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Tagged With "Mail Rail"

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Re: January 20, 2020: Newport Beach, California

Paul Heymont ·
Always a puzzle, Garry, when looking at restaurant reviews, because not everyone values the same thing, and not everyone is health-conscious, even if they say so! And it's not just portion size, either: even in more sensible portions there can be a lot of unhealthy extra calories, food that isn't fresh, etc. And with the arrival of plant-based 'meat,' I find myself amazed at how many people who rail against processed food are pleased to eat this incredibly-processed 'food' because it is...
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Re: Staying In Touch on the Road: Part 1

Mac ·
It's a nightmare! A fair chunk of my packing now includes various chargers, connection cables and mains power adaptors for phones, iPads, Kindles. cameras.... Oh, plus a universal backup power supply battery (RAVPOWER - good value) in case I cannot get to a mains socket - just to keep in touch! I have to say that the Euro proposal to have ONE single charger for all devices has some merit!! PS - watch out that chargers that are sold as suitable for iPhones are often not powerful enough to...
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Re: Staying In Touch on the Road: Part 1

Mac ·
The RAVPOWER unit that I went for is shown on the following link (a real mouthful): http://www.ravpower.com/ravpow...hite-us-version.html This model has enough power to fully recharge an iPad! Currently available from Amazon for USD 36.00 They also do more powerful packs. (Hope this doesn't cut across any "No Advertising" policies
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Re: Staying In Touch on the Road: Part 1

DrFumblefinger ·
No, Mac, that doesn't cross any sort of policy. We want to help travelers get good honest feedback about products that might be helpful to them on the road (or conversely that aren't worth the money). What's not tolerated is people paid to promote products on our website and providing dishonest information. Ravpower is exactly the kind of unit I'm looking for. Need to go order it soon.
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Re: Staying In Touch on the Road: Part 1

Paul Heymont ·
In the Duel of the Devices, I'm going to declare the RAVPower unit the winner. Both of these devices are essentially external batteries, something that's becoming more popular as more phones come with non-removable batteries. There are two critical differences, however: capacity and output. The PowerStick has a capacity of 750mAh (about half the power held by an average cellphone battery) and a maximum output current of 700mA (phone chargers usually supply 1000mA). The RAVpower device has a...
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Re: Staying In Touch on the Road: Part 1

Paul Heymont ·
By the way...here's my solution to the other charger issue (plugging in at home). It's a 5-port USB host that has a short cord to plug in (no brick to get in the way at the outlet) and takes 5 standard USB cords for your devices...the kind that come with your device, although more are available cheaply. The five outputs include 2 2100mA for iPad, 2 1000mA for most phones, and 1 1300mA for Samsung. All can be used for any device up to the designated output (that is, you can plug your phone...
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Re: Staying In Touch on the Road: Part 1

Former Member ·
PowerStick only charges from a USB port. The PowerStick has a capacity of 750mAh Perfect ! That is all that I need for my modest travel needs - just a little juice for a camera or my old flip (!) phone, if needed during a day of sightseeing. The PowerStick is only about the size of a pen, takes no thought to use and does not involve batteries. My kind of tool. Travelers who carry a lot more toys have greater needs than little me.
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Re: Staying In Touch on the Road: Part 1

Former Member ·
Well, I understand the urge for simplicity and not getting tied down...but both the PowerStick and the RAVPower ar e batteries. The RAVPower isn't big; about the size of a cellphone. But it costs 30% less, and will actually put a full charge on a phone, which the other won't. In fact, it will put a full charge on about 6 phones.
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Re: Staying In Touch on the Road: Part 1

Former Member ·
Ran across this device for charging smartphones http://www.jackeryusa.com/
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Re: Minneapolis in the winter

Former Member ·
The Mall's more interesting than you might think - besides the shopping there are the restaurants, amusement venues, and events going on. Here some info about stuff to see at the Mall http://www.mallofamerica.com/attractions To get to the Mall of America you Take Metro Transit (easy and clean) From Minneapolis Hiawatha Light Rail (Route 55) - The Hiawatha light-rail line offers fast, frequent service from downtown (5th Street) to Mall of America. Hiawatha light-rail trains leave every 7.5...
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Re: Gumbo's Pic of the Day, Mar. 30, 2014: Jean Cocteau on Wine

Paul Heymont ·
Well, borders change and Jerez is no longer "on the edge" of anything. Aside from the sherry houses, it seemed a pleasant mid-size city with nice parks and squares, a gorgeous tiled rail station and an Alcazar with an interesting history. The last two are featured in a blog here on TravelGumbo. See https://www.travelgumbo.com/blo...-window-into-history
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Re: Where in the World is TravelGumbo? (#71)

Paul Heymont ·
Jonathan L's e-mail to suggestions@travelgumbo.com yesterday correctly identified the scene as being along the Petite Ceinture, a former commuter and freight rail line circling Paris. Last chance for added glory: Can anyone identify the specific station?
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Re: Where in the World is TravelGumbo (#72)

Paul Heymont ·
Have the guessers given up? Perish forbid. Here's a hint to get the juices going... This station, in a city that has two rail mass transit systems, is near a well-known center of design and crafts.
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Re: Where in the World is TravelGumbo (#72)

Jonathan L ·
Two rail systems? Berlin??
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Re: Where in the World is TravelGumbo (#72)

Paul Heymont ·
Other cities with at least two distinct rail mass transit systems (excluding trams) include Barcelona, New York, and London. So...where is Gumbo? The rest of yesterday's clue should help...in fact each of my comments contains a piece of the puzzle...
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Re: Where in the World is TravelGumbo (#72)

Paul Heymont ·
CALLING ALL GUESSERS! Tomorrow is Day 7 for this puzzle, and if no one has the answer by midnight, the Puzzler gets to gloat (just a little) and the answer will be revealed Sunday morning...but wouldn't it look good with your name as the solver? Let's see if you can get 'er done! Last hints/notes: 1. Two more cities with dual heavy-rail transit systems: Philadelphia and San Francisco. Not that that's relevant to the puzzle, because Gumbo is, yes, definitely in Europe. 2. Where (see early...
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Re: Where in the World is TravelGumbo (#72)

GarryRF ·
From your clues PHeymont - I'd guess the Rambuteau rail station. Close to the Pompidou Centre in Paris.
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Re: Where in the World is TravelGumbo (#72)

Jonathan L ·
The yellow rail might mean that it is a subway line somewhere.
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Re: Gallery: Bicycles, Lucca, Italy

Paul Heymont ·
These small views, with their varied backgrounds and very personal bikes, give me a sense of knowing Lucca, even though I haven't been there yet. It seems a quieter energy than what comes from bicycles in huge masses...consider this shot from Copenhagen's Osterport rail station:
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Re: London- multiple questions

Paul Heymont ·
I can only help with one of the questions...but GarryRF, one of the TG Gurus, lives in Liverpool and can certainly help with that part. For Stonehenge without a car, there are really two main options. There are a number of tour operators who run coach tours from London to the site; or you can take a train from London to Salisbury and take a bus from the station to the Stonehenge visitor center. The visitor center is new since I was there; it's about 10 minutes by shuttle from the stones...
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Re: How loooong does it take to get to your airport?

Paul Heymont ·
There's certainly a lot of variation, as I also noted above. And sometimes the planners don't help much either, as is the case with all three of our New York airports, where the whole AirTrain concept is completely botched. At Kennedy, the AirTrain's stations are not in, but sort of near, the terminals. That means you have to drag your stuff outside, across the roadways, and then up stairs or elevator to the train. And then, you have a choice of going to the commuter rail station (about 3...
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Re: Where in the World is TravelGumbo (#131)

Travel Luver ·
An old spot, but not ancient. Old crumbling cement and overgrown vegetation... A rail that looks abandoned and paved over. Could be anywhere....
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Re: Where in the World is TravelGumbo (#85)

Paul Heymont ·
For sure not very old. Probably not a church, though these days.... My first thoughts were a rail or air terminal, but seeing the second roof in the background makes me less sure of that...
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Re: Where in the World is TravelGumbo (#85)

DrFumblefinger ·
I like your idea of a rail terminal of some kind, PHeymont. Perhaps twin rails with a canopy on each side?
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Re: Strictly for the Birds...

Paul Heymont ·
While searching for some other photos, I came across these two that might have joined the birds above. One is a scene of well-mannered pigeons on a rail at the Musee Rodin in Paris, perhaps waiting their turn to annoy diners in the garden cafe; the other is yet another of those ironic meetings of statue-fied dignity with feathered pit stop...
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Re: Postcard delayed in the mail...138 years!

DrFumblefinger ·
Where did it go? The same place socks in the dryer go.
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Re: Belles lettres et de belles choses: A wanderer's gallery

Paul Heymont ·
Another find for the Belles Lettres category: The 19th-c sign atop the older part of Madrid's Atocha rail station.
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Re: Best Ways To Reach Heathrow Airport Quickly In London

Dan Carter ·
I just noticed this morning in TravelGumbo News that Heathrow Express is cutting its fares because of competiton with train service that wasn't mentioned here. That's what used to be called Heathrow Connect, and is now called TfL Rail, and will soon be called the Elizabeth Line. It's only 15 minutes slower than the Express, and the price is the same as the Tube. Both of those go only to Paddington Station in London, way in the West End, but once TfL Rail is connected to the new Crossrail...
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Re: Stockholm's "blue hall", where the Nobel awards reception dinner is held each year

DrFumblefinger ·
Garry's got it right. It was initially to be painted blue (like the Swedish flag), but the architect so loved the look of the space he left it as it was when made. Still, the name stuck. Sort of like Tunnel Mountain in Banff, which was to have a railway tunnel blasted through, although the rail was diverted and no tunnel ever made.
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Re: Around the World in...10 low-cost airlines

Travel Rob ·
I didn't go around the world last summer, but I did take an array of budget flights, buses, trains and ferries on a two month trip. Norwegian was my favorite budget airline I took. I also enjoyed the Rail and Sail package from Virgin Trains to Dublin from England.
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Re: How do you buy your travel?

HistoryDigger ·
I use booking.com the most for hotels and apartments because I can cancel. Sometimes I can't decide what part of town I want to be in, so I book more than one and keep researching until I have found the right spot. (I don't hold extra reservations long...just sayin'.) I love that booking.com now shows apartments and houses via villa.com because I always refer having a kitchen when I travel. I, too, use OTAs to see prices and schedules, and then I go to the airline's web page for booking.
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Re: How do you buy your travel?

Paul Heymont ·
Few more thoughts, following HistoryDigger and DrFumblefinger... 1. Definitely check all your affiliations on car rental; after years of getting better price through AAA than any other way I knew, I recently found that going to the same vendors through USAA (my car insurance) gets me even better. 2. Not only does Priceline have good pricing on cars, I've often found I can get 30-40% lower through their blind-bidding (Name Your Own Price) service. 3. RailEurope is something of a red flag for...
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Re: Where in the World is TravelGumbo #153?

Paul Heymont ·
Looks a bit like a turntable with rails? But there's no overhead wire or third rail, so...
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Re: Inset steps, Santiago de Cuba

Travel Rob ·
Good thing its got that rail or it would be called the widow maker stairs.
Member

Trainman

Trainman
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Re: Weekend getaways. Where's your favorite spot

Dan Carter ·
Haven't gotten into West Coast stuff yet, but back east I had a few favorites I'd suggest to anyone. One is Lancaster County, PA. I know it's overflowing with fake Amish stuff and all, but behind that there's a real local history and culture (and some real Amish culture as well)...and the Strasburg Rail Road, a steam road that's an afternoon's fun...and the Pennsylvania State Railroad museum...and the National Toy Train Museum (which could take up a whole day if your companions share your...
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Re: Spain or Portugal?

Paul Heymont ·
Portugal's rail system feels a bit worn in places, and some trains look terrible from outside...but the interiors are clean and the system seems to work. Not a terribly large country, so that time between the two largest cities (Lisbon and Porto) is about 3.5 hours. If you add in getting to the airport early and getting in from the airport at the other end, it's probably faster than flying. Other significant points in Portugal also have reasonable rail service, including Coimbra, the...
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Re: Where in the World is TravelGumbo? #64

Paul Heymont ·
I think the terrain may be deceptive (or the bridge). If the terrain is flat, why would the rail line be elevated in this way? On the other hand, the area may be less flat than it looks from this spot...
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Re: Where in the World is TravelGumbo? #64

DrFumblefinger ·
It not only could be the rail viaduct in Lethbridge, Roderick, it is the Rail Viaduct in Lethbridge. It's really quite an interesting engineering achievement. We'll discuss tomorrow and we'll have a new puzzle for you on Thursday. You guys are getting too good at these! Anyone out there have a puzzle photo they'd like to submit? Please let us know if you do.
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Re: Gumbo's Pic of the Day, Apr. 2, 2014: Looking Across Time

Paul Heymont ·
And there's a chance for the puzzle-minded: Paris has six operating SNCF mainline rail stations today. Without Google, can you name them all?
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A Remote Canadian Village offers Indescribable Natural Discoveries

Marilyn Jones ·
  As I left the hotel in Winnipeg I was outfitted in all my brand new cold-weather gear headed for the airport and a two hour flight to the remote village of Churchill.  I prayed my preparation for facing the sub-zero temperatures and brutal...
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For those who hate Heathrow, Gatwick plans new allure

Paul Heymont ·
London's Gatwick Airport, second only to Heathrow in British air traffic, is in a hot competition with Heathrow for the right to build an additional runway to accommodate growing air traffic in Southeast Britain. Part of its strategy is to line up a...
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New Eurostar Service, London - Provence

PortMoresby ·
Eurostar is expanding its service and, beginning May 1, 2015, offering direct trains to Lyon and the South of France, Avignon and Marseille, from London.  It's a particular benefit to those not stopping in Paris (although I can't imagine not...
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STORM WATCH: CHECK BEFORE YOU GO

Paul Heymont ·
See the News section below for links to new updates as the major northeast blizzard develops...many flights have already been cancelled pre-emptively to avoid having travelers—and planes—trapped. Many city and intercity road and rail...
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Ambitious Plans Presented For High -Speed Train & Mega Road to Link Europe to Asia

Travel Rob ·
In the future,will you be able to take a high speed train and or drive a modern road from Europe to Asia or even Europe to the US? Some ambitious plans were presented at the Russian Academy of Science. Vladimir Yakunin ,head of the Russian Railways ,...
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Eurostar's direct London-Marseille route opens

Paul Heymont ·
London-Marseille in 6-1/2 hours without changing trains, or heading early to airports and finding your way back to downtown. That's the premise of Eurostar's new direct service from London's Saint Pancras to Marseille's Saint Charles stations. The...
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Chicago set to open new rail-line park

Paul Heymont ·
Chicago will open its new Bloomingdale Trail, a park built on 2.7 miles of abandoned railway on June 6. That's 6/06 if you write it a different way, and 606 is both the root of Chicago area codes, and the name of an overall park project (the606) that...
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Gold Country, California: The Nevada County Narrow Gauge Railroad Museum

PortMoresby ·
  I thought this series about Gold Country was done.  But I realize now that may not be true for some time.  About 6 months ago, wanting to replace the wood stove in my house that was installed when the house was built in 1978, I called...
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London Plans to Expand its 24 Hour Weekend Tube Service

Travel Rob ·
London had previously announced that the Tube would offer 24-hour weekend trains on the Piccadilly, Victoria, Central, Jubilee and Northern lines starting on September 12. This past Friday, London Mayor Boris Johnson and Chancellor George Osborne said...
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Local travel is up, too: Highest transit use since 1956

Paul Heymont ·
While other reports focus on growth in travel and tourism across oceans and continents, another figure has been growing, too. U.S. mass transit, once spoken of mainly in the past tense by planners focused on a car-centric future, has climbed back in...
 
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