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Geocaching: Treasure Hunt

August 14, 2011 By Leave a Comment

geocaching all over the worldHave you heard of geocaching? Yes? How do you like it? No? Definitely read on.

If you haven’t heard of  this modern day treasure hunt, you might want to take a closer look at it. It’s so much fun for the family – probably more the kids, but my husband gets just as much fun out of it.

When hubby was deployed this was a great way to do ‘man stuff’ with my 2 boys. (though I am not saying that this is only for boys) It was hard to find boy things to do for them that I would at least somewhat enjoy or know HOW to do them. I am NOT a video game player…I needed other ways to accomplish ‘man-time’. This was a way for us.

When you are travelling to your next permanent assignment this could be a great way to use breaks, explore historic sites (I am sure someone hid a cache close by) or just have fun and move around after all this driving.

What exactly is geocaching?

Participants in Geocaching have hidden treasures or ‘caches’ (pronounced cashes). Sometimes those are private persons, clubs or even some national parks (like Cheyenne Mountain State Park here in Colorado Springs – across from Fort Carson). When you go to the main site: Geocaching.com you can plug in your location and see what geocaches are available at your destination. Geocaches are not tide to the United States only. They are available all over the world. It’s a great way to discover an area. If this is your first time caching consider a ‘beginner cache’ which are highlighted in the list.

 

Now it’s time to upload a GPSonto your iPHone or smartphone. Once you have uploaded the app enter the coordinates of your geocaches into your GPS Device then use the app to assist you in finding the hidden geocache.

Geocaching GPS appGeocaching GPS app 1It can be a box, a ziploc bag…usually the website has a small hint on what you might have to look for. When you found your treasure, open it up and look inside. Sometimes there actually ARE small treasures. On our last geocache my daughter found  a McDonalds playtoy, and she was overjoyed. When you take something you’ll have to replace it, we came prepared and replaced the playtoy with a few toy cars. After we signed and dated the cache log we returned the box/bag where it used to be and went on our marry way.

Depending on how long it takes us to find the caches, we try to prepare for 3. That way if we do not find one, we can quickly move on to the next one. We’ve also had caches that were wet and because of that a bit nasty. Well, shrug your shoulders and move on.

A 2 minute YOUTUBE explanation here:

Filed Under: Children, Travel Tagged With: , , , , , , ,

Military Teen Visiting A German School

July 2, 2011 By Leave a Comment

german school

Some of you know: I am German – hence some oddly shaped sentences at times. In order to infuse my boys, 12 and 16, with [even] more German heritage, we sent them to Germany this summer. Now, I will admit , we are missing them and not only, because we now have no one to baby sit our daughter.

Today my oldest left a note in his Facebook page about his day in a German school. Read his interesting AND funny report on his impressions:

“Boy, have I a lot to say today. This morning I went with Shaaron to her school to sit through a day in the life of a German student. First of all, the school system is REALLY different. They have an “Elementary” school up until 4th grade, then they have the option of going to either “Gymnasium” or some other type of school whose name I’m hitting my head up against a wall to remember. The difference between the two is a bit like the difference between Junior High and Middle School, for those who know what I mean. Anyway, We walked from her house to the school which took a grand total of five minutes to accomplish (and I’ll admit is something I miss about Washington). Apon entering the building I realized one very unwelcomed fact: no A/C. Now bear in mind, it’s a refreshing 34 degrees celcius inside, and for those who don’t understand the metric system, that’s roughly 97 and a half degrees fahrenheit. So we are walking through the hallways and I notice that had there been bars on the windows and doors, and the floor had been gray, this could be mistaken for a prison. I think they only had one wall made out of plaster in that whole building. Anyway, we get to her classroom and its is FILLED with people, and coming to find out many weren’t even in that class. The bell finally rings and about half the people shuffle out. Then the teacher comes in and I could tell by the look on his face that he would not want to be anywhere else, which is a good thing I guess. The first lesson was geography, and it was about global warming. He gave us all a handout with some graphs on it that showed the countries that pollute the most. Who was number one? The U.S. of A. of course. Germany was, I think, 4th or fifth. The teacher asks the class “Why do you think America is at the top?”. After a few minutes of someone warbling on about how americans have so much to uphold the guy next to me says: “A bigger machine, takes more oil.” Which I think is a good way to describe the States: just a bigger machine. Anyway, after that lesson the teacher leaves and after another five minutes of futzin’ around the next teacher walks in. She was the nicest so far, I think. Problem was, this lesson was to learn…. French. So, naturally, I just sat there and listened to the funny grunting noises coming from the people around me. After the next bell rang we went to “lunch” as they call it. However, they didn’t have a cafeteria. The kids either left to eat, or stayed and sat around under trees. It was hard for me to get what they were saying, because from my perspective it sounded like they were pasting words together. I often had to make them repeat what they said if they asked me so I could answer them. One guy asked: “Are there a lot of sl*ts in America?”.

I couldn’t help but laugh.

I told him yes.

ESPECIALLY in Las Vegas*.

So after a half hour lunch ends and we go to astronomy. Yet another unbeleivably hot classroom. A girl ate up the whole class period with a ridiculously in-depth presentation on the big bang theory (not the show) and the bell rings so we all just left.

I’ll admit, I had a lot of fun though. I was really impressed by how little gossip traveled. It was all so… mellow.”

Filed Under: Germany, Military Kids, OCONUS Tagged With: , , , , ,

Tiffany’s Favorite App. What’s yours?

June 27, 2011 By Leave a Comment

ether smartphone appMost people that have a smartphone can’t help themselves but also download apps. Some are for fun and some are actually useful, like the ICE app or other travel apps that help you guide you on your merry way. Tiffany, a freelance writer and by now a dear friend has discovered and shares her latest favorite app.

Being a military brat and wife, I’ve PCSed enough to know most of the tricks. The trick of “maintaining sanity” remains a bit elusive. As one friend recently described it, “I shouldn’t complain; someone else is doing all the heavy lifting.” But as we all know, there is something boggling and disheveling about having all your earthly belongings carted away. They call it “settling” when you move in, so it certainly must be unsettling to move out!

The last time we moved, I was reminded of that uncertain, ungrounded feeling. And determined to fight it, I clung to my two dearest hobbies – reading and writing. Whenever things got a little harry, I grabbed a notebook and dove into my happy world where things were organized adn people were at home.

If you are PCSing this summer, I recommend grabbing the Ether app. (http://bit.ly/bpvC84) ~ This clever little app is full of short stories – from classic to contemporary, from free to 99cents. Each piece is small enough for you to enjoy in any of those small crevices of time when you need to escape from the madness.

Disclaimer, a couple of the stories that I wrote during our last PCS season are on there! Check them out and please let me know what you think!

Tiffany“

What’s your favorite smartphone app?


Groupon: Get the Best Deal in Your City Today!

Filed Under: Travel Tagged With: , , , , , ,

Hotel Bookings made easy-er

June 2, 2011 By 2 Comments

Deals and tipsOkay, I admit it, I am a sucker for deals and for the latest gizmos and anything that could remotely make my life easier. Needless to say Clark Howard is one of my favorites. Here are some of his latest travel tips:

“AirBNB.com is an unofficial bed and breakfast booking site for adventurous travelers

With AirBNB.com, you can get private residences of varying quality all over the world, with a particular emphasis on overseas accommodations. From what I’ve seen so far, the prices for residential accommodations can undercut VRBO, but there is more potential hazard. What happens if something goes wrong with your trip that’s booked through AirBNB.com? As far as I can tell, you’re pretty much on your own. AirBNB.com just plays the match game, much like eBay does in hooking up a buyer and a seller. So AirBNB.com is truly buyer (and seller) beware.

One possible way to protect yourself would be to make reservations only with a credit card. You have the right to do a chargeback within 60 days if your reservation falls through for some reason. See me discuss AirBNB.com in this video segment.

More info: AirBNB.com

TheBiddingTraveler.com makes blind booking for hotels easy

I have obsessive compulsive disorder when it comes to saving on hotels. When I travel for work, which is almost every week of the year, I book 95 percent of the hotels I stay in through Priceline.com or Hotwire.com. But before I even place a bid on either site, I have a complicated system that involves checking related message boards to get a feel for what other people are bidding. Then I have almost like a formula and set process I go through when bidding that’s very methodical and boring to some. As I’ve tried to explain it over the years, I just seem to create more confusion among people!

Now there’s a new website called TheBiddingTraveler.com that has automated the process that I do manually. It can do in 3 minutes or less what takes me 15 or 20 minutes (for select cities). And it is far superior to the way I have always booked my own rooms.

More info: TheBiddingTraveler.com“

Filed Under: Europe, OCONUS, Travel, US Tagged With: , ,

Using your Cell Phone Overseas

May 31, 2011 By 2 Comments

using cell phone overseasTake a look at your current phone and try to find out if it is one that uses GSM (Global System Mobile) technology. T-Mobile and some AT&T phones are equipped with this technology, among others. If you are buying a new phone make sure that GSM technology is integrated.

Most cell phone service providers electronically ‘lock’ the phone so that it can only be used with their service. There are obvious reasons why they choose to do this – in particular, to force you to pay what are usually very high roaming charges when you take your phone out of their network and use it elsewhere in the world.

Fortunately, this locking is reversible. With some phones, it is possible to simply enter an unlocking password code into the phone and it is immediately then unlocked. Other phones need to be connected up to a special unlocking data terminal.

For $5, you can get the codes from thetravelinsider.info.
You will need a country-specific SIM card to buy pre-paid minutes for the country in which you are traveling. You can buy pre-paid minutes from telestial.com. The company will send you a SIM card that you use to replace the current SIM inside your phone.

If you have valuable data on your SIM card you can get a SIM Backup and Saver Unit, this will help you transfer all your date safely from one phone/ one SIM card to another.

via

Filed Under: Alaska, Belgium, Europe, Germany, Hawaii, Italy, Jordan, Korea, OCONUS, OCONUS States and Countries, Travel, UK Tagged With: , , , , , , , , , , ,

Fee Free National Park Days

May 17, 2011 By 1 Comment

fee free national park datesWe love hiking, the outdoors and the adventure that comes with it. National Parks gives families the opportunity to experience nature and wilderness. If you’ve ever contemplated going to a park but never quite had the ‘UMPF’, then maybe not paying an entrance fee will help you to go and visit? Maybe even make it a mini vacation?

Over 100 National Parks that usually charge an entrance fee  will be free 5 times in 2011. We already missed January (usually Martin Luther Kings Jr.’s Birthday) and April 16-24 (National Park Week). So mark your calendar for the following Dates:

  • June 21

    (First day of summer)

  • September 24

    (Public Lands Day)

  • November 11-13

    (Veterans Day weekend)

    ORBITZ SPRING CRUISE EXTRAVAGANZA!! (120x90)

Filed Under: Travel, US Tagged With: , , , , , , , , ,

Returning to Japan

April 30, 2011 By Leave a Comment

Family Members are returning to Japan 2011If you are an eligible family member (EFM) who departed under the authorized departure FROM Japan to the US and would like to return to Japan now, you will qualify to receive transportation as well as per diem for your travels. If your sponsor is due to PCS within the next 60 days then ,unfortunately, this will not apply to you.

For Non-command Sponsored Dependents:

If you were transported to an OCONUS safehaven you maybe provided return transportation to the Permanent Duty Station (PDS) in Japan. If you have been taken to CONUS then you are not authorized return transportation, except with special permission.

Safe Haven Allowances for Military Command Sponsored Dependents

M&IE which means lodging, meals and incidentals:

a. The lodging allowance is paid for commercial lodging and must be documented by a receipt (!) ask if you need a statement of non-availability. Reimbursement for lodging is not authorized if staying with friends and relatives. Tax for lodging in CONUS and non-foreign Outside CONUS (OCONUS) locations is a separate reimbursable expense.Safe haven allowances are not reduced until the 31st day at the safe haven. (see below)

b. Meals and incidentals: You should be able to receive this allowance regardless of whether you are staying with friends or at commercial lodging. Make sure it is on your travel voucher that you pass in at finance, if not ask why!

Take a look at your rates

First 30 Days
Dependents age 12 or older receive up to 100% of the locality rate
Dependents under age 12 receive up to 50% of the locality rate

Days 31-180
Dependents age 12 or older receive up to 60% of the locality rate
Dependents under age 12 receive up to 30% of the locality rate
read the regulations

Save up to 50% off Vacation Rental Deals!
Save up to 50% off Vacation Rental Deals!

Filed Under: entitlements, Military Money Matters, OCONUS, Travel

Participating in an Adventure Race

April 27, 2011 By 1 Comment

break from PCSing: Racing My husband, Tim, had signed up both of us with an adventure race here in Washington. Considering we hadn’t trained at all, I was a bit sceptical how things were going to work out.

What is an adventure race? An adventure race is an outdoor multi-sport event. Sports may include: Mountain biking, orienteering,navigation, trekking, kayaking/canoeing – more advanced and longer races provide an opportunity to show your repelling and climbing skills. While I think it sounds fun not sure if I could compete on this sort of level.

Today, there were two categories of race durations: the sprint racers (4-6 hours) and the super sprint racers (2-4 hours) – that was us! Should you feel up for it, you can find races at any length. Some folks love 24hour races.


Ever since our PCS shifted into high gear and we had canceled our gym membership, Tim and I had not done much endurance training at all. Little here and there, but we started this race today pretty much cold turkey, however, we needed this break today. Heck, I had been painting, digging, sorting and cleaning for a week now. My gosh, how much stuff is there to do? The truth is , that if we were packed tomorrow: We’d be fine! It seems as though this move is an opportunity to do what we haven’t done for years….clean garden tools, sort out things that I had been holding on to….

Back to racing. Adventure racing sounds much more intimidating than it actually is. Our disciplines were orienteering, mountain biking and trekking. In all categories we had to find markers in the park that had punchers tide to them. We had a map and on foot or on bike we raced to find them and we marked our papers once we were successful.

YOU can do a race like this. Can you walk? Can you ride a bike? Then you could have done what we did today! No kidding. A super sprint race is a great way to get started. You should check your ego at the door (park gate) and try to just have fun! Don’t be intimidated, chances are that the ‘fancy’ teams are in a different racing group anyhow.

I should also mention, that there are also urban adventure races. While still challenging, usually these races are laid out or fun! You can dress crazy and you’ll have a lot of fun completing tasks a la “Minute To Win It”. The biggest races I know of are the “Urban Oyster” and “Urban Assault” (brought to you by the Belgium Brewing Company, if that tells you anything!). My, then 15 year old, and I participated in the Urban Assault last year, when my husband was deployed, pretty much as an ode to him – since he, my husband, is really into this kind of thing. It was a great bonding experience for my son and I. Only a few weeks after Tims return from Iraq he participated the race as team “What just happened?” Side note: My son was appalled when Tim stopped to get a coffee in the middle of the race! So much fun! Try it!

And now, I am on the couch, unable to move and blissfully exhausted. Tomorrow is the last day, before our household goods are being packed up. I am very curious, what we’ll do tomorrow.

Find adventure races all over the country:

Filed Under: Travel, US Tagged With: , , , , , , , , ,

Conversion Tables

April 26, 2011 By Leave a Comment

I was having fun today finding some useful widget tools and some that are not so useful. Play around  add a few if you like.

Filed Under: Travel Tagged With: , , , ,

In Case of Emergency: There is an app for that

February 4, 2011 By 2 Comments

Summer is not only PCS time but in general travel time. What do you do in an emergency you become unresponsive and you have a first responder trying to help you? The nurse, doctor, firefighter, emergency personnel does not know anything  about you! Maybe you are taking  medication, have ailments that need to be considered! Now, there is an app for that!

The ICE App is a free App and this is one application that could save lives. This FREE ICE (In Case of Emergency) application was developed by Donate Life America and LegalZoom – two organizations that share the common goal of empowering people and enriching lives.

Information stored on the iPhone through ICE App includes:

  • add a photo and your name
  • add your emergency contact information
  • add any allergies that you might have
  • add any medications that you are taking

To help first responders quickly locate your emergency information, it is suggested to place the ICE icon in the upper right-hand corner on the main screen of your iPhone. The free ICE App can be found in the iPhone Apps Store, or you can visit the Ice-App website.

Legalzoom says

“The ICE movement was started by a paramedic and most first responders are familiar with it. The program encourages people to include an ICE contact in their phones.”

ICE App saves livesICE App saves lives

Filed Under: Travel, US Tagged With: , , ,
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