Taking off Travel blog

It’s President’s Day in the next couple of days and what better way to commemorate President George Washington‘s birthday, Abraham Lincoln’s birthday, and all the rest of our presidents than to give some facts about Mount Rushmore.   This American monument is carved on Mount Rushmore, which was named after a New York lawyer.  He was sent to the Black Hills who was investigating mining titles in the area.  When asked what the name of this mountain was, the lawyer’s guide supposedly said “Rushmore.”

Located in the Black Hills of South Dakota, the carving was started in 1927 and completed in 1941.  Doane Robinson was trying to energize tourism to the Black Hills, and after visiting Georgia and viewing the Confederate Monument that was carved into Stone Mountain.  Gutzon Borglum was selected as the sculptor for the monument, and he had also worked on the Stone Mountain project.  Borglum suggested Mount Rushmore’s south facing slope so his sculpture would be in the sunlight most of the day.

Each of the four Presidents were very specifically selected.  George Washington was selected to represent democracy in the United States.  Thomas Jefferson was selected  to represent for his authorship of the Declaration of Independence.  Abraham Lincoln brought an end to slavery.  And, the most controversial choice was Theodore Roosevelt.  And, he was picked for his efforts of the Panama Canal and his conservationism.

The monument took 14 years to complete.  About 90 percent of the carving was done with strategically placed dynamite. This was done until there was only a three to 6 inch layer of granite left on the mountain.  The 400 workers who worked on the mountain used air-hammers, wedges, nails, jackhammers, chisels, etc., to carve the Presidents’ likenesses into the granite.  Through a process known as “honeycombing,” the final layer of granite was removed and the stone was polished to leave the faces smooth and refined.  About 450,000 tons of granite was removed from the mountain.

The original concept was to have the Presidents depicted from head to waist, however, funding was depleted and quality granite was no longer available on the mountain. Even with the heavy use of dynamite, no one was killed or seriously hurt during this project.   Unfortunately, Borglum died unexpectedly before the project was done.  His son, Lincoln, took over the reigns and in October 1941 declared the project completed.

The monument is open free to the public, however, there is a fee to park your vehicle on the grounds.  It draws over two million visitors annually.

Whether you plan on visiting this breath-taking monument over Spring Break or later this summer, it is one vacation that will last in your kids’ minds for a lifetime.

For your next flight, check out ParkRideFlyUSA.com for the greatest parking rates at any of our off-airport vendors.  They provide guaranteed reservations, transportation to and from the airport terminal, and luggage assistance.  They provide secure parking and you won’t have to worry about the safety of your car.  You make your airline reservations, your hotel reservations?  Why not your airport parking reservations?

I’ve compiled a few tips for those last minute Thanksgiving Flights and Airport Parking searches.  Time’s ticking and if you are a procrastinator, you have just a few weeks left to get your flight booked.  In an article from USA Today, airlines are expecting to have their planes at near capacity for each flight.  The expected passenger volume is projected to be about 23 million passengers over the 12 day period of normal Thanksgiving travel.

Here are a few tips to check through as you search for any last minute deals:

1. Stop what you are doing and start searching NOW.  There are going to be few deals through the end of the year.  Airlines have been raising their prices all  year, and the chances of getting a last minute deal at the height of the travel season is pretty slim.
2. Most travel analysts say that airlines already have blacked out Thanksgiving and the week of December 15, so if you see seats available on a flight you better just book it now.
3. You may be able to get a better rate if you book a flight and hotel at once. Package deals may save you a couple hundred bucks.
4. Try to travel light, but don’t over pack your carry on. Airlines are cracking down on checked bags and carry on.  In fact, Spirit Airlines is now charging up to $100 for a carry on if you wait until you register the bag and check-in.  If you register the carry on when you make your reservation, it is $35 (according to the Spirit website).

One thing to remember is authorities are advising travelers that during peak travel times, travelers should arrive two hours before their scheduled airline departure time.  Add at least another hour on to that to find a parking space at one of the airport’s parking lots.  Travel up and down the rows until you find a spot you may be able to squeeze into, drag your spouse, kids, and luggage to the nearest shuttle station and wait.  And wait some more because it just left.

Instead prebook your parking space too at ParkRideFlyUSA.com.  Some great reasons to prebook your parking space.

• We have off-airport parking vendors at all the major airports
• Guaranteed parking space
• great rates
• transportation to and from the airport terminal
• luggage assistance

Since you will have a reserved parking space, there’s no need to drive around the airport searching.  Save time, money, and frustration and plan everything ahead.  You will certainly be glad you did.

You’ve made it to the airport parking lot, transferred to the airport and got on the plane. Suddenly you have the uncomfortable feeling that you have forgotten something – and maybe you have. Sometimes we get a bit distracted as we get into holiday mode, which means we don’t always take the care we should. But there are a few items you should never leave in your car when you go on vacation. For example …

A mannequin is among the unusual items left in rental cars

Your Valuables

Many of us choose to leave our most precious items at home when we travel, just so we won’t have to worry about them. But if you’re used to wearing that expensive watch or piece of jewelry every day, you may forget to take it off. If you remember it at the last minute, just put it in your carry-on – don’t leave it in the car, especially if you leave your car parked on the street.

Spare House Keys

Having your house keys anywhere but with you is a security risk. Sure, no-one might be looking for those keys in your car but if they find them and you also happen to have address information (such as with your license and registration in the glove box) that it makes it easy for people who are less than honest to go to your house when they know you’re not there.

Food

If you have a long drive to the airport, then you will need a snack on the way, especially if you are traveling with kids. Make sure you take all of those items out of the car when you head for your shuttle or plane. You won’t want to return from vacation to find the festering remains of a hot dog or the melted detritus of a chocolate bar you forgot to finish – yuck!

Wacky Items Left in Cars

Those are items that anyone could forget, but people have left weirder items than that behind in rental cars, as this article in the UK’s Telegraph outlines. Among the items left are:

• a false leg
• a mannequin
• 50 fluorescent bulbs
• furry handcuffs
• an ammunition case

Have you ever left something in your car or rental car when traveling?

Parking at the airport? Check out our SUNSET coupon to save on off airport parking. (Image: SebastianDooris)

Airport parking isn’t just an issue here in the US; it also causes hassle for travelers in the UK. A recent Daily Mail article featuring a UK airport parking provider offers useful info and tips for vacationers in the UK. If you’re planning a trip to England for the Olympics and plan to use off airport parking facilities, then listen up.

$80 a Day!

One of Europe’s busiest airports, Heathrow also takes the lead in the cost of parking at around $80 for a day of parking at Terminal 5. Luckily, off airport parking is much cheaper, at an average of $7 a day with some providers.

The best way to get discounts on airport parking in the UK is to book in advance. You might only save a little on the daily rate, but it soon adds up.

Many UK hotels near major airports also offer packages that include parking. For the price of an overnight stay you get a very reasonable parking deal and a shuttle to and from the airport.

Parking lots in the UK can be assessed for a safety and security award known as the Park Mark. If you’re leaving your rental car in a UK off airport parking lot, look out for this award.

Rent a Driveway

Some enterprising Brits have started to make a little extra money by renting out part of their driveway. There are even a couple of websites (such as parkatmyhouse.com) to manage the process for you. Interesting idea, though you miss out on the security of a managed parking facility.

Our Off Airport Parking Tips

A few things not mentioned in the Daily Mail article, but definitely on our list of ways to save on airport parking include:

• checking out coupons
• finding out about tie-ins with other organizations which might provide additional savings
• researching any perks available with your parking deal
• earning additional points from a reward scheme or your credit card provider.

How have you saved on airport parking abroad? We’d love to hear your experiences below.

Flying off for the summer? Check out our latest off airport parking coupon and save! (Image: eGuide Travel)

Once known as Moisant Field, Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport (MSY), was originally named after aviator John Moisant (the abbreviation stands for Moisant Stock Yards). While discussions about a new airport to replace Lakefront Airport started in the 1930s, it was not until after the war that construction began and commercial services began in 1946. At the time it was one of the nation’s biggest commercial airports, with a 7,000 foot runway and three runaways measuring 5,000 feet.

In 1960, the airport’s name was changed to New Orleans International Airport, a name it would retain until 2001 when the name was changed again in honor of Louis Armstrong’s 100th birthday. Read more »