Tagged With "John A Burns"
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Re: United's Award Chart: Premium Award Cost Goes UP
Not sure I agree with the "burn 'em" philosophy. At the premium class end, there's certainly been a lot of creep, but not so much in coach, which is more price-sensitive, even for awards. True, summer awards to Europe have generally gone from 50K to 60K, but on the other hand, off-season at American went DOWN to 40K--and with the flexibility of taking one-way awards and combining them in interesting ways...it's actually a better situation. Also, there are some card-linked sales on flight...
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Re: United's Award Chart: Premium Award Cost Goes UP
John's point about the ratio between the two tiers is interesting (we looked at that a little in a forum post this week on value of miles). My guess--and it's just that--is that the same kind of yield-management used to set prices has taken a look at this and is carefully balancing loyalty vs. burn... I can't really compare East vs West availability personally; my school schedules have defined when I can travel well enough that I'm able to start hunting tickets 330 days out, when the...
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Re: John Denver Sanctuary, Aspen
That sanctuary is beautiful and the fact that it's free is amazing. Very nice photos! I'll have to stop there next time I'm in the area.
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Re: Trainer for Day: Dolphinarium, Puerto Vallarta, Mexico
Great question -- and I should have put that in. The water was warm -- in the low to mid 80's ( Fahrenheit ). My wife is a woos, so she wore a skin (actually to prevent sun burn). You are not allowed to wear sun-screen as it contaminates the water for the dolphins!
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Re: Gumbo's Pic of the Day, June 18th, 2014: Bears
Hi Mr. Heymont, thanks for your story. Yes, they are strong and it is nearly impossible to stop them from getting in to something that they really want in to. They used to dump our garbage all the time and Dad tried everything but to no avail. Finally, he chained them all together, three big barrels, and that finally stopped the bears from being able to overturn them. They still dug inside and sometimes spread the garbage around a little but it did help a bit. We would also try to burn it...
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Re: Gibside, Tyne and Wear
Perhaps the most famous member of the Bowes-Lyon family was one born just a few years after the family stopped living at Gibside. Elizabeth Angela Marguerite Bowes-Lyon, born in 1900, was the ninth (of ten) daughters of the 14th Earl, married the future King George VI, and then Queen Elizabeth the "Queen Mum."
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Re: Shelter in hotel: New trend?
For those with money to burn and a bit of disdain for 'the rest of us,' there's an alternative in Zurich: Le Bijou Hotel and Resort, formerly a luxury apartment building and now renting out as "quarantine apartments" for $12-14,000 a night. As an add-on, the hotel is offering a $500 virus screening test by a local clinic: "You don't need to expose yourself to infected patients and hospital infections: Together with our healthcare partner Double Check, we provide medical check-ups and...
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Re: January 21, 2019: Saint John City Market, New Brunswick, Canada
Terrific photos of color and texture. The fresh produce is appetizingly displayed.
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Re: Meeting of John Hamilton Grays
Charlottetown has a lot of cool statues throughout the city. I like to take photos of the signs telling about the statues. Heres the one for this
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Re: 100 Years of Flight in Kitty Hawk, NC
I empathize with your rainy, muddy experience. That is no fun. As I recall, Kitty Hawk is also very windy, one of the reasons the Wright brothers chose it. They knew if they could fly their plane into the wind for some distance, no one could challenge the fact that they had flown a heavier than air machine. I regard this as one of the greatest stories of the 20th century. Two creative guys from a bicycle shop in the midwest designed and developed a successful flying machine. It didn't take a...
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Re: 100 Years of Flight in Kitty Hawk, NC
Great Piece! I've been to the Outer Banks several times and the wind always seems to make it cold. It is a neat area and I learned to always bundle up when headed there.
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Re: 100 Years of Flight in Kitty Hawk, NC
Thanks for the comment guys. It has been a while and I did forget to mention the fact that the Wright Brothers were workers in a bicycle shop which makes their story even more amazing! As always DrFumblefinger, thanks for the input
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Re: Museum find: GE's 'missing' electric car
Love it! Exactly the type of finding that makes a trip memorable. Something proponents of electric cars seem to forget or choose to ignore -- where does the electricity come from? Currently mostly from coal and oil fired plants, so the practical side of having them for most doesn't currently make that much sense (might as well burn the oil product in the car engine, right). But I am hopeful that was energy technology improves, as it surely will, we'll develop better ways of charging these...
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Re: Boston Public Library (Where Gumbo was #150)
What an amazing library! I look forward to seeing it. It is amazing how many of us love libraries. So far,my two favorites are both in Manchester, England.
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Re: Boston Public Library (Where Gumbo was #150)
And lets not forget Melvil Dewey - a Librarian in the North-East USA who invented the Dewey Decimal System (1876) which is now used in more than 135 Countries ! A wonderful collection of photo's. Love architecture.
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Re: Gumbo's Pic of the Day, Mar 10, 2014: Fiori di Como, The Bellagio, Las Vegas
Well, when you're in Vegas for your anniversary sometime GarryRF, spring for the Bellagio for even just one night and let your beloved wife see the fountain show from that side of the street! I enjoy Vegas in small snippets -- 2-3 days every few years is about perfect. Great place to meet friends, eat well and enjoy a show. Gamble if you want, though I find it too painful to have my wallet stripped that way. I like to go there in the spring and fall so I can head into the surrounding desert...
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Re: Baja California: La Paz — John Steinbeck’s “The Pearl”
Thanks for the note, TravelandNature! AeroMexico has pretty regularly scheduled flights into La Paz, though through Mexico City, so you'll have to connect. Worth checking major search engines like Expedia or Kayak, though, because it is a rather long drive, though I enjoy the desert scenery of Baja California.
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Re: A visit to Saudi Arabia: Part I
1) The process is easier for a Muslim who is going on a hajj. However, unless you are native born, you must present a document from the Imam of your mosque documenting your status as a Muslim in good standing. For a Caucasian woman who is a converted Muslim, you must still get permission from your husband or a male relative, along with the letter from the mosque to allow you to make the hajj. 2) Between my wife and I (she actually presented our documents each time to the consulate in Los...
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Re: Visiting John Steinbeck country. 2) Salinas: the National Steinbeck Center
DrFumblefinger- A wonderful presentation on the the National Steinbeck Center.I felt like I went along! It really seems that the Center does a excellent job of informing us on the life of John Steinbeck!
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Re: Visiting John Steinbeck country. 2) Salinas: the National Steinbeck Center
If you don't like Steinbeck, you'd still learn a lot about the man and this period of American history. If you're as fond of him as I am, it's an absolute treat to visit this place, TravelRob!
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Re: Visiting John Steinbeck country. 3) Cannery Row, Monterey, California
I first visited Cannery Row in 1964, on a trip from the Bay Area in my '53 Plymouth with friends, going to the Monterey Folk Festival. We slept free on the floor of a room in the Monterey Hotel of someone we met and generally had the kind of fun kids had in the mid-'60s. At that time Cannery Row looked not unlike the photo at the top, and nothing like it does today. It's the same old story for old-timers everywhere, it ain't what it was, if you're a fan of funky, as I am. The difference, in...
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Re: Visiting John Steinbeck country. 3) Cannery Row, Monterey, California
Thanks for the comment, PortMoresby. I am not fond of places badly decayed, but it would be nice to have more of the original cannery scenario still in place, instead of all the tourist traps. Agree about the Monterey Bay Aquarium. It's not to be missed, but was omitted from this piece because it didn't exist in John Steinbeck's time.
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Re: Visiting John Steinbeck country. 1) Salinas: the Steinbeck House
Thanks for the excellent tour. I haven't been there yet. I'm starting to notice the details of your pictures - that staircase looks more like a ladder - oh, so steep. (Look forward to the museum, I have been there.) - Lynn
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Memphis, Tennessee 3) The rest of the city
There’s a lot more to Memphis than Graceland, although Graceland is by far the city’s most popular attraction (which I’ve previously discussed here ). A city of about 650,000, Memphis has a...
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The Loire River Valley
Many find a visit to the Loire Valley to be the highlight of their visit to France, as did we. When we were planning our journey I discussed our itinerary with my friend, Wayne. Wayne and his wife had...
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San Juan's El Morro: Layers of Stone, Layers of History (Where Gumbo Was, #84)
El Morro, the giant fortification that's guarded San Juan Harbor for nearly 500 years, is the sight we saw before we saw it. Its image is everywhere when you do online research for a trip to Puerto Rico; its "garitas"—small domed...
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Visiting Western Greenland. Part II – Western Greenland on Foot!
Part I covered three Greenlandic towns I have visited but my real passion is being out in West Greenland’s wilderness. So this part is about what it has to offer those willing to get out there on foot and under canvas! I...
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Rocky Mountain High? Not at Denver Airport!
While Colorado has made recreational use of marijuana legal, it's also given business owners and building operators the right to ban it on premises—and both Denver and Colorado Springs airports have done so. Now, a vendor is suing the Denver...
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United "right-sizes" its fleet; who's next?
United Airlines has just announced a whole bunch of swaps and changes in its fleet, based on changed priorities and preferences. Among the key changes: more wide-body domestic service, swapping some 787 orders for 777s, and phasing out the 50-seaters...
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Charleston's Cathedral of St. John the Baptist: Where Gumbo Was (#76)
Visiting Charleston recently, I was struck by its handsome cathedral and unusual spire. The church seems reasonably well-rooted in the 19th century, but the tower reminded me of the turn-of-the-last-century church of Saint-Jean-de-Montmartre ...
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United upgrades Newark Terminal——including meals for miles
United and the company that manages its Terminal C at Newark have a new way for you to burn miles: You can now use your United Mileage Plus points to buy food and merchandise in the terminal. It's believed to be the first place to allow in-person use...
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SAS takes different tack to trans-Atlantic competition
SAS has felt the burn from Norwegian and other low-cost carriers, but its plans call not for direct competition but serving a higher-priced segment.
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June 2, 2017: Causey Arch, England
A historic 18th century railway bridge is today's Picture of the Day, with beautiful photos and narrative from Ian Cook.
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Saltburn by the Sea, North Yorkshire
Paul Hunter has visited Saltburn since his childhood, and finds it still holds its Victorian charm.
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The Casements—Winter Home of John D Rockefeller
Visit the place the Rockefellers went to escape winter. Samantha shows us around and gives its history.
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6 Reasons Kayaking Must Be In Your Bucket List
You must be having your bucket list consisting of one or the other adventure you want to do in life. Be it scuba diving or bungee jumping; one should try something that gives a thrilling experience. However, there are few people for whom safety comes first. Kayaking is something that’s meant for them. It is one of the most exciting and amazing adventures of all time. Kayaking is a dazzling experience especially when you get extraordinary sights and views altogether. The kayaking at Los...
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April 16, 2020: Caribbean in Mothballs
GarryRF reflects on his favorite Caribbean spot, and how those who work there are affected by the current lockdowns.
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Deadly disease threatens olives
A deadly bactierial infection is threatening Europe's olive industry, with disastrous effects already seen in parts of Italy.
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Airbus testing a blended-wing plane
Airbus has some model fun as well as serious research with its giant model airplane, a possible design for future flying.
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January 4, 2020: Statue of Pope John Paul II, Krakow
DrFumblefinger visits a statue of Pope John Paul II on Wawel Hill -- home of Krakow's royal past.
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United gives Airbus a big nod
United signs up with Airbus for 757 replacements while Boeing continues to consider a new 'mid-market' plane.
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Crisis speeding up 747 retirements
With many routes on hiatus and demand for seats low, airlines that planned to retire the jumbos soon have accelerated the process.
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Qantas pilots and Operation Sunrise
As Project Sunrise ultra-long flights get closer, staffing remains a thorny issue.
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March 7, 2020: Tosson Lime Kiln near Rothbury Northumberland.
Tosson Lime Kiln near Rothbury is the best-preserved in Northumberland.
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Why your airline chose your plane
As you settle down into your seat, comfortably at the front of the plane (above) or squeezed into the last inches at the back (below), you must have sometimes wondered how the airline chose the plane you’re sitting in or why the schedule...
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John Denver Sanctuary, Aspen
Many of you remember folksy singer, Henry John Deutschendorf, Jr , better known by his stage name, John Denver . John was a talented and very successful singer, songwriter and actor who made his home in Aspen,...
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Carnival orders 9 new ships, including world's 4 largest
The world's-largest ship title just got a new winner. Carnival has just ordered nine new ships, and four of them, at 180,000 tons and 6,600 passengers, will be the world's largest. That beats Royal Caribbean's Oasis-class ships that hold up to 6,450....
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Chicago's History Museum knows the city's story
When it comes to the great Chicago Fire of 1871, seen in a diorama above, the Chicago History Museum knows all about it: The museum, founded in 1856, was destroyed in the fire and had to start again from scratch—only to burn again in 1874....
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Monochrome
We're happy to have the work of many fine photographers featured on the website, including Ian Cook's. Ian is a superb photographer whose work often focuses on Northumberland in England. This gallery features beautiful monochrome images.
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March 21, 2018: Steamboat Park- North Dakota
Samantha shares her visit to Steamboat Park in North Dakota and her connection to the Lewis and Clark Expedition.