I Just Got REAL

Yes, you read it right.  Things are gettin’ real in my world.  And by me being REAL I mean:

R: Ridiculously

E: Effective

A: At

L: Layovers

That’s right; I, the Globe Trotter have become so ridiculously effective at layovers I had to tell you.  People always complain about long excruciating layovers, but I am here to change that.  What isn’t great about a layover? Here you have the chance to relax and try to get things done. You could take a nap (if you want to risk it, remember my article Nine (Not Ten) Air Travel Tips? You should).  Or you could sit and stare; from my experience many people seem to enjoy that, plus people watching is quite amusing. Pass time fast and get REAL.

For me traveling is fun pretty much all the time.  Possibly because I am gettin’ so REAL, or maybe because I always fly on such fabulous airlines (Check Them Out).  Who knows?   But since apparently I am giving lots of advice on this blog, (seriously read Nine (Not Ten) Air Travel Tips.  It’s practically calling your name) I feel that I can tell you that every layover I have had while flying from the Branson Airport has been agreeable.  My layovers are in Atlanta or Denver, both airports that are known from being pretty real, and not the type of REAL you should be thinking of.  Just put yourself in the right state of mind and fly from the right airport and suddenly you will be gettin’ REAL like me. 

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Gulf Coast Fun

Before the seasonal flights to Gulfport/Biloxi Mississippi stop on Branson AirExpress till spring 2011 I decided to take one last voyage to the warm beach.  I know that once winter hits I will have to rely on my memories from this trip to make it through the bitter cold.  The first thing I did was enjoy some nice Gulf Coast style seafood.  I ate my body’s weight in crab, shrimp, and lobster and sat basking and digesting in the warm sun. 

Following my delicious (and overly filling meal) I headed to the beach, but I was too distracted by the glitter and glitz of Gulfport’s casinos to make it straight there.  I ended up at the Hard Rock Casino which was like a huge Hard Rock Café with gambling.  And let me just say that casino=mega awesome.  I spent time playing some slots and looking at the numerous rock memorabilia exhibits.   After awhile I realized it was time to get my beach on.  I took a short walk from the casino to the beach front and once again took in the warm gulf sun.  I better lay out there forever to get enough warmth to make it through my Missouri winter.

Try to make it to Gulfport before the seasonal flights end!  Check out the schedule and prices here.

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Nine (Not 10) Air Travel Tips

I have decided to take some time and give you advice on what I know best - air travel.  Everything that I know I learned from my own mistakes.

1.      Prepare and Plan

Buy airline tickets at least 30 days in advance to get the cheapest prices.  Also reserving your car rental and hotel in advance can save you money, cause you don’t want to be left paying twice as much as you should for something last minute than you could have if you planned ahead! Here in Branson this agency plans everything for me. They couldn't be better!

2.     Recognize Your Luggage

If you buy non-descript plain looking luggage, you might lose it.  If you feel adventurous buy something flashy, or if you already own something plain, tie, glue, or attach something flashy on it.  Get people’s attention, and most importantly get your own.

3.      Give Yourself Time

It’s best to not go crazy with stress at an airport.  It takes time to park your car, or if you didn’t drive yourself, say thank you/goodbye to your ride, go to the ticket counter and proceed through security.  Just arrive a little early to insure that you won’t lose your sanity.

4.      Wear Good Shoes

At the airport while going through security you will have to remove your shoes.  Because of this I encourage you to not wear those old stinky nasty shoes that when removed from your feet omit an odor strong enough to knock a person out.  Just don’t wear those shoes.  Please.

5.      Bring Travel Friendly Pets

As it is traveling with pets can be a complicated task.  But I advise you to only bring a pet that can handle the stress and conditions of high altitude transit.  Say your new puppy gets motion sickness… if you can help it at all don’t bring him on your trip and save yourself and your puppy hours of agony.

6.      Know Your Name

This may seem silly, but it is actually pretty serious.  Make sure when reserving plane tickets that you fill in your name exactly like it is on your official ID.  If you make even one little mistake it could cause you some issues and cost you precious time.

7.      Dress Light

When going through security you will have to remove all your metals, which mean taking off your jewelry, buckles, pins, etc.  To make things easier I wouldn’t put on all of my excessive jewels, necklaces, and bracelets.  Dress light and simple and go through security in a breeze.

8.      No 32 Inch Knitting Needles

As tempting as it may to bring your huge metal knitting needles, don’t do it.  You will never get them back.

9.      Stay Awake

Sleeping is one of my favorite activities but being a frequent traveler I have found that it is vital to stay awake during certain times. For example don’t fall asleep in the terminal right around the time of your boarding call – the plane will leave without you. Also to save yourself embarrassment don’t fall asleep around the time you plane is landing cause when you don’t buckle your seatbelt and the flight attendant gives you a stern look, well you look like a fool.  And no one wants to look like a fool.

Branson Woodcarving Contest

After my trip to Houston I returned to Branson at jet speed on Branson AirExpress (fastest travel method ever only a one and a half hour flight!)  I decided to do a little bit of exploring in my own city.  I checked out things to do in Branson and found myself at a very unique event.

Three days ago I learned that woodcarving competitions will keep you on the edge of your seat and at the tip of sanity.  Never before have I seen such an intense competition before my very own eyes.  At the Titanic Museum in Branson Missouri on Saturday I witnessed professional wood carvers from around the nation speed carve to win a grand prize.  Now I believe that wood carving in itself is a special talent, but being able to do it speedily, well that it just plain flabbergasting.

But let me tell you Branson has much more to do than just this event.  Check out other events in Branson at Branson AirExpress.com, and if you live far away see how you can get there at jet speed from anywhere!

Conroe Catfish Festival

Friday night I flew out from Branson to Houston on a relaxing flight with Branson AirExpress. Then from Houston I went to the mid-sized town of Conroe Texas for a not so mid-sized festival.  I had no idea what to expect other than the implied cajun/catfish eatery, but I found much more than that. 

First let me give you a little history about the festival (which I learned from talking to a very friendly local).  This is the 21^st year the festival has run, which attracts up to 40,000 people annually.  All the benefits from the festival go to the non-profit organization “Friends of Conroe Inc,” which promotes community projects and renovation.  Like I said before, Conroe Texas may be a mid-sized town, but during this time of year it attracts large amounts of people. 

At first I thought of the festival as a large state fair, but it’s much more than that.  They best way I can describe it is as if a state fair merged with Mardi Gras. Fun on top of more fun; that’s the type of event I enjoy!

What were my favorite parts of the festival?  Well… everything (because they literally had everything).  The music was fantastic!  With four stages rotating bands all throughout the night there was never a dull moment.  The food was beyond delicious, and as expected for any type of festival I ate until I could eat no more.  Among the foods I sampled were fried gator on a stick, seafood gumbo, fried catfish, an oyster poboy, and a gigantic turkey leg. Five wineries were at the festival giving out samples of many different types of wine and cheese, and with Bud Light as the sponsor there was more than enough merriment to go around.

But the festival didn’t just have fun for adults; it was loaded with activities for children too!  There were fun rides for kids along with the, “Small Fry Stage,” where young dancers from local art schools performed. 

This was a great event promoting a good cause and I was never bored (or hungry) for a minute.

Check out what else there is to do in Houston and its surrounding areas at Branson AirEpxress.com. 

Welcome!

Welcome to my travel blog.  This is where I plan to share experiences from my adventures around the world.  Check back soon for the start of my exciting journey!