My summer has been filled with many weekend trips. I have traveled from my old college town, Burlington, VT, to my home at the beach in Mystic, CT. I have put almost 8,000 miles on my car this summer from my many trips, but, I must say, it has been worth it.

While I love traveling by plane since it is usually very quick and easy, there is something I love about road trips. Since driving takes much longer, it gives me time to get caught up in the anticipation of getting to my destination. I could do without the miles of traffic I usually hit, but once I get to where I am going, I quickly forget about the frustrations of the traffic.

My hometown of Mystic is a beautiful seaside town where tourists flock for summer weekends. Typically people visit for Mystic Seaport, Mystic Aquarium and, of course, the beach. I try to spend every other weekend during the summer at the beach, soaking up the sun before it goes into hiding for months.

Now that summer is coming to an end (I woke up this morning and it was in the 50s), my weekend trips will not be as frequent. While I will miss the summer heat, I am looking forward to watching the trees change color, to apple picking in Vermont and, hopefully, to a few weekend trips to Miami to help heat up the cold months to come.

–Jackie Adam, advertising and editorial coordinator

Twenty-eight years ago today, Harry and I embarked on our journey through life together as husband and wife. Through those years we’ve brought two new souls into the world (lovely daughters Sarah and Jenny), bought three houses, worked through major job changes,  supported each other through the loss of parents, battled health issues and ridden through both the highs and lows that everyday life sent our way. After all that time, I am pleased to say that we still make each other laugh, enjoy each other’s company and put up with each other’s idiosyncracies. This weekend we didn’t plan any kind of major celebration but nevertheless enjoyed a few “dates” together.

Friday night saw us making another trek over to the Britt Festival in Jacksonville, Ore. (a short drive from our home), to take in another great concert at the outdoor amphitheatre there. (I wrote about the Moody Blues concert we attended there earlier this summer). Once again we brought along our own picnic supper and wine to enjoy before the music got started. This time the headliner was Creedence Clearwater Revisited, the band founded by original Creedence Clearwater Revival members Doug “Cosmo” Clifford (drums) and bass guitarist Stu Cook. We had seen the group play about six years ago (and got to chat with Cosmo after the show, an impressively fit and VERY nice guy who is a golf fanatic — Fran, take note!) and knew we were in for a great show. First up, though, was the Karen Lovely Band. Based locally here in the Rogue Valley, Karen is a lady singing the blues with a powerful set of pipes, backed by a hard-rockin’ band. Jeff Pevar on guitar impressed us with his creative licks. Having won some regional blues competitions, these folks could really be going places.

CCR played for a solid 90 minutes and then followed up with two encore sets. John “Bulldog” Tristao provides lead vocals that don’t leave you hankering for John Fogerty’s, and Tal Morris on lead guitar was a joy to listen to and watch. Along with Steve Gunner on keyboard, harmonica and acoustic guitar, they played virtually every CCR hit you can think of (”Suzie Q,” “Proud Mary,” “Bad Moon Rising,” “Lodi” and on and on). The audience members (made up mostly of we baby boomers) thoroughly enjoyed themselves, dancing, clapping and singing along. (Concert pet peeve: when the people directly behind you sing louder than the band . . . and don’t know the lyrics!)

Last night we took in Taking Woodstock at the local multiplex. We thoroughly enjoyed the film (tie-in with Friday evening’s entertainment: CCR played at Woodstock, albeit at 3 a.m. following the Grateful Dead); few “name” actors but some really nice performances. Eugene Levy’s Max Yasgur was delightful, Richard Thomas (remember John-Boy Walton?) makes an appearance, and Liev Schreiber inhabits a character who is just a bit different than those you’ve seen him play before. Afterwards we drove over to Ashland, home of the Oregon Shakespeare Festival and several excellent restaurants, B & Bs and eclectic shops and galleries. After a bit of window shopping we chose Alex’s Restaurant and Bar for dinner. It’s housed in a Victorian-era brick building alongside Lithia Creek, and because we arrived after the theater crowd had dined and departed for their shows, we got a prime table outdoors on the balcony above the creek. We enjoyed a great meal on that pleasant, warm evening and decided we were looking forward to what the next twenty-eight years might bring.

–Patty Vanikiotis, proofreader 

Back in June I was treated to a wonderful afternoon with my daughter Sarah at the Morton Arboretum, located in Lisle, Ill., one of Chicago’s western suburb villages. In exchange for enduring having both daughters living far from our home in Oregon, my husband and I have enjoyed at least a couple of trips to Chicago each of the last few years. Each time we get to explore new places and try out new restaurants; and Sarah, knowing my love of the outdoors and gardening, made an excellent choice in introducing me to this 1,700-acre treasure. We drove to it easily on a very warm and humid afternoon, located as it is just north of Interstate 88 and straddling Illinois 53.

The arboretum was founded by Joy Morton, who founded the Morton Salt company in Chicago in 1885. His father had been Grover Cleveland’s secretary of agriculture and originator of Arbor Day, so Morton’s interest in trees and such came naturally. Starting from his family’s Thornhill Estate in 1922 when he was 65, Joy oversaw its development until his death in 1934, when the arboretum encompassed just over 700 acres. After that his family and a board of directors continued to grow the area to its present size.

It is an impressive complex of roads, trails, special gardens and groves. A fairly recent renovation has added an attractive visitors center with restaurant, gift shop and meeting and educational facilities. We weren’t too surprised to see that there were at least two wedding parties on the grounds that day, for one couldn’t ask for a more beautiful setting for an outdoor wedding, with lakes and formal plantings backed by gentle hills covered with mostly hardwood forests. 

Because of the heat, we decided to hop the tram for a half-hour guided tour of the highlights of the place, and then afterwards we picked a few short trails to wander on our own. There seems to be something for everybody here: a 5-acre Children’s Garden which lets the kids climb, splash and play while adults find their way through the formal boxwood maze, get gardening advice from experts at the plant clinic or just enjoy the grounds. A glance at the events schedule showed that all through the summer months there are outdoor concerts to suit any taste, theatrical performances and “flicks in the forest,” seminars and exhibits, in addition to guided hikes and nature walks and all kinds of flora- and fauna-related activities.

Our brief visit to the arboretum made me wish for more time there and a chance to come back in other seasons. By late June we had missed the exuberant blossoms of the spring, and we were of course too early for the vibrant colors of fall. I was also curious to see the 100-acre tall-grass prairie and a few more of the specialty gardens. Guess that just means I’ll have to plan future trips to Chicago to coincide with the seasons and schedule time to get out to the Arboretum again!

If you have a chance to visit Chicago (or are lucky enough to live in the area), I could easily recommend time spent here, especially if you are ready for a little time outside of the city and in the open.

–Patty Vanikiotis, proofreader

For the third consecutive year, Boeing hosted an Airline CEO Panel during the NBTA convention. For the second year, Fran Gallagher and I were guests of Boeing and enjoyed front-row seats during the one-hour question and answer. And, once again, the panel was informative and fast paced while providing a few chuckles.

The panel is moderated by travel journalist Peter Greenberg. The participating CEOs were Gary C. Kelly of Southwest Airlines and Larry Kellner of Continental Airlines. The format is 45 minutes of questions from Greenberg, with answers from both CEOs. Then, the floor is opened to questions from the audience. The attendance at this year’s panel was standing room only.

The proposed Passenger Bill of Rights was discussed at great length, especially in light of a recent Continental tarmac delay. Kellner was quick to acknowledge that Continental was accountable for the situation, but stressed the importance of safety in those situations. Often the safest solution is not the easiest decision, as safety first can mean lengthy delays and disgruntled passengers.

Along the same lines, the CEOs both mentioned that due to limited flights, passengers often opt to wait out long flight delays rather than see flights canceled. With fuller flights and reduced capacities, canceled flights can mean days of waiting until passengers can be rebooked. Kellner and Kelly both agreed that when passengers are faced with the question of dealing with a lengthy delay or having a flight canceled, they overwhelmingly choose the delay.

Both CEOs acknowledged that, while things are not getting any better, they also are not getting any worse. The outlook looks brighter as it appears airlines may have seen the worst of it. Gary Kelly continued to promise Southwest would not charge baggage fees. Both also discussed the current state of business travel.

All in all, the CEO panel is a rare glimpse into the lives of airlines’ top executives. It is informative, attempts to answer some of the tough questions and is always interesting.

–Kimberly Krol, eFlyer editor, circulation and public relations executive

Another successful NBTA! Although attendance numbers were significantly less than in years past, the show this year was about quality, not quantity. The importance of business travel and face-to-face meetings was reaffirmed more than ever this year.

It was great to catch up with clients and meet new potential partners and friends.  Our party, as always, was a hit. Kim put together another great event. The beach theme was appropriate for the venue at the W San Diego — a rooftop bar and lounge area with a sandy floor.  Global Travelers and friends mingled to the laid-back beat of a steel drum band (my favorite part!). 

I will be reviewing the Hotel Indigo San Diego, a brand-spanking-new property and a great new boutique hot spot for the business or leisure traveler.  More to come later, but for now I must continue following up with all the great people I met this year!

– Courtney Centeno, account executive