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Do your upcoming travel plans include pets? Whether you’re flying to an exciting destination or hitting the road, these suggestions can make the journey easier for animals and humans alike:

  • Prep your pet. Traveling can prove stressful to animals, so don’t catch your pet off-guard. Before leaving town, practice taking short rides in the car or spending time in a carrier. This will help your pet get used to the experience.

If you haven’t already microchipped your pet, this may be a good opportunity to do so. This is also the time to ensure your pet’s collar is up-to-date with your current contact information.

  • Pack right. Pack plenty of food and fresh water and a sufficient supply of any medications your pet is taking, as getting refills away from home could be difficult. To alleviate anxiety, bring along pet blankets and toys as reminders of home. Also pack a pet-specific first aid kit, which should include non-stick bandages, adhesive bandages, towels, gauze and your veterinarian’s phone number.
  • Follow rules. Do your research to ensure you’re following rules along the way and at your destination. Check airline policies, as well as hotel and campsite restrictions and accommodations. Travel across state or international borders requires a health certificate. Some locations require more information and documentation. Give yourself plenty of time to handle these details.

Your veterinarian can be a good resource in learning what to expect. To that end, a checkup is also a good idea before a trip, as vaccinations or preventive medications may be needed before traveling.

  • Safety first. While seatbelts alone can keep a dog from moving about the cabin of the car, they are not your safest option. To help protect pets in a crash, anchor a crate using a seatbelt or other secure means.

When flying, opt to keep your pet in the cabin of the plane, if possible. Temperatures and air quality in cargo can put a strain on pets. If your animal is too large to fly in the cabin, speak to your veterinarian about what you can do to keep your pet safe and relaxed in-flight.

  • Prepare for anything. Even the best-laid plans can hit snags. Be prepared for the possibility that your pet will become accidentally injured or develop an unexpected illness while traveling, prompting an unplanned trip to the vet. To prepare, consider solutions like the CareCredit credit card, issued by Synchrony Bank, which features special financing options (subject to credit approval) that can allow you to focus on getting your pet better while making monthly payments. More than 200,000 healthcare providers and health-focused retailers, including over 20,000 veterinarians, accept the CareCredit card nationwide, which also sponsored the distribution of the tips in this article. Go to carecredit.com for pet healthcare providers closest to your vacation destination.

Advance planning is key when traveling with a pet. With a little care, you can make your travels with furry friends safe, fun and memorable.

Spending time in a carrier during short jaunts can help a furry friend feel less-stressed by the experience during a long-distance trip. (Photo credit: alexei_tm / stock.Adobe.com)

Source: StatePoint

Contributing Author by — December 5, 2018 in Lifestyle, Home, Adventures

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Another one of those quick years is almost over. Think back and look at what you have done and what you have wanted to do. Have you missed another chance to check off something from your bucket list? Well, maybe I have something in the works for you in 2019. Follow along and see the bucket list plans and then choose and then join in.

 

May 1-13: Treasures of Egypt.

On almost everyone’s bucket list is this ancient center of pyramids, Sphinx, antiquities and wonder.  Take a four-night cruise on the Nile. Cross to the West Bank and explore the Valley of the Kings. Enjoy the sound and light show at the Karuak Temple. Explore Aswan and the UNESCO project of the restored Philae Temple. $4,499, including air from Seattle.

July 14-22: Iceland.

Land of fire and ice. The latest “in” spot for travelers. This small country has taken the world of tourism. Take a journey full of dramatic contrasts–steaming lava fields, massive glaciers, waterfalls and plunging fjords. Travel the Golden Circle to see the natural wonders and visit with the locals.  Set sail among the huge icebergs of the Jokulsarlo Glacial Lagoon to look for seals and taste 1,000-year-old ice. Visit the largest national park in Europe.  Sample fresh scallops and sea urchin roe.  Nature at its most beautiful in this amazing country. $4,899, including air from Seattle.

August:.Alaska on the new Norwegian Bliss.

This wonderful ship is an adventure in itself, but it will take you to the beauty of Alaska on a seven-day cruise out of Seattle (perfect for those who do not wish to fly). Visit Juneau, Skagway, Glacier Bay, Ketchikan and Victoria. Cost starts at $1,592 for an inside cabin and goes up depending upon what you choose,

Sept. 9-18: Viking River Cruise, Prague to Paris.

Relax in comfort as this wonderful riverboat takes you to a new adventure every day. Cruise the Main, Rhine and Moselle Rivers, with stops at such places as Nuremberg, Heidelberg, Koblenz and Trier. All shore excursions are included in the cost, as well as wine and beer with lunch and dinner.  This is an all-inclusive trip for as little as $4,969, including air from Seattle.

OCTOBER….9/29-10/6.  

Continue with Viking on Paris and the Heart of Normandy.  Head out the other direction from Paris to Giverny, Vernon and the Beaches of Normandy.  Visit the UNESCO World Heritage Site.  See the World War II landmarks and pay your respects at the American Cemetery.  Visit Monet’s famous garden at Giverny and see where his vision came from.  Cost from $3,719  (even less if you add this trip to the earlier one and deduct the airfare)

January 2020…9-25: Princess Cruises to South America and Antarctica.

 A true bucket list item to add another continent to your list. This cruise is out of Santiago, Chile and ends in Buenos Aires, Argentina.  It includes stops in Chile, rounds Cape Horn, visits the Faulkland Islands and Uruguay. BUT BEST OF ALL, YOU HAVE FOUR DAYS CRUISING IN ANTARCTICA.  Very few cruises actually go this far, so this might just be your only chance. Cabin rates start as low as $3,764, including port tax for cruise only.  Air rates have not been included, as the trip is yet a year away. This is a very unique itinerary and will sell out quickly. A $50 deposit will hold space for you

Don’t hold off on doing something for yourself.  Take advantage of these offerings to have memories to look back on when you can no longer travel. Choose one and treasure it forever. Don’t have a roommate? Let Linda know to help find you one.   Call Linda Finch at 253-927-8207 or email to linda.finch@gmail.com.

 

srmedia by — November 7, 2018 in Lifestyle, Home, Adventures

We are so lucky to live in this beautiful country where we are free to roam and explore as we wish. With that in mind, a group of us flew into Billings, Mont. and jumped on a charter bus to go “where the deer and the antelope play.” We headed out via the Beartooth Highway south into Wyoming.

I have always thought there were a lot of switchbacks on the way up to Paradise, but it was nothing compared to the Beartooth. We had an amazing bus driver who was not afraid as we looked over the edge and down thousands of feet. At the summit, we were just over 11,000 feet. The air was bitter cold and thin with heavy wind gusts. We were later to learn that a blizzard was just behind us.

Our first stop on the trip was the Bill Cody Ranch just out of the city of Cody. Here we had a barbecue dinner, rustic cabins built into the woods, horses for trail rides, and the true feeling of a dude ranch.  This was home for two nights as we explored the Wild Bill Cody Museum, saw a western music show and enjoyed a rodeo. Wearing our jeans and t-shirts, we felt right in the swing of things.

Our second stop was in Thermopolis in the Wind River Canyon. It was here that we took a float trip down the river. We were given the choice of a gentle float to see the canyon or a true whitewater experience over the rapids.  A fun time was had by all. At the end of that experience, we stopped off at Star Plunge, one of several hot springs bathing areas. The water temperature is 168 degrees as it comes out of the ground, and so they cool it down to a pleasant 104 to 128 in the pools. What a wonderful end to a day of water fun.

In the morning, we ventured out on the range to the Legend Rock archaeological site to walk a one-third mile loop which let us see 15 numbered petroglyph panels. Some of the carvings were as much as 11,000 years old. A very good brochure gave explanations of what we were seeing. It would be interesting to have had time to study these more in depth.

That afternoon, we reached Casper and spent some time in the National Historic trail Museum.  Here we could follow the pioneers as they converged on Casper and passed over the Platte River. This was the major crossroads of the Western trails. At this point you made your decision to go on the Oregon Trail, the California Trail or the Mormon Trail. Hundreds of thousands of people came through with wagons and horses.  Eventually the railroad came along, but Casper remained the central location.

As we headed further south, we came into Cheyenne, the capitol of Wyoming.  Our first stop was the Terry Bison ranch for bison burgers and a train ride out to visit the herd.  It was feeding time, and the bison were conditioned to these strange people who give them treats. We were reaching over the sides of the train cars and putting treats onto 14-inch tongues that quickly recoiled and then came back for more. These huge animals were docile while we were feeding from above, but we certainly wouldn’t have wanted to be on the ground with them moving around.

The next morning there was a tour of the city, teaching us even more about the history of the old west and how important this area was to the growth of our great nation. We saw the capitol, which is being renovated, and the train station where the first big steam engines brought those who built the railroad and opened up the west, making it much easier for people to migrate further west to the Gold Rush and the end of the Oregon Trail.

The last stop on our journey was Laramie at 7,500 feet elevation. By now, most of us had acclimated to the higher elevations, but others were having some problems breathing, so we kept long walks to a minimum. We did visit the first territorial prison and learned how they housed prisoners. Certainly nothing like the luxury they have today. It would take an entire column to tell you all about that.

Travel and all that we learn from it is one of the best experiences of life.  We are so blessed to be able to do this. Many trips are coming up in the next few months. Sign up now for Treasures of Egypt (May), Iceland, Land of Fire and Ice (July), Alaska cruise on the new Norwegian Bliss (August), Viking River cruise from Prague to Paris and then an add-on to Normandy (September).  Keep in touch with Linda Finch at 253-927-8207 or get on the email list at linda.finch@gmail.com.

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A travel group poses for a photo at the National Historic Trails Museum in Casper, Wyo.
Linda Finch by — October 2, 2018 in Lifestyle, Home, Adventures

Travel can sometimes feel more daunting than relaxing, between flight delays and bumper-to-bumper traffic. What’s more, it has potential health impacts, including leg swelling and increased risk for cold and flu.

“Air travel, long drives, less sleep and added stress can weaken your immune system at a time when you’re around more people and susceptible to illness,” said Dr. Fred Pescatore, nationally renowned natural health physician and best-selling author.

Pescatore has a few tips to help boost health while traveling.

Feed your immune system.

Being around so many people in tight spaces means you may be more at risk of catching a bug. “Take precautions before boarding your flight — wash your hands frequently, bring hand sanitizer with you and snack on antioxidant-packed vegetables like broccoli, carrots and sweet potatoes to keep your immune system strong,” says Dr. Pescatore.

Fend off fatigue.

The American Sleep Association estimates that nearly 93 percent of travelers experience jet lag and it can be severe enough to interfere with vacation plans. “Sleep disturbances make you feel tired, nauseous and irritable — not a good combination with a packed travel itinerary,” says Dr. Pescatore.

A peer-reviewed study shows that daily supplementation with the super-antioxidant, Pycnogenol (Pic-noj-en-all), reduces jet lag symptoms by nearly 50 percent. “Pycnogenol, a natural botanical extract from the bark of the French maritime pine tree, is a traveler’s best friend. You can spend less time feeling fatigued and more quality time enjoying your destination,” says Dr. Pescatore.

Boost circulation.

Long periods of immobility in a cramped space like a car or plane contribute to swelling and fluid accumulation throughout the legs. Known as edema, it can be uncomfortable and may feel worse after travel.

Dr. Pescatore recommends taking short breaks to move around on road trips and to stand up and stretch during long flights to keep blood circulating and reduce swelling. “Pycnogenol is also shown to promote circulation and studies show its benefits for reducing swelling and discomfort during long-distance travel. Again, it’s a good supplement for travel,” he says.

Pycnogenol is one of the most researched ingredients on the market with decades of studies showing its benefits for a variety of health applications. It’s available in more than 700 dietary supplements, multi-vitamins and health products worldwide. For more information, visit pycnogenol.com.

“Drink plenty of water, use a supplement for a beneficial boost and remember to enjoy yourself. Yes, even the travel to and from your destination can be fun,” says Dr. Pescatore.

Flight delays and navigating new places can be stressful enough without letting travel-related health issues crop up. (Photo credit: Rawpixel.com)
Contributing Author by — September 6, 2018 in Lifestyle, Home, Adventures