The "Green" Vagabond Traveler

Travel Less - Go Green - But Pay Higher Taxes

2009-01-03T17:36:00.001-08:00

One of the first things we'll likely see in the Obama regime will be higher gasoline taxes. The figure tossed around seems to be a minimum 10 cent/gallon increase to make up for the loss of money coming in because Americans are driving less.

On the other hand we're encouraged to drive less and thus "go green" by using less fuel. Now it's proposed we'll be punished with more costly gasoline due to an increased tax.

Will this cause people to drive even less? And then a cycle of more taxes by a regime that promised better living?

"Staycation" - The Latest in "Green" Travel

2009-01-01T12:45:00.000-08:00

"Going Green" now appears to result in vacations called "staycations," those that keep you close to home. Apparently, one advantage is using less fuel if you aren't driving or flying long distances.

Does this mean you stay in your own home and take day trips.
Do you drive within your state or an adjacent one and stay at a motel/hotel there?
Do you go camping close to home...at a campground, if not in your backyard?
Do you take a hiking, backpacking jaunt to save on gas?
Do you take picnic lunches rather than eating out?

Have you taken a "staycation?" I'd enjoy hearing about it.

Happy New Year's from Green Vagabond Traveler

2009-01-01T09:20:00.000-08:00

May 2009 be a wonderful year for you.

It's cold (3 degrees F.) and windy here where I live.

But we're looking forward to a grand 2009.

What are your "green" goals for the coming year?

Magazines Online in an Eco-Friendly Conscious World

2008-12-25T18:49:00.000-08:00

Eco-consciousness

Saving trees and deleting the energy intensive processes involved in turning trees into paper is termed as being "eco-friendly" or "eco-conscious." We're finding that more and more print publications are developing an online presense.

Some have an online edition as well as a print one. Others are discontinuing their print versions as they publish solely online.

My husband received a notice from a magazine he subscribes to that starting with the February issue, it will only be available online. He can no longer receive a print issue. If he doesn't desire this, he can get a refund. However, he says, even though he prefers a print edition, he does need the magazine for the information it contains for keeping current in his business.

My daughter found that her favorite quilting magazine has developed an online subscription which costs less than the print version. The publisher will be offering both, but one wonders for how long.

Some newspapers are opting for more and more of their material online, as people go there to read and advertisers prefer having their ads online.

How will this affect the traveler?

For those who like to take magazines and newspapers along when you travel, how will it affect you? Is there some way you can download the publication on one of your electronic gadgets and read this way?

Which do you prefer? Or have you been carrying magazines electronically?

Do You Like Giveaways? Here Are Some for the Youngsters in Your Life

2008-12-04T04:29:00.000-08:00

One Book Two Book Giveaways

If you're a fan of giveaways (random drawings), you'll find a series of giveaways at a blog I co-write, One Book Two Book, running from Dec. 2-7.

Check out the rules and leave comments at the following links. You can enter any or all of the giveaways. These items will make great Christmas gifts for youngsters, too.

Book Swim Giveaway
Readeez DVD Giveaway
Baby Can Read Giveaway
Wii Pop Star Guitar Giveaway
Fly Me To The Moon Giveaway
Giveaway - Celebrity Arthur Book from Speakaboos
Giveaway - Countdown to Bedtime Soundbooks
Giiveaway - ECO Baby Organic Playdough
Baby Potential Teacher Onesie Giveaway
Natural Pod Giveaway
RideMakerz Giveaway
Happy Green Bee Giveaway
Mead Writing Fundamentals Giveaway

ENJOY!

With Ethanol Our Gas Mileage Decreased Drastically

2008-11-29T19:40:00.000-08:00

When our gas mileage dropped drastically, we realized the last gas station in town to hold out on ethanol spiked gasoline had succumbed. Now there was no place to buy a product that enabled us to get excellent mileage and have an undamaged engine.

For ethanol, no matter what they say, decreases gas mileage and decreases a vehicle's longevity. So, ultimately we'll use more gasoline (more dependence on foreign oil and less corn for food) and will have vehicles that wear out faster and need more repairs.

Save the planet! At what expense?

DO YOU TRAVEL TO GREEN COUNTRIES?

2008-10-24T10:53:00.001-07:00

Green Countries

In school the other day, the teacher I was working with talked about green countries. The countries of the world are rated according to their environmental practices. In other words you're looking for the countries that are most eco-friendly.

Those with the best practices (according to whatever scale is being used...this wasn't brought out in the article the teacher was reading) rank high on the list. They go downhill from there.

As with any poll or ranking, it depends on the questions asked, the organization doing the asking, and what the expectations are. If a country ranks low on this scale, perhaps it would rank higher on someone else's rating system.

Anyway, it shows that good environmental practices are being noticed. If you want to travel to other countries, you can check out to see how they rank and decide whether you want to travel there.

Encountering Spiders In Your Travels?

2008-10-13T07:35:00.000-07:00

Encountering spiders in your travels is commonplace. Avoiding them, especially when you're in areas where you don't know if they're friend or foe, becomes the norm. However, letting insects live becomes a goal of many "protect the environment" or "going green" advocates and travelers.

This includes spiders. So you might want to educate yourself about which are ones to ignore and those to avoid.

You also might be interested in the fact that October seems to be "Spider Month," when people are searching the Internet for information about these creatures. Perhaps it has to do with Halloween.

Marcie Pickelsimer, my co-blogger at One Book Two Book, has done a great deal of research on this topic as it applies to children's books and activities. Visit our blog, especially the following posts, so you and the youngsters in your life can learn more about spiders at home and in your travels:

October is Spider Month
Spider Activities for Kids: Young & Old
Spiders!
10 Best Spider Books
Spiders, Spiders Everywhere Enjoy!

Then leave Marcie a message telling her how much you appreciate all the research she has done on this topic and the books and spider activities she's found.

(c)2008 Mary Emma Allen

Should Hotels Promote "Green?"

2008-10-03T13:08:00.001-07:00

I read recently that with the economic slowdown, hotels and resorts likely will find it more difficult to make a profit. This is understandable because travelers may travel less or look to ways to save money.

However, if these businesses look to ways to promote "green," will they have a better chance of attracting customers?

*Emphasize that they use green methods and are environmentally friendly. When people are looking for a place to stay or hold meetings, this may weigh the scales on the side of "let's go there."

*Hold free programs for guests regarding the environment. You may even be able to find service type programs that cost very little.

*Look for groups involved with the environment and give them special attractions to encourage their business. Also, if they know you are "green," this could be an enticement.

What are hotels that you know doing to encourage "going green?"

(c)2008 Mary Emma Allen

Look for "Green" Halloween Clues in Your Travels

2008-10-01T20:52:00.000-07:00

Even Halloween, harvest and autumn will be celebrated with green themes by some people. If you're aware of this, you may see evidence in your travels.

To give you an idea what to look for, check out Jennifer and Peggy's Tree Hugging Family blog. They started the month with the post, Start Planning a Green Halloween. They'll be giving you green ideas throughout the month.

Have you thought about a "green" Halloween? Are you incorporating a green theme into harvest and Halloween that's environmentally conscious? Have you seen anything in your travels that really stood out?

Share with us.

(c)2008 Mary Emma Allen

What Will I Find That's "Green" in Cincinnati?

2008-09-29T19:36:00.000-07:00

Later this week, my husband and I are attending a business conference in Cincinnati, Ohio. It will be interesting to see what I can find that's "green" as we arrive at the airport, travel around the city, and check in at our hotel.

I find, since I've been writing this blog, that I'm on the lookout for "green" in my travels. I may not always agree and may find some of the practices extreme, even to the point of being wasteful instead of conserving. There's always something to catch my eye though.

It's interesting how the green movement is sweeping the globe. Where will it take us? To the ridiculous? Or a sensible and practical balance?

(c)2008 Mary Emma Allen

Do You Travel With Recyclable Totes?

2008-09-28T12:49:00.000-07:00

RECYCLABLE TOTES

I see more and more people bringing reusable or recyclable tote bags with them to the grocery and other stores. In fact, one shopper behind me in line today simply had a brown bag. He had it so full though that it was over flowing.

"I got more than I planned," he remarked with a grin.

Do you carry reusable totes with you when you travel so you can shop at stores away from home without accumulating unnecessary bags? This might be more difficult when you're traveling by plane and have limited luggage. However, there must be thin, yet sturdy totes that won't take up much space in a suitcase, or can be wrapped around shoes or other similar items.

Have you found anything you particularly recommend?

(c)2008 Mary Emma Allen

Recycling as You Go

2008-09-25T13:07:00.000-07:00

Recycling has been around for years. However, it's emphasized more than ever during these "green" years.

Some thoughts:

Recycling prevents excess much waste and enables us to use "stuff" again and again, often in a different form.
Recycling, by producing items in different forms, often results in more expensive ones. So consumers balance cost versus saving the planet. What do you decide upon?
Recycling becomes almost automatic, so when you visit areas where you don't have to separate bottles, cans and paper trash, you find yourself looking around for the individual containers.
Recycling brings in money to town recycling centers and incinerators. (We used to call this "the dump.") At ours, the manager lists on signs, how much a ton of paper, specific amounts of plastic, aluminum, and glass bring in to the facility.

Do you have additional thoughts on recycling at home and when you travel?

Want a "Green" Car for a Rental? Be Prepared to Pay the Price!

2008-09-24T12:25:00.000-07:00

In the car rental world, more people are asking for "green" or hybrid vehicles than ever before. However, the price of them is higher than ordinary cars, often more so than premium autos.

The hybrids are in high demand overall, so car rental companies don't get as many as they'd like. What they have thus bring a higher rental price, for the most part.

In talking with a young woman about "green" travel, she said she always asks for a hybrid car when renting. I didn't think to inquire if she always got one, but she said she rented only from companies that offered them.

What about you? What do you rent?

(c)2008 Mary Emma Allen

Going Green Conferences & Expos

2008-09-19T19:42:00.000-07:00

Throughout the country, you'll find more and more "going green" conferences and expos. Here you'll discover various types if environmentally conscious gadgets, supplies and services. Some will amuse you while others will be practical.

What have you found of interest as you've traveled the country, or even explored your hometown area?

Business Journal Hosts First Ever Going Green Conference

Going Green in the Applegate

Going Green Conference

5 Tips for Green Hiking

2008-09-18T04:37:00.000-07:00

Autumn is a ideal month for hiking, especially in the eastern and northern United States, when the air is cooler and the leaves are turning color.

5 Tips for Green Hiking to keep in mind:

Carry out what you've carried in
Don't litter and leave papers, plastic, and cans along the way
Pick up litter items you see. I know, it's not yours. It's not fair. But it helps save the earth.
Learn to use recyclable items for carrying your food and belongings
Stay on trails and be aware of rare plants that are easily destroyed. (Also staying on trails keeps you from gettin lost!)

Of course, there are many more green hiking rules. How about sharing yours with us.

(c)2008 Mary Emma Allen

See Green Colleges & Schools in Your Travels

2008-09-14T12:51:00.000-07:00

As you take your kids to college, drop them off at elementary school, or simply drive by on your travels, you'll see more and more evidence of "green" or environmentally conscious places of education.

The elementary school my grandson attends and where I substitute teach has a "green" theme this year. Youngsters are learning how them can help save their environment and contribute to a greener world.

In a recent USA Today article, we learn the details on how colleges are using "green" moving in strategies. Going green registers with colleges enables us to learn about eco-friendly schools and what they're doing to achieve this.

(c)2008 Mary Emma Allen

Even "Green" in Paperwork

2008-09-11T18:12:00.000-07:00

Green! Green! Green! This color seems to be everywhere, even where it doesn't exist naturally in nature.

Instead of the usual blue, pink, or yellow (and sometimes green) of former times for multiple copies of items, you'll find green more predominant nowadays. Our grandson brought home copies of a report from the school dental technician...and the top sheet was fluorescent green.

Do you find when you're traveling that copies of tickets, receipts, information in general is green? It seemed to me that the ads in the in-flight magazine I read the other day had more green in them.

(c)2008 Mary Emma Allen

Green Ways Activities As You Travel & Live

2008-09-10T18:29:00.000-07:00

As you travel, live at home, plan your travel, you can enjoy a variety of activities that incorporate appreciation of the environment and a conscious desire to be a friend of the earth:

Become conscious of the environment in your daily life.
Enjoy the world around you wherever your travels take you.
Take your family for walks near your home.
Watch birds at a feeder or bird bath.
Involve your children and grandchildren in art and craft projects that make use of recycled materials.
Cut pictures from magazines and paste them in a scrapbook or on a piece of colored paper for a collage. Talk about them and reminisce.
Use recycled paper in your correspondence, photocopier, printer, and other tasks
Pass along clothing no longer used.

Do you have other ways of “going green” as you go about your daily life and your travels.

"Green" Vagabond Traveler Mentioned on Other Blogs

2008-09-10T18:11:00.000-07:00

"Going green" appears to be a hot topic on a variety of blogs, and my blogs at b5media are no exception. Check out The "Green" Vagabond Traveler mentioned in posts over there.

Home Biz Notes - Capturing the "Green" Trend in Business & Writing

Alzheimer's Notes - For "Green" Ideas, Check Out "Green" Vagabond Traveler

Quilting and Patchwork - Like to Travel? Check Out My "Green" Travel Blog

Is "Global Warming" a Hoax - Check Out Holly Fretwell's "Different" View

2008-09-09T13:55:00.000-07:00

With all the scary information out there about global warming, it's refreshing to read a book by a natural resources policy expert that presents a different view, one complete with common sense and factual information. The Sky's NOT Falling (Why It's OK to Chill About Global Warming) is an alternative for young people and adults to the fear-inducing books published today.

Author Holly Fretwell, a mother of two and professor of natural resources policy, provides a balanced look at environmental issues and global warming scare tactics. She presents these in an easy to read and understand format for ages 8 and above.

Yes, there are environmental situations to be concerned about, but Ms. Fretwell encourages optimism about the future of our planet and the solutions we can find with human innovation and creativity, along with individual choice, not political agendas. Ms. Fretwell debunks some of the "facts" running rampant about the environment and global warming in today's world.

For instance, you've probably seen the picture of the polar bear and cub, supposedly adrift on a piece of ice because of global warming. Actually the picture was taken as a general interest one a scientific expedition. The photographer called attention to it as a polar bear and her cub on an ice sculpture. Nothing was noted about global warming nor the bears being stranded. Yet the photo was taken out of context and used for propaganda purposes.

You'll certainly want to take a look at the facts in this book about global warming and see what's really going on in a world beset by global warming scare. Check out the truth before deciding "the sky is falling."

(Published by World Ahead Media, Los Angeles, CA.; ISBN #9780976726944. The book includes fun facts and reading for ages 8 and above.)

(c)2008 Mary Emma Allen

"Going Green" a Theme With Businesses

2008-09-08T13:17:00.000-07:00

As my husband and I traveled the past four days, I noticed more "going green" wherever we went...in airports, on signs, in publications, in business windows, within the business decor. Even the paper towel dispensers, soap dispenser, and toilet tissue holders were green in one airport. I couldn't determine whether the products being dispensed were recycled.

I also wrote about green businesses at my Home Biz Notes blog, Businesses "Going Green." You might want to check this out.

Do you have pros or cons about this "green" trend?

(c)2008 Mary Emma Allen

Recycling & Going Green at Junk Creation

2008-09-03T05:33:00.001-07:00

Using and reusing items around us helps keep the environment from getting cluttered and aids in "going green."

This is something I grew up doing. Since my parents lived through the Great Depression of the 1930s, they automatically continued to save and reuse even when they might not have. In order to survive, the pioneers of our country had to use again and again items that today we might think of throwing out.

Peggy Rowland, at Junk Creation, provides many interesting ideas for using items you'd ordinarily throw away. She also researches and finds other blogs and web sites with ideas for your "junk."

(c)2008 Mary Emma Allen

Schools Promote "Going Green"

2008-09-02T18:15:00.000-07:00

As you travel around you're likely to see various schools involved in "Going Green" programs, developing an environmental awareness in their students.

Perhaps there will be sign in front of the school announcing "Going Green" activities.
You may see pictures in local newspapers of the students learning about caring for their environment.
You may see, as I did today, an entire elementary school standing and sitting on the front lawn of the school while the principal explained the "Going Green" concept. Then they sang about their land.

Are schools in your area participating in environmental awareness and citizenship? What activities are they emphasizing?

"Travel Green" State Programs

2008-08-31T16:12:00.000-07:00

Travel Green is catching on all over. The state departments of tourism or commerce often establish programs that focus on "green" travel throughout the region.

For instance, I just discovered that Wisconsin (USA) has one...Travel Green Wisconsin. Here you'll learn about various businesses that follow green practices. This is not to say other businesses don't. However, some have opted to become involved with Travel Green Wisconsin .

This program also helps travelers learn about sustainable tourism practices.

(c)2008 Mary Emma Allen