This unique beach located in Fort Bragg, California actually used to be a dump. Back in the 50s, people threw all kinds of trash here and it was a big mess. In 1967, the North Coast Water Quality Board outlawed the dumping and in the 90s, they removed all toxic and hazardous materials. What remains is a beach made of glass…sea glass, polished and smoothed after 30 years of being pounded by the surf. Today, it’s owned by the California parks department as part of Mackerricher State Park. Tourists are welcome to walk along the glittery beach and explore its tidepools but don’t even think of snagging a piece of glass as a souvenir because removing it is strictly prohibited.

MacKerricher State Park

Head over to My Adventures to read about our trip to Portland, Maine and see pictures on my Photos page or by clicking into the album through one of the images posted.

As first glance, the Delsey Helium Fusion suitcase looks like any other, but what makes it special is its built in weight indicator to help you avoid airline charges for overweight luggage. Once you cross the 50lb penalty threshold, a red indicator light switches on so you can remove items or redistribute accordingly.

$240 Macys.com (but it’s currently on sale for $119.99 and you can always find good Macy’s coupons with a quick Google search!)

About an hour north of New York City in the Hudson Valley sits a 500 acre outdoor art gallery called the Storm King Art Center. It’s permanent collection consists of over 120 sculptures by some of the most influential modern artists including Alexander Calder, Isamu Noguchi and Donald Judd. It’s a beautiful place to spend a nice day walking the trails and picnicking by the turtle pond and if you like shopping, it’s only a 15 minute drive from the Woodbury Common Outlet shops!

Storm King Art Center

Have you ever wondered what the most expensive hotel room in the world is? Well, wonder no more….it’s the Royal Penthouse Suite at the President Wilson Hotel in Geneva, Switzerland which rents for a cool $55,000/night. What exactly do you get for your money? Aside from spectacular views of Lake Geneva and the Swiss Alps, you get a private elevator, bulletproof doors and windows and a full security team. It’s actually reserved for celebrities and heads of state but, if you have the cash, I’m guessing you can get in.

President Wilson Hotel

Check out My Adventures to read about our trip to San Antonio, Texas and see pictures on my Photos page or by clicking into the album through one of the images posted.

Updated June 2010

Below is a list of popular U.S. airlines and and how long you can go without activity on your account before losing your miles. Activity is defined as any miles in or out for any reason; miles earned or miles redeemed.

If you are getting close to your expiration dates, make sure to visit FreeFrequentFlyerMiles.com for earning opportunities or as a last resort, you can always buy miles directly from the airline. I try to make sure I have activity at least 2 months before my expiration dates to allow ample time for posting.

2 Years:
Southwest
Delta

18 Months:
United
Continental
American Airlines
US Airways
Virgin America

1 Year:
JetBlue

I just wanted to write a quick note to say that I’ve been posting less because I’ve had some health issues, specifically ear problems, and we’ve had to cancel a couple of trips in last couple of months. I am not 100%, but doing better and I think on the road to recovery.

The good news is that I have been able to get out more recently and will hopefully be getting back to normal. I am working on a post from our trip to Texas and we also took a trip to Portland, Maine as well as some small day trips that I hope to post about soon.

Coming up next month, we’ll be heading to North Carolina to visit The Biltmore and the Great Smoky Mountains. I can’t wait to be back in a National Park!!

Updated May 2010

Most large airlines are members of an alliance which means you can earn and redeem miles for one airline on any of the other carriers in its group. Star Alliance, Skyteam and oneworld are the main alliance groups. My advice is to pick one in each and only earn on those three airlines. Every time you fly check which group you will be flying with and request to earn miles on your chosen airline. When you accrue enough miles for free travel, you can redeem with your choice or any of its partners.

For example, I choose American as my airline in the oneworld alliance. When I fly Lan, another oneworld member, I tell them I’d like to earn American miles. When I have enough miles for a free ticket, I can redeem them on American, Lan or any of the other oneworld carriers.

Here are the airlines included in each alliance:

Star Alliance:

Adria, Air Canada, Air China, Air New Zealand, ANA, Asiana Airlines, Austrian, Blue1, BMI, Brussels Airlines, Continental Airlines, Croatia Airlines, Egyptair, LOT Polish Airlines, Lufthansa, Scandinavian Airlines, Shanghai Airlines, Singapore Airlines, South African Airways, Spanair, Swiss, TAM,TAP Portugal, Thai, Turkish Airlines, United, US Airways

*United and Continental are hoping to merge but it’s unclear if or when this would take effect.

Skyteam:

Aeroflot, AeroMexico, Alitalia, Air France, KLM, China Southern, Delta, Korean Air, Czech Airlines, Air Europa, Kenya Airways

oneworld:

American Airlines, British Airways, Lan, Qantas, Royal Jordanian, Finnair, Iberia, Malev, Mexicana, Japan Airlines, Cathay Pacific

Rome is best known for classical art and architecture but the city will open its first contemporary art museum, the National Museum of XXI Century Arts (MAXXI for short), on May 30th. The complex will be comprised of two sections, one for art and the other for architecture but the main draw may be the building itself. Designed by famed architect, Zaha Hadid, the concrete structure seems impossibly light and bright with skylights and cantilevered ramps and windows. It may be time to cash in that coin you threw into the Trevi fountain and head back to Rome!

National Museum of XXI Century Arts