion and interact with manatees. Also, the largest nature reserve on the island is Punta Sur, another excellent choice for family outings.

A different corner of the Caribbean to take the family is Puerto Morelos. The coral reef of this small fishing village is the second largest artificial barrier in the world. It also has a zoo and botanical garden.

Another feature for families who enjoy art and adventure is the brand new Underwater Museum (MUSA) between the waters of Cancun and Isla Mujeres. This remarkable achievement, an artistic effort to create new coral reefs where marine life will thrive, is a new concept of seeing sculptures under the sea. You can arrange for a snorkel or scuba tour to really appreciate this accomplishment. The sculpture 'garden' is pictured above (copyright Greenpeace).

Because it's close to so many American metropolitan regions and easy and cheap to fly to, Cancun and the surrounding coastline of the Riviera Maya make an ideal family vacation to share experiences. This summer, you'll find great values at hotels and resorts because the "high season" is winter, when the local weather is cooler and less humid.

Read more about what the region has to offer in our new guidebook, The Complete Idiots Guide to the Best Family Destinations.

Touring Europe with Teens the Easy Way

We recently received an irresistable email:

"I found your website online and really like it. What do I need to do to be listed as a provider for fun family travels in Europe?"  

With an intro like that, we thought you should meet Jo-Jacqueline Eckardt, the author, for yourself.  J-J has founded a company that aims to make travel with teens more fun.  We couldn't be more supportive. Here's her story, in her own words:

My company offers a new approach to family travel The innovative features:

• great touristic highlights in Europe and mostly Germany (important cities, typical villages, historic places, castles, sea and moutains)
• two guides - one for the adults, one for the adolescents
• luxury hotels, all with pool
• small groups (20-30), and all families have teenagers, so there is a chance to meet others
• choice of fun activities such as climbing and kajaking (for the teens) and cultural visits (for the adults)

My tours, I hope, will excite adults and teens equally! 

Starting this summer, we will explore Germany in small groups (trips last from 7 - 12 days). We will stay in luxury hotels with pools (kids will love that and get to know the other kids really fast this way!), we will travel to Munich, Berlin, the Alps, the Baltic Sea, quaint villages and mountains. 

There will be some joint touring, but the teens will have their own guide and do things on their own every day: a mountain bike tour, a boat ride, climbing, visiting an amusement park etc. 

Meanwhile the adults can do what they like: visiting a museum, taking a scenic harbor cruise, or explore a midieval village.

Thanks for reading this!

Jo-Jacqueline Eckardt, Ph.D.

More information on the family tours: Europe with Teens  www.europewithteens.com
More information about me and my Berlin company: www.afriendinberlin.de

Frankfurt along the river, in summer

We hope you'll have a chance to meet J-J and let us know how the tour goes!

Travel Gives the Partially Insane Sanity

It's National Travel & Tourism Week from May 7-14, 2011 according to the U.S. Travel Association, America's public-private partnership to promote travel to the US.

However, we, like you, celebrate travel every day of every week.

Nonetheless, we appreciated that two travel insurance companies took this opportunity to ask followers in their Facebook and Twitter communities just what they liked about traveling.

The companies, CSA Travel Protection (CSA) and Europ Assistance USA note that as one of America's largest industries, travel generated $1.8 trillion in economic output last year, with $759 billion spent directly by domestic and international travelers that spurred an additional $1 trillion in other industries. That's big.

It led them to ask: "Why does travel matter to you?" Here is a sampling of responses from around the country:

• "Travel is fun to me because it opens my mind up to new perspectives. I start questioning my way of life and what I can improve." (Julie Wagoner -- Boulder, CO) 
• "Travel matters to educate your children (and sometimes yourself) on how others live outside your own small circle. Travel matters to bring to life our country's history and culture. Travel matters to showcase this world's glorious creations." (Sharon Kenagy-Finley -- Emporia, KS) 
• "Travel matters to me b/c I like to think I'm a cultured individual lol. I can always brag about which places I've been to!" (Christina Gregor -- San Diego, CA) 
• "For the mind opening experiences it provides!" (Kirsten Khire -- East Lansing, MI) 
• "The people and the habitats are important to me, the more I travel, the more I get to experience the diversity of both." (Brenda Boitson -- Lancaster, PA) 
• "Travel matters because (for our trips) it is just about fun and being with the family. We get time to not get caught up in work, chores, or other tasks. We just get to get up, explore, and enjoy the new place we are in." (Kim Jester -- Menifee, CA) 
• "Here's a Mark Twain quote I've always loved and expresses why travel matters: 'Travel is fatal to prejudice, bigotry, and narrow-mindedness, and many of our people need it sorely on these accounts. Broad, wholesome, charitable views of men and things cannot be acquired by vegetating in one little corner of the earth all one's lifetime.' -Mark Twain" (Michelle Schamberger -- Leadville, CO) 
• "Travel matters: I get quality time with people I love. I see new places and expand who I am. I learn. I get a break from reality." (Natalie Wardel -- San Diego, CA) 
• "You really have no real concept of places -- and the distance between them -- until you have been there. As others have said, travel helps us understand regional differences and experience life outside of ourselves." (Kellye Crane -- Atlanta, GA) 
• "Travel matters because it allows your mind to 'travel' or wander away from your life. It gives the partially insane sanity even just for a few days. It gives the home sick a touch of memories, it can provide the cluster-minded business people, a vacation. Because whether you're a mom, a dad, a bum, a business executive, a garbage man, or a retired grandparent, travel gives you that few seconds of freedom from every little thing you want to escape from." (Breanna Humphrey -- Oceanside, CA) 
• "Because it helps us remember that the world is bigger than just us and that there is always an adventure just around the corner... and the obvious, it gives us a chance to get away from the 'norm' and refresh our souls." (Jean Chadwick -- Los Angeles, CA) 
• "Travel brings reality to non-fiction." (Angela Bailey -- Independence, MO)

Feel free to add your comments on what travel means to you.