Get Ready The Smart Way For Your Thanksgiving Trip
By Joyce Jackson
In a very short time Americans will be off in masses for family gatherings for the Thanksgiving holiday. While staying home is the best advice the reality is that this holiday is the most heavily traveled in the country.
Regardless of the delays, exhaustion and memories of arguments from last year, we're all heading out to do it again.
You can get ready and be less stressed than last year with a few easy Thanksgiving travel tips.
Pack light. Carry one soft side bag. The one thig to count on at this time of year is long lines. Set your mind that delays will happen. If you pack light you can move around more easily while waiting for that late bus, train or plane.
Take a special book, magazine or DVD movie for those delay times. If you have something special to do while waiting the time goes much smoother. Pack low-sugar snacks and drinks. Travelers don't need a sugar rush while waiting or in cramped quarters.
Flying
Arrive at the airport two hours prior to scheduled flight departure time, both on the outbound and inbound trips. This is once you get into the terminal. Build in extra time to park your car. Remember, lots and parking resources will be filled so making a reservation at an off site parking facility will help. Most of them take holiday reservations with a deposit.
Stay Informed. Stay in touch with real-time flight status on the airline's web before heading to the airport. If you have an e-ticket the kiosks and skip ticket counter lines. Most airlines have these now so use them. Consider full-service curbside check-in if you have ski, snowboard, golf or sporting equipment.
Expect to stand in long lines. Expect planes to be jammed. On board stowage space will be critically limited so again, take only one small soft side bag to slip under the seat. If you are taking a gift leave it unwrapped. Most security checkpoints will now require you to unwrap wrapped gifts. Better yet, mail it on ahead a few days before your plane flight.
Driving
If you are hitting the road in your car and driving, make sure its in good working order. Check you oil, water, washer fluid and tire pressure. Make sure you pack emergency supplies in case you get stranded. Take fresh containers of drinking water. If you are in colder areas take blankets and warm jackets, tire chains de-icer.
Plan your trip so you do not return on Sunday. It' not recommended to drive on the SUnday after Thanksgiving. It is the worst, most traffic-heavy day of the year. Try leaving Saturday or staying through Monday.
Take games. Better yet, if your vehicle or laptop has a DVD player, take movies. There's no shame in a quiet, fight-free ride on the way home.
See you on the road!
About the Author: Joyce Jackson travels, writes and lectures extensively on simple, easy but great travel preparation so that you have a great trip each and every time with information, resources and articles on her website at
www.travel-packing-tips.com
Source: www.isnare.com
New Rochelle's earliest residents were the Siwanoys, living on the southern end of Davenport Neck -- the area known as Titus Mill farm. They sustained themselves by gathering food from the abundant fish, clams and oysters found along the shore of Long Island Sound.
The Huguenots followed in 1688. Also settling along the water's edge, they used the water routes into New York City to transport their locally grown produce by sloop. In later years a steamboat provided daily service from New Rochelle to the City.
For almost 300 years, New Rochelle's waterfront has continued to play an important role in the life of the community. In the nineteenth century it became a popular place for summer fun. Numerous parks were built as play lands for pleasure-seekers, including Starin's "Island Grand Cafe and Amusement Park."
In the early part of the twentieth century, the County's famous Glen Island Casino on Long Island Sound continued to draw such celebrities as Glenn Miller, the Dorsey Brothers and Ozzie Nelson. Others came to the waterfront seeking the peace, tranquility and scenic beauty along this splendid shore.
As the crow flies, the shoreline within the City of New Rochelle measures 2.7 miles. But with its many irregularities and off-shore islands, the actual length of the waterfront is 9.3 miles. The unusual features of this splendid coast have over the years earned it the nickname, "the Queen City of the Sound."
New Roc City
New Roc City, a 1.2 million square-foot retail and entertainment center in downtown New Rochelle, offers fun and excitement for the entire family. New Roc City is the home of the Tower Space Shot Ride, the only one in the Northeast! It's also the home of Westchester County's only IMAX Theater, and Westchester's largest Megaplex with 18 movie theaters! And if that's not enough, The Fun House offers all the entertainment needed to keep the wholefamily busy day and night! New Roc n' Bowl is Glow in the dark Bowling complete with a snack bar and full Liquor License for the older competitors.
New Roc Ice, the skating rinks offering -- The Central Park Skating Pond, with a sculptured ice surface, is complete with iron rails, park benches, lamp posts and a city feel. The NHL-size skating arena, with its 50-foot ceiling and energizing murals, features hockey games, figure skating and gala special events and shows.
Hire a limo for your weddings, birthdays, proms, and romantic dates, or treat your guests and clients to a Westchester limousine shuttle service for a tour around town, to and from hotels and airports, and during special corporate events. And for your limousine service needs only one name can be trusted: Westchester Limousine Service. Five years of first-class quality limousine service by our professionally trained chauffeurs and staff have earned Westchester Limousine Service a reputation as the New York limousine service company to hire for every function or occasion. Our stable of limousines is widely arrayed from simple elegant town cars to stylish sedans and luxurious stretch limousines. Our services cover all cities, towns and villages in Westchester County, New York.