Pat & Wayne Harriman's

Pat & Wayne Harrimancompliments of

203-672-4499 · 203-605-3873

852 Clintonville RdWallingford , CT 06492

harrimanre.comwharriman@harrimanre.com

Pack a bag, it's time to go on an adventure! The summer is coming to an end and before

school starts back there is still time for one last grand adventure. So dust off your passport,

shake the mothballs out of your traveling shoes and get that suitcase packed; the world is

waiting for you.

This month in Welcome Home magazine learn how to travel safely and prepare for anything

that might come your way on your travels. Always wanted to learn to surf, but don't know

where to start? Check out our how to guide for surf vacation planning. Ever wonder if there is

a reason why travel agents are still around? Find out why! Last but not least, tired of getting

pegged as a tourist everywhere you go? Let our helpful tips teach you to blend for your best

vacation ever!

Please enjoy this issue of the magazine!

Have a adventuresome August, and as always, Welcome Home!

compliments of

Pat & Wayne Harriman

Visit My Site

Email Me

203-672-4499 · 203-605-3873

852 Clintonville RdWallingford , CT 06492

Table of Contents

Welcome Home is for entertainment purposes only. This magazine is not

intended to solicit other brokers’ listings. If you are currently working

with another broker, please disregard this information.

The information provided in this publication of Welcome Home or on any website maintained by U.S. Cybertek, Inc. or any of its subsidiaries, divisions, affiliates, agents, representatives, licensors, licensees or employees (collectively Publisher) is intended as a general guide illustrating common methods of common practices, and the publisher makes no warranty or guarantee whatsoever of the safety, effectiveness, or other characteristic of any methods or products described herein. Neither does the Publisher assume any liability for information published in any website or other publication to which reference may be made herein. Readers are cautioned to review and comply with all written instructions, safety bulletins, and other materials provided in connection with any of the products mentioned herein and all products used in connection with any of the methods described. Neither Published nor any of its subsidiaries, divisions, affiliates, agents, representatives, licensors, licensees or employees shall in any case be liable to you or anyone else for any loss or injury or any direct, indirect, incidental, consequential, special punitive or similar damages arising out of your use of or failure to use any of the methods and/or products described in this publication or any other publication or websites to which reference may be made herein. Publisher disclaims all warranties, and any warranty or guarantee of safety, merchantability, or fitness for any part icular purpose l ies solely with the manufacture(s) of any product described or recommended or used used in connection with any methods described or recommended.

Editor in Chief - Phly Jambor

All pictures courtesy of sxc.hu or bing.com unless otherwise noted. Thanks to Wikipedia for Random Fact information and aid. Cover Photo

Welcome Home!

4 Recipe And Design A tasty recipe and a stylish home design how to.

5 Travel Agents: Are They Really Needed? Is there any reason to use one? Looks like it!

6 The Adventure Travel Gal’s Top 10 Tips Ladies, get ready for some adventuresome advice!

8 In The Kitchen. Portable Yummies: Trail Mix Party Favors

9 Health and Wellness.Hiking - A fun and free way to get fit in the great outdoors .

10 How To Plan a Surf Vacation Relax and catch some waves.

12 Personal GPS Units Find yourself with one of these little wonders.

16 How Not To Look Like A Tourist Tips from backpackers on blending in.

18 Cruising With The Kids Family fun in the most nautical way.

20 Products To Love! Hot trends and technological wonders of tomorrow.

22 City Spotlight Lahaina, HI - This beautiful city on Maui is a must see!

24 DIY Project - August Pet friendly fun - a Suitcase Dog Bed

25 Businesses That Make A Difference Hershey, A sweet company with an even sweeter mission.

Portobello Fajitas

Recipe and Design

Directions1. In a small bowl combine olive oil, salt, and pepper.2. Brush the portobello mushrooms and sweet pepper with

the olive oil mixture. Stack tortillas and wrap in foil.3. For a charcoal grill, place the portobellos, pepper quarters,

and foil packet on the rack of an uncovered grill directly over medium coals. Grill 8 to 10 minutes or until tender, turning once halfway through grilling time. (For a gas grill, preheat grill. Reduce heat the medium. Place portobellos, pepper quarters, and foil packet on a grill rack over heat. Cover and grill as above.)

4. Slice portobello and sweet pepper into strips. In a medium bowl, mash one of the avocados; stir in mayonnaise and chili powder. Season to taste with salt and pepper. Slice remaining avocado. Serve sweet pepper, portobello and sliced avocado on tortillas. Top with mayonnaise mixture. Makes 4 servings.

Ingredients

• 2 tablespoons olive oil• 1/4 teaspoon salt• 1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper• 3 medium portobello mushrooms• 1 red and/or yellow sweet pepper, quartered• 8 - 6 inches flour tortillas (soft taco or fajita size)• 2 medium avocados, halved, seeded, and peeled• 1/4 cup light mayonnaise• 1 teaspoon chili powder•  Salsa Verde•  Fresh Cilantro sprigs•  Lime wedges

Instructions:1. Mask the treads with painter's tape and paint the risers

in your desired color.

2. Remove the tape before the paint dries completely.

3. Measure the risers and cut decals to the size needed to fit on each riser.

4. Adhere the decals according to the manufacturer's instructions. (Wait until the paint is completely dry to adhere the details.)

5. If desired, apply clear sealer to protect the decals.

• Paint color of your choice• Painter’s Tape• Mural of your choice• Scissors/crafts knife• Cutting mat and Ruler• Clear sealant (Optional)• Paint brushes• Paint Tray

Scene-Setting Staircase

Courtesy of BHG.com

What You Need:

Courtesy of BHG.com

Written By John Farina. Courtesy of Isnare.com.

Travel Agents: Are They Really Needed?

Travel agents aren't going the way of the eight-track tape just yet. They are also increasingly expected to know about and be able to advise travelers about their destinations, such as the weather conditions, local ordinances and customs, attractions, and exhibitions.These agents are the critical connection between the customer and vendor of the service that the customer is wishing to book. Travel Agents are experts in helping tourist with how to move within the country, where to stay & what to do are are held to a high standard of care and are relied upon by consumers.

When traveling abroad to a new destination, having a travel agent who has actually been there is a huge plus. Face to face is still the best way to do business and it's sad that the Travel Agent is considered an obsolete commodity these days. I had an aunt and uncle who would tell their travel agent when they had a vacation coming up and the agent would find a great trip for them year after year.Some people are also inexperienced travelers and speaking/planning face to face with an expert would make them much less anxious.

Good travel agents focus on finding deals during non peak times, which is when you can score the cheapest rates and greatest selection. Because they book trips in volume and have longstanding relationships with travel providers, travel agents routinely get preferred rates and extra amenities that you and your favorite travel site will rarely match. Written off as dinosaurs not so long ago, agents are seeing a welcome bump in business, with the 2006 average weekly sales per agent location up 15% over the year before. Many agents have become a specialized bunch, some offering adrenaline-fueled adventure trips, others pricey safaris. Other agents go after even thinner slices of the travel pie, with specialties ranging from twins-only cruises to kosher dude ranches. Some agents charge anywhere from $150 to redeem a frequent-flier award to a $500 consulting fee for arranging customized trips. In the 1980s, agents were the gatekeepers of travel, booking nearly 80% of all airline tickets.

I am not defending all agents, as there isn’t a standard, or requirement to become an agent,(other than basic computer skills) therefore, there are many agents that just wanted to get out of the house. I guess my point is: Lower your expectations, as many agents don’t know much more than the general public, although they have access to the info. The same would be for a lawyer, a real estate agent, a hair dresser and I can go on and on. So why do people think you do not have to do your research or get a referral to find an excellent travel agent. There are MANY great travel agents out there and the value of having a good one is ten times better than booking on the internet.

Travel agents are agents of the travel providers, receiving commissions from the travel providers for sales they make. You will find travel agents are like doctors, accountants, book-keepers and any other service professional. They are in the business of selling advice and service, not commodity products. MOST travel agents are continually learning about destinations and suppliers; who to work with and who Not to work with.They are there, though, because they work for you. Whether times are good or not, these agents are your secret weapon, hiding in plain sight.

10. Put a copy of your passport somewhere in your luggage so that if you lose your original passport you will be able to get it replaced quickly. If you really want to be safe, take another copy and leave it with a trusted friend or relative at home so they can fax it to you if you ever need to verify identity.

9. Leave a pre-packed toiletry kit at home in your closet. This enables you to avoid the tedious process of packing those items every time you are going on a trip especially short jaunts for business or a quick weekend. Also important that each time you come home from a trip and have used up one of the items to immediately replace it. Also apply this tactic to a hiking backpack with rain gear, bug repellant, sunscreen, etc.

8. Carry extra memory cards for your camera and switch them out frequently so if you lose your camera

you at least only lose your most recent pictures, not ALL your pictures. 

7. Donate gear you do not want or can part with. Bring equipment on a trek that has been broken in and proven to be comfortable. At the end of your trip often your equipment may be the last thing you want to ever see again after being attached to it for 3 weeks in the jungle. However, the porters, sherpas, guides, cleaning and cooking staff on your trip may be able to use these items for years to come. 

6. Carabineers and bungee cords are like modern day duct tape. Bring these along to aid your packing and repacking from one destination to the next when your pack may take different forms. For example nothing worse than wet clothes…now you can hang them on your pack to dry.

The Adventure Travel Gal’s top 10 Tips

Written by Jennifer Zivic. Courtesy of Articlesbase.com

5. When leaving a hotel for a day or night out always grab the hotel business card. Especially in a country where you might have a language barrier, you can simply hand the card to the cab driver and they will get you to the right place instead of trying to describe that weird shaped tree you saw on the corner as a significant landmark. 

4. Bring a cover-up, a large wrap around scarf or something similar to cover your legs and/or shoulders when entering places of worship, especially in Asia. This is a good universal item to have along anyway on a trip as it can always double as a blanket on a flight, pillow on a van, head protection from the sun, and more. Along with this it is very convenient to make sure you wear easy slip on and off shoes when making the rounds to these types of temples and sacred buildings whether religious, political or otherwise. It will save lots of time!

3. Carry along small passport size photos for unplanned visa applications. If you veer off your planned path of travel, you may wind up at the border of a country requiring you to apply for an on the spot visa. A way to beat that line is to already have a small photo with you that you can submit with the application. 

2. Apply Vaseline on the sensitive areas of your feet where you tend to get blisters or other unnatural rubbing on the trail or cobblestones before you start the day. Apply directly to feet and then put socks and shoes over top. This will prevent any debilitating friction.

1. Baby Wipes!!! This is the number one thing to bring anywhere. You can use these for almost anything and they can get you out of many a tight jam. There is nothing wrong with a baby wipe shower when you are on a trek.

Ingredient Suggestions:• Nuts - peanuts, pecans, cashews, brazil nuts,

pistachios, hazelnuts, almonds• Seeds and Grains - shelled sunflower seeds,

pumpkin seeds, granola, Cheerios• Fruit - raisins, white raisins, dried fruit bits,

cranberries, dried coconut, dried goji berries, dried cherries, dried banana chips

• Sweets - mini marshmallows, chocolate candies, peanut butter candies, chocolate chips, butterscotch chips,

• Anything that sounds good! :)

Courtesy of abeautifulmess.com

Directions:1. Option #1: Carefully layer your chosen

ingredients in the jars to create tasty edible art.2. Option #2: In a large bowl mix together your

desired ingredients and scoop into the jars.3. Place the lids on the jars and tighten to seal.4. Decorate the jar with cute fabric swatches or

personalize with adorable hand painted labels. The options are endless.

5. Hand out and enjoy!

In The Kitchen

Trail Mix Party Favors

Health & Wellness

Hiking is an outdoor sport that requires no equipment. It's one of the least expensive sports you can engage in. It's basically walking, conducted in a natural setting. Some hiking is goal-oriented, with a specific distance or destination in mind, while other hikes take the form of rambling, with no particular goal other than exercise and enjoyment.

Hiking can be a social experience. You can join hiking groups and clubs to meet people with similar interests. Many singles organizations, in fact, run hikes as a form of low-stress get-together. Other people consider hiking to be a peaceful and solitary activity. Keep in mind these different approaches to hiking when you are on the trail.

Observe hiking etiquette whenever you are on a hike. Many hikers prefer peace and quiet, so if you are in a group, avoid shouting your conversations. Many hikers also enjoy seeing wild animals, and loud conversation and loud music are sure ways to

scare animals away. Remember that you are in a natural setting and behave accordingly.

Hiking etiquette requires that a group stick to the pace of the slowest hiker so that no one is left behind. The easiest way to do this is to put slow hikers up front.

If you find the pace of your group too slow, just choose a different group to hike with the next time. If you cause a low-hanging branch to brush back, it is proper hiking etiquette to hold the branch for the next person so that it will not snap into their faces. However, it is also proper etiquette to maintain enough distance between yourself and the person in front of you so that they will not have to worry about hurting you with branches.

Right-of-way on hikes is different than the rules of the road for walking and driving. People heading uphill have the right of way on a narrow trail over people going downhill. Smaller groups of hikers have the right of way over larger groups

Written by James Munroe. Courtesy of Articlesbase.com

HIKING

How to Plan a Surf Vacation

A surfing vacation obviously involves catching waves, but how do you narrow down all those potential travel spots to just one? A great surfing vacation can be different for every surfer. What makes it "great" is unique to every surfer and requires a balancing act between wave choice, cost, and travel partners. I have narrowed down these traveling surfers to three general groups.

Hardcore Surfers

This type of surfer is usually experienced and is traveling solo or with other experienced surfers looking for one thing only, serious waves. The hardcore surfing vacation may involve traveling to more remote locations that are not easy to get to. They may also not offer as much to somebody that isn't there for barreling waves, like your non surfing spouse. Some examples would be the Sumatra or the Maldives. It also could be somewhere easier to travel to, like Pipeline in Hawaii. The Hawaiian experience can offer something for just about everybody, but you can also catch some serious waves in winter.

Family Surfers

This is the family vacation that involves one or more family members who want to surf. This always involves a balancing act between the desires of the surfer and the desires of the family. This is definitely the category I fall into. When I travel I just want to get some waves most of the days I'm there, but I'm not expecting epic surf. Even if you are a very experienced surfer, do you want to drag small children (who can't swim yet) and spouse on a small boat to a remote reef? Probably not. Some possible family surf vacations are Waikiki, some resorts in Costa Rica and Mexico, San Diego or Orange County in California, and Surfers Paradise in Australia. Many surfers in this group are former hardcore surf vacationers.

Beginners

The emphasis on this surfing vacation is learning to surf. This could be any vacation near a beginner spot like Cowell's in Santa Cruz or Old Man's in San Onofre, both decent family

vacation spots as well. Or you could go for the surf camp where you stay and take lessons near a beginners spot everyday. This is recommended for anybody who wants to learn to surf fairly quickly. Overseas slow rolling waves like some places in Costa Rica offer the most potential for learning under less crowded conditions, but will probably take more time and money to get to. Of course any surfing vacation may fall between these broad categories, and you could split your time between areas. Such "hybrid vacations" usually involve other interests like scuba diving, hiking, or perhaps a museum or two.

The best thing to do is start a list of vacation spots. Consider what else you or your travel partners want to do and list them. Consider the average surf conditions, weather, and crowds for the dates and places of your potential vacation spots. Write down all the pros and cons for each area with that in mind. Now consider the cost of each vacation. Fairly quickly that list will be reduced and your decision should become more clear. Good luck and hope you catch great waves!

Written by Chris Warner. Courtesy of Articles Base.com

Get ready to relax and catch some waves.

What are they and do you really need one?

Personal GPS Units

Whether traveling on business or vacation, it is important to be safe. Whenever information about current location and destination are needed, it is important they are readily available. The ability to know, with confidence, that this data is provided accurately, reliably, and in an easy to read manner

is empowering to every kind of person in countless daily situations.

But how is it possible to have this kind of access to information? Enter the GPS system and the portable units that utilize it. While some units are readily portable, some are designed primarily to remain stationary. While the most widely known units are of the hand-held variety, there are also variations specially adapted for use in ocean navigation or aviation. With the recent rapid advancements in technology, protection and confidence never before achieved is now available. There is no need to wait for a couple of decades.

A GPS unit is supported by a system of satellite that provide comprehensive information about navigation and time. It is for this reason they are widely used in terrestrial and marine navigation.

The standard GPS unit provides four styles in choosing a route. The first one is the shortest time to destination. Using this method, the GPS unit's advanced algorithms calculate a route given current location and destination. Based on that information, it selects the shortest route given distance and speed limit factors. The second method available is shortest distance. This provides the route that is, as the name implies, the shortest distance between current location and destination.

Third, there is the method that makes the least use of highways or freeways. The GPS unit determines a route utilizing city streets and side streets. This method prevents the use of highways when desired such as during times when bad highway traffic is anticipated.

The final method used by GPS units makes the most use of freeways. This method endeavors to provide directions over highways, interstates and freeways as much as possible, and for long journeys will give similar if not identical routes to the shortest time calculation.

The average GPS unit also provides three styles of guidance screen. The map view is a display screen that is designed to appear bright, with high resolution to make text and icons easy to read. There may be as many as nine color combinations to choose from. The user can also zoom the map in or out for detailed viewing.

True view is another common GPS unit screen display style. It shows the road layout in a detailed view. This makes it ideal for use as a guide for turns and street navigation.

The third type of display is called the maneuver list screen. This screen displays details about where to expect turns while driving, in the familiar format of written directions.

Before purchasing a GPS unit, it is important to ensure that it has a bare minimum of features. For

example, features like abundant waypoint storage, long battery life, a wrist strap, magnetic compass, and altimeter are a must.

There are many other features available in GPS units that take steps to ensure proper guidance for the user. One of the more important and useful of these is spelling and grammar auto correction. Another handy GPS unit feature is route exclusion, allowing the user to avoid a certain route by telling the unit to ignore it when making calculations. The majority of GPS units also incorporate the ability to immediately plot an alternate route for whatever reason, and can aid in quickly locating a specific place or locality.

Many people imagine that GPS units are difficult to learn to operate. However, most GPS units are carefully designed to be surprisingly user-friendly. Simply turn them on and they're ready to go.

Written by Ana Ivey. Article courtesy of isnare.com.

Being a backpacker is not about having a holiday and succumbing to the lures of the in your face tourist traps that are ever present in most destinations in which you may wish to visit.

No, no, no backpacking is generally considered more about experiencing the real culture of a destination, the real people and the real way in which a visiting destination operate from day to day. Backpacking is for independent traveler, adventurer and explorer who wants to experience all of the ‘off the beaten track' types of travel and destinations all on the smell of an oil rag.

On the other hand your stereotypical image of an annoying tourist is that of a group of snapshot taking outsiders who often seem to appear at every major landmark or tour stop off. You can easily pick out the tourist since they are the ones who are loud, sun burnt and are dragging along a bunch of screaming kids.

Well these are the images that pop into my mind when I think about tourists and I literally cringe at the thought of traveling in that manner. I think it would by now have become evident that I am pro-backpacker and anti-tourist. Not that tourists are bad people, everyone has their place in this world and on their travel route – however it is just not my cup of tea and I imagine not for many of the frequent readers of Backpacking Addictz.

So I have decided to write the blog article solely for the purpose of informing the newbie backpacker of how to avoid the traps of becoming just another annoying tourist.

Homework:It is advisable and usually a given procedure for the diligent backpacker to do their homework and research on the destinations in which they intend to visit. A basic understanding of the local culture, customs and history of the particular destination will put you in good stead for not sticking out like a sore thumb or even worse offending some of the locals.

Local currencies:Familiarize yourself with the local money and the exchange rate. It is highly advisable to be well aware of the exchange rate to avoid having to do lengthy and mind boggling calculations every time you want to make a simple transaction. This will hopefully prevent you from constantly asking some local trader "how much is that is pounds" or US dollars, or euros or whatever your home currency might be.

The local trader will probably not have any more of an idea than you do and if they do by some chance then you possibly open yourself up to being ripped off. The best thing to do is prior to leaving – work out the exchange rate and apply it to $10 or 10 of what ever your home currency is and then use this scale to gain a better understanding of how the cost of a transaction relates to your home currency.

For example if you are aware that $10 is 400BHT in Thailand then you would know that $25 is worth approximately 1000 BHT.

Backpacker Tips

How To Avoid Looking Like A Tourist

Surroundings:Research and get familiar with your surroundings and orientation of the destination you are visiting. This will prevent you from looking lost and wandering aimlessly. It will also reduce the risk from you being targeted by local con artists and scammers.

My suggestion, and I have always made this a priority before I leave for a backpacking adventure, is to purchase a travel guide and map for the particular destination/s you plan to visit. Travel guides are an essential and valuable asset for every serious traveler or backpacker.

We consider travel guides so important that we are currently in the process of launching the highly anticipated Backpacking Addictz Travel eGuides. These perfect travel companions will be cheap, informative and easy to take with you anywhere you decide to go. They will be available for purchase very shortly once finishing touches have been finalized.

We are so excited about the launch of the Backpacking Addictz Travel eGuides have been written by the backpacker for the backpacker and will be the perfect tool for preparing your journey, familiarizing yourself with the culture, customs, eating and drinking venue and quality advice on how to enjoy the backpacking journey to its fullest extent.

By studying a guide and doing your homework prior to arriving to your intended countries you are less likely to be caught out looking like a silly tourist or worse being scammed by a local con artist.

If you need to ask for directions then try and do so discreetly. You can always pick the tourist who is the one standing in the middle of a large open area looking completely bewildered by the large map opened up before them whilst asking random locals for directions. Its not a good look and generally puts a tourist target smack bang on your forehead.

If you need to ask for directions you can discreetly do so by asking a local shop or business owner this is the preferred way to seek some directions or local advice as opposed to asking random passers by.

LanguageIt is definitely worth becoming slightly au fait will some of the local languages. We you don't have to become a language professor in a particular language however it would be advisable to at learn learn a few of the basics. Even some common slang will help to show the locals that you know a thing or two about the area.

Pocket dictionaries are the most obvious choices for the hesitant language learner and you can either purchase a hard copy from your local book store or better yet there is a vast array of websites on the internet where you should be able to find enough information for free to get you by. Also, if you are up to date with the latest mobile phone trends such as the iPhone there are many applications in which you can download foreign dictionaries straight to your mobile phone.

Clothing and accessoriesTry to blend in with the locals to some degree. I remember when I was traveling through Cambodia and took the time to head to Siem Reap to see the Angkor Wat there were plenty of big loud hawaiian t-shirt wearing tourists visiting and they seriously looked right out of place. At least try to fit in with the local trends or looks rather than trying to make a statement.

Souvenir clothing clearly says to any local that they are tourists, its like holding a picket sign up saying come rip me off i'm a tourist. By all means purchase the odd tourist clothing but save it for wear when you get back home.

Carrying huge big bags and bulky accessories around with you everywhere you go is certainly not advisable since you simply have more to lose, get stolen or damaged. Just take what you need and nothing unnecessary, you are best of leaving this stuff at the guesthouse or secured in the hostel with your big backpack. Especially in poorer countries you are best to keep expensive camera, mobile phones or iPods kept in your pocket or hidden from the publics view, these are expensive products and will quickly gain a thieves eye.

MannerAlways be polite and considerate and treat people the way you would like to be treated. Tried to avoid confrontations at all costs, remember you are in unchartered waters so to speak and always remember the saying "when in Rome". Losing your cool and having an argument with someone is generally not only rude but it will get you nowhere especially if you speak a different language to the locals.

The Backpacker never travels in large groups rather they tend to either run solo or in pairs of sometimes 3’s or 4’s. The bigger the group you are in the more you are going to look like a tourist.

I prefer to run solo when backpacking as it allows you the complete freedom to not have to take other peoples issues into consideration. Perhaps a selfish attitude some might say but if you want to do something the way YOU want to do it then traveling on a solo mission I think is the best way. However, if you have a partner who is in the same mind set as you – this can also be a fantastic way to share all your experiences and travels with someone special.

Off season travelTraveling during the off season certainly seems to have many more perks for the backpacker than traveling during the high season. First, you do not have to worry about as many painstaking tourists bumping into you left right and centre and secondly, you can generally get cheaper airfares and accommodation during these periods.

At the end of the day you need to travel the way you want to travel, everyone is different and wants different things. However, if you are aiming to set yourself aside from all the usual tourist traps and scams, and if you really want to enjoy your independent travels as a backpacker we strongly suggest that you take on board a number of the above mentioned issues.

Get out there and get amongst it!

Written by Josh Boorman. Courtesy of Articlesbase.com,

CRUISING WITH THE KIDS

Make it a Vacation to Remember (Fondly!)

Is a cruise vacation right for your family? Chances are, the answer is yes - especially if your youngsters are the kind of kids who like to have fun!

Would your kids like to slither down a water slide, sing karaoke, or play pirate with a dozen new friends? Would they like to dissect a squid or

maybe dance all night in a teen club? Well, then, welcome aboard. These are just a few of the activities that modern cruise ships offer families looking for a new way to spend their vacation.

Shipboard life: Play hard, eat well, rest easy

A cruise ship is basically a giant floating, all-inclusive resort. Rooms, meals, activities, and entertainment are all included in the cruise fare,

and the itinerary is already set, so planning and budgeting are easy. And parents and kids can pursue their own interests, so everyone can have a good time. Is there any better recipe for great family cruise vacation?

Most cruise lines offer cabins that can sleep four, and most offer discounted fares for kids sharing their parents' stateroom (cribs and guardrails for bunk beds are readily available). Some ships have staterooms that sleep five or six, but if your kids are older, you might want to book adjoining cabins, which offer more space and privacy. Outside cabins are more appealing than inside cabins, especially if they have a veranda, where parents can relax during kids' nap time, but they are more expensive.

When it comes to food, cruising is hard to beat. Almost every ship has a special menu of kid-friendly dishes, but kids can also dine from the main menu just like Mom and Dad. On some lines, kids can eat at tables staffed by youth counselors, leaving parents some quiet dinners to themselves.

Kids' programs: Fun for all Gone are the days when the ship's Children's Room was a glorified babysitting operation. Today's kids' programs are usually run from specially outfitted 'clubhouses' staffed by specially trained counselors. Think camp, not daycare.

Programming is usually available for kids 3 to 17 (some cruise lines accommodate younger children, provided they are potty-trained). The kids are divided by age-groups, and the list of things they can do is mind-boggling. Movies, games, arts and crafts, and contests are offered by nearly all cruise lines, and some also offer special programming like language classes, etiquette instruction, cake decorating, and shore excursions just for kids. Outdoor fun includes amazing pools (some come with a gigantic movie screen), as well as basketball, volleyball, and tennis. Some ships even offer miniature golf course and bowling. Babysitting is available when the children's centers are closed, and some ships issue pagers to parents so they

can keep in touch with their kids when they are apart.

Two new trends are changing kids' cruising a lot. The first is 'edutainment,' a concept enthusiastically embraced by Princess Cruises, which has partnered with the California Science Center and the National Park Service for some kid-sized educational fun. For example, kids can build a model of a roller coaster, dissect a squid, or learn about glaciers and grizzlies in the Junior Ranger Program. The second trend is exclusive programming for teens, who can now hang out with new friends in large, comfortable spaces equipped with video games, computers, and air hockey tables. Some new ships even offer teens their own refreshment areas and whirlpool.

What to know before you go Shipboard facilities and programming for children vary widely, so it's important to choose the right cruise and to let the kids know what to expect. Keep the following tips in mind.

* Know that older ships and luxury cruise lines usually have less children's programming, while newer ships and mid-price cruise lines usually have the coolest kid facilities.

* Look over the various destinations that your family would prefer, and aim for summer or school vacations, when there will be plenty of other children to play with. * Talk to your kids about proper shipboard etiquette,

and go over basic safety precautions. Establish a buddy system for older children who want some independence aboard ship, and be sure that all children know they can get help from a uniformed crew member at any time.

Family cruise vacations are easy, delicious, exciting, and fun. Best of all, you'll never hear that dreaded vacation complaint, Mommy, I'm bored!, because on a cruise ship, there's something fun to do every minute.

Written by Anita Dunham-Potter. Courtesy of Isnare.com,

Products To Love In August

Greco Surf is known worldwide for their excellence in soft performance surfboard designs. The Light 7' funboard is innovative for its shaped rails, slightly more entry rocker and buoyancy from intelligent implementation of its displacement volume of foam. The thruster tri fin set up comes with safe, rounded, plastic fins that are slightly larger to mimic a shortboard thruster fins. The Light is great for both experts and lighter beginners. The buoyancy can support an efficient amount of weight and with its slightly more increased entry rocker, it helps prevent pearling. Please click here for more information.

I can’t count the number of times that I’ve mentally blessed the creator of these delicious bars! Perfect for an on the go snack, pick me up or “Crap, I forgot my lunch again” filler. Made with natural ingredients these bars taste good AND are good for you too. The best part? They are a kid friendly and picky kid approved! Please click here for more information.

A Time Magazine “Invention of the Year” winner, LifeStraw is the most advanced, compact, ultralight personal water filter available. LifeStraw contains no chemicals or iodinated resin, no batteries and no moving parts to break or wear out. It features a high flow rate and weighs only 2oz. LifeStraw is perfect for the ultralight backpacker, traveler, boy scout, hunter, and especially for emergency preparedness. Please click here for more information.

FIELD TESTED

Reviewed by Rural Jungle Testing

Products To Love In August

The best-selling Reader's Digest travel book has 40% new content including over 200 new sites, over 200 new full-color photographs, and all-new, up-to- date maps. Off the Beaten Path spotlights over 1,000 of the United States' most overlooked must- see destinations. In a state-by-state A-to-Z format, this budget-friendly vacation planner reveals the best-kept secret spots so that no matter where you live, you can plan an unforgettable local vacation within an hour or two of your home. Each of the featured sites has been verified by the respective state's tourist bureau as still being "off the beaten path." Revel in nature, science, art, and culture, and encounter the unexpected as you explore undiscovered gems. Please click here for more information.

The Titan 55 from High Sierra's Tech Series is a roomy yet streamlined 55-liter capacity pack with an internal frame built for superior load support and breathability. The Titan 55 carries heavy burdens with relative ease thanks to it S-shaped Ergo-Fit shoulder strap harness with load-lifters that adjust to fit a trimmer torso. The pack's high-density foam padded back panel provides optimum load support while the large AirFlow channels and uniquely contoured internal frame structure helps keep your back cool and dry. Please click here for more information.

The Bear Grylls Edition BackTrack D-Tour is GPS made simple. Like Bear, you'll never get lost, no matter where you are. Using it is simple. To get back to where you started, you just push a button and follow an arrow. You can use the BackTrack D-TOUR to find your car in a parking lot, your campsite, your hiking trails, find your way back to your hotel in an unfamiliar city or tree stand at your favorite hunting property. Please click here for more information.

City Spotlight

Lahaina, HI

Written by Chris Sutton. Courtesy of Articlesbase.com

Are you planning a trip to Maui? You are not alone if you are one of the many people that want to see and visit this beautiful and amazing island. The second largest island on Hawaii, Maui is cram-packed with things to see and do. Time and time again it has been chosen as the best island in the world and it's no surprise why.

If you are going to Maui, your question will not be of what to do but instead of what to do first? There are so many great sights to see, things to do, places to go and more that you might feel you can never see and do it all in one trip. (Maybe this is why so many people make repeat visits to Maui).

1. Go to a Luau - You can't visit Hawaii without seeing a luau and Maui knows how to do them right! Even some of the hotels that you might stay at in Maui have great beachside luaus as well as restaurant and resort package deals. Luaus will feature authentic Hawaiian food such as kalua pig, poin and haupia (coconut pudding) and usually a buffet spread of more familiar foods.

2. Go biking- If you don't mind some physical activity, you should see Maui from a bike. In fact, there are few places in the world that are as bike-friendly as Maui. There are even bicycle tours that let you go from one end of the island to the other. There are downhill bicycle tours and slow-paced tours that let you see the farms and small towns of Upcountry and the beaches down at Paia. There are places all over the island of Maui for you to rent bikes.

3. Fine dining- There are fine places to eat and dine all over Maui. In fact, this island has the best dining in all of Maui. Many fine, experienced chefs from all over the country and even the world have come to Maui to work their magic in the restaurants here on the island. There is literally a restaurant for every taste so whether you like to experiment and try a bit of everything, or whether you are strict in your eating habits, you are sure to find plenty of great places in Maui.

4. Hiking- Another great idea while in Maui is to go hiking. There are fabulous trails that take you literally all over the island. You can even hike in the great craters such as the Haleakala and you can see waterfalls, plunge pools and much more. There is a hiking trail for everyone- no matter what your physical fitness level. Get ready to see Maui by foot!

5. Go for a drive- You would not believe some of the fantastic scenic drives on Maui. The Hana Highway is a 56 mile stretch of 54 bridges over winding lava shore, through old plantation towns, past miles of beaches and through towering forests. You might also want to take a drive to the summit of Haleakala. Haleakala crater appears like the surface of an alien planet and the views of Maui from the summit are amazing.

6. Go for a dive- Maui is the best place to visit the underwater world of Hawaii. There are many different locations for diving and there are two marine conservation areas. Molokini is a partially submerged volcanic crater offshore of Wailea. Both Lahaina and Ma'alaea have glass bottom boats and a pleasure submarine to let non-swimmers share in the beauty of underwater Maui as well.

7. Whale watching- You might already know that Maui has many beautiful and amazing sights that you can't see anywhere else in the world. But have you ever been whale watching? From November through April each year, Maui welcomes the humpback whale and you can join in the celebration and catch some whale-watching of your own. The endangered species comes here to Hawaii to mate and it's truly a sight like no other.

8. Shopping- Where would your vacation be without some fabulous shopping? With so many shops and stores to choose from, you simply can't see Maui without leaving with some fantastic souvenirs. There are also many shops in Maui that contain specialty items unique to Hawaii and Maui such as one of a kind jewelry, glass work and more.

9. Sightseeing- You can't visit Maui without enjoying the many great sights there are to see. There are many historic locations such as Lahaina, old Hawaiian churches, the whaling history museums and much more. There is so much to learn about the island and so much to see, you will wonder if you have enough time to do it all!

10. Swimming and Snorkeling- Well of course since you are here at the island, you must go swimming. Even if you are not an avid swimmer, you can take a quick dip and get your body wet. Or you might enjoy snorkeling at one of many great locations. Maui has over 80 beaches and over 120 miles of coast to choose from!

DYI Project - AugustDog Bed Suitcase DIY

Courtesy of shopruche.com

Materials:

• Suitcase • Foam• Scissors• Fabric

1. Choose an empty suitcase that’s large enough for your pet to fit comfortably in.

2. Measure and cut out a piece of foam to fit inside of the suitcase. You can add multiple layers of foam for more cushion.

3. Choose a fun fabric to place over the foam. Cut out a piece that is larger than the area of the suitcase (you'll need the extra length to secure the fabric).

4. Place the fabric over the foam and tuck it in at the edges and corners. For a more secure fit, you can also take two pieces of fabric (both large enough to cover the foam) and sew them at the edges to create a pillowcase to cover the foam with.

5. Present your furry friend with their comfy new bed and add in their favorite toys!

At The Hershey Company, they are committed to making a difference in the communities where we live, work and do business. This commitment dates to the

earliest years of the company and is a vital part of both their heritage and of they are today. More than a century ago, our founder, Milton S. Hershey, broke ground for what was to become the world's largest chocolate factory. Mr. Hershey was truly unique. Not only did he transform the business of making chocolate, he established an enduring model of responsible community stewardship. Milton Hershey School, founded by Milton and Catherine Hershey and is administered today by the Hershey Trust, our largest shareholder, remains the

primary beneficiary of our business. Nearly 2,000 disadvantaged boys and girls who attend Milton Hershey School annually, and more than 8,000 graduates, have benefitted from Mr. Hershey's generosity. Hershey supports hundreds of community agencies that deliver services and support to those most in need. Their philanthropy reaches around the world, including working with the Children's Miracle Network, Family Health International and a children's burn center in Guadalajara, Mexico. They are a leader in working to enhance the lives of cocoa

farmers and their families in West Africa, Asia and the Americas. Hershey supports programs that help improve farmer incomes, responsible labor practices,

opportunities for children and youth, and community health. They practice environmental stewardship by supporting environmentally sound cocoa farming, implementing ongoing recycling, clean air and water management programs, improving the environmental sustainability of our packaging and working to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, waste, and our use of natural resources.

Check out www.thehersheyscompany.com to find out more.

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For centuries, surfing was a central part of ancient Polynesian culture. Surfing may have first been observed by

Europeans at Tahiti in 1767 by Samuel Wallis and the crew members of the Dolphin who were the first Europeans

to visit the island in June of that year. Another candidate is the botanist Joseph Banks being part of the first voyage

of James Cook on the HMS Endeavour, who arrived on on Tahiti on 10 April 1769. Lieutenant James King was the

first person to write about the art of surfing on Hawaii when he was completing the journals of Captain James Cook

upon Cook's death in 1779.

References to surf riding on planks and single canoe hulls are also verified for pre-contact Samoa, where surfing

was called fa'ase'e or se'egalu and Tonga far pre-dating the practice of surfing by Hawaiians and eastern

Polynesians by over a thousand years.

George Freeth (8 November 1883 - 7 April 1919) is often credited as being the "Father of Modern Surfing". He is

also thought to have been the first modern surfer. In 1907, the eclectic interests of the land baron Henry Huntington

brought the ancient art of surfing to the California coast. While on vacation, Huntington had seen Hawaiian boys

surfing the island waves. Looking for a way to entice visitors to the area of Redondo Beach, where he had heavily

invested in real estate, he hired a young Hawaiian to ride surfboards. George Freeth decided to revive the art of

surfing, but had little success with the huge 16-foot hardwood boards that were popular at that time. When he cut

them in half to make them more manageable, he created the original "Long board", which made him the talk of the

islands. To the delight of visitors, Freeth exhibited his surfing prowess twice a day in front of the Hotel Redondo.

Pat & Wayne Harriman203-672-4499203-605-3873harrimanre.comwharriman@harrimanre.com