Airports Begin to Start Up Post Hurricane Irene

It seems that Hurricane Irene is doing more than just forcing people to evacuate and throwing a lot of ugly storms our way. As a result of the impending hurricane, many flights to and from areas along the East coast were cancelled as airports shut down for safety protocols.

The good news is that some East coast airports have resumed partial service as of Sunday, even though travel was sluggish thanks to U.S. airlines canceling over 6,000 flights, a majority of which were located in the Greater New York, Boston and Philadelphia areas.

The Baltimore/Washington International Airport resumed service very slowly on Sunday beginning with a 10:20 a.m. American Airlines flight from Miami. The Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority, the organization that oversees Reagan National and Dulles International Airports, stated that its airports are open and sustained "no major damage" from the storms on Saturday.

More than half of the 6,000+ cancellations came from the three major airports in the Greater New York area, John F. Kennedy International, Newark Liberty International and LaGuardia. Despite the cancellations and storms, many airlines stated that they could resume New York service by midday Monday depending on conditions and access of the facilities.

Many of the airports on the East Coast stayed open despite empty runways. The only flights out of Boston's Logan International Airport that were expected to come through on Sunday were two late night international arrivals, according to Phil Orlandella, a spokesman for the airport.

U.S. carriers stated that they planned on resuming operations as early as 6 a.m. on Monday and no later than noon. Airlines have canceled over 1,000 flights to and from Philadelphia International Airport where there were no departures scheduled. However, the facility did reopen on Sunday at 4 p.m. after closing the night before. All East Coast airports should become fully operational at some point in the coming week.

Source: The Wall Street Journal - Travel Snarled as Airports Revive

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Ford Tri-Motor at Port Clinton Airfield

The large hangar at the fixed base operator (FBO) site at the Port Clinton Ohio airfield houses a partially reconstructed/restored Ford Tri-motor. In the late 1920's Henry Ford successfully endeavored to build what was the first commercially feasible passenger airplane fleet in the world - the Ford Tri-motor. The work of restoring and recreating one of these aircraft is a very ambitious project.

The local EAA (Experimental Aircraft Association) Chapter 1247 started this monumental task several years ago thinking to preserve the airplane for history. Warren Cermak is the lead person on the project. The club goal was to create a working aircraft. Since that time they have expanded their horizon to include housing the vehicle in a museum for the public to see and enjoy. The tri-motor will be used for sightseeing rides as well as being on display in the museum. The museum will be located on the Port Clinton airfield but on the opposite side of the field from the FBO near the roadway and will have a (50's?) diner included.

The chapter has established the Tri-Motor Heritage Foundation to accommodate donations that help support the purchase of materials for the project and the museum. Please visit their website www.trimotorheritagefoundation.org to view a video of the project and its goals. All funds donated are being matched two for one ($2 additional for every $1 donated) by a private donor.

We are amazed at the dedication of Chapter 1247 for the past few years and admire the work already accomplished.

Hotels Now Offering Rooms with Workout Equipment

Let's be honest, the last thing many of us would probably want to think about while on vacation is our workout routine right? I mean, how can you enjoy your time of relaxation if you are constantly trying to make it to the hotel workout room or worrying about what you are going to eat that day? However, there may be a way to make your vacation workout time easier as many hotels are beginning to offer rooms that come equipped with weights, yoga mats and even treadmills or elliptical machines.

According to Chris Carmichael, CEO and Head Coach for Carmichael Training Systems, "The increased popularity of in-room fitness options has to do with convenience and effectiveness. People can get the job done without leaving their room, get it done quickly and get on with their day."

Keeping up with this trend, the Hotel 71 in Chicago created five 600-square-foot fitness suites as part of a $15 million renovation. Two of the rooms feature elliptical machines, three have treadmills and all have 43" TVs that guests can use to play things like workout DVDs. However, these rooms will cost you a little extra. The average nightly rate is $179, though the suites will also be offered to members of the hotel's loyalty program as an upgrade.

"Our fitness center is available 24 hours a day, but some people find it awkward to go down there in the middle of the night," said General Manager Steve Shern. "Others just want the ability to work out in their own private space."

Other, larger hotel chains are jumping on the bandwagon as well. Both Affinia Hotels and the Hilton Garden Inn chain offer complimentary fitness kits, which include yoga mats, stretching blocks, workout bands and weights. The Hilton Garden also includes an 8-lb. ball for abdominal workouts.

Some hotel companies are even making partnerships with athletic and training companies to provide everything from exercise videos to workout clothes. Guests of the Sheraton can take advantage of complimentary video-on-demand routines and "workout in a bag" kits developed by the athletic training company Core Performance. At the Westin guests can borrow complimentary athletic shoes as well as workout clothes due to a partnership with New Balance.

"Frequent travelers have realized that being fit makes travel easier," Carmichael stated. "They don't want to put their lifestyle on hold when they leave town." Shern added, "I talked to one guest who told me the machine was staring at her the entire time. She said it was a great source of motivation to actually get on it."

Source: MSNBC - Hotels bring the workout to your room

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Johnson's Island Civil War Cemetery

Johnson's Island Civil War Cemetery

Even if you are just slightly interested in the Civil War, you will enjoy this well kept federal cemetery on a tiny residential island in northwest Ohio. To get there, travel on the perimeter road east of Port Clinton on the Sandusky Bay side. Watch for a very small marker to herald the entrance to the causeway leading to Johnson's Island (the cost is currently two dollars/car to cross the causeway). There will be a sign directing you to the cemetery.

Once there, you will be surprised by the fenced in rows of white grave markers that are almost all in very good condition. This area is listed as "Ohio's most significant Civil War site". The Confederate Prisoner of War Depot was rapidly built early on in the conflict labeled the Civil War. The first prisoners arrived in April of 1862. Twenty-six Confederate generals and future generals were imprisoned on the island.

History has it that they were treated very fairly at the beginning of the conflict but later on rations were greatly decreased and the facilities were overcrowded. There is a museum dedicated to preserving the history and artifacts of the camp located in Sandusky at the Ohio Veteran's Home.

Archeological studies continue at the cemetery. There is a chart showing graves wih markers and those burial sites that are unmarked but verified as having human remains.

There is a large handsome monument erected by the Daughters of the Confederacy in 1910. The monument serves as a memorial to honor the service of these men.

Marblehead Lighthouse

Add Marblehead Lighthouse to Your Cedar Point Visit

Cedar Point, north of Sandusky, may be the spot the kids want to experience but you might want to sneak in this special lighthouse in the northwestern corner of the great state of Ohio.

Marblehead Lighthouse offers wonderful views of Lake Erie, a finely preserved lighthouse and home where the lighthouse keeper and family would stay, as well as a stroll around the well kept grounds.

The drive is to go north east of Port Clinton following the Lake Erie shoreline until you come to the park entrance. Enjoy the views and the walk or bring your fishing gear to try to catch supper!