Now you can lock in a fare on Continental Airlines for a fee. Prices start at $5 and customers can choose to save their price for 3 or 7 days on select routes. If you only need one day, remember that Continental allows changes or cancellations for free within 24 hours.

Continental Farelock

There’s nothing like a Kool-Aid stand on a hot summer day and, if you head to Hastings, Nebraska from August 12-14th, you can visit the world’s largest! With 14 flavors pouring at any given time, the stand serves up a gallon of Kool-Aid every minute. It’s all part of Kool-Aid Days, a celebration set in the birthplace of the fruity drink that draws over 50,000 people every year. Events include a parade, a golf tournament, a Kool-Aid drinking contest and carnival games. Of course, the Kool-Aid man himself oversees the festivities! Check out the official site for more information and a full schedule.

Kool-Aid Days

We’re doing some upgrades to the site and, as a result, some of the older photos aren’t currently working. We know about this and are working on it!

When I received my new passport this month with an RFID chip embedded in it, I immediately started looking for a case with an RFID shield. Pretty quickly, I realized that most of them are ugly. I know it’s just a carrier, but I don’t see why something can’t be practical and cute! Finally I found this sleek, stainless steel version made by Stewart Stand. It’s light, secure, looks great and it works for a man or woman.

$48 CSN Stores

UPDATE: I actually just took a trip with this case for the first time and I wasn’t very happy with it. When I handed my passport to an agent, he bent it when he opened it and it left a permanent crease in the book. Also, if it is held for any amount of time, it quickly gets fingerprints all over it. Given it’s lack of hardiness, I can’t recommend it.

Although it opened just 8 months ago, The National Pinball Museum in Georgetown, VA will close on September 1, 2011 after losing its lease. The good news is that you still have just over a month to check it out! The museum features exhibits about the history of Pinball and 300 machines, 50 of which are available to play.

Admission is just $3.00 (free for kids under 9) and games are $0.75/play. Every Thursday from 12-8pm, admission is $20 and includes unlimited play all day.

The National Pinball Museum

I was dreading having to renew my passport this year, so I was really excited to learn that the process is quite simple now and can be done by mail! You can use Form DS-82 to renew by mail if you currently have an undamaged passport that is less than 15 years old, was issued to you when you were 16 or older and you have the same name or documentation to support a name change. Just send the form in with your old passport, a passport photo (available at any CVS for $9.99) and a check for applicable fees. I did the expedited service and got my new passport in just 10 days. My old one was returned about a week later.

Remember that all new passports have an RFID chip embedded in them which holds all your personal data, so it’s wise to buy an RFID blocking case to protect your information.

On June 29th, several flights were delayed at New York’s JFK airport as more than 150 diamondback turtles were removed from runway 4. They were crossing the tarmac to get to a sandy area where they could lay eggs. Apparently this happens every year! Who knew there were turtles in Queens?

A huge part of the U.S. is heading into a heat wave and what’s better than ice cream on a hot day? I recently came across this great list of the country’s craziest ice cream flavors in Newsweek. In case you are wondering, I’ve only had the Brown Bread at Scoops in L.A. personally…..it was delicious.

A little known fact about the Pepsico Headquarters in Purchase, NY is that the grounds are a beautiful sculpture garden and it’s open to the public. There are 45 sculptures on the perfectly landscaped 168 acres, most by well known modern artists. A security guard at the entrance will hand you a map detailing the well maintained trails that take you past all of the pieces as well as several fountains, topiaries and a lily pond complete with frogs. The best part? It’s completely free!

There is no official website for the gardens but you can find more information and directions on the NY Times website here.

When the weather is nice, we love hiking and being outdoors and Will especially loves waterfalls. Located in Kent, CT, Kent Falls State Park is a great place to spend an afternoon. There is a hike that loops around the falls which is only about 1/4 mile each way and has lots of good viewpoints. Although it’s not long, it is steep and I recommend wearing good shoes.

The park is pretty much in the center of town and there are a lot of cute, little shops and fantastic restaurants to explore after you check out the falls.

Kent Official Site
Kent Falls State Park