Amazing Journeys embarks on a journey this week to some of the most spectacular sights in America. We’re heading to a region laden with a rich history, dramatic landscapes and the truest of adventures as we visit the National Parks of the Southwest; The Grand Canyon, Bryce Canyon and Zion National Park.

We begin in Scottsdale and will enjoy some time in Phoenix, Sedona, and Kaibab National Forest before heading off to the Parks..and then culiminating the tour with a little “dangerous” fun in Las Vegas.

Our group is sold out with 45 strong, and all are eager and excited to see what the southwest has to offer.

Think you know a little something about the national parks and America’s southwest? Lets see if you can answer these questions. Correct answers to be posted on this blog upon the conclusion of our tour:

1. Which National Park isn’t really a Canyon?
a) Grand Canyon b) Zion c) Bryce Canyon

2. This hotel was the very first hotel and casino on Highway 91 (now know as the Las Vegas Strip:
a) Sands
b) El Rancho
c) New York New York
d) Flamingo

3. Fact: The geological story of the three National Parks we are visiting are actually chronologically related. Records within the past 2 billion years reveal that geologic development of each park began when that of the other park ended. Which is the correct order of “oldest” to “youngest”?

a) Grand Canyon >> Zion >> Bryce Canyon
b) Zion >> Bryce Canyon >> Grand Canyon
c) Bryce Canyon >> Grand Canyon >> Zion

4. Which of the following is a current threat to the preservation of the Grand Canyon?
a) erosion from the Colorado River
b) uranium mining
c) a government ordinance to redevelop some of the land
d) terrorism

5. Fact: The majority of Zion National Park’s visitors come during the spring and fall seasons with the months of December thru March being more offseason. Total annual visitation in 1920 was less than 4,000. Approximately how many people visit the Park annually today?

a) close to 10,000
b) close to 500,000
c) close to 3 million

**Send your answers to bill@amazingjourneys.net and if you receive a perfect score, we’ll announce it here on this blog next month.

Prize? You want a prize?? If we receive more than 10 entries by November 3rd, we’ll pick a lucky “perfect prize” winner and announce that too!

During the economic downfall, pretty much everyone in the service industry wondered how their business would fare. With less money to spend, people had to make choices. Sadly for some, those choices were (and for some, still are) whether to pay a bill or put gas in the car…or worse yet, whether to pay the mortgage or buy groceries.

Those in the retail industry, auto industry and travel industry have had obvious challenges as well. With the economy struggling, few people have to buy a new pair of shoes, buy a brand new car…or take a cruise for vacation.

But, our quality of life depends on some of these non-essential essentials. Life is not about sitting on a chair and staring out into space. Its about, well, living, and having a nice meal or seeing a movie, joining a health club….or taking a vacation are important components that enhance living and the overall well-being of a civilized society.

Thank goodness our industry–the industry of providing leisure travel to Jewish travelers–has, for a good part (and don’t believe for an instant that we are not thankful) weathered the storm. Sure the economy has effected us, but Amazing Journeys is thriving and still venturing with high capacity–if not sold out capacity–to the far corners of the earth.

So how do so many people do it, while others continue to think otherwise? A dear friend of mine who has traveled with Amazing Journeys on fourteen journeys that were amazing was very poignant as she enlightened me on how it works for her. She told me that people think she has a lot of money, but the real truth is that it’s all about the choices she makes. She cooks and eats most of her own meals at home, makes her coffee at home (did you know that while a tall coffee at Starbucks costs on average in the US $1.75, by buying a pound of their coffee and making it yourself at home, it will only cost about $.95 per cup?)…she clips coupons and buys her groceries on sale . . . walks instead of taking a taxi or train (yes, she’s a New York resident)… and she cleans her apartment herself (no cleaning lady). In other words, she establishes and keeps a budget, thus affording her disposable income to spend on her true life indulgences; traveling the world.

Life is short. Play hard isn’t just slogan. You only get one chance to enjoy this world…and pity the souls who think that Little Italy, Chinatown or the World Showcase at EPCOT is a sufficient means to experience life beyond the borders. There is so much to see and do out there and there are worldwide travel opportunities for all interests and budgets.

Just Do It isn’t just a slogan either. These three words have a deeper and power meaning. Complacency is an evil that beguiles a person’s ability to enjoy life. Spirit, adventure, excitement and risk are all character traits that advance all possibilities in life. We should all seek and embrace such traits.

Just Do It.

In the world of travel, the journey is often more interesting than the destination. Having served over 5000 passengers on worldwide tours over the last decade, we have been a part of some amazing experiences with some amazing people. In preparation for so many tours, we encounter many phone calls, emails and letters with a variety of questions, needs and curiousities. Some of these are heartwarming, some funny…and some just utterly unbelievable.

AJ: “Hi KAREN; You can get them at Brookstone, any luggage store, at airports, and probably at Target or CVS Pharmacy”

KAREN: “Hi again. I don’t know how to lock the duffle bag for the trip, which you said was mandatory. The only part that could be locked are the 2 zippers that join to close the bag.”

AJ: “Hi KAREN,You will need to bring the 2 zippers together, insert your lock and click it together. Good luck!”

 When will we be able to board planes again with jugs of our favorite lotions, shampoos and conditioners? Sorry to be the bearer of bad news, but not any time soon. Due to technology glitches, the Transportation Security Administration does not expect to scrap the three-year-old ban on carry-on liquids and gels this fall, as previously anticipated. For those of us who like to toss our belongings in a carry-on bag to avoid the tedious task of checking in luggage, that means we’ll have to rely a little longer on hotel toiletries.

After all, they’re the most convenient – even if it means we might smell like a floral arrangement.

A recent online survey asked the question – How big a deal is your hotel’s shampoo and soap line? While one respondant said, “given the carry on restrictions, it’s nice to have decent toiletries and mouthwash”, another thought “most of the junk they put in hotels is terrible. Who wants to smell like a bouquet of flowers at a business meeting?”

Some folks liked the hotel toiletries so much that they admitted going out and purchasing them at a store. Others called out the brands like the person who wrote that “Hampton Inns have cheap soap that seems glued to the paper.”

One reader wrote that she loves Marriott’s line of Bath & Body Works orange ginger soaps and shampoos, but also gave a shout out to a Hyatt Regency for providing toothpaste. “I do really appreciate when hotels have nice toiletries. Given the travel restrictions on liquids, I’d much prefer to use the hotels products than bring my own because of the hassle.

Restrictions on the 3oz bottle of liquids aside, will someone please tell me why airports in the US are the only security checkpoints that STILL make us take our shoes off? I know, I know…”The Shoe Bomber” from 5 years ago. I’m just curious, though; if The Shoe Bomber had instead been The Underwear Bomber ………………………..