Salem-News.com Travel articles Page 4

President Reveals A Vision for High Speed Rail (VIDEO)

Obama says the high-speed rail system will reduce traffic on the road, lower our dependence on foreign oil, and lower the bill for gasoline.

(WASHINGTON, D.C.) - "I'm happy to be here. I’m more happy than you can imagine," said the Vice President, a noted rail enthusiast, before introducing the President for the release of his strategic plan for high speed rail in America.

Revolving around the $8 billion in the Recovery Act and the $1 billion per year for five years requested in the President’s budget to get these projects off the ground, the President painted the picture that will become a reality as a result of these investments

Wagging it at the Waterfront…Huntington Beach

Wouldn’t it be loverly to learn how to surf with your dog in Surf City USA?

(HUNTINGTON BEACH, Calif.) - With an 8.5-mile stretch of pristine shoreline, popularly known as “Surf City USA” (celebrating its 100th year in 2009), Huntington Beach is home to a world famous municipal pier and is a west coast surf mecca for more than 8 million annual visitors.

Huntington Beach is a mere 30-minute drive from the Orange county cities of Costa Mesa, Irvine, Santa Ana and Tustin.

Wagging it at the Waterfront...Newport Beach

Great ideas when visiting Newport Beach, California.

(NEWPORT BEACH, Calif.) - The pet friendliest place to stay in Newport Beach when you and your pooch need some luxurious pampering is the Island Hotel, located adjacent to the Fashion Island Mall.

Pet amenities include a freshly baked fragrant and chewy dog bone made by Executive Pastry Chef Michael Owens. Each bone is handcrafted from wheat and rice flour and chicken stock.

Top 14 Most Romantic Inns in California

A chance to check out some of the most romantic getwaways in the Golden State!

(PACIFIC GROVE, Calif.) - For Valentine's Day, a June wedding, or any special romantic occasion(anniversary), here are my picks for THE 14 most romantic inns in California.

Whether you enjoy a mountain retreat, an ocean getaway with the sights and sounds of undulating ocean waves, or a romantic haven in the desert, this list has something for everyone.

Mañana

Inside perspective on life in Argentina from a former resident of Oregon.

(EL BOLSON, Argentina) - Manana is a word that gets no respect from English speakers. Northerners say it with a whiney nasal quality that suggests it’s something less than it is, tomorrow. It’s a derisive codeword for “maybe never.” Argentines resent this because to them, manana has a very clear and precise meaning, sometime next week.

En dos o tres dias is Argentine Spanish for “maybe never”. At least that’s been our experience here in Patagonia.

We arrived in El Bolson just three days prior to the contractual deadline for the completion of our house.

Islas Malvinas Day in Argentina

Holy week would be a crowded and noisy salute to the last of summer’s heat, but we were able to endure until Easter, the return of rain and peace at last.

(FALKLAND ISLANDS, Argentina) - Islas Malvinas Day came and went. A thief in the night, it hid itself at the beginning of la semana santa (holy week) and managed to stay unnoticed in the shadows of the grander holidays that would follow.

There were no conspicuous displays of Argentine flags, parades, fireworks or other conventional displays of patriotic fervor.

In el Bolson, the only inkling we had that there was a holiday afoot was that the banks were closed; but in a town with only two banks that stay open only three hours per day, most closures go by unnoticed. The 24-hour teller machines did a nonetheless brisk business.

Flop in Chile

World travels from a former Willamette Valley resident.

(EL BOLSON, Argentinia) - When a person isn’t well, it’s always best to be among friends and neighbors, people who care. This thought echoed in my head as Gail and I got off the bus back in el Bolson after our difficult trip to Chile.

Once we were safely back at el Molinito, there would be the comfort of others who would help you to focus away from your illness and offer support, even if those people distracted you only by means of their fixations on their own problems.

Being sick on the road in a foreign country is no picnic and we were glad the trip was over.

Multnomah Sheriff Asks Residents to Stay Off Roads

If you are stuck at the side of the road and decide to keep your car running and lights on, make sure your tail pipe is clear of snow so as to vent engine exhaust to the outside.

(PORTLAND, Ore.) - Extremely hazardous roads are reported in Multnomah County at this time. The Multnomah Sheriff's Office asks everyone not engaged in essential services to stay off the roads, especially I-84 east of I-5, which was officially closed by ODOT from Troutdale to Hood River.

Doggone Fun Holiday Getaways

Travel writer CeliaSue Hecht highlights another one of the best vacation spots on the west coast for people who like to travel with man's best friend.

(MENDOCINO ) - Gotta getaway for the holidays with Fido and Fluffy without breaking the bank? Try pet friendly Mendocino.There is fun in them thar verdant rolling hills plus the pooch pounding surf of the Pacific ocean.

When It`s Raining Cats and Dogs Outside

It's winter and that means some rainy days and nights. What can you do with your dog when it is raining cats and dogs outside? Here are 11 suggestions…

(FLORENCE, Ore.) - Take your dog to the beach anyway, who cares, let it rain, let it pour, the water in the Pacific ocean is wet and splish splash. Some fun doggie beaches can be found along the Oregon coast in Florence, Newport, Lincoln City, Bandon and others).

Give your dog a treat and watch a doggy movie together like Lassie, Big Yeller, or 101 Dalmatians… woof woof woof…chestnuts roasting by the fire, cuddle up by the fireplace, if you have one and enjoy popcorn and doggie treats…

Visit the pet store, outlet mall or indoor mall where you can roam around with your pooch… My dog Cici loves to visit folks so this has been a big hit when it was too hot outside to breathe in the summer, but this can also work on rainy days.