Travel Postcard 

National Parks Photo Contest and Crabbiest Person Contest Among Latest Travel News Items

by
George and Ninette Medovoy

Remember that great picture you took at a national park last summer? Everyone said it should win a prize - and now it can! 

A national contest, the "National Parks Pass Experience Your America Photo Contest," is accepting any photo taken by an amateur photographer in a national park since Jan. 1, 2000. The winning image will be announced in May 2001, and will appear on the 2002 National Parks Pass. The photographer submitting the wining image will get a trip for four to any national park, a Kodak camera kit, and a personalized National Parks Pass.

The contest, said Robert Stanton, director of the National Park Service, "is another great way for Americans to get involved with their national parks, whether it be with a school class, with their family, or on their own. "Every visitor has a unique experience and fond memories that he or she will carry for a lifetime," he said. "This contest gives everyone the chance to share those memories with the nation."

A complete list of contest rules and official brochures with entry forms is available at national parks, can be downloaded at www.NationalParks.org, or by sending a self-addressed, stamped envelope to: National Parks Pass Photo Contest Rules, P.O. Box 5220, Young America, MN 55558-5220. 

The contest began Dec. 5 and will end on March 15, 01.

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LOOKING FOR CRABBY PEOPLE: It's that time again, when the Little River Inn in Mendocino holds the "Crabbiest Person Contest" in connection with Mendocino Crab & Wine Days Jan. 26 - Feb. 4.

All you do is submit a written entry describing in 150 words or less the crabbiest person you ever met. Story, narrative, poem, serious, humorous, whimsical, or satirical - you decide. 

The winner gets a two-night stay in an ocean view room with fireplace, a breakfast and a dinner for two, a round of golf and spa treatment from the spa. 

Email your entry to: lri@mcn.org, or send it by snail mail to: Little River Inn, P.O. Box B, Little River, CA 95456. Entries must reach the inn by Jan. 26.

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TAKE A BEACH BREAK: Seascape Resort in Aptos, nine miles south of Santa Cruz, is offering discounts on all luxuriously appointed suites and beach villas for last-minute winter weekend getaways.

One-bedroom suites, featuring a private balcony facing the Monterey Bay, kitchenette, fireplace and queen-size bed in the bedroom and sofa sleeper in the living room, start at $155 per night, discounted from the regular rate of $245. 

Ideal for a family getaway, Seascape's two-bedroom beach villas start at $249 per night, compared to the regular rate of $385. 

Seascape Resort is set on 45 acres of breathtaking coastal bluffs and overlooks 17 miles of sandy beach. The resort offers a wide array of amenities, including three ocean-view pools, 11 tennis courts complete with health and fitness center, full-service spa and championship golf.

Seascape's Sanderlings Restaurant features many seafood dishes.

More information: Seascape at 800-929-7727.
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SAIL HAWAII: United States Lines has launched the largest and most contemporary cruise ship dedicated to sailing among the Hawaiian Islands year-round. The 1,212-passenger "ms Patriot," newly emerged from a $21-million renovation and flying the U.S. flag, departed Honolulu Dec. 9, for the first of its weekly cruises to five ports on Oahu, Kauai, Maui and the Big Island of Hawaii.

The ship features 80 optional island adventures, Hawaiian cultural enrichment, an extensive spa, fitness and recreational programs, and American and Pacific Rim cuisine. 

The ship also has a Hawaiian Destination Learning Center, children's and teen activity centers, and upgraded conference and meeting facilities.

For more information: your travel agent or www.amcv.com.
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CENTRAL AMERICAN SAILINGS: World Explorer Cruises will feature special introductory fares for its new Central American sailings, which begin Dec. 2001. 

Fares for the two, 18-night, year-end holiday season cruises begin at $2,330 ($129.45 per day), with the second person in the cabin half off. Fares are based on double occupancy and are cruise only. Port fees are included in the fares.

World Explorer will also offer these other incentives: 

Solo Travelers - A solo traveler offer with no "single supplement" surcharge is available in selected cabin categories;

Family Rates - A third and fourth passenger offer is available at $895 per person when the cabin is shared with two full-fare guests;

Roundtrip Cruise Fares - Special pricing for the back-to-back, 36 nights, roundtrip, Nassau-Ensenada, Miami double cruise includes 10 percent savings, as low as $100 per day, double occupancy.

Past World Explorer Cruisers - If you've cruised with World Explorer before, the company will reward you with an additional five percent savings.

If you book by Aug. 15, 2001, you will get a $100 per person TravelSmith Outfitting merchandise certificate or a $500 per person certificate if booked by Nov. 15, 2001, limit two per cabin.

Here are the dates of the sailings: Central American/Panama Canal Westbound Adventure - Nassau to Ensenada, Mexico, Dec. 12-20, 2001, and Central America/Panama Canal Eastbound Adventure - Ensenada to Miami, Dec. 30, 2001 to Jan. 17, 2002.

For More information: your travel agent or World Explorer Cruises at 800-854-3835.

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STEINBECK BIRTHDAY: The Inns of Monterey will mark John Steinbeck's birthday with special packages valid March 1-31, 2001.

The "Steinbeck Package" includes one-night accommodations, complimentary continental breakfast, and a copy of Steinbeck's Cannery Row.

The package consists of a suite at the Hotel Pacific for $189 per night; a room with marble fireplace at the Victorian Inn for $149 per night; a room with a harbor view at the Monterey Bay Inn for $199 per night; or a Cannery Row view room with fireplace at the Spindrift Inn for $199 per night.

These rates are available Sunday through Thursday on a space available basis. Tuesday, Feb. 27 would be Steinbeck's 98th birthday.

For more information: 800-232-4141 or visit: www.coastalhotel.com.
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LET'S WALK: Country Walkers, a tour company presenting worldwide walking itineraries, has added seven new walking and three snowshoe tours to its itineraries.
Vermont-based Country Walkers is introducing these new destinations: California, the Smoky Mountains, Sweden, Spain's Catalonia region (where Barcelona is located), Australia, Thailand, and a Peru Trek along the Inca Trail.

Complementing the walking programs are snowshoe tours to Italy's Dolomites region, the Canadian Rockies and Vermont.

The walks feature the cuisine of the region, first-class accommodations and five- to 16-day adventures, with departures throughout the year.

For more information: 800-464-9255,or visit www.countrywalkers.com.
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HOMEWOOD KIDS PROGRAM: Homewood's "Snowstars" program for children offers either half or full-day lessons for children ages 4-10. The ski and snowboard lessons include snow riders of all skill levels, from first-timers to the more advanced.

The program takes place at the newly renovated Children's Center, located at South Lodge, 100 Ski Bowl Way, Homewood. The center is open daily from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Prices are $45 for a half day and $65 for an all-day ski lesson, which includes lunch. Half days run from 8:30 a.m. - noon or 12:30 p.m.- 4 p.m. All-day lessons are from 8:30 a.m. - 4 p.m.

Homewood Mountain Resort is located six miles south of Tahoe City and 19 miles north of South Lake Tahoe on Highway 89.

For more information: 530-525-2992 or visit www.skihomewood.com.

Homewood is also offering $25 Value Days weekday lift tickets. The offer is good Monday - Thursday, except for Dec. 23-Jan. 7 and Jan. 13-15 and Feb. 17-23.

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KIRKWOOD DEALS: Save some money and get a snack for the slopes on the way to Kirkwood by visiting a participating Northern California and Nevada Subway store and picking up a discount voucher, providing $10 savings on first-time skier/boarder or Mighty Mountain packages, $5 on adult and $3 on young adult life tickets. No purchase necessary.

Kirkwood's frequent skier club allows members to save $5 every time they ski/ride and get their fifth day of skiing free. All it takes is $10 to sign up either on-line at www.kirkwood.com or the first day at the resort. Kirkwood is 35 minutes by car from the South Lake Tahoe Airport via State Routes 89 South and Highway 8 West.

More information: 1-877-KIRKWOOD or visit www.kirkwood.com 

Happy travels!

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Email: George and Ninette Medovoy