Vermont Travel Notes

"ngader" posted this luggage wheel photo on Flicker with this tip in the caption: " Rule of thumb : When buying luggage, check the wheels. Try not to buy wheels with rubber bits. Buy the full fibre / hard plastic wheels."


Yesterday, I received an email alert from Squidoo about a blog on how to prevent lost luggage.

The writer, Victoria Neely, once worked for an airline as a baggage agent so she knows what she is writing about. With all the things she has seen go wrong with luggage, she says she is "frankly amazed that most checked bags return to their owners unscathed!"

Even if your bag is not lost (and there is a six in one thousand chance it will be), it's likely to get broken or dirty at some time or another.

You can't make it impossible for something to go wrong but there are a number of things you can do to improve your bag's chances of greeting you in good shape at the other end of your mutual journey.

There are a lot of useful tips in this article along with some interesting and surprising facts. For instance, did you know there is a reason baggage is handled roughly instead of gently?

And Ms. Neely is not hesitant to recommend some bag brands that she has seen hold up well.

Take a look - I'm sure you will read something you did not know!

(c) 2007 Jeff Connor Grunberg Haus Inn

The Vermont Ski Areas Association is sponsoring a learn-for-free program January 5 -13, 2008.

This is a heck of a good deal. The lessons can be for either skiing or snowboarding, and include lift ticket and equipment rental at no cost whatsoever.

They are calling it the "Ski Vermont New Year’s Resolution" program. It is geared toward first time skiers and snowboarders ages six and older.

The participating resorts are the best in the state: Ascutney, Bolton, Bromley, Burke, Jay Peak, Killington, Mad River Glen, Magic, Middlebury, Mount Snow, Okemo, Pico, Smuggs, Stratton, Sugarbush, and Suicide Six. To see where these resorts are located, go to the VT Ski Areas Association map page.

Spaces are limited so I suggest you register right away. You can do so on the VT Ski Areas Association website Learn for Free page.

Don't put this off. It's such a great deal that spaces will fill quickly.

(c) 2007 Jeff Connor Grunberg Haus Inn

Stowe's first rail jam of the season, November 24.

Vermont skiing is off to a good start this year with plenty of snow. For example, at Stowe, the snow-making trails have 1.5 to 4 feet of base built up so far. Stowe has received about a foot of natural snow the past week and a total of nearly three feet this season. You can get details on the Stowe Snow Report page of the resort's website.

Things are looking good for the big kick off week between Christmas and New Years. Now is a good time to make reservations.

(c) 2007 Jeff Connor Grunberg Haus Inn

Peter Greenberg's website is full of useful travel information.

Here is some ammunition to use with the airlines if your fight is canceled. It involves a little-known FAA rule that requires the airline to book you on the next available flight whether it is their flight or another airline.

It's called Rule 240 and it's a good thing to remember when you are dealing with an airline front desk person or supervisor.

However, like most things in life, there are exceptions. You can read more details about it at the Peter Greenberg website.

" 22" Flash Trolley" by Titan Luggage of Germany . . . Made with 100% polycarbonate . . . extremely lightweight and scratch-resistant, with sturdy ergonomic telescopic handles and protected exterior zippers . . . fully lined and padded . . . removable garment and toiletry cases . . . TSA approved combination lock and 4 swivel wheels" It's $475! but it will probably survive 20 years of airline abuse so that's just $24 per year: on the Luggage section of Flight 001.

Flight 001 is a website with travel related products including "luggage, carry-on, tech-to-go, packing aids, groom bags, essentials, travel i.d., wallets, jet comfort, meal service, aerotherapy, time travel, gadgets, entertainment, books, and airtunes."

I found myself spending a lot of time just looking around this website and learning about all the different products I didn't know were available.

If someone asks you what you want for the holidays, have this website bookmarked for them.

(c) 2007 Jeff Connor Grunberg Haus Inn

I was recently looking for travel bags and came across a site you might be interested in too. It's called Trusty Pony for no reason that I see but it has a lot of "cool stuff for travelers" as it claims.

You can find helpful items under categories such as Air, Family, Fancy, Gadgety, Girly, International, Outdoorsy, Road Trip, Sporty, Urban, Warm-weather, Luggage & Bags, Body, Books & Guides, and Gifts.

There are countless worthwhile and clever items that you can use even when you are not traveling. Give it a look - you'll probably see something of use to you or someone you know (think holiday shopping).

(c) 2007 Jeff Connor Grunberg Haus Inn