Well down here in Ft Lauderdale, Florida it is hot. It does not look like we are going to get any cold weather this winter. And I am mad.

I know that some of you up in Buffalo or Vermont are reading this and spouting several four letter words my direction. Please let me explain.

We never get any kind of cold down here. No seasons at all. It goes from real hot to kinda hot to not so hot, right back to real hot. So for those of us who would like to go somewhere where it is a little cold at least what do we do?

I have some suggestions:
1) Alaskan Cruise. This is my favorite vacation, hands down. All of the major cruise lines that sail in the Alaskan waters are good. And if you go, your going to get at least a little cold if not real cold weather. No snow in the summer, but it will be chilly. This is one of those vacations that everyone needs to do at least once in their lives. Each port of call has something for everyone. And nothing is better than sitting on a deck chair, bundled up in blankets, sipping hot coco while you slowly cruise through Glacier Bay.

2) Ski. There are many domestic ski lodges. They fit every taste and budget. With slopes for beginners and experts alike. Just do your research before you go. Buying lift tickets and snow equipment at the lodge at the last minute can be costly.

3) Just Chill. Why not go to one of the afore mentioned Ski Lodges and not Ski? Many of these major hotels chains have plenty to do for the non-skier. Or if you wish, just do nothing at all.

There are many more options. The sky is the limit.

Just have fun and recharge those batteries.

Being the huge Disney Fan that I am I wanted to turn the spotlight on a part of Walt Disney World. Give my readers a little insight into this magical place.

For the first one I will start with Epcot's Test Track.
The longest, fastest ride in Disney World, Test Track takes you, twists you, turns you on a ride through the GM proving grounds. Strap yourself in and be amazed as you and your car are shot around hair pin turns, test your ABS braking system, and accident avoidance. Then when you think it is all over, whoosh your outside doing 65 MPH around a banked loop.

Test Track is a complex ride. The cars you ride in each have their own on board computers, four wheel ABS, four wheel steering, and run flat tires. Test Track was delayed almost three years due to problems making all of these hi-tech components work together. But besides this, it is one great ride.

This isn't a thrill ride and your not going to be upside down or anything. So encourage everyone to ride. They will love it.

TIP: There is a single riders line. This means that they fill up the cars with single riders. So you and the people your with will be split up, but it can cut your wait time down significantly.

Well it is that time again. I will pack up my car, take a sleeps eyed daughter and wife and make the 3 hour trek up to the house of mouse tomorrow for a nice weekend.

I will write all about it when I return.

Have a great weekend and cross your fingers for me. I am hoping the refurb to Space Ship Earth is done and I can ride it Sunday :)

Sounds official right? Sounds like Tom Clancy has been up all night banging away at his computer writing another spy/war novel. Nah, it is just America's new or semi new initiative to keep us safe.

This is straight from the State Department.
"Implemented on January 23, 2007, ALL PERSONS traveling by air between the United States and Canada, Mexico, Bermuda, and the Caribbean region are required to present a passport or other valid travel document to enter or re-enter the United States."

So remember if your going out of the country anywhere, to Canada or the Bahamas you may need a valid Passport. Check with your airline or cruise company. Or just go to the State Department's website.

And after January 31, 2008. LAND AND SEA TRAVEL
"U.S. and Canadian citizens will need to present either a WHTI-compliant document, or a government-issued photo ID, such as a driver’s license, plus proof of citizenship, such as a birth certificate. DHS also proposes to begin alternative procedures for U.S. and Canadian children at that time."

Now these procedures will be updates and will get tougher. You will eventually need to have a passport or one of the new Passport Cards to go out of the country.

Remember that The passport requirement does NOT apply to U.S. citizens traveling to or returning directly from a U.S. Territory.

Bottom line is this, do not risk anything. Get a Passport and get one 6-8 months before you need to travel. Even if you do not need one, it is the best option. Also do not forget your kids they need passports also.

If you need a passport fast there are some agencies that will expidite your request. My daughter applied for her passport December 26, 2007. We received it in the mail the last week of January. And that was the normal slow way. So the State Department is getting these out quicker now.