The real meaning of Memorial Day

Memorial Day, originally called Decoration Day, is a day of remembrance for those who have died in our nation's service.

Here’s a quick reminder about our "National Moment of Remembrance". Today at 3 pm local time all Americans  are asked "To voluntarily and informally observe in their own way a Moment of remembrance and respect, pausing from whatever they are doing for a moment of silence or listening to 'Taps."

Be sure to thank a Veteran today and everyday for their service and sacrifice!  

Disney and Vegas top keyword searches but trail "transportation"

Intelligence provider AdGooroo names Disney and Las Vegas as accounting for the top two travel-related searches but the overall most popular travel topic was not destinations. Instead, it was transportation where airlines, trains and auto rentals represented about one third of all searches.

Hotels were second at 23.1%,"suggesting Americans may already have a good idea where they are going this summer but need to find out how they will get there and where they will stay," the site says.

In an analysis of nearly 1,000 travel-related keywords searched an estimated 2.4 billion times on Google during January and February 2012, AdGooroo found Disney accounted for 7.3% of all travel-related searches followed by Las Vegas at 6.3%.

They were trailed by Florida, the Caribbean, Mexico and Hawaii.

Brooklyn Bridge opens May 24th 1883

Mentioned in countless songs and literary works plus 14 years and 27 deaths while being constructed, the Brooklyn Bridge over the East River is opened, connecting the great cities of New York and Brooklyn for the first time in history. 

Thousands of residents of Brooklyn and Manhattan Island turned out to witness the dedication ceremony, which was presided over by President Chester A. Arthur and New York Governor Grover Cleveland. 

Designed by the late John A. Roebling, the Brooklyn Bridge was the largest suspension bridge ever built to that date.

On my next trip to NYC I’m thinking about staying in Brooklyn. Lower hotels rates and the subway can whisk me into Manhattan. Hey folks out there in Blog land-any thoughts or comments?

United Airlines drops family priority early boarding process

Just in time for summer vacation, families with small children traveling on United Airlines will no longer be able to board early.

Families with children who aren't flying first or business class now have to board with their ticketed boarding groups.

The airline adopted the policy last month "to simplify the boarding process and to reduce the overall number of boarding groups," says United spokesman Charles Hobart.

They’re not talking about it but I’m sure that you’ll have to pay a “family priority” boarding fee.

Princess Cruises returns to Texas-Caribbean departures

This December, Princess Cruises® returns to sunny Galveston, Texas, offering convenient round trip cruises to the fascinating Western Caribbean on board Crown Princess®.  

You can fly in and sail on the same day — and those living in Texas and neighboring regions may choose to drive and save airfare altogether.

Western Caribbean Cruise to Cozumel, Belize & More - Princess Cruises.This itinerary offers something for everyone: fascinating 2,000-year-old Mayan ruins from the Island of Cozumel and Belize City; stunning beaches and tropical forests on the Island of Roatán; and a chance to explore the amazing Belize Barrier Reef — a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Departures begin December 22 and continue through Spring 2013.

Bon Voyage! 

Why is there a larger arch in St. Louis MO?

One year after the United States doubled its territory with the Louisiana Purchase, the Lewis and Clark expedition leaves St. Louis, Missouri, on a mission to explore the Northwest from the Mississippi River to the Pacific Ocean.

Even before the U.S. government concluded purchase negotiations with France, President Thomas Jefferson commissioned his private secretary Meriwether Lewis and William Clark, an army captain, to lead an expedition into what is now the U.S. Northwest. On May 14, 1804 the "Corps of Discovery" featuring approximately 45 men left St. Louis for the American interior.

On September 23, 1806, after almost two and a half years, the expedition returned to the city, bringing back a wealth of information about the largely unexplored region, as well as valuable U.S. claims to Oregon Territory.

And know you know why there’s a large arch in STL-it’s thegateway to the west!