Travel Goal Getter Travel Blog

the right to recline or the right to defend your knees?

9/19/2014

This is serious travel business. It can be the difference between a miserable flight or a productive one. Restless hours or a sleep-filled trip. Ira Goldman, a 6'3" traveler invented the Knee Defender gadget to prevent being bumped in the knees by the seat in front of him on the airplane. Two little plastic clips attach to the seat-back table to keep the seat in front of you in an upright position. Fantastic. You use the clips so you no longer worry that the seat is going to abruptly come back on your laptop, or slam your knees at any moment. However, not so fantastic for the person in front of you that likes to recline, just that little bit, for a more comfortable position during the flight. This obvious conflict made the news this week when on a United flight, a fight ensued after one passenger did not want a fellow passenger using the Knee Defender on her seat. This has prompted most airlines to ban the product while others are considering no longer having reclining seats.

Our take, regardless of your view on the issue, is that we wish everyone would be respectful to other passengers and work it out so we all can have a nice flight.

Airlines Ban the Knee Defender, because that's Clearly their Largest Concern, Huffington Post
Plane diverted as Passengers fight over Seat Reclining, The Guardian
Should the Knee Defender be Banned, CNN Travel
Knee Defender can be purchased for $21.95 at www.gadgetduck.com
(remember you may not be able to use it anymore!)

Airline Seat photo used via creative commons by Matthew Hurst.

Author: Alicia

0 Comments

50 state bone marrow donor tour

9/18/2014

2 Comments

Sisters Sam and Alex Kimura and friend, Taylor Shorten have their route planned for 2015 to go to all fifty states. They are traveling alright, but their goal is to sign up as many potential donors to the bone marrow registry as possible along the way. At age 17, Sam was diagnosed with severe aplastic anemia. One option for treatment was a bone marrow transplant. Sam's sister Alex was not a match and they realized they would be dependent upon finding someone - perhaps a stranger - who was willing to donate. Although Sam went forward with another treatment option, the issue of the need for blood marrow donors was close to their hearts. So much that they created S.A.M. - Sharing America's Blood Marrow to spread awareness about blood marrow donation. Now they have an aggressive plan to not only go to every state, but to multiple cities, holding donor sign-up events on college campuses and at hospitals. Check out their route and consider giving a swab.

from the Sharing America's Blood Marrow Facebook page

You can also help out their cause by voting for them in the Expedition Granted contest by National Geographic. They were selected to be finalists out of more than 700 entries. The winner will receive $50,000. S.A.M. would use it to purchase a vehicle for the tour and pay for gas. You can vote once a day at http://expeditiongranted.nationalgeographic.com/.

Best of luck to them in the contest, as they plan their trip, and on their travels next year. We look forward to welcoming them as members in December 2015 and celebrating 50,000 new blood marrow donors.

In their words:
"We hope to save the lives of those fighting blood cancer and other diseases by spreading the word across the country about the need for donors, squashing the myths about the donation process, and turning regular people into heroes by giving them the opportunity to be the cure."
Sharing America's Marrow

Author: Alicia

2 Comments

youngest to visit all 50

9/17/2014

1 Comment

Max age 14, Bowen age 11, Mazie age 9, Sadie age 7

Ben and Heidi Heidger

Oh what those little eyes have seen! American the Beautiful! Congratulations to Sadie Heidger who is currently our youngest All 50 Club member. She completed all 50 at the young age of 7 along with her family of six. The Heidger family cruised to Alaska, flew to Hawaii, and traversed the country in a motor home in just 11 months and 15 days. With children ages 14, 12, 9, and 7 they surely created a never-ending supply of "Remember when......." On their journey they went to more than 60 national parks and monuments, attended the Masters in Augusta, Georgia, and watched the Kentucky Derby and the New York Marathon.
Favorite Place: Bryce Canyon, Utah
Final State: Nebraska, May 2014

Travel Goal Getter - All Fifty Club Record Holders

Author: Alicia

1 Comment

National Anthem girl sang in all 50

9/8/2014

0 Comments

Youtube video courtesy of National Anthem Girl - Janine Stange. Singing in her final state - Tennessee.

Janine Stange is the National Anthem Girl. She is also now a proud member of the All Fifty Club having sung the "The Star Spangled Banner" in all 50 states. Travel Goal Getter was delighted to personally issue her completion certificate in her final state, Tennessee, recognizing her accomplishment.

Janine had sung the national anthem throughout high school and college then developed an idea to use her talent of singing to give back and honor the troops. Her idea became "National Anthem Girl" and a 50 state tour to promote patriotism and gratitude. Her journey began in 2012 and her calendar was quickly filled with performances in front of audiences at basketball, baseball, lacrosse, and football games. She also sang on college campuses, at a NASCAR race, a Professional Bull Riders event and on the USS Missouri at Pearl Harbor and so many more unique venues. Her endeavor came to a fantastic finish at a Tennessee Titans football game on August 28, 2014 in Nashville as she sung in the pouring rain making for a passionate and powerful performance.

As for traveling Janine says, "I've seen so many different landscapes, I've heard so many different accents. I feel like I have a friend in every state." She took pictures, videos, was interviewed by radio and TV stations and connected with so many people along the way. Visit the National Anthem Girl website, Facebook page, and Youtube channel to get to know Janine and see America through her eyes as she sang for people across the country, for her country, and for those who have sacrificed on their behalf.

After many of her performances she gave the audience an opportunity to fill out a thank you card for veterans and those who are currently deployed. The cards will be distributed by Operation Gratitude. Thank you cards and a print of an original poem she wrote about the national anthem are offered to donors to the National Anthem Girl Organization which was formed to support Janine's future endeavors to promote patriotism and gratitude.

Janine's next stop will be at a 9/11 remembrance ceremony in New York City at the National September 11 Memorial and Museum. She will also be a part of the 200th anniversary celebration of the Star Spangled Banner at Fort McHenry in Baltimore, Maryland on September 14th.

All Fifty Club President, Alicia Rovey, was honored to present Janine Stange, National Anthem Girl, her all 50 states completion certificate in downtown Nashville, TN.

In Janine's words...about the national anthem.
"For 90 seconds while its being sung, we are as one. It doesn't matter who we want to win, who we voted for, there's solidarity in that moment and I think that's powerful for us as a country.."

You may also like other Travel Goal Getters with a cause:
Al Whitney - Donated Blood in all 50 states
Gary Flanagan - Three Time 50-Stater, Visited State Capitols and Nearest Church. Gary raised funds and awareness for: Catholic Charities USA, Catholic Charities of East Tennessee, The Sgt. Dennis J Flanagan Foundation, The Women's Care Center of Sevier County, Hoops for Heroes, The Station Fire Memorial Fund, and Ronald McDonald House Charities.

Author: Alicia
Photo courtesy of Travel Goal Getter/All Fifty Club and Janine Stange

0 Comments

sports related all 50 - Larry says "make it 3"

9/5/2014

1 Comment

On a recent post on sports-related travel goals we listed Larry Kirk's amazing accomplishment of playing disc-golf in all 50 states - twice. We received an update from Larry that he has played a round of frisbee golf in all 50 states - not one time, not two times, but THREE times. He has outdone himself! His most recent tour was an ambitious 50 states in 50 days.

Larry began the trip with a flight from California to Anchorage. After a few days he flew direct from Anchorage to Honolulu. When he returned to the mainland he began his 11,000 mile, 44-day road trip to the other 48 states. His last stop was in South Carolina at the United States Disc Golf Championship.

Along the way he shared his passion for disc golf with everyone he had contact with. He met the governors of Arkansas and Wyoming and a 4-star general. He quickly made friends with other disc golfers who joined him for games along his journey. He spread the word of his endeavor at YMCAs and restaurants. Despite a few hiccups of a couple of flat tires and having to back-track to pick up a left driver's license, he and his Honda Accord persevered and completed the quest on schedule.

Larry documented his trip by keeping scorecards and receipts, and of course by taking lots of videos and pictures. Check out his Facebook page Disc Golf Flyer to learn more about his travels and the sport of disc golf!

The journey is not over for the disc-golf traveler. Larry wants to continue to spread the word about disc golf and travel our great country again. He may be coming to play at a course near you!

Larry Kirk's 2013 - 50 State Tour

note: Alaska and Hawaii were visited first via a flight out of California. Then the road trip began..........

Larry's Mission in his words:
"My love and dedication for disc golf is so strong that I have spent many miles traveling down the States to play in different disc golf courses. It is during those trips that I have realized many people are not yet aware about this disc golf sport, also known as Frisbee golf. For this reason, I have made it my mission to promote disc golf and be an ambassador of this sport. Reaching out to people is natural to me, as I enjoy making new friends and even meeting strangers and sharing what disc golf is all about. I want people to know this is a cool sport that anyone can enjoy and at the same time it promotes wellness."

You might also like:
Travel Goal Getter Community - Other Record Holders
Travel Goals - Different Variations of Visiting the World and the USA
Travel Goal Getter Ipad app

Author: Alicia

Larry Kirk photo courtesy of Larry Kirk and Nancy Rokos
Map of Larry Kirk's 2013 50 State tour by Larry Kirk

1 Comment

Sports Related All Fifty State Member Quests

9/3/2014

0 Comments

The closest seat I've ever had! Photo courtesy Travel Goal Getter.

On the eve of the start of the National Football League's 95th season, we are reminded of the numerous sports related All Fifty State quests our members have completed. Some of them are listed below. What's your sports related travel goal? Have you completed a sports related All Fifty States goal? Share now by leaving a comment below or send us an email.

Harry Scott - Golfed All 50 States in 50 Days! Read about it
Gus Churchill - Golfed All Fifty States!
Nicole Smith - Skydived in All Fifty States! Read more
Doug Ward - Skydived in All Fifty States!
Larry Kirk - Disc Golfed in All Fifty States - Twice! Read his story
David Miller - Biked All Fifty States! - Read about it
Beth Hendricks - Participated in a Formal Walk in Each State!
Homar & Suzanne Brantley - Ran in All Fifty States!
Mary & Tom Rehm - Played 2 Golf Courses in All Fifty States!
Liz & Jeff Goldstein - Played Golf in All 50 States Before Age 50!

Get The Travel Goal Getter iPad App!
by Eric

0 Comments

the right to recline or the right to defend your knees?

50 state bone marrow donor tour

youngest to visit all 50

National Anthem girl sang in all 50

sports related all 50 - Larry says "make it 3"

Larry Kirk's 2013 - 50 State Tour

Sports Related All Fifty State Member Quests

Author

Archives

Categories