http://www.blogcatalog.com/directory/lifestyle/living-well/ Adventure Woman Blog: August 2010
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Thursday, August 26, 2010

Adventure Woman Radio - Escape Artists!

Adventure Woman Radio had two of the world's most innovative and extraordinary escape artists on the show Sunday.

These women are fearless and have a great spirit for daring and adventure. Both Dayle Krall and Alexanderia the Great are featured on AdventureWoman.com as a REAL Adventure Woman and you can click HERE to read their bios.

What is very interesting is that both of these women enjoyed completely different and unassuming careers before jumping into the spotlight. Equal to their daring of participating in very dangerous escape acts is their bravery to follow their dreams. This courage is an inspiration to us all.

To listen to the broadcast go to the icon to the right or visit Adventure Woman Radio.

Sunday, August 22, 2010

Adventure Woman & Disneyland

Visiting the "Happiest place on Earth" is not for the weak of heart. It is a real expedition and one that should be taken seriously. First of all, be prepared. Wear comfortable clothes, and even more importantly comfortable shoes. You'll be walking and if not walking, certainly standing, so put "comfort above aesthetics."

Disney is fun - a lot of fun but it takes effort. The other thing it takes is money. Water cost you at least $3 a bottle and you'll be swayed to buy frozen lemonade, cotton candy, ice cream bars and all of the other wonderful goodies that make the day at the theme park just plain fun. The tickets for two parks for two adults and one child (for the day) was almost $300. This is steep for most people who are on a budget in an unforgiving economy. However, if you have AAA you can get discount tickets (other organizations can give you discounts as well and Disney offers it own program to acquire tickets on the cheap such as doing volunteer work). Again, check it out before you go.

The Fast Pass tickets (free) are a good option. You register with your admission ticket for a ride and return at a given time a hour or so later to avoid long lines and waits. This is great in theory, but be prepared to walk to one end of the park and then back to the other to use the fast pass tickets.

Disney is one big photo opportunity and there are Disney Photographers everywhere. The photographer will give you a card (PhotoPass)that you can use over and over again at every official photo op. However, for some reason our photos with Mickey did not load on the Disney Card so we lost them. Lesson? Always take a back-up photo with your own camera (or at least cell phone). The Disney photos are easy, and good quality. When you log in to the site to look at your photos you can add boarders and personalize the photos (you can collect your photos at the park or online for 30 days). They look fantastic - but they are expensive, too.

One experience at Disney that I thought was very reasonable was the wine tasting. You receive three small glasses of wine and paired three cheeses (with crackers) for around $12. Go to the Wine Country Trattoria in California Adventure Park.

We spent about 14 hours at Disney and did so many fun things together - the roller coaster (Scream) the Mickey Mouse Fun Wheel, and the Maliboomer (set to come down Sept. 16), etc., etc., etc. We got the requisite Disney ears and came home totally exhausted.

I got a hotel room at the nearby Hyatt for about $80 a night with free breakfast (good buffet) and a complimentary shuttle. I recommend it.

Yes, it really is the "Happiest place of Earth" - even if it is hard of the feet and the wallet.

Saturday, August 21, 2010

Adventure Woman & the Oregon Shakespeare Festival

Last night I attended (with Gusty) the world-renown Oregon Shakespeare Festival in Ashland, Oregon. They are celebrating their 75th Season this year and the town is filled with a contagious happy spirit.

For those who have never heard of it the Shakespeare Festival is a grand tribute to Shakespeare and his Globe Theater. The outdoor theater (the Elizabethan Stage)is modeled after the famous outdoor theater in London. The performances start at 8PM and the evening soon turns dark and dramatic. The actors are first-rate and it is a wonderful and unforgettable experience.

I saw Henry IV, Part One (a great performance). I was lucky enough to pick up return tickets that were Box Seat tickets and they were fabulously grand. Fantastic views and a beautiful breezy evening. Also playing in the Elizabethan Stage (on alternating nights) is Twelfth Night and the Merchant of Venice.

The Festival also has two indoor theaters: the New Theater and the Angus Bowmer Theater. Currently showing in the New Theater is: Well, Ruined and American Night. And in the Angus Bowmer Theater is Hamlet, Pride and Prejudice, Cat on a Hot Tin Roof, She Loves Me, and Throne of Blood.

If possible, arrive early in the day and take the Backstage Tour (offered at 10:00 AM).

This is one of the genuine highlights not only in Oregon but in the USA. Yes, it is that good. Plus, Ashland is a cozy, chic town with shopping, restaurants, coffee shops and a cool artistic upbeat vibe. In a word: go!

Phone: 1-800-213-8161.
OSFAshland.org

Thursday, August 19, 2010

Adventure Woman rides Amtrak

Our Adventure Woman Team boarded the Coast Starlight Train that runs from Seattle, Washington to Los Angeles, California. We picked it up in Eugene, Oregon and spent then next 28 hours on the train.

We got a small sleeper for two and it was tight, but comfortable. The train compartments have individual heating and cooling dials so you are able to set your own temperature. The train was clean and the seats were very comfortable (you could even recline them a bit). At night the chairs turn into a bottom bed and a top bunk comes down. This was a snug fit but I had a wonderful sleep as the train chugged and twisted through the mountains and countryside.

The first night we had "room service" and enjoyed dinner in our sleeper. The food is excellent. We had dinner rolls, salads, chicken, pork and a choice of four desserts. I also had a glass of wine with my meal. Yes, it was all very civilized.

The remaining meals were taken in the Parlour Car. In this area we could eat at a table for two while in the dining car you were obligated to share your table with two other people(four at at a table). This is a great way to meet and mingle if you're in the mood for it, but if you're looking for a private conversation or an intimate meal try the Parlour Car.

The views were some of the BEST I have ever seen anywhere in the world. The mountains, and majestic trees were spectacular and it is amazing to fathom how this remote rail line was built. The coastline (once we got into California) was beautiful as well. All of this and none of the hassles of driving. It was wonderful.

A train trip is an ideal place for books, board games and a deck of cards. It is a really fun family experience or a romantic couple's getaway. Next time you're looking for a little adventure - try travel by train.

Wednesday, August 18, 2010

Adventure Woman Salutes the right to vote!

A lot of women talk about voting - who they voted for and who they didn't. But with the passing of time and generations very few women speak of the right to vote and the women (suffragettes) who spent 72 years actively seeking the reality of the 19th amendment to the United States Constitution - giving women the ability to vote.

Today in 1920 - Tennessee became the 36th state to ratify the 19th amendment making the right to vote a dream come true for thousands of women across the country.

Voting is more than a right - it is an obligation. Women who don't vote because of lack of time or interest insult the work and sacrifices of the women who made it possible for us. Yes, we are busier than ever raising children (often by ourselves) and working (often full-time jobs while raising children by ourselves), but I implore all women to cast their vote.

Why? Voting is power. It is empowering ourselves and our voices as individuals and a group. Women comprise the majority of the adult population and hence, the majority of the voters. Hence, if you wondered what would happen if women ruled the world you only have to get yourself and "your sistas" to the ballot box.

Today lets remember and thank women often forgotten, but whose lives are instrumental to the quality of life and liberty we enjoy today.

Here a few names (albeit limited) of women who got you to the ballot box.

Susan B Anthony
Elizabeth Cady Stanton
Carrie Chapman Catt
Alice Paul
Lucy Burns
Lucretia Mott
Julia Ward Howe
Maud Humphrey
Vira Boarman Whitehouse