ParkSleepFly Posts

Camping in Pinnacles National Monument

October 20, 2012 No Comments

Mu husband and I wanted to get out of town for my birthday… But we didn’t want to spend a lot of money. And we wanted to send some time outdoors before it got too cold (even in Southern California.) Inexpensive outdoor getaway? Sounds like a job for CAMPING!

We’re talking car camping, not backpack-and-powdered-food camping. We have a roomy tent, a big cooler, and a nice propane stove. Hubs made a reservation at Pinnacles National Monument (most major campgrounds take online reservations nowadays,) the site of a long-extinct volcano about 2 1/2 hours from San Francisco. Actually, it’s two-thirds of a volcano; Thanks to movement along the San Andreas Fault, the other third is still near Lancaster, where the volcano first came into being. But it felt more like being in a forest, the campground was beautiful and shady, nothing like the barren, rocky landscape we expected.

We didn’t rough it the whole time… We broke up the drive with stops in the charming Dutch town of Solvang, and did a little wine tasting in Paso Robles. We spent most of our camping time reading, cooking, and relaxing, though we did take a beautiful hike to the Bear Gulch Talus Cave. Talus caves are formed by big boulders falling such that they create spaces inside, where the temperature is blissfully cool, and visitors might run into a few Big-eared bats. (We didn’t, though. We also didn’t spy any California Condors, but 32 of the rare birds live within Pinnacles as part of the California Condor Recovery Program.)

We did get a little dirty, and discover we need to invest in a better air mattress… But Pinnacles National Monument was such a wonderful place to find some peace and tranquility, we’ll definitely be back.

Spotlight on Indiana – Stonycreek Farm Pumpkin Harvest Festival

September 29, 2012 No Comments

This week, we hear from Michele in Customer Service, about one of her favorite hometown autumn traditions!

Read More

A Tour of Camiguin, Phillippines

September 22, 2012 No Comments

This post is written by our Research Analyst, Francis.

————————————————————–

Camiguin is a pearl-shaped island situated 6.2 miles off the northern coast of the main island of Mindanao in the southern Philippines. The island measures about 14 miles by 9 miles at its longest and widest. Historical documents indicate that renowned explorer Ferdinand Magellan visited the island in the year 1521, and that it was a major settlement of Spanish colonists.

It has seven volcanoes,  and one – Mt. Hibok-Hibok – is still considered active, having had its last eruption in 1951. These volcanoes are responsible for the island’s climate and most of its tourist attractions.

Camiguin boasts miles of untouched coastlines with coconut trees and is dotted with hot and cold springs. Its beaches provide sun-filled days, and the clear blue water, marine life and coral reefs beckon visitors from all over the world.

Here’s a sample of the island’s natural and man-made attractions:

Lanzones Festival

Held every year in October, celebrating Lansones, a small grape-sized fruit grown all over the island.

Guiob Church Ruins

In 1871, a volcanic eruption devastated and buried the Spanish settlement of Catarman which was established in 1697. What remains are the mostly-buried ruins of an old Spanish-era church. A huge cross marks community cemetery that sunk during eruption – Gravestones are visible during low tide.

White Island

The island attracts thousands of tourists every year. It’s a white sandbar with Mt. Hibok-Hibok and Old Volcano as its backdrop. The island is good for swimming, sunbathing, snorkeling and viewing the sunrise and sunset.

Ardent Hot Spring

This mineral pool bubbles water. Mist rises from the heated waters that run down the vents of Mt. Hibok-Hibok volcano. The spring is nice to bathe in at night surrounded by cool mountain air. Picnic huts and tables are available, along with a restaurant.

Bura Soda Water Swimming Pool

This is the only one in the Philippines where you can swim to a pool of soda water. It’s a great scenery as its cold water providing a refreshing splash to bathers and picnickers. Picnic huts and tables are available poolside.

It’s easy to get to Camiguin… From the Philippines’ capital Manila or the southern central city of Cebu, you can take direct flights to Cagayan de Oro City (CDO). Flight time takes one hour and 20 minutes from Manila or a mere 30 minutes from Cebu to CDO. One can also take the longer but more exciting ferry voyages to CDO from the mentioned cities.

From the CDO airport, you can take a taxi cab to the eastbound bus terminal and take a bus ride for Balingoan, a town 55 miles outside CDO. At Balingoan seaport, take a ferry bound for Camiguin Island. The ferry trip usually takes an hour. You can also take a direct three-hour ferry ride from the CDO’s Ferry Terminal.

There are many more hot and water springs, beaches, islands and other tourist attractions on and around this island which would surprise and awe travelers. I hope you’ll be able to come and explore beautiful Camiguin soon!

Feast of San Gennaro

September 8, 2012 No Comments

Here’s another post from Customer Service Agent Michele on one of her favorite travel memories!

A can’t miss event in the Little Italy section of New York City is the 86th annual Feast of San Gennaro, which will take place from September 13th through 23rd. This festival celebrates the spirit and faith of the Italian immigrants who began settling in this area in the 1920’s, honoring the patron saint of Naples.

There are parades, religious processions, games, musical entertainment including Italian folk music and opera, as well as more than 300 street vendors and 35 Italian restaurants that participate.   Opening day begins with the cannoli eating competition, with pizza and pasta eating competitions the following week. The performance stage on Grand and Mott Streets features concerts and radio broadcasts in the evenings and cooking demonstrations, food and wine tastings daily from 2 to 4 PM. (Read more about schedule and activities here!)

Growing up in the northeast, my family made their annual pilgrimage for an eat fest that rivaled my Nonna’s at Christmas. We began with sausage and pepper subs, worked our way through the pizza and pasta while still managing to leave enough room for the zeppoles (fried dough dusted with powdered sugar) and making a stop at Ferrara’s Bakery on Grand Street for cannolis (flaky fried pastry filled with sweet ricotta cream filling)to go. If we were lucky enough to go back for a second day, we couldn’t leave without going to Umberto’s Clam House on Mulberry Street for baked clams and linguine with clam sauce. What can I say – Italians dream about food! Although I no longer live in the northeast, every time I cook sausage and peppers for my family it brings me back to my childhood and fond memories of the Feast of San Gennaro.

The festival takes place on Mulberry, Hester and Grand Streets, from 11:30 am to 11:30 pm and stays open until midnight on Fridays and Saturdays.

Great July 4th Holiday Travel Destinations – Happy Birthday U.S.A!

June 19, 2012 No Comments

July 4th holiday travel plans?  Historically, the July 4th holiday is the start date of the summer vacation rush.  Time to visit National Parks, go see the biggest ball of twine, and dream of long, lazy summer days and cool summer nights.

I’m taking some inspiration directly from the history books. Since the United States will celebrate its 236th birthday, what better way to party but in some of the most historic places in the United States?

Boston, Massachusetts, where the American Revolution embers were lit was the site of the Boston Tea Party, the midnight ride of Paul Revere, and Bunker Hill.  There are a ton of things to do in Boston from museums, to monuments, to the Freedom Trail – a 2.5 mile brick lined route through 16 significant historical Boston sites.  After a day of site-seeing, head on over to the 30th annual Boston Pops Fireworks Spectacular.  There’s no better way to celebrate the nation’s birthday than where it all began, viewing fireworks and listening to the 1812 Overture as played by the Boston Pops.

Washington D.C.  This would be a spectacular place to go and celebrate the United State’s birthday.  Tour all the landmarks, visit the White House, and feel the energy that emits from the excitement of Washington alone.  While there, attend the ultimate July 4th parade, the National Independence Day Parade.  There really is no better place to celebrate our nation’s independence than our capital.

If traveling to to the east coast isn’t in your plans, how about a trip to Mount Rushmore in South Dakota. With four of the country’s most revered presidents as a backdrop to a spectacular fireworks display, you can bet a sense of pride will fill your chest.

In the mood for a foot-stomping, dancing, roaring good time for the 4th?  Look no further than New Orleans, LA. They know how to throw a party here, and and the July 4th celebration is just as elaborate as Mardi Gras.  The main event during  July 4th is the Dueling Barges Fireworks Extravaganza.  Tugboats and barges battle it out for the best fireworks show in the Delta.

Miami, Florida kicks off its July 4th celebrating with a swearing in ceremony for the country’s newest naturalized citizens.  Music, great food, and fun fill the streets of Miami and the surrounding area until dark when the fireworks begin.

Las Vegas, Nevada was recently poled as one of the cheapest vacation destinations.  With a ton of July 4th parties, and shows, you won’t miss the fireworks.  However, if you really want to catch some amazing pyrotechnics The Five Station Casinos’ properties will host the July 4th fireworks show.

Once you have decided where you might want to travel for July 4th, then comes the planning.  ParkSleepFly.com can assist you with planning your accommodations on both ends of your trip.  If you have an early morning flight, stay the night before at an airport hotel.  You will get a great night’s sleep, parking for your vehicle and a shuttle ride to your departure terminal.  All for one low price.  In fact, the cost of the park sleep and fly package alone may be less than parking at the airport!

We also have airport hotels at your destination, as well.  you get a great room at  a great price.  You even get shuttle service from the airport.  If you are meeting family, what a better way NOT to sleep on that lumpy couch in the den.  Book your hotel room and just smile and politely decline the offer of sleeping in the tent out in the backyard.

 

Related articles