Travel Goal Getter Travel Blog

WHO HAS HELPED LEAD YOU ON YOUR JOURNEY?

3/2/2013

As this weekend will come and go as thousands of weekends have before, I take this time to reflect on my father who celebrates a milestone birthday, his 70th. Having a son of my own, I now understand the saying “time flies”. Growing up, I really didn't realize and appreciate the precious moments I had with my dad and the journey that he was leading me on; the journey to become a man, the journey to be the best person possible, the journey to help me reach my goals, and the journey to prepare me to be a great dad to my son. For all that you have done for me and all of those moments and times together that I now cherish, I thank you dad. I am lucky to have been led on my journey by a great man that I am proud to call my hero. I love you Dad! Happy birthday.

Take time today to thank your hero(s), the person or people who have helped lead you on your journey. After all, time really does fly.

Author: Eric

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THE MOST UNDERRATED TRAVEL NECESSITY? WHAT'S YOURS?

2/28/2013

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That sinking feeling - "I lost my sunglasses!"

We've all done it; hands to the head, collar, and pockets frantically searching for a pair of misplaced or forgotten sunglasses It begs the question; are sunglasses quite possibly the most underrated travel necessity? For comfort reasons alone (the prevention of sun- glare-induced headaches comes to mind), it's nearly impossible to travel without them. When forgotten, it makes going outside on a sunny day almost unbearable. Frankly, I don't know how people enjoyed the outdoors and the world's beautiful places before the invention and mass accessibility of sunglasses. Maybe the sun was dimmer. Maybe there were more clouds. Maybe everyone wore hats. Maybe squinting and those lines around your eyes as a result of squinting was accepted as part of the normal premature aging process. What is known, is that at this very moment, a traveler somewhere in the world is either dumping their backpack in an attempt to find their lost pair, asking the front desk for a giveaway "lost and found" pair, or seeking out the nearest corner shop, vendor cart, or any place that sells anything (I've even seen sunglasses for sale at a restaurant) in search of a pair of replacement sunglasses. That's the good news; your travels can go on. You trip will only be derailed for as long as it takes to find another pair - and that shouldn't take long.

If not sunglasses, what is your most underrated travel necessity?

I thought about sunglasses as my most underrated travel necessity after listening to a representative from Haber Vision on a local outdoor radio show. Haber Vision, created by the founder of Bolle, is purportedly the world's first online only, 50% off retail, premium sunglasses company (located in Colorado, USA). They have a large variety of sunglasses available for different types of outdoor activities and they have a money back fit and satisfaction guarantee. They currently have a couple of deep-discount specials on their site. I'm typically a dollar store sunglasses buyer but I'll give Haber Vision a try (I really do need a pair of quality sunglasses) next time my sunglasses break - it shouldn't take long!

Author: Eric

Sunglasses photo used under creative commons by Small_Realm.

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Do you have amazing travel goals? Check out a simple tool to help track of states visited, countries visited, and continents visited - see our Travel Goal iPad App to learn more about tracking your unique travel goals and your travel experiences and bucket-lists on your own travel goal iPad app. See Achieving Travel Goals for some quick advice and a comprehensive guide to help you achieve travel goals. Looking for great articles to plan your next amazing adventure? See our Top Travel Blog Search Engine that searches only the top 150 most widely read and popular travel blogs in the world. Have you traveled to all 50 states, at least 6 continents, or at least 15 countries? Become a free member of our All Fifty Club, Continent Club, and/or Traveler's Country Club and join our Travel Community for FREE today or give a membership as a gift! Happy Travels!

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AMAZING RACE SEASON 22 EPISODE 2 LOCATION RECAP - BORA-BORA

2/25/2013

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Over water bungalows, Bora Bora. Photo used under creative commons by <SLiM>.

Amazing racers were still in the French Polynesian Islands for episode 2, season 22 of The Amazing Race. Teams traveled to the island of Motu Toopua Nui where they spent most of their time completing tasks on the Hilton Bora Bora Nui property. It is obvious why Tahiti, Bora Bora and the neighboring islands are a popular destination for honeymooners and vacationers as the crystal blue waters are truly breathtaking. There are very few places in the world that have over water bungalow accommodation options and the Hilton Bora Bora Nui is no exception. I found this very thorough review of the Hilton Bora Bora Nui that provides more insight to staying at this property. Also, check out Overwater Bungalows in Bora Bora - A Complete Guide which gives details on all of the over water Bora Bora options including links and estimated costs. Have you vacationed in Tahiti or Bora Bora? Share your story!

Next stop for the Amazing Race - New Zealand!

Author: Eric

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AMAZING RACE SEASON 22 EPISODE 1 LOCATION RECAP - BORA-BORA

2/19/2013

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This year we will recap Amazing Race Season 22 locations and activities. The first leg had the amazing racers traveling to Bora-Bora. What a beautiful place to start Amazing Race Season 22!

From wikipedia...Bora Bora is an island in the Leeward group of the Society Islands of French Polynesia, an overseas collectivity of France in the Pacific Ocean. The island, located about 230 km (140 mi) northwest of Papeete, is surrounded by a lagoon and a barrier reef. In the centre of the island are the remnants of an extinct volcano rising to two peaks, Mount Pahia and Mount Otemanu, the highest point at 727 m (2,385 ft). Bora Bora is a major international tourist destination, famous for its aqua-centric luxury resorts. The major settlement, Vaitape, is on the western side of the main island, opposite the main channel into the lagoon. Produce of the island is mostly limited to what can be obtained from the sea and the plentiful coconut trees, which were historically of economic importance for copra. According to a census performed in 2008, the permanent population of Bora Bora is 8,880.

Bora-Bora. Photo used under creative commons by Benoit Mahe.

In Bora-Bora, Amazing race teams skydived out of a helicopter. Skydiving options on Bora-Bora seem to be limited to one or maybe two companies, one of which is Skydive Tahiti. One of the other activities that teams did was search through sand castles on the beach. Check out this write up of Matira Beach, Bora Bora that the Travel Channel describes as Bora Bora's best beach. Lastly, teams canoed. For canoeing and other activities check out Bora Bora Island Guide for excursion information. For trip planning to Bora-Bora check out Frommer's (comprehensive guide to Bora-Bora), Bora-Bora Traveler (reviews and photos of resorts), Life With Kristen & Ryan (blog from a couple who vacationed in Bora-Bora), and "A Little Piece of Heaven" a nice blog write up on Bora Bora from a world traveler. For budgeting a trip to the French Polynesia area, take a look at Nomadic Matt's article, "French Polynesia Travel Tips". Also, check out Overwater Bungalows in Bora Bora - A Complete Guide which gives details on all of the over water Bora Bora options including links and estimated costs.

Have you visited Bora-Bora or another place in the French Polynesia islands? Share your story!

Here is a quick write up from one of our members who visited nearby Tahiti, also located in the French Polynesian islands - this travel experience and other travel experiences can be found on our Travel Experiences Map.

"My wife and I took a vacation to what has been called by travel experts as the "most beautiful place in the world." Ten wonderful days in Tahiti, in French Polynesia in the South Pacific. I have been to 49 of 50 states, visited 24 countries on 6 of 7 continents, but nothing compared to exotic Tahiti and the lush green tropical islands and crystal blue waters. The driving force why we went to Tahiti was my wife. While at the Polynesian Cultural Center in Hawaii the year before, she heard the beat of the Tahitian drums and knew right then we had to visit Tahiti. The drums did it!! On the main island of Tahiti, we walked the entire city until we located the best jewelry store and my wife purchased a pearl that was actually recovered by a Tahitian diver in the waters nearby. A jeweler friend back in Ohio mounted it for her into a ring surrounded by diamonds. Moorea was even more beautiful. With no TV, radio or newspapers, we enjoyed the quiet of our private cottage right on Cook's Bay, and swam in the waters and paddled an outrigger in the Bay. There were more stars at night than you can imagine. We were half way around the world, and the 10 magnificent days seemed like we left earth. It was the best vacation in our lives to the "most beautiful place in the world." Just seeing French Polynesia made us believe there is truly a paradise on earth, and not just on the Travel Channel."

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HAPPY PRESIDENT'S DAY - VISIT PRESIDENTIAL SITES

2/18/2013

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Author: Alicia

The bank is closed. The post office is closed. Oh, yeah - it's President's Day. It is one of the holidays that some people are fortunate to get off work but few people actually celebrate the holiday for what it is. Another way we can honor our past presidents is by visiting some presidential sites to learn more about them and what they did for our country. Travel Goal Getter has compiled a list of over 130 Presidential Sites to visit. These including the 13 Presidential libraries maintained by the National Archives, privately-operated sites and many sites operated by National Park Services or State Parks.

Some of the recent presidential sites my family visited were Dwight Eisenhower's home in Abilene, Kansas and Bill Clinton's former home in Hope, Arkansas. We couldn't help but feel proud to be an American - to live in a country where our Presidents can come from anywhere and any background in our country. Although people saw their potential early on, they were kids - building forts in the backyard or playing in a school marching band - just like you and me.

Dwisht D. Eisenhower Boyhood Home, Abilene, KS photo used under creative commons KansasExplorer3128.

Bill Clinton Birthplace, Hope, AR photo from wikimedia

After a whirlwind trip to Virginia and Washington D.C. I realized that we had been to quite a few presidential sites and started keeping track. One way to do this is to utilize the Travel Goal Getter iPad App. Just add the former U.S. presidents or Presidential Libraries as travel experiences. When you visit a site check it off. However you track it - if you have visited sites for more than 30 presidents or all 13 libraries, let us know and we will add you as a Travel Goal Getter Record Holder.

Travel Goal Getter List of Presidential Sites

Happy President's Day!

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VISITING AMERICA'S LARGEST - CREATING MEMORIES

2/11/2013

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Author: Alicia

World's Largest Jackrabbit in Odessa, TX.

Across the world and the United States, there is a competition to be the largest. The largest of anything and everything. We have compiled a list of claims of the largest items - from the largest boll weevil to the largest rocking chair. Plan your trip as a “Largest Adventure” or, just stop and see a "largest" along the way. How many largest things have you seen?

Most people would admit that you can’t compare these sights with – let’s say – the raw beauty of the Grand Canyon or the history of Plymouth Rock. However, the sights can add a little excitement to an otherwise long drive. My favorite “largest” memory is driving across Texas on I-20 on New Year’s Eve. This was not how we wanted to spend New Year’s Eve, but we needed to make up some time on the road. Most things to visit along the road were closed. That is, until we found the giant jackrabbit in Odessa, Texas in one of our tour books. It took us a little while to find this giant jackrabbit – as the directions to these sights aren't always so precise.

As it turns out, the giant 25 foot rabbit we imagined ended up being 8 feet tall. We all got out of the car, posed with the rabbit for a picture, made some New Year’s racket, and got back in. We saw many other things on that trip – some incredible things – but one of our favorite memories is <groan> ”I can’t believe we went and saw that Jackrabbit!” Travel is about creating memories that last well beyond the end of the trip.

Travel Goal Getter takes no responsibility for your satisfaction in visiting such sites as they aren't for everyone. But for a certain type of person it can add humor– and sometimes awe – that other sites on your trip can’t give you. Add a “largest” to your trip today by checking out our World’s Largest List. If you have visited a “largest” in each state, please let us know so we can add you to our Record Holders. Thanks to member Garry Arndt for giving us a great start on places to include on this list.

Jackrabbit used under creative commons by drewesque.

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Do you have amazing travel goals? Check out a simple tool to help track of states visited, countries visited, and continents visited - see ourTravel Goal iPad App to learn more about tracking your unique travel goals and your travel experiences and bucket-lists on your own travel goal iPad app. See Achieving Travel Goals for some quick advice and a comprehensive guide to help you achieve travel goals. Looking for great articles to plan your next amazing adventure? See our Top Travel Blog Search Engine that searches only the top 150 most widely read and popular travel blogs in the world. Have you traveled to all 50 states, at least 6 continents, or at least 15 countries? Become a free member of ourAll Fifty Club, Continent Club, and/or Traveler's Country Club and join our Travel Community for FREE today or give a membership as a gift! Happy Travels!

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TRAVEL BOOK REVIEW - HOW TO TRAVEL THE WORLD ON $50 A DAY BY MATT KEPNES AKA NOMADIC MATT

2/4/2013

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Author: Eric
I've followed Nomadic Matt for quite some time now, and when I heard about his book, How to Travel the World on $50 a Day, I preordered it right away. In fact, as I finished reading the book, Matt began his book launch parties and is embarking on a book tour later this year. The book's official publication date is 2/5/2013.

Nomadic Matt's book is a great example of a must read for any traveler, not just those travelers embarking on around the world trips. The soft-cover book provides practical advice, helping you save valuable time trying to figure out everything from to travel insurance to transportation to pricing flights to what to expect when you travel to certain regions of the world. The book is focused on providing a plethora of tips to drastically reduce travel costs. Matt wants you to travel better, cheaper, and longer and his book helps squash the misconception that travel is just for the wealthy.

I found part three of the book especially useful for specific money saving travel tips and budgeting examples broken down by regions; Europe, Australia, New Zealand, Southeast Asia, Central America, and South America. This is a no-fluff book packed with advice and experiences from a traveler who has actually traveled extensively to the areas he writes about. Matt spent over six years straight traveling the world and his book helps you learn from his mistakes.

For beginner travelers, this book may become their go-to reference guide for travel budgeting, saving hours of research time in finding trusted travel resources (they are all in the book!). The book, however, should also be useful for more advanced travelers looking to save money, providing a different perspective that will help stretch travel budgets. I'd be shocked if readers didn't walk away with at least one or two tips (or many, many more!) that would easily pay for the cost of the book on one trip or help save money even before the flight leaves the airport.

If you've ever thought that you'd like to travel (or travel more) but were held back by excuses (especially financial), this book will point you in the right direction with practical guided advice while saving you money at the same time. Your first step to traveling better, cheaper, and longer? Give this book a read! How to Travel the World on $50 a Day is available from major booksellers.

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HILLARY CLINTON - THE MOST TRAVELED SECRETARY OF STATE IN HISTORY

2/2/2013

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Author: Eric
As Secretary of State, Hillary Clinton became the most traveled Secretary of State in history in terms of countries visited (in terms of miles traveled, Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice leads at 1,059,207). The Secretary of State official travel website lists country visits at 112*, miles traveled at 956,733, total travel time at 86.8 days, and travel days at 401. That level of travel is like going around the world over 38 times!

Take a look below at her countries visited map created with the Travel Goal Getter iPad App. You might also like our Travels of US Presidents post that tracks the travels of the past 14 US Presidents.

Secretary of State Hillary Clinton Travel Map

*Our map lists 115 countries/territories visited because the map counts countries & territories separate from their parent states (Cook Islands/New Zealand for example).

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COUPLE VISITS ALL FIFTY STATES TWICE!

2/1/2013

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Author: Eric

About the photo: Don and Vanda Edington pose in front of the sheriffs office on the set of the A&E TV Series Longmire, set in the fictitious Absaroka County, Wyoming and filmed in the real town of Las Vegas, New Mexico. They write trip reports and submit travel photos to the Denver Post as part of the Post's Paper Trails travel feature.

I had the chance to sit down with Travel Goal Getter members Don and Vanda Edington who graciously welcomed me into their home a couple of weekends ago. Don, a retired member of the Navy Reserve and Vanda, an aspiring painter, are Travel Goal Getter Record Holders, having visited all fifty states twice.

Beginning in 1998 and finishing in 2003, their first goal was to visit the state capitols. Despite tireless trip planning, speed bumps came up such as the time in Rhode Island when the state capitol was unexpectedly closed. This created a problem because their self-imposed qualification for a visit required them to set foot in the capitol building itself. Luckily, a guard patrolling the capitol corridors heard their desperate knocking and let them set foot in the building, even though a foot was all that the guard would allow. Their second visit to all fifty states from 2005 to 2009 was fueled by their newly discovered hobby of geocaching (see geocaching.org), a treasure hunting game in which you use GPS technology to hide and seek containers in thousands of locations across the world. The Edington's are contemplating a third visit to all fifty states but are still deciding on a goal. They have considered visiting the smallest cities in each state or visiting the geographic center of each state as their next goal to accomplish.

While we certainly covered the extent of their two all fifty state trips, I was left with something greater and more powerful than the notion that travel is just about checking off places visited. For the Edington's, travel is something more; for them, it's about making connections, meeting new people, and giving back to the travel community. You could say that Don and Vanda caught the travel bug on their first overseas trip (the Edington's are also world travelers and have visited 52 countries to date). Their two-week trip to England, which happened to cost $250 at the time, placed them with a host family, much like Couch Surfing (see couchsurfing.org) connects travelers today. It's no coincidence that the Edington's utilize couch surfing and are now travel hosts themselves; in the past few years they have hosted 16 fellow travelers. The Edington's have one trip planned in the near future: an Alaskan inside passage cruise to celebrate their 45th wedding anniversary.

Beyond their Alaskan trip and whatever their future travel plans may hold, you can be certain that Don and Vanda will savor their time on the road and relish in the opportunities of enjoying new travel experiences and meeting new people from around the world.

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WELCOME NEW MEMBER LARRY KIRK, DISC-GOLFED ALL 50 STATES TWICE!

1/22/2013

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Author: Alicia

UPDATE 8/4/13: Larry is attempting his third All Fifty States tour, playing 50 rounds of disc golf in 50 days. His first stops are in Alaska & Hawaii starting August 12th and his trip will end September 30th. He'd love your support! Visit soldieringonfordiscgolf.com for more information and ways to get involved. Larry's schedule is at the bottom of the post.

Larry Kirk on Wakiki Beach, Hawaii.

Welcome and congratulations to new member and disc-golfer Larry Kirk from Atwater,CA! He has been to all 50 states not once – but twice – and is preparing to visit them all a third time! Larry’s true passion is disc-golf and in an effort to spread his love of the game,decided to play disc-golf in each state. His first trip to all 50 took almost 9 years to complete, finishing up in 2010. Larry's trip began with family trips and continued with some work-related travel in his career as a technical sergeant with the Air Force National Guard. To conclude his first visit to all 50, he did a victory walk up the steps of the Philadelphia Art Museum….just like Rocky. see Rocky Statue and Steps.

Larry was soon ready for his second U.S. tour which he completed in 2012 in just 10 months. On one eleven-day trip from California to Tennessee and back, he visited twenty-three states. Larry said he has enjoyed meeting so many people along the way that “he never would have met” from high-ranking Air Force officials, National Disc Golf Champions,local news reporters, to people on the disc-golf courses. His last state the second time around was Hawaii (as pictured).

Best of luck to Larry as he secures sponsorships so he may begin his next quest to disc-golf in 50 states in 50 days. This third tour would make him the first All Fifty Club member to complete a third visit to each state. More about Larry’s travels and plans can be found on his Facebook page as Disc Golf Flyer.

REST STOP IDEA - Looking for a way to break up a long day of traveling? Disc golf might be a perfect way to get out of the car. It is like traditional golf, but instead of a ball and clubs, players use a flying disc or Frisbee. The disc is thrown at an elevated metal basket. The object of the game is to complete each basket in the fewest number of throws. A nine “hole” game takes approximately 45 minutes. There are special discs especially made for the sport but some try it out with a regular Frisbee. Disc Golf Course Review is an easy way to locate a course near you or along the road on your next trip.

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