Avoid Germs While Traveling

I recently read an article on the CNN website that suggested 5 ways to avoid germs while traveling. In particular, there were some interesting suggestions on avoiding germs on an airplane. To read the full article click here. I'm not exactly sure how long CNN archives articles, so I'll give you the take-aways here:

1. Sit toward the front of the airplane
(ventilation systems on most commercial aircraft provide better air flow in the front of the aircraft)
2. Don't drink coffee or tea on an airplane
(water in airplanes' water tanks isn't always clean)
3. Sanitize your hands after leaving an airplane bathroom
4. Wash or sanitize your hands after getting off an escalator
5. Wash or sanitize your hands after using an ATM

I guess suggestions 3-5 can be interpreted more generally as "Sanitize Your Hands" often!

Use Google News Alerts For Travel and Vacation Research, Education And Experiences

Google News Alerts can actually improve your travel experience and research. If you know your travel plans at least a few weeks in advance, it's a great idea to set up a Google News Alert to help you get more "information aware" of where you'll be going and what you'll be seeing.

I've created Google News Alerts for all kinds of things, like:

• National Parks ...like Death Valley National Park
• Points of interest ...Mono Lake
• Earthquakes ...California Earthquake
• Places to eat ...Whoa Nellie Deli
• ...and lots more.

The way it works is simple, anytime there is an item of information that Google deems as news, a description and link to the "news" is automatically sent to your email address. Fortunately, Google defines news as far more than what is typically thought of as news. Currently, results from News, Web, Blogs, Video and Groups are delivered. Google News Alerts are a great way to get more immersed in your travel experience!

Setting up a Google News Alert is really simple. Here's a tutorial on how to create a Google News Alert:

Step 1:
At the Google search page, click on the news menu option running along the top of the screen
(or just type news.google.com in your browser)

Step 2:
Type in a the name of the place or thing you want an alert for in the search box and click the Search News button or (press the enter key).

Step 3:
On the left side of the page, you'll see a small icon in the shape of an envelope with the text "News Alert". Click on the "News Alert" text.

Step 4:
You'll then see the Google Alerts screen with your topic already entered in the "Search Term" Input box.

Step 5:
Now you'll choose from several configuration options. I recommend:
Type: Comprehensive
How Often: Once a day
Deliver To: Put your email address in this box

Step 6:
Click the "Create Alert" button!

Google allows you to create more News Alerts than you'll ever want, and it's easy to delete them when you're finished. For more detailed information about Google News Alerts, point your browser to: http://www.google.com/alerts

I've gotten some awesome information and entertainment as a result of using Google News Alerts prior to my travel or vacation. For example:

• Did you know that every summer, during the hottest part to be exact, there is an ultra-marathon that starts in Death Valley and ends on Mt. Whitney?
• Mono Lake is home to arsenic eating slime!
• Everyday there can be hundreds of earthquakes taking place in California, many focused around, so called, dormant volcanoes?!
• Of all the options, the best place to eat in Lee Vining, California is at the Whoa Nellie Deli Mobile Gas station? (Trust me, this ain't no joke...the food is awesome!)

So now I ask you, why travel when you can trip! Follow my advice and you'll have a much better travel or vacation experience.

Bonus: Mono Lake Video