Saying Goodbye, A Travel Adventure

Six years ago we bought our first investment property.  I named it Villa Pompano after the South Florida town in which its located (Pompano Beach).  The three-bedroom house with a pool close to the beach was to be a vacation rental house, where we would vacation when it was wasn’t rented.  Fast forward through spring and summer visits which became shorter and shorter as we watched Duckie grow from daycare to pre-school to kindergarten and now to second grade.  As her available vacation time shrunk and our careers took unexpected turns we didn’t get to spend as much time in the house as we liked.  But we did our best to make our time there count.  Using it as a training ground for Duckies fledgling swimming career; as a jump-off point for exploring SE Florida and the Caribbean; as a quick getaway and a place for hosting family celebrations. 

 

Duckie Then

Duckie In-Between

Duckie Now

In between, I struggled to make sure it was well marketed and rented out as often as possible.  I did my best to managed crisis like repeatedly backed up plumbing which ultimately required an underground re-piping of the whole house.  I went from service person to service person until I found the ones who would actually show up, not just lie and ask for payment.  And I gasped as the Florida government with its low property taxes fleeced vacation rental owners for monthly sales taxes (state and county), annual vacation license fees for the county, business license fees for the city, and required commercial property, hurricane and liability insurance (with rates that increased by 10% a year).  To say it was a lot of work is putting it mildly.  Over the course of those 6 years we also acquired and sold three condos in the area.  We maintained them as long term rentals for a period of time before selling them when the market was up.  They all turned out to be profitable investments which allowed me to find my stride.  Investing in and managing properties allows me to use my project management and entrepreneurial skills in a way that is fulfilling and allows me a great deal of independence.

But last week when we flew down for spring break, I was feeling anything but leisurely.  On the docket was closing out the house as it was being sold by the end of the month.  Financially, it’s a good decision.  Emotionally, it’s a tough one.  I didn’t grow up thinking, I’d be the type of person who had a vacation home.  (Duckie, on the other hand tells people she’s going to her beach house!)  But to be able to have one and find a way to make it pay for itself is an awesome accomplishment.  I’m not a sentimental person (at all!!) but this house is one inanimate object to which I have become attached!

Villa Pompano Before and After

So because I’m me and he’s Him, there was only one way to turn that frown upside down.  I signed the closing papers early so I could get that off my to-do list and planned a last minute excursion.  Instead of spending 8 days in Pompano Beach, Fort Lauderdale.  We spent the last four days in and around Naples on the west coast of Florida. TBC

So long Villa Pompano ...

BMK

#Ihatethewait

So I've finally got out from under the sleep away camp paperwork that is akin to the college application process, and I'm ready to start planning a trip.  But every night I turn on the news and the top story is about insane lines at airport security!

I received an email from United Airlines just before spring break recommending I arrive at the airport at least 2 hours before my flight departure due to security delays.  Now airlines are suggesting at least 3 hours.  I am a strong believer in avoiding waiting.  Sitting in an airport for no good reason, is tops on my list of things I'd like to do after I've pulled out all my eyelashes and read several scientific white papers.  I do my best to arrive no more than an hour before my flight.  I check in on-line and unless its free, I don't check a bag.  So the only possible hold up for me, would be the security line.

Duckie and I did spend a longer than usual time getting through security on our flight to Florida, but the line was contained within the TSA area.  Recent reports are showing lines that go out toward the parking lot at some airports.  I love waiting on lines, just like I love the sound of nails on the chalkboard.  So just watching the news has made me question my desire to plan a trip that requires air travel.  And a road trip is just a line of cars taking forever to go somewhere they could have gotten faster by plane!

So I have a problem in need of a solution.  Luckily, I've found two options.  Hopefully one of them will work for you as well and we can get to going!

Option 1: TSA PreCheck 
Like me, you may have stood in the regular security line looking at that empty lane next to you, where occasionally, a stray person strolls up and just speeds right through the security screening.  Or perhaps you've even been as lucky as we were when Duckie was still in stroller.  We got waived through to that speedy lane.  Boy, do I miss the stroller travel days (sigh).  Well that lane is the TSA PreCheck lane.  And its the only way to avoid the current crazy.  But they will no longer waive you through because you have a stroller or some other sympathy worthy predicament.  You must have TSA PreCheck clearance.

The good news is clearance is relatively easy to get.  Just go online to complete the application.  Then schedule an appointment at a local enrollment center and pay $85.  Approval takes 2-3 weeks and your clearance last for 5 years.  Kids 12 and under do not need clearance, but can still accompany you through the PreCheck lane.  You'll receive a Known Traveler Number (KTN) which you'll add to all your frequent flyer profiles and each airline reservation you make.  This will enable a clearance indication on your boarding pass (paper or mobile) that allows you to use the special lanes at 160 airports. Check here to see if your nearest airport and the airlines you use frequently are included.

So for $170, Hubby, Duckie and I could avoid security lines when traveling domestically for five years.  I believe time is money, so that's a pretty sweet deal.  But what about international travel?  You can use the TSA PreCheck clearance to depart the US but it does nothing for you at customs/border control when re-entering the country.  So then what?

Option 2: Global Entry
The Global Entry program is another Trusted Traveler program offered by Homeland Security.  It allows for expedited movement through customs/border control when returning to the US and when entering a few other countries. Members scan their fingers at a kiosk and complete a customs declaration, then they can head to baggage claim.  And bonus, TSA PreCheck clearance is also included in the 5 year term.  So naturally it cost more, $100.  And, children of all ages must have their own Global Entry clearance to reap the benefits.  You can apply on-line for pre-approval (background check). Then you must schedule an appointment at an enrollment center within 30 days (and complete the appointment within 90 days).

So for Hubby, Duckie and me that's $300 for 5 years of avoiding security and customs lines.  Not as nice as $170 (or even better no lines to begin with) but the value increases every time we travel.

So which one is right for you?  Or will you just stand around playing Candy Crush?

Choose carefully, once you are approved for TSA PreCheck you can't just add $15 and move up to Global Entry.  You will have to pay the full $100 and go through the whole application process.

Well, I guess I just found some new paperwork to get started on.   Not traveling is simply not an option, if I wish to remain somewhat mentally stable.  Gotta go retrieve passports and figure out how not to pay $200 a ticket to sit in the cheap seats and watch my Seattle Seahawks (oh the insanity of it all)!
Talk soon ..... BMK

p.s. please subscribe using the buttons below or to the right of this post.

Spring Break the Finale

Do you have a child who sleeps when other people are around?  A child who can pass out from sheer exhaustion? Does your child interrupt your party to say, it’s time for him/her to go to bed?  Is your child most likely to have her bra frozen at a sleepover?  If you answered yes to any of these questions, you don’t know Duckie!  (In my “You don’t know AARP” voice)

There is not one time I can look back on when she fell asleep while the party was still going.  Even when she was an infant, I’d see other babies just conk out on their parent’s shoulder or lap.  I’ve no idea what that feels like.  

Duckie slept in a moving stroller outdoors on lengthy excursions and in her room with the lights off.  That’s all it’s ever been.  If you want your kid to sleep, don’t invite Duckie for a sleep over.  If you want your kid to wind down, leave the party that Duckie is attending.   We once gave her Benadryl on a 13 hour flight.  Little known fact:  For a small percentage of the population Benadryl is an upper.  Guess who is part of the teeny, tiny percentage?

She was asleep.  No one was around

In the Caribbean after being left alone she finally gave in to a mid day nap

Six years in, I’ve accepted her for the party gal that she is and likely will always be.  To her, if there are people around, it’s the equivalent of the sun shining brightly.  It can’t be bedtime. When she does sleep, she normally goes down for a good 11-12 hours.  So I’m not mad at that.  Hubby and I are parents who actually have alone time.  But what happens when it’s just me and the kid?

Mommies don’t get boring.  At least not boring enough for Duckie to decide to sleep rather than spend 2 hours in our hotel room in Islamorada, doing everything possible to stay awake while simultaneously annoying me.  Then, as is her way in the company of others, she was up bright and early.  Did I mention that when she does not get her 11-12 hours of sleep per night she gradually turns into a Wildling? 

The following night we woke up at 5am to catch our flight from Fort Lauderdale to DC.  She’d clocked about 9 hours of sleep.  The next night, I had the distinct pleasure of sharing a room and bed with her at my brother’s house.  I waited until she was knocked out to get into the bed.  She slept pretty well, while kicking, pushing and kneeing me at all times.  At one point she reach out grabbed my scalp, dug her nails in and pulled.  Hmm … maybe she wasn’t really sleeping.

Anyway, she probably slept 9 or 10 hours that night.  The cumulative effect of several nights with not enough sleep were evident as we explored DC.  On the way into the White House she was convinced that I and all the members of the CIA were directing her to the wrong place, since that white building across the street must be the White House.  (Fact you already know: Every building near or on the National Mall is white.) Once inside she hopped and skipped and pranced her way through, which is what she did on our previous tour while singing “Ring Around the Rosie” as loud as possible.  Fortunately, this time the tour was self-guided, unlike the tour we did three years ago. So this time her shenanigans did not disturb anyone.  Whew!

But by the time we finished lunch at The Hamilton and walked to the Smithsonian Air and Space Museum, I was at my breaking point.  I had a delusion of taking to her to this awesome museum filled with rocket ships and she’d be like, “Aw mom, this is the greatest place on earth.  I can’t wait to learn how everything works!”  Instead she said, “This place is awesome” and proceeded to run from one exhibit to another, never taking a moment to absorb any information. Reading, which she recently became very good at, was not an activity in which she was willing to engage.  We got to go inside an actual space ship at her demand.  And she was in and out in under 10 seconds.  It was like she was checking off a 6 year-old’s bucket list of “Places I’ve never run through before.” 

Having been bombarded with non-stop questions about the itinerary for the last 3 days (Mom, when do we go to the White House? Mom do we go to the White House today or tomorrow?  Mom, you forgot to tell me when we are going to the White House!)  I was too burnt out to deal with, Mom can we go to this part of the museum? Mom where are we going after the museum? And on and on.  Fortunately, Hubby had joined us just before the White House Tour and seeing the glued on look of frustration on my face he said, “You need a break.” 

 

Typewriter Eraser at the National Gallery of Art Sculpture Park

Fountain at Sculpture Park

Truer words had never been spoken.  Luckily for me, I did see enough of this coming to book us a room at Embassy Suites DC Convention Center.  Because if I had to sleep in the same room with the Wildling for another night I might had truly lost it.  Instead, the hotel had happy hour at 5:30pm.  Me and my sangria found our way to relaxation.   We were joined by a friend for drinks and then dinner and then we were passed out by 9:30pm.  And little Miss Wildling, was nice and cozy sleeping alone in the dark on the pull out sofa in the next room!  Ah! Peace is a two room suite for $190.   Bonus points for the free made to order breakfast.  (Better in New Orleans than DC but, free is for me.)

Take away:  It seemed like a really nice idea to have an extended spring vacation (10 days).  It also seemed like a cool idea to have most of that be just mommy and daughter.   Independently these could be good ideas.  Together, bad idea!  I’m still detoxing.  10 straight full days of parenting is really too much, particularly once the child can talk, think and form ideas.  I’m just sayin!

If you’d like to visit the White House, you’ll need to make a request through your Congressperson (senator or representative).  Most requests can be made via their websites or email.  You should make your request as far in advance as possible to increase the likelihood of having it approved.  You will not be notified of approval until approximately 2 weeks before. But again if you request more than 6 weeks in advance and avoid peak season (i.e. summer) you’ll get what you’ve requested.

Well I’ve been away for 10 days and the world didn’t wait for me to come back.  So I’ve gotta go lots to do (like schedule “me time.”)  Talk soon …. BMK

Oh Something New From Google! (And it involves travel)

It’s no secret that I love travel planning almost as much as traveling.  And it’s also no secret that I love apps. Plus, you may well know I’m a devoted Googlite/Googlist/Google Aficionado/Googliever aka Google lover.  So when I read this article about a new Google App for travel planning, I was like, “Awesome Sauce!” (Because I mostly speak 6 year old)

It’s called Destinations by Google.  It’s designed for use on smart phones but also works on the computer.  The good news is you most likely don’t need to download anything, especially if you have an Android phone.  But even if you pray to the Apple gods, you only need the regular Google App, which you likely already have. 

To start you open the app or simply type in the Google Search bar on your phone. Then you have a few options:

1.      You have an idea of a destination but not a specific city, type in the area + destinations.  For example: Italy destinations

2.      You know where you want to go type in city + vacation.  For example: Seattle vacation

3.      You want to go to multiple destination type in place + travel or place + vacation. For example: Ireland Travel.  (You will see travel guides for multiple cities and Google maps can give you walking, driving and public transportation directions.

I would like to go see my beloved Seahawks in person, so I can congratulate Russell Wilson on his engagement.  (Surely, he will answer the door when I come a knocking.)  I’d like to take a trip in November when school is out for two days, for goodness knows what. So I picked up my phone and typed into the Google bar: Seattle vacation.

Here’s what popped up:

I was given a quick overview of Seattle and why one might want to visit.  Below that was weather info followed by hotel and flight pricing.  I clicked through to see flight options first.  

I was able to input my November 9 – 13^th desired dates and adjusted my departure airport.  Then I was presented first with what Google determined were the best options (this appears to be based on the best priced non-stop flights).  Below that were additional options (more expensive or requiring multiple flights).  Outbound flights are displayed first, once one is selected a return flight can be selected.  Pricing stays on the screen through each selection.  Once my flights were selected, I was given a phone number and link for United, which I could use to book the flights.  In reality, I would not have clicked the link for this itinerary because one flight was on United, the other on Alaska Airlines.  In my experience its best to book directly with each airline unless you are using miles.

Next, I back tracked to get to hotels (though it would have been quicker to just Google “Seattle vacations” again.  Once I clicked through, I was shown the links to several hotel booking sites. But also the prices of several hotels, their star ratings and their photos.  I was able to adjust the travel dates to see accurate rates.  Only one problem, the hotel calendar maxes out at 6 months in the future.  So I could not put in my November travel dates.  So if I wanted to continue planning, I’d have to go back to one of the hotel booking site links instead of continuing in the Google displays. 

Lastly, I checked out the travel guides.  The original “Seattle vacation” results include photos and links to a few points of interest.  The drop down for the travel guide, displays several itineraries from which to choose.  For example, 48 hours in Seattle.  I never follow them, but I do love to view an itinerary and pick and choose what I like. 

Overall it’s a neat tool, which allows people like me to view lots of details for travel planning, all in one place.  Before, I’d go from site to site or app to app trying to piece it all together and ultimately wait to put it all together until I could do it more comfortably from my computer.  Now, I have something to do while waiting in the doctor’s office, watching swim lessons or zoning out when Hubby is watching another reality show about cars, hunting or outdoor living in some inconvenient place for no good reason!

Ummmm, wish I had a flight to catch right now.  But soon enough, I’ll be flying the friendly skies. So I better get packing or Duckie will have my head (She likes to pack as far in advance as humanly possible).  Talk soon.  - BMK

How to Chase Away the Winter Blues?

Its President’s Day weekend and I’m not going anywhere!! I am really angry about this. I just can’t show it because my winter blues prevent me from expressing true feelings.  My emotions are frozen. 

I was trying to pull off a trip to the Ice Palace at Quebec City’s Winter Festival.  That plan fell through. Then I was hoping to book a ski weekend.  That fell through.  And while I could offer you many reasons why each plan failed, the truth is they failed because those destinations are cold.  I would love to go skiing in August.  When I’m dying from the heat wave, it would be a great time to hop a flight to a cold mountain top.  But the idea of planning to go somewhere to be colder than I am right now is unfathomable.  So I’m here at home for this extra-long weekend.

There is one exception to this cold crankiness (which is definitely due to aging).  The last two times we traveled on President’s day weekend and Valentine’s Day it was for the winter Olympics.  And both times (Vancouver, Canada and Sochi, Russia) we experienced spring like weather.  And I can’t wait for the summer Olympics to be over so I can start planning for the next winter Olympics.  But in the meantime, I have got to find a way to move past the winter blues.

Duckie has the full blown travel bug now.  She has a huge coin jar which she is using to save for a Disney Cruise (she’s never been on one).  She has a long term plan to go to Australia before she turns 11.  And as of yesterday she was asking if we could start packing for spring break, destination unknown.

Tops on her list are a return trip to New Orleans.  She’d rather than do that, than go to Florida and spend her days on the beach and in the pool.  And I get it.  We do cities really well.  We are the family that gets up eats and then gets to walking from site to site and restaurant to restaurant.  Duckie is the Mayor of any town she is in.  So she loves to get out there and shake some hands and kiss some babies.  Plus her education is really getting in the way of her travel schedule.  She'd much prefer exploring a new or familiar destination to being confined to a classroom.  And I concur. 

 

Duckie even finds the lamppost in New Orleans exciting

I’ve already given in to her request to go to “Obama’s House,” otherwise known as the White House and the US Capital building.  She doesn’t remember her previous visit where she sang ring around the rosy, loudly, through every room on the tour. So we’ll head to DC at the end of spring break (If you’d like to book a tour just contact your congressman or senator.  They will submit the request on your behalf.  Best to plan at least 6 weeks in advance, 3 months is even better)

But, I’ve got to come to terms with the weather. I can go somewhere that does not include guaranteed sunshine, heat and defrosting.  I’ve considered doing a 4 night cruise, just me and Duckie.  I’ve looked at Caribbean destinations, but the cost of going there in peak season is tantamount to burning cash.  I even temporarily lost my mind and priced out Disney. So it’s quite likely that she’ll her way and we’ll start in New Orleans and end in DC.  Stay tuned.

I gotta go, winter calls ... talk soon.

--BMK

You Need to Go Somewhere and Soon

Its a good thing I started a new blog so I could talk about more than just travel.  Because today I want to tell you about breaking travel news! Its hot off the presses, if news is still considered hot 18 hours after airing on the Nightly News (no longer with Brian Williams).  Fine!  Here is the lukewarm breaking travel news:  Airfares are at 3-Year Lows and Expected to Go Lower.

Here is the video clip from last night:Low Jet Fuel Prices are Pushing Airfares to 3-Year Lows

But if you don't have time to watch, this is what you need to know:

1. Low oil prices mean jet fuel is dirt cheap so airlines can lower prices.  (Because they are greedy airlines, they are saving 20-40% on fuel and passing on only a 5-10% savings to us.)
2. Oil prices are expected to continue to fall and airline fares are expected to continue to fall as well.
3. January & February are the slowest months for air travel and thus the cheapest. (All the kiddos are in school)
4. Airlines know when spring break is and they will raise fares accordingly (20-50%).  Still best to book now while there are more seats available at the lowest prices.  The same goes for summer travel which is even more pricey than spring break.
5. The best days to travel are the off-peak ones: Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday & Saturday.

OK. So if you still reading and not yet searching for flights, I don't know what's wrong with you!!!!  But I always advise using a fare tracker.  My personal fave is Yapta.com, They are owned by Kayak.com which is also good.  I prefer Yapta because in addition to fare tracking, it will also track potential refunds (still given by a teeny tiny number of airlines) if the fare goes lower than my purchase price.

Anyway, I gotta go.  I've got my eye on a trip to Quebec City for the end of their Winter Festival and I can't have you all buying up all the good airfares before I can make it happen!

Stay warm ...
-Busy Mom Kimya