Show Caves near Lake of the Ozarks

The Lake of the Ozarks in Central Missouri is a lovely place to relax and let your cares slip away. If water is your thing, you’ll find plenty of water sports waiting for you. But here’s a diversion you may not have thought of: exploring caves. Missouri has close to two dozen show caves, four within easy driving distance of Lake of the Ozarks.

Bridal Cave

The Bridal Cave was named after an old Osage legend. According to the legend a youth from one tribe fell madly in love with a maiden in a neighboring tribe. Although his love was not reciprocated, he felt as if he simply must have her, so one night he and some of his friends kidnapped the maiden and her friend. With people from the maiden’s tribe in hot pursuit, the youth hid the captives in the cave. The maiden was so upset she leapt to her death from what is now known as Lover’s Leap. The maiden’s friend, however, had a happier ending, marrying the brother of the youth in the very cave where she had once been held prisoner.

Today, over 2000 couples have exchanged vows in the majestic beauty of Bridal Cave. Even if you’re not getting married, this cave is well worth seeing. The Discovery Tour costs $10 for adults and $5 for children ages 5-12. As well as a walk through Bridal Cave, the tour includes a short nature walk as well as a lantern tour of Bear Cave, a “wild” cave.

Jacob’s Cave

Jacob’s cave was opened as a show cage in 1932, when visitors walked on planks and had their paths lit with kerosene lanterns. Today, the path through the cage is much smoother–in fact, it is completely wheelchair accessible.

Jacob’s Cave is a particularly beautiful cave featuring deep pools, cascades of water, and cave formations ranging from the delicate looking “soda straws” to mighty stalactites. The cave also features a selection of prehistoric animal bones.

Tours through Jacob’s cage cost $12 for adults and $6 for children ages 4 to 12. Interestingly, this cave’s web site lists it as “for sale” so it will be interesting to see what changes await Jacob’s Cave.

Onyx Mountain Caverns

Onyx Mountain Caverns provided shelter for Native Americans thousands of years ago. Today you can see dozens of artifacts from societies of people that have long since faded away. Additionally, keep your eyes open for the breathtaking 35 foot high onyx formation, which is where the cave got its name.

Tours through Onyx Mountain Caverns cost $7.75 for adults; $3.75 for children aged 5-12.

Ozark Caverns

Tours through Ozark Caverns focus on the geologic forces that create caves and the formations seen within them. One sight to take note of is Angel Falls where water appears to cascade out of sheer rock.

If you’re lucky, you may also see some cave wildlife–bats (four species call the cave their home), and any number of invertebrate creatures, some of whom will spend their whole lives without leaving the cave.

There are several tours offered through the cave from the standard (traditional tour) to the speleology tour which allows adults more chances to explore the cave in-depth to a special tour for children. Traditional tours cost $6 for adults; $5 for teens ages 13-18; and $4 for children ages 6-12. Children five and under tour for free.     

Subscribe to this blog's RSS feed

It was bound to happen. With all the financial trouble the major airlines have seen recently, the question was never really “if” but “when” or “who”. Last week, we got our answers.

As of June 15, American Airlines will begin charging a $15 fee for the first checked bag on domestic flights. The second checked bag will continue to incur a $25 fee.

Why?

The shortest answer is that the major airlines are badly in need of money.

Quite frankly, if the airlines’ safety statistics were as discouraging as their business statistics, all of us would be terrified of flying. Most of the major airlines’ business scores have been declining steadily for the last three years. Today, with a few glaring exceptions such as Southwest Airlines, most airlines are in as much economic trouble as they were following the terrorist attacks of 9/11. Experts blame high oil prices and cut-throat competition.  

Charging for all checked bags is a last ditch attempt to stay financially afloat. In addition to this measure, American Airlines has announced they will also be laying off workers and cutting back on domestic flights.

Who Will Be Affected?

American Airlines plans to charge passengers who hold discount coach tickets a $15 fee for the first checked bag on domestic flights. The charge will affect most customers, but by no means all. The following categories of customers may be exempt from the new charge:

• Customers who hold full fare coach tickets
• Customers with business or first class tickets
• Customers whose flights originate in the U.S. and terminate on foreign soil, or vice versa
• Customers with premium status in American Airlines frequent flyer program 
• Military passengers on active duty

What about the other Airlines?

So far, American Airlines is the first and only major airline to charge for all checked luggage

In June 2007 the smaller Spirit Airlines began charging $5 to $10 for the first checked bag. However, Spirit Airlines also cut fares at the same time. American Airlines has not announced any plans to do likewise.

Most industry watchers predict that now that a major airline has opened the door to charging for all checked bags, other major airlines will follow suit.

In other words, between high gas prices on one end and high airline fares with added fees on the other, we could all be facing a long, expensive summer where travel is concerned.    

Are you planning to take the family on the road this summer? Make sure your trip goes smoothly by giving your car a good once-over before you pull out of the driveway. These tips will only take a few minutes of your time but they can make the difference between enjoyable sight-seeing or a long, dusty walk to the nearest service station.

1. Stay Up to Date with Regular Maintenance

If you get your car serviced every few months, you’re ahead of the game. Regular oil changes and check-ups can detect small, low-cost problems before they become big, expensive problems. If your car hasn’t been serviced in several months, it’s probably time to let a trustworthy mechanic take a look at it.

2. Check Tires

Checking the tire pressure will save you money as well as grief–under-inflated tires decrease gas mileage. But don’t stop there. Take a look at the general condition of your tires. If your tires are worn down, consider replacing them before leaving on your vacation.

3. Check Fluid Levels

Fluids include motor oil, coolant mixture, windshield washer, transmission fluid, and brake fluid. In addition to topping off fluids before you go, it’s usually a good idea to bring along an extra container of motor oil and windshield washer.

4. Test Your Wipers

Check your windshield wipers to make sure they make smooth contact with the windshield through their entire sweeping motion. If they are worn down, ragged, or rough, replace them. It’s a low cost fix that can save you a lot of anxiety if you run into bad weather on your trip.

5. Check Your Belts

Depending on the car, belts can be found in the fan, alternator, power steering, water pump, and air conditioner. Check the belts for appropriate tension (belts should not be too loose or too tight) and for any worn or frayed places.

6. Test Your Headlights

Make sure that both headlights work in the low beam and high beam settings. While you’re thinking about it, check your tail lights as well and make sure both turn signals are working.

7. Consider Getting Roadside Assistance

Many insurance companies offer roadside assistance plans so that if your car breaks down in the middle of nowhere, you can get a tow to the nearest service station. This type of plan is especially helpful if you’re traveling alone or with small children.

8. Pack an Emergency Travel Kit

In spite of your best preparations, it’s possible you will experience car trouble on your travels. Be ready for it by bringing along an emergency kit which includes a standard tool kit, first aid supplies, water, blankets, a flashlight (with extra batteries), flares, jumper cables, paper towels, a tire gauge, and a spare tire.

If you are taking a large group on a trip you may want budget van insurance to protect everyone. It’s easy to find quotes and get direct van insurance simply by browsing online. Where ever you are headed make sure everyone is protected.

Most cabins on cruise ships are designed to accommodate at least two people. The rates listed for these cabins are “per person based on double occupancy” or PPDO. For instance, an advertised rate of $1000 means $1000 per person or $2000 total.

So what happens if you’re traveling alone? Even though the listed rate is supposedly per person, you’re still expected to pay an added charge known as the single supplement. This charge can be up to 100% of the advertised rate. In other words, if the rate is $1000 PPDO, you may be charged the entire $2000 even if you’re on your own.

Are there any ways to avoid the single supplement? Possibly, but you have to keep a sharp eye out for the best deals and perhaps be willing to compromise on traveling solo. Here are some suggestions.

Travel Off Season

Off season cruises are less likely to fill up. Many cruise lines will reduce or even eliminate the single supplement during the off season, reasoning that half-full cabins are better than empty cabins.

Look for Last Minute Deals

If you can get ready to travel at a moment’s notice and if you don’t much care where you end up, check into the many sites that list last minute cruise deals (e.g., Travelocity, Expedia, CruiseDirect, etc.) These cruises haven’t filled up as anticipated, so the companies are often willing to reduce or eliminate the single supplement to entice business and fill cabins.

Check into Single Occupancy Cabins

Although the newer ships aren’t built to accommodate the single traveler, some of the older ships still offer a handful of single occupancy cabins. The cost is usually about 150% of the PPDO rate.

Let the Cruise Line Make a Match

Most cruise lines offer programs that match single cruisers based on gender and smoking preference. If you sign up for the program and a suitable match can’t be found, you get a double occupancy cabin at the PPDO rate. The downside, of course, is that the cruise line might match you with someone you don’t particularly care for.

Find a Traveling Companion

Rather than trust the cruise line to match you with someone, why not make your own match? Perhaps a friend, co-worker, or family member would like to travel with you and split the expenses. Or you could visit a website such as Travel Chums to identify other travelers with interests and traveling preferences similar to yours who would be willing to share a cabin with you.

If you are looking for discount cruises you can find a variety of choices online. From the islands in the Atlantic to Hawaii vacations you can find a deal on a long planned excursion or a last minute getaway.

Sonja and David eagerly looked forward to their yearly cruises. When David was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease, Sonja saw no reason to just sit around at home and wait for the end. She continued to travel with David until less than a year before he finally succumbed to his illness.

If your loved one has Alzheimer’s or another form of dementia you can still enjoy traveling with her, but you will want to take some basic precautions.

Plan ahead. If your loved one needs special accommodations, make sure you notify the places where you will be staying. David, for instance, needed a wheelchair accessible room for the last two years of his illness.

Make sure your loved one has identification. In case you become separated from your loved one, make sure he is carrying identification with his full name, your name, and how to get in touch with you. (On trips, make sure to list your cell phone number and not just your home number.) A Safe Return bracelet from the Alzheimer’s Association is ideal, but a laminated card that goes in a wallet, a purse, or a pocket can also work. Take this step even if you are sure your loved one still remembers his name. In a stressful situation, even the most basic memories can slip away from a person with Alzheimer’s.

Keep an eye on your loved one. People with Alzheimer’s quickly lose their sense of direction so that even getting around in their own home can become a challenge. I once worked with a man who stepped outside to get his morning paper, forgot which home was his, and got lost. So don’t leave your loved one alone or send her off by herself in an unfamiliar environment. Where she goes, you go.

Allow time for rest. When people with dementia become exhausted, their confusion worsens and they may grow irritable and even combative. Choose low energy activities, give your loved one a chance to rest during the day, and don’t plan on too many late nights.

As much as possible, establish a routine. People with dementia do better when they know what to expect. A vacation can be disconcerting because it throws them into a new and unfamiliar environment. As much as possible, follow the daily routine you’ve established at home (e.g., get up, shower and dress, eat breakfast, take a morning walk, etc.). 

Plan a simple explanation if your loved one exhibits unusual behavior. As David’s dementia progressed, he began making sexually inappropriate comments to young women. Sonja learned to say quietly to his targets, “Please forgive my husband, he has a cognitive impairment.” Your fellow travelers are likely to be very forgiving once they understand that your loved one is ill.

Have fun. Focus on what your loved one can do rather than on what he can’t do. Make plenty of time for activities that are still pleasurable to both of you such as a stroll on the beach or a quiet dinner for two. Even though your loved one’s memory is fading, he can still revel in the present moment.

Traveling with a patient of any kind can be difficult, as many diseases can inhibit some activities. If you are traveling with someone who has been diagnosed with mesothelioma, make certain travel will not disrupt ongoing mesothelioma treatment or create more risk.

You’ve planned for your European vacation for months, but when your plane touches down, you find yourself tired, irritable, and in no mood for doing all the fun things you planned. Welcome to the not-so-wonderful world of jet lag.

Jet lag typically occurs after a long flight that crosses three or more time zones. Symptoms include fatigue (often with difficulty falling asleep), irritability, decreased ability to function, stomach problems, headache, and aching muscles.

There is no magic cure for jet lag, but there are ways to abbreviate it and lessen its impact.

Avoid alcohol before and during your trip. Drinking alcohol during your flight can cause dehydration which is often listed as a cause of jet lag. Alcohol can also disrupt your sleep, impair your judgment, and make it harder to get back on a normal schedule.

Avoid caffeine and sugar during your flight. Caffeine and sugar may produce a quick, temporary boost, but you’re likely to crash and feel worse later on.

Drink plenty of fluids. Water is best, but juice or coffee will also do. Staying well hydrated will help minimize jet lag symptoms.

If you fly at night, try to sleep on the plane. Make yourself as comfortable as possible with pillows, blankets, eye masks, earplugs, etc. Conversely, if you fly during the daytime, it’s better to stay awake during your flight.

Start your trip well rested. If you start out tired and stressed, you’re already “behind the eight ball.” Plan ahead as much as possible and give yourself plenty of time to pack, catch a good night’s sleep before your trip, and get to the airport.  

Arrive ahead of when you need to perform. If you’re traveling for business, try to get to your destination a few days before you’re expected to attend meetings or give presentations.

Medication? Some studies have suggested that the hormone melatonin may ease the symptoms of jet lag. If you experience severe jet lag, talk to your doctor about your treatment options.

On the day you arrive at your destination, stay awake until local bedtime. If you’ve been up all night on a flight that lands at eight in the morning, you’ll probably feel like falling straight into bed, but resist the impulse. The sooner you get your system attuned to local time the better. Spend the day engaged in quiet activities, eat healthy light meals, and go to bed when the locals do. You’ll wake up refreshed and ready to get down to the business of enjoying your trip.

If you vacation in Philadelphia, there are certain things you’re almost obligated to see: the Liberty Bell, Independence Hall, and the Betsy Ross House, for instance. This article looks at a few attractions that may not be household names but that are still worth seeing if you travel to the City of Brotherly Love.

Christ Church Burial Ground, 22-26 N. 2nd Street, 215-627-2750

Christ Church was founded in 1695. Its burial ground spreads over two acres of land and contains more than 1400 grave markers, the earliest dating back to 1721. The Christ Church burial ground is the final resting place of such luminaries as Benjamin Franklin and Dr. Benjamin Rush, the Father of Modern Psychiatry. A new tour of the burial ground entitled Declaring Freedom: Slavery in Philadelphia is conducted every hour on the hour.  

African American Museum in Philadelphia, 701 Arch Street, 215-574-0380

Founded in 1976, the African American Museum was the first city-sponsored museum to focus on the Black experience in America. Today the museum offers exhibits pertaining to the history and culture of African Americans from colonial times through the present day. Items on display include art, photographs, books, domestic objects, and costumes.

Bartram’s Garden, 54th Street and Lindbergh Boulevard, 215-729-1047

Bartram’s Garden is the oldest botanical garden in the United States. Thomas Jefferson and Benjamin Franklin once walked along its tranquil pathways. The famous garden features herbs, vegetables, flowers, and woody plants. In addition, the site also contains historic buildings, archeological digs, a wetland, a meadow, and a river trail. Bartram’s Garden is a great place to get away from it all…without ever leaving the city.

Mutter Museum, 19 South 22nd Street

The Mutter Museum, which is administered by the College of Physicians of Philadelphia, was founded in 1858 to allow medical students to examine physical curiosities. Today the Mutter Museum’s bizarre medical collection is open to the public. Visitors can see exhibits such as the death cast of the ”original” Siamese twins, Chang and Eng Bunker, a cancerous tumor removed from the jaw of President Grover Cleveland, the skeleton of a man who grew to be seven and a half feet tall, and medical tools of days gone by.

Philadelphia Zoo, 3400 W. Girard Ave., 215-243-5347

The Philadelphia Zoo is the oldest zoo in the United States. It offers eighteen distinct habitats featuring almost every creature imaginable from bears to tortoises. Feline fans will be fascinated by the new Bank of America Big Cat Falls. Those whose tastes run to more exotic creatures will revel in the Dodge Rare Animal Conservation Center where animals such as the pygmy marmoset and the Madagascar giant jumping rat are on display. Kids will enjoy the Children’s Zoo where they can get hands-on time with some of the gentler animals.

So if your upcoming travel plans include Philadelphia, don’t forget to wander off the beaten path to some of the lesser known–but still very enjoyable–attractions.      

If you are looking for someone to see Philadelphia with visit an online dating site to find other singles in the area. Browse through hundreds of Philadelphia personals for free to find someone you’d like to meet and see the sights with!

Sometimes you just need to get away from it all. But if you have a pet, worries about how she will get along can put a damper on your vacation plans. What to do with your pet while you’re off seeing the world? This article offers some suggestions.

Bring Your Pet Along

A lot of people travel with their pets. If you’d like to give it a try, plan your vacation to include only pet-friendly hotels and camp sites. If you’re going to be driving long distances, it’s also a good idea to take a couple of trial spins in the car with your pet to make sure your four-legged friend will tolerate being on the road. My plans to take my cat on one of my vacations didn’t work out because during the trial runs I learned that she howled loudly from the moment the car started until the moment it stopped. I didn’t think I could handle five hours of that, so kitty stayed home.

A couple of final thoughts: Make sure your pet wears a collar with identifying information and bring along proof of vaccinations. If your pet has been micro-chipped for identification purposes, so much the better.

If your travels will take you out of the country, your pet may be better off staying behind. Many countries have strict quarantine regulations.

Find a Kennel

Kennels vary as widely as hotels in quality. Some of them are merely adequate while others could give the fanciest spa resorts in Vegas a run for their money.  

Visit several places to get an idea of pricing, atmosphere, and services available. Do the animals seem comfortable and entertained or do they simply sit in cages all day? Does the staff interact with the animals? If your pet has special needs, make sure the kennel is able to handle them.

When you drop your pet off, bring along a favorite toy and a towel or article of clothing with your scent on it. If possible, board your pet for a short trip first. Then, if she does all right, you can plan longer vacations.

Hire a Pet Sitter

A pet sitter is someone who comes into your home to feed, water, and interact with your pet while you are away. A pet sitter can be a professional from an agency or your next door neighbor’s (responsible!) twelve year old. Pet sitting is a good option for animals who don’t do well in kennel situations such as exotic pets.

When hiring a professional pet sitter, look for someone who is licensed and bonded and ask for references. You can find professional pet sitters through word of mouth or by looking in the yellow pages of your local phone book.  

Before leaving on your vacation, meet with the pet sitter to familiarize her with your pet and your home. Make your expectations clear. “I want Rover walked for at least fifteen minutes every day,” or “Don’t try to touch Fluffy because she tends to nip at strangers. Just leave plenty of food and water for her.”

Owning pets doesn’t mean you can’t enjoy a wonderful or even a prolonged vacation. Just make sure you’ve made arrangements for your animal companion to receive loving care whether from you on the road, from a caring staff of professionals in a kennel, or from a pet sitter in the home.

There’s a small percentage of the population who flies on a regular basis for work or pleasure, but most of us only ever get on a plane to go on a vacation, and maybe very rarely for a business trip. It’s a fairly uncommon occurrence, so it’s no surprise that most people don’t know all the tricks of the trade when trying to get the absolute best deal when paying for a flight. A lot of us just call our travel agent, or order them online, and think nothing of it. We discount the price of the airline ticket as part of the trip, and go on with life. There are however, several tips that we can follow to save a lot of money on airline tickets, which will give us more money to play with when we’re on the trip. Here are some tickets to make flying a bit less expensive.

Get a Package – Sometimes if you buy a hotel room with an airline ticket, you can save a significant amount of money. Doing this will bring more money into the booking agency, and they’ll certainly share some of that income with you in the form of cheaper prices.

Remain Flexible on Dates – If you’re going on vacation, and planning for tickets months ahead, you should check and see how much difference it would be by moving your trip ahead or back a couple of days. There are instances when you can save $200 on a ticket just by moving your flight one day.

Look for Nearby Airports – Sometimes it will be cheaper to fly into a smaller nearby airport rather than going to a major city. Look for multiple airports near where you are going, and see if any of them in reasonable driving distance are cheaper than the one you had originally considered.

Take Extra Stops – Non stop flights are usually the most expensive, if you have plenty of time, check out if there’s any sort of connecting flight that you can take, chances are it’ll save you quite a bit of money.

Use Search Engines – There are sites such as Kayak and Sitestep which will scour through all sorts of airlines and booking agencies to find you the best price on your flight. Be aware that their prices might not be the most up-to-date, because of caching software implemented by the search engine.

Book Online – You’ve seen the commercials for these places for years now. They’re online booking agencies, such as Orbitz, Expedia, and Travelocity, that will search through the major airways and try to find you the best deal.

Another way to save money on flights is by signing up for airline credit cards. These card actually help you accrue airline miles that you can use toward trips almost anywhere. You can even find MasterCard or visa cards with airline options for your next vacation.

Sure, we all enjoy our modern conveniences, but sometimes it’s fun to be swept back to a simpler era. If you like to imagine life when men were dashing knights and women were lovely queens and princesses, consider dropping in on a Renaissance Faire during your travels. Here are a few good bets scattered around the country.

Colorado Renaissance Festival in Castle Rock, CO

The Colorado Renaissance Festival is held each weekend from June 14 through August 3.  If you’ve never been to a Renaissance Faire before, you’ll be amazed at all the people in brightly colored costumes walking around and interacting with each other in the language–or at least the accent–of the day.

Along with the standard Renaissance Festival fare, you’ll want to pay attention to themed weekends. On 6/21 and 6/22, for instance, the theme is Royal Ale Festival and Military Appreciation Weekend. Free ales and lagers are available for sampling, and military personnel receive buy one get one free tickets. The children of people with a military ID also get in for free.

The entertainment at the Colorado Renaissance Festival is amusing and sometimes even awe-inspiring. It includes jousting between dashing knights, musical programs, comedians, and even a stage hypnotist.  

King Richard’s Faire in Carver, MA

King Richard’s Faire is located in Carver, MA, an easy drive from both Boston and Providence. It runs on weekends from August 30 through October 15.

Here you’ll find many booths where artisans sell sculptures, clothing, pottery, walking staffs, jewelry, and even carved wooden dragons.

The exotic Royal Zoo at the festival offers a wide selection of big cats including tigers, jaguars, and leopards. Another fun diversion is the Gaming Glen where you and the younger members of your party can try your luck in games designed to test your skill.

Don’t worry if all the sightseeing is making you hungry. Vendors are available to sell such delicacies as turkey legs, steak on a stake, strawberry shortcake, clam chowder, and meat pie.

Kansas City Renaissance Festival in Bonner Springs, KS

The Kansas City Renaissance Festival is held weekends August 30 through October 13. The fairgrounds are a short drive from Kansas City. 2008 will be the Kansas City Renaissance Festival’s thirtieth year, making it one of the longest running Renaissance Faires in the country.

In terms of entertainment offerings, the KC Ren Fest provides more than 500 costumed ladies and gentlemen (and fairies, sprites, elves, etc.), artisans (162 shops), entertainment ranging from wholesome to downright naughty, psychic readings, and even a petting zoo.

If you get hungry, there’s plenty to eat. Start with the smoked turkey leg, get your veggies from a hearty serving of roasted corn on the cob, and round out the whole thing with a glass of ale and chocolate-covered cheesecake on a stick.  

Camelot Days, TY Park in Hollywood, Florida

November 15 and 16th (10am to 5:30 pm) are Camelot Days at TY Park, located near Greater Fort Lauderdale. Camelot Days do not last as long as many other Renaissance Festivals, but they provide a beautiful array of performers, artisans, and fine food. If you have any fantasy or history lovers on your holiday gift list this year, Camelot Days are a great time to shop for them.

But don’t spend all your time (or money) in one place. Wander over and watch the breathtaking living chess game. And if you’re lucky, you may even see the royal court parade by.

Dickens Christmas Fair in San Francisco, CA

Okay, so this isn’t technically a renaissance fair. It’s still a beautiful reimagining of the past into which imaginative tourists can immerse themselves. The Dickens Christmas Fair is open on weekends from November 28 to December 21.

It’s a great place to do your last minute Christmas shopping, with booths focusing on the arts, clothing for adults and children, jewely and accessories, pottery and glass, leather, pewter, and even a few toys.

Activities include psychic readings for the grownups and the Children’s Painting Garden where children can make ornaments for their Christmas trees. Of course, children are also welcome to go whisper their deepest wishes in the ear of a very friendly Father Christmas.

And don’t worry about feeling peckish while you’re taking in all this history. Food ranges from a low-key paper plate of fish and chips to a unique dining experience at Shangri La indian Cuisine.