I’m looking to stay in a Hilton Garden Inn in Tampa, FL.

Which one is in a good part of town (or not in a bad part of town)?

Hilton Garden Inn-Tampa Ybor
1700 E 9th Ave, Tampa, FL

Hilton Garden Inn-Tampa East
10309 Highland Manor Dr, Tampa, FL

Hilton Garden Inn-Tampa North
13305 Tampa Oaks Blvd, Tampa, FL

Hilton Garden Inn-Tampa NW
4052 Tampa Rd, Oldsmar, FL
We’re going to Busch Gardens, and then after Busch Gardens (on the same day) we’re heading over to Orlando. So probably something close to Busch Gardens but also not out of the way so we can get to Orlando without adding a bunch of driving time.

we are planning a ski vacation this February to N. California Ski Resort in Tahoe. Which resorts are the best for beginners (me and my wife) and kids (7 and 3)

Reasons Why You Should Love the County of Carlsbad

You probably have heard many times that San Diego is one of the ideal places to live in. In addition, its many counties also have great environment for settling, particularly Carlsbad. This place is considered as a seaside resort-town. Anyone who have been in this place could really attest how great this place can be because of it is beaches. If you look at the location of Carlsbad, it is actually facing the Pacific Ocean. That is also one of the selling points of this place. It is no doubt that there is so much beauty in places lying on the coastal lines.

No wonder properties in this area have great value because the place has many things to offer. Aside from the fact that you will be seeing beaches, you have other great scenic views from their golf fields or their flower fields especially during springtime. Almost all parts of this place are exciting. Carlsbad has different areas. One of the most beautiful places you can settle in is the northern part of the county. You can find all types of homes in here and on top of this part of the place is quite reserved. You will surely enjoy scouting homes from Carlsbad Real Estate.

Now what are other reasons why you should be living in this place? Check it out below:

Family Friendly

Carlsbad is one of the places which have the lowest crime rate in San Diego. If you check the statistics of overall percentage of crime rates happening yearly from 1997-2006, this place has had a decreasing trend. On top of that, certain activities within the place have high regard for family participation.

Environmental Friendly

They do all sorts of conservation and preservation to keep their place looking the way it is now. If you check out the photos in the internet, you will see how amazing this place looks like.

The Best Town Facilities

You have the best schools in town. You can try to do a research about the performance of the school and the GPAs are good. The place is slowly developing but the malls, libraries and other public places are not only good to look at but also have served well the community for a long time.

Weather

If you ask why you should live in any place in California, this will be the answer: the weather. You can really enjoy the outdoors with the kind of weather this place have. You can get enough sun and it is like almost everyday, you feel it is summer.

What other reasons could you ask for in buying homes from Carlsbad Real Estate? This may not be enough but you will soon see the greatness of the place even when you go there for a vacation. You will surely want to come back after a short trip or the scenes in this place will surely linger a long time. If you want to have a laid-back life then you should come to this place and start looking for your dream homes.

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We are traveling down the coast and wanted to see the redwoods, but do not know where to stay. Eurkeka, Crescent City or ??

Popular Decking Choices in Hawaii

Hawaiians love spending time on their decks. So much so, that decks have become one of the most popular choices for home renovations. In fact, deck improvements, (along with kitchens), generate one of the highest returns for a homeowner’s renovation dollar.

Trendy outdoor living spaces are all the rage and homeowners are looking for more ways to expand their living space. In addition, our troubled economy has forced more people to forfeit expensive vacations and spend more time close to home. As a result, more attention is being focused on deck construction and generating new technology for decking material and components.

Gone are the wooden porches slapped together with scrap lumber, and requiring annual paintings to prevent rotting. Today’s decks are made with materials designed to last, that require little maintenance.

Most homeowners opt for real wood construction, with only 20 percent choosing synthetic materials. Although the latter is more expensive at the onset, over time, the long term saving on maintenance is substantial.

Many are now choosing composite decking and railing materials that provides an eco friendly and low maintenance product. Companies such as Latitudes create a product that looks just like wood, but is actually made of a combination of recycled wood fiber and post-industrial high-density polyethylene. Available in a myriad of colors ad finishes, it won’t splinter, and is protected against UV rays and water absorption.

Other similar versions are formed entirely from plastic, and have a non-porous, slip-resistant surface. With a 25 year product warranty, you know this material is designed to last.

When choosing an entrance to your patio or lanai, a popular door is offered by Climatrol Hawaii. Their doors have waterproof screens that are virtually locked in and rarely come loose.

Stone is also a popular building product for decks and lanais. It has timeless elegance that never goes out of style, requires little maintenance and lasts forever. Travertine and quartzite are popular choices for outdoor construction, especially around pools or hot tubs. They are lower in cost than most and come in a variety of colors.

The most popular forms of real wood construction are redwood, cedar, and most recently, South American Ironwood or Ipe. Known for it’s durability and resistance to insects and harsh weather, Ipe is quickly becoming the most popular decking material in Hawaii.

The most important part of any deck (next to its structure), are the accessories. Popular choices include teak for chairs, loungers, tables and end tables. Although this product is extremely forgiving and is built to withstand more abuse than most types of wood furniture, regular oiling is required to keep your teak looking its best. Oversized stone or metal planters make perfect homes for flowering tropical plants.

When looking at design, split levels add interest and creativity and can be used to divide a deck into zones. Build your deck around large palms or other trees to add natural shade.

Hawaiian decks are also functional. Many include outdoor kitchens, eating areas, built in barbecues and special areas for meditation or exercising that lead into small Zen gardens with Koi ponds.

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Where Are the Best RV Destinations

As a camping enthusiast for more than 40 years, I have been all over this great country from sea to shining sea. My family and I have traveled in our RV for years and we have been to so many great places I don’t have the room to tell you about then all, but I will share with you a few.

We have camped along the Atlantic Coast of Florida and the Pacific Coast of California to the Gulf Coast from Texas to Alabama. We really enjoy camping on the ocean with the fresh sea breezes and warm tropical waters. The fishing is always good and just being lazy on the beach is pretty cool as well. We really enjoy the sea shore.

We have also been to the mountains quite often as well. We camped from Central Arizona and Southern Colorado, to the Great Smokey Mountains and the Appalachians. I love the cool crisp mornings, listening to the babbling mountain streams while drinking a good cup of coffee by morning fire. Life doesn’t get much better than that.

I cannot leave out the desert. The morning sun hitting the red rock cliffs while the antelope forage and the sheep graze is truly an awesome sight. The dry high desert air of northern Arizona clears your minds and you are able to see the wonders of this world for what they truly are. If you head towards the Big Bend Country of Texas you are in for a treat as well. The scenery is amazing and the wild life is truly awe inspiring.

I love the outdoors. I love camping in the outdoors. I love taking my RV to many different places. Whatever your tastes in outdoor experiences are, the mountains, the ocean or even the desert, you will be able to sit back, relax and enjoy the wonders of nature on display.

Alright, you probably figured out by now that I believe it doesn’t matter where you go, as long as you just get out and go: Enjoy our magnificent country. Hands down, the best way to save money taking a vacation and experience this beautiful country of ours at the same time, is to do it in an RV.

The advantages of being able to take all the comforts of your own home with you when you travel are priceless. There is also nothing that will unite your family better than spending time together hiking, fishing, swimming or just setting around the table playing a game.
Wherever you want to go on vacation, don’t punish your family by sleeping in a strange bed on strange sheets while being cooped up in a strange hotel somewhere. Remember, wherever there is a hotel, there is also a good RV park close by.

Find a Keystone RV Dealer near you and join the millions of RV owners and see the world for what is really is. Your family will love it and you will get a kick out of it too. You will have fun and save some money along the way. So, go camping in a RV this year. You will love it and your family will love it as well, I promise.

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Welcome to the San Diego Wild Animal Park

One of the most popular and well known tourist attractions in Southern California is the San Diego Zoo.  Most people outside of California, however, aren’t aware of an even better wildlife experience which is just a short drive from the Zoo, in the northern part of San Diego County, the San Diego Wild Animal Park.  Like the San Diego Zoo, the Wild Animal Park is operated by the Zoological Society of San Diego which is a non-profit organization dedicated to the conservation and education of endangered species and their habitats.  I’ve been to the Park many times while growing up in Southern California, but my last visit was special because it was with my five year old daughter who has never been there before.  It was an experience that yielded many cool pictures and a great time that I won’t soon forget.

The San Diego Wild Animal Park opened in 1972, and many of the attractions that were there for the opening are still around today.  The Park is not set up like a traditional zoo because most of the exhibits are in an open area on acres of land.  This allows the Park to keep herds of different species that interact with each other in an environment that simulates their natural habitat.  Because of this, the animals display many of their natural behaviors, providing Park visitors with a better understanding of how they live.  

The Wild Animal Park’s most popular attraction is the Wgasa Bush Line Railway which takes visitors on a 3 mile, 40 minute journey through most of the Park’s main areas and then into the San Pasqual Valley.  The valley is divided into different areas, each representing different regions such as North Africa, South Africa, the Asian Plains, and the Mongolian Steppe.  The tour also offers a live narration by the tram driver which really succeeds in educating the riders about each species on display.  For instance, I never knew that a herd of rhinos is known as a crash.  This attraction is perfect for older kids and adults, but younger children may become a little restless due to the ride’s length of time.  In the spring of 2007, the old railway is going to be replaced by a new and more modern transportation system.

Much of the Wild Animal Park’s charm comes from the over 3,500 plant species on display along with the Nairobi Village theme.  Our visit was on a somewhat dreary day which made the Park seem like a rainforest with babbling brooks and misty walkways.  The one exhibit that my daughter couldn’t get enough of was Lorikeet Landing.  For two dollars, you can buy lorikeet food (nectar) and the colorful birds will actually land on you when you enter the atrium.  From there, we saw another one of my daughter’s favorites, Lion Camp.  This new attraction lets you see the lions from several different angles and also provides an up-close view when you approach the glass barrier, which is the only thing separating you from the king of beasts.  I’m a big fan of carousels and the Conservation Carousel was one of the most unique that I’ve ever seen.  Instead of horses, it featured many of the endangered animals that can be seen throughout the park.  Our final attraction of the day was an Animal Encounter, where we got to experience a Caracal Cat up-close along with its trainer.

For a little bit more than the price of a one-day ticket, you can purchase one of several packages that allow you to become a member of the Zoological Society of San Diego.  As a member, you get such benefits as unlimited visits to the San Diego Zoo and the Wild Animal Park for one year, a ZOONOOZ magazine subscription, a membership card, and monthly member specials featuring discounts on food and merchandise.  Since The Wild Animal Park is operated by a non-profit organization, a visit to the gift store not only gets you some really cool stuff, but also allows you to contribute to a worthwhile cause.  This was the first of many visits that my daughter and I intend on making to the Park over the next year.  Hopefully, on your next trek through Southern California, you take the time to experience the San Diego Wild Animal Park for yourself.

Welcome to the San Diego Wild Animal Park

One of the most popular and well known tourist attractions in Southern California is the San Diego Zoo.  Most people outside of California, however, aren’t aware of an even better wildlife experience which is just a short drive from the Zoo, in the northern part of San Diego County, the San Diego Wild Animal Park.  Like the San Diego Zoo, the Wild Animal Park is operated by the Zoological Society of San Diego which is a non-profit organization dedicated to the conservation and education of endangered species and their habitats.  I’ve been to the Park many times while growing up in Southern California, but my last visit was special because it was with my five year old daughter who has never been there before.  It was an experience that yielded many cool pictures and a great time that I won’t soon forget.

The San Diego Wild Animal Park opened in 1972, and many of the attractions that were there for the opening are still around today.  The Park is not set up like a traditional zoo because most of the exhibits are in an open area on acres of land.  This allows the Park to keep herds of different species that interact with each other in an environment that simulates their natural habitat.  Because of this, the animals display many of their natural behaviors, providing Park visitors with a better understanding of how they live.  

The Wild Animal Park’s most popular attraction is the Wgasa Bush Line Railway which takes visitors on a 3 mile, 40 minute journey through most of the Park’s main areas and then into the San Pasqual Valley.  The valley is divided into different areas, each representing different regions such as North Africa, South Africa, the Asian Plains, and the Mongolian Steppe.  The tour also offers a live narration by the tram driver which really succeeds in educating the riders about each species on display.  For instance, I never knew that a herd of rhinos is known as a crash.  This attraction is perfect for older kids and adults, but younger children may become a little restless due to the ride’s length of time.  In the spring of 2007, the old railway is going to be replaced by a new and more modern transportation system.

Much of the Wild Animal Park’s charm comes from the over 3,500 plant species on display along with the Nairobi Village theme.  Our visit was on a somewhat dreary day which made the Park seem like a rainforest with babbling brooks and misty walkways.  The one exhibit that my daughter couldn’t get enough of was Lorikeet Landing.  For two dollars, you can buy lorikeet food (nectar) and the colorful birds will actually land on you when you enter the atrium.  From there, we saw another one of my daughter’s favorites, Lion Camp.  This new attraction lets you see the lions from several different angles and also provides an up-close view when you approach the glass barrier, which is the only thing separating you from the king of beasts.  I’m a big fan of carousels and the Conservation Carousel was one of the most unique that I’ve ever seen.  Instead of horses, it featured many of the endangered animals that can be seen throughout the park.  Our final attraction of the day was an Animal Encounter, where we got to experience a Caracal Cat up-close along with its trainer.

For a little bit more than the price of a one-day ticket, you can purchase one of several packages that allow you to become a member of the Zoological Society of San Diego.  As a member, you get such benefits as unlimited visits to the San Diego Zoo and the Wild Animal Park for one year, a ZOONOOZ magazine subscription, a membership card, and monthly member specials featuring discounts on food and merchandise.  Since The Wild Animal Park is operated by a non-profit organization, a visit to the gift store not only gets you some really cool stuff, but also allows you to contribute to a worthwhile cause.  This was the first of many visits that my daughter and I intend on making to the Park over the next year.  Hopefully, on your next trek through Southern California, you take the time to experience the San Diego Wild Animal Park for yourself.

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Visiting the American Southwest

Southwest region of United States is an exhibition of myriad cultures, traditions, activities, events and ambience. This is because the region is composed of globally recognized states- Arizona, New Mexico, California, Nevada, Texas and Utah. Colorado too is often deemed to a part of this insignificantly harsh or water deficient region. According to many people visiting Southwest is akin to confronting the past. For pioneers, cowboys and mountain men traveled around and settled in this area. Also the southwest festivals and fairs are a complete reflection of tradition and culture. For instance if you want to taste the typical southwest region flavor, take part in the fairs like Texas State Fair or the 49ers festival in Utah.

Southwest region is an area where cultural diversity can be delighted in, where variety has become the specialty. So while Mexico has its own Mexican culture to greet you with, the Old World Spanish culture still echoes in California. The imprints of the tribes such as the Navajo, Apache, Hopi and Zuni are visible on the land of Southwest. One amongst the wonderful features of this area is that age, caste and sex are no bars to enjoy. In other words people of all ages can have a gala time here.

The place has everything to lure its visitors. From beguiling scenic splendor to thrilling and adventurous activities, it has all. Kids can have an amazing time visiting sites like Jellystone Parks, dinosaur digs, National Parks like Guadalupe Mountains national park etc. Perceiving Grand Canyon, one amongst the wonders of the world is definitely a lifetime experience for every visitor. Death Valley is another awesome place to hit. It is one of the geological wonderlands. Apart from this the geological formations in Zion National Park, desert terrain running alongside the lush mountains are a toast to eyes. Magnificent and colorful volcanic deposits can be seen at the Artist’s Palette. The oasis, warm springs, palm trees and cottonwoods make the Furnace Creek a place worth going. You can even board a flight and soon be a member of the rocking nightlife of Las Vegas, the place that never sleeps.

In Southwest you can relish rock climbing, mountain hiking and even skating. The Zion National Park and a few other national parks offer many hiking trails. Hiking Zion Canyons is also a breathtaking experience but meant only for skilled hikers. Ruby Mountains situated in northern Nevada are ideal for rock climbing. There are overhanging rocks and 800 feet tall rock towers that make rock climbing most adventurous sport so far. The Lamoille Canyon, located in Ruby Mountains is also a place swarming with visitors.  Little Florida Mounatins are also associated with hiking. Here you will find trails for hiker of every level and the most bewitching aspect is the incredible view one gets to see after climbing on the top.

The Rockhound state Park in New Mexico is largely recognized as a picnic spot for entire family. Rockhound offers excellent camping opportunities. There are hot showers, bathrooms and a Visitor’s Center too. People love to do camping here because of the fascinating aura and to grab 15 pounds of agates, geodes and quartz that anyone can gather and take to home.

Since the southwest region is rich in dinosaur fossils and has countless rocks, treasure hunting is a popular activity here. Here you can hunt for treasures of all types. Dinosaur bones are found littering sand dunes and dry lakebeds. Gold can be discovered in California and Arizona.

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