Who spends the most on travel?

Researchers over at Bundle.com, a Web site tracking how Americans spend their money, looked at what people in 100 cities across the nation are spending on travel.

Here's what they found:
Top 10 cities for spending on travel:

1. Arlington, Va: $3,534
2. San Francisco: $3,460
3. Washington, DC: $3,409
4. Scottsdale: $3,372
5. New York: $3,274
6. Fremont, Calif.: $2,976
7. Austin: $2,852
8. Seattle: $2,658
9. Reno: $2,613
10. Oakland: $2,562

And the bottom five:

5. Greensboro: $820
4. Lexington: $809
3. Memphis: $683
2. Chula Vista, Calif.: $676
1. Garland, Tex.: $647

Read the full report

Huffington Post launches travel section

The hugely popular Huffington Post just launched a new travel section: huffingtonpost.com/travel. The new section features up-to-the-minute travel news, travel tips and advice, deals, reviews of hotels, cruises, spas, and airlines, compelling photographs, blog posts about travel, and more.

“I’m delighted that we’re adding a lively travel section to the HuffPost mix,” HuffPo co-founder/editor-in-chief Arianna Huffington wrote in a blog post introducing the section. “Some of my happiest -- and most enriching -- moments have come through travel: my first trip out of Athens when I was 11 (to Paris); my first trip to America when I was 16; traveling around India at 17, riding third-class, but getting a first-class education. So we want HuffPost Travel to be both practical (hot deals, travel tips, hotel reviews) and inspiring -- a reminder that travel can be a great way to unplug and recharge, and also to learn and grow. And our community will be a big part of the section, offering tips, sending in photos, and posting reviews. HuffPost Travel is a great addition to our site.”

Here's are a few things you'll find in the section right now:

Rare Amelia Earhart Photos On Display At Royal Hawaiian Hotel

Sarah McLachlan To Perform At JFK On Thursday

Collapsed Gangway KILLS Cruise Ship Passenger

Obama Family To Return To Martha's Vineyard In August

Hiking with kids

My parents forced me to hike as a kid. I had no choice. I had to walk up the mountain, or they'd leave me behind.

Their strategy might sound cruel but it worked. I've grown into an adult who loves spending weekends walking a trail, and now that I have my own kids I find myself bringing my own children--and using my parent's same no-nonsense approach. (It's frightening how we all turn into our parents.)

Our family spent last weekend hiking in California's Sierra Nevada mountains, and my husband and I brought our 5-year-old son and 7-year-old daughter on two four mile hikes. Our first hike started with a steep climb up a mountainside. It was a hot day, even at 9 a.m., and about 15 minutes into the hike my daughter started complaining.

"I'm hot!" "When will be there?" "I need a break!" Can we turn around?"

My husband and I both ignored her.

She eventually threw herself onto the ground and started crying. I actually felt badly for her and wanted to stop and console her but I just kept walking and turned the corner.

As soon as we were out of sight, she popped back up and ran after us. "Hey! Wait up!"

She never complained again, and we made it to a pretty, little lake where the kids dipped their feet in the water and cooled off.

The next day, we all happily hiked through fields of purple lupine to a vista point that offered sweeping views of Lake Tahoe. We even made it to a patch of snow where the kids had a snowball fight. They seemed to realize that making it to the top of the hill has its rewards.

Below is a slide show with pictures from our hikes.

Voluntourism: Helping clean up the oil spill

My kids and I have been talking a lot about the oil spill. We listen to news reports on National Public Radio when we're driving to camp in the morning, and then they always have dozens of questions.

Why can't we just stop using oil?
Can we adopt one of the birds?
Could we keep one of the turtles in our bath tub?
Why are we still driving?

One day when we were listening to a segment about volunteers cleaning oil off birds, they asked, "Can we go help?"

My children are only 5 and 7-years-old so it's highly unlikely that we're going to hop on a plane to the Gulf. I think we'd create more trouble than offer help. But I was curious to find out how interested adults can lend a hand, and I found this great list of organizations seeking volunteers on the Travel Channel Web site.

Deepwater Horizon Response
When the call came for volunteers, the response was immediate and intense and calls from interested participants flooded call centers. The Deepwater Horizon Response is the official command center for updated information on the progress of the oil spill and volunteer opportunities. You may contact the Deepwater Horizon Response Volunteer Request Line at (866) 448-5816 or contact individual states volunteer ventures for details.

The National Audubon Society
The National Audubon Society is working to protect and help the injured birds and other wildlife. The organization has set up a volunteer response center in Moss Point, MI, to serve as the central hub for all volunteer activity. Potential volunteers are invited to fill out a detailed form online with contact information and details about specialized skills that may be of service. Volunteers may be called upon to help with a variety of jobs. Hands-on tasks may include collecting data and photographing coastal birds and the impact on the shoreline or helping to build nets and cages that trained professionals will use during wildlife rescue efforts. Birding experts may help out on the Bird Hotline to address questions that may come up about bird species and sightings, while office workers may help out with scheduling volunteers, managing daily operations, organizing training sessions and providing logistical support.

Matter of Trust
If you are interested in volunteering but don’t live in the Gulf area, there are still plenty of ways to help. While organizations are always looking for financial donations, the Matter of Trust organization is sponsoring a Hair for Oil Spills program. The group is requesting donations of hair, fur, fleece and nylons that are used to make hair booms that will absorb oil from the water. Cut your own hair or work with local salons to collect hair clippings or collect animal fur from a dog grooming spot. Even used nylons, with or without runs, are useful in building these oil-absorbent booms.

Alabama
Coalition of Active Stakeholders Team (COAST)
While some organizations have an ample number of volunteers, many continue to collect names for future projects. The Coalition of Active Stakeholders Team (COAST) is a joint effort between the Alabama Coastal Foundation, Mobile Baykeepers, BP, the US Coast Guard and the state of Alabama to coordinate volunteers. There’s no immediate need for volunteers, but the organization is collecting contact information that may be used in the future.

Alabama Wildlife Federation
The Alabama Wildlife Federation is recruiting volunteers -- ideally those with experience in environmental cleanup -- on its website so there’s a list of specialists available if necessary. The site also provides a hotline number and instructions if you encounter oil-covered wildlife, the most important tip being to not approach or touch any injured wildlife.

Alabama Coastal Foundation
The Alabama Coastal Foundation has joined with other organizations to train local citizens to become Volunteer Field Observers. After attending a training program, these local residents help assess the situation on Alabama’s shoreline by gathering data and providing up-to-date information on the affects of the oil spill on the coast. Participants set off in canoes or kayaks to explore areas along Alabama’s shoreline and record images with digital cameras and video. Information on upcoming training sessions will be available on the website as additional dates become available.

Florida
Volunteer Florida
Volunteer Florida has already organized thousands of volunteers to clean up the state’s beaches and coastline in preparation for the moving oil spill. Now that volunteers have completed this pre-oil-landfall cleanup, the world waits to see what direction the oil will move next. Potential volunteers can provide contact and background information on the Volunteer Florida website and may be called on to assist based on their skills. Volunteers may be recruited to act as Coast Watchers or to provide administrative and website support. Due to the dangerous nature of oil spill sites, trained professionals will be used instead of volunteers to assist in cleaning up contaminated areas.

Louisiana
Volunteer Louisiana
Sadly, the state of Louisiana is no stranger to natural disasters in recent years. The Louisiana Serve Commission is working to gather volunteer information through the Volunteer Louisiana website. Once prospective volunteers complete registration and training sessions, they may be called upon to assist with pre-impact beach cleanup, as well as to maintain sites, monitor wildlife or provide transportation assistance. Volunteers are also needed to fulfill administrative duties like managing donations and working at command posts and volunteer reception centers.

LA Gulf Response
The LA Gulf Response is a coalition of the area’s active wildlife and natural preservation advocates. Five organizations – Barataria-Terrebonne National Estuary Program, the Coalition to Restore Coastal Louisiana, the National Audubon Society, the Nature Wildlife Federation and The Nature Conservancy – have joined forces to address the threats from the BP oil spill. They are compiling volunteer information from an online registration form and may call on these potential volunteers as more needs arise. All volunteers must be at least 18 years old, and while many positions do not require special skills, the organizations are requesting applications from pre-veterinary students and those people with training in properly handling wildlife.

Mississippi
Volunteer Mississippi
Volunteers looking for opportunities to help in Mississippi may contact Volunteer Mississippi as well as national organizations, including the National Audubon Society and the Deepwater Horizon Response.

My kids are familiar with one of the main areas where oil is washing up on shore. Last summer, we drove past New Orleans to Venice, La., all way to the mouth of the Mississippi River.

When kids kick the seat backs

How many times must a kid kick the back of your seat before you say something and complain?

One airplane passenger lost all patience after a single kick.

After a 3-year-old boy put his feet on the back of the woman's seat, she turned around, grabbed him, and said "You're not going to be kicking my seat all the way to Las Vegas" while shaking him and then slamming him back on the seat," according to USA Today.

At least this is what the mother of the 3-year-old boy told police. The mother is now pressing charges against the 42-year-old woman who was supposedly intoxicated on the airplane.

This is an extreme situation with an irrational plane passenger involved, but no doubt kids kicking seat backs is a problem. My own kids have been asked to stop tapping their shoes and I've tried hard over the years to teach them to keep their feet to themselves.

What's a mom to do? Here are a few things that I've found work:

1) Give a lecture before boarding. It's good to teach your kids airplane etiquette before getting on the plane. Explain to them that it's bad manners to put your feat on the seat back and disturbs other passengers.

2) Put on a DVD. I'm not one to park my kids in front of a TV, but on an airplane it makes sense. Always fly armed with a DVD player and a bunch of movies. I always try to bring something my kids have never seen. The trick is to get them so absorbed in something that they don't move!

3) Offer a bribe. Tell your kids that they'll get a treat--say a lollipop--if they keep their feet off the seat in front of them.

4) Take off their shoes--but keep the socks on. A pair of soft socks slides right down the back of a tray table.

Photo: Consumertraveler.com

Have you ever missed a flight?

We nearly missed our flight returning home from Seattle. Well, actually only three of us—my two kids and I—made it onto the plane. We left my husband behind in Seattle.

I thought the plane left at 7 p.m. when it really left at 5 p.m. I realized my mistake at about 3:30 p.m. when we were taking family photos at Snoqualmie Falls, a good hour from Sea-Tac and still needed to return my friend's house where we were staying, pack our suitcases, fill the rental car with gas, and return the car. Argh!

As we sped through light traffic to the airport, I called Virgin Airlines, panicked. "What do we do?" I said to the agent on the phone.

Honestly, I had never been late for a flight. I'm one of those who arrives 2 hours early.

It turned out that the 5 p.m. flight was the last Virgin flight to San Francisco that day and the agent said sternly, "You need to do everything possible to make the flight."

We realized we had no chance of getting on the plane if we returned the rental car, so the plan was for my husband to drop off the kids and me so we would make the flight, and then he'd return the car and hope for the best.

My kids and I ran to the ticket agent--because we had luggage to check. I immediately apologized for our tardiness as I've always found people who arrive late for their planes just plain rude.

It made me feel better when I realized we weren't the last ones on our flight to check in--a panicked man arrived at the counter minutes after us. We ran to security--thank goodness the line was short. And then we ran to our gate and got right on the plane.

I told the flight attendant that I was hoping my husband might still have a chance of making it and she said, "Honey, we ain't holding this plane for your husband." And then I felt really stupid for saying anything.

We sat parked for awhile...and I just gazed at the aisle...hoping my husband might make it. But then we started rolling. Darn! He was stuck in Seattle for the night.

Have you ever missed a flight? Why? How did you deal with the situation?

Best Western's summer promotion

It's time to put on my Best Western spokesperson hat....

The world's largest hotel chain has a great deal going on for members of Best Western Rewards. If you stay two separate times at a Best Western property ,you get a free voucher toward your next stay at any property in the U.S. or Canada (click here for details).

Best Western actually offered a similar deal last year, when we stayed at several properties when we drove the length of the Mississippi River and earned two free nights. Next weekend, we're cashing in our coupons and staying at a Best Western for free in California's Lake Tahoe. Can't beat free nights!

Etsy find: Crayon wallet

When I'm traveling with my kids, I always have a set of crayons and a notepad on hand.

They come in handy in restaurants, on long airplane rides, in cars.

I absolutely love this crayon set that keeps everything organized.

Handmade and available on Etsy.

Click here for more details.

Our favorite road trip toys

The kids were in the car for 18 hours over the course of our nine-day trip. How did we prevent them from going stir crazy? Well, we listened to a lot of Books on Tape, played a lot of I Spy, and even sang songs. I also packed a few toys to keep them busy. Here are the ones they liked most.

My kids loved the Crayola Color Wonder lap desk. It comes with a set of markers that you can stuff into a zipper pocket, but best of all when you flip the desk over the soft pillow can be used take naps.

Wikki Stix were another hit with the kids. You can twist and turn and sculpt these long, skinny pieces of wax and make all sorts of things...cars, people, flowers.


My Busy Kit is stuffed with things for little hands to play with. Crayons, markers, scissors, lace board, stickers, car Bingo, an activity pad, and more provide endless fun.

I-5 Road Trip: slide show

Here's a selection of our best photos from our I-5 road trip:

How to travel on $200 a day (yes, it's possible)

You can visit Seattle's Main Library, one of the coolest buildings in America, for free.

We did it! We successfully traveled I-5, from San Francisco to Seattle, for 9 days on $200 a day. In fact, we came in about $200 under budget for the entire trip.

How did we do it? Here's a rundown of tips and tricks we used to pinch pennies along the road.

1) Leave the SUV at home. We cruised I-5 in an economy compact car (Ford Focus) that got 35 miles to the gallon. We spent $88 on gas. If we had taken an SUV, we would have spent about $150 on gas.

2) Lighten your load. We packed light--bringing only a few changes of clothes and doing wash along the way. Carrying 100 pounds in the trunk reduces a typical car's fuel efficiency by 1 to 2 percent. If you do have cargo to haul, use the trunk instead of a roof rack or carrier, as using these can decrease mileage by as much as 5 percent.

3) Water only. No iced tea, no apple juice, no beers, no way! At restaurants we were allowed to order water only (with a few exceptions).

4) Split entrées. We always started by ordering one entree for two adults and one children's meal for two kids. If we ate everything and were still hungry, we ordered more. We never wasted food.

5) Carry refillable water bottles. A family of four can easily spend $20 a day buying water in plastic bottles. We purchased eco-friendly Klean Kanteens, which don't leach chemicals, toxins, or funky flavors. We refilled them at hotels, restaurants, and public restrooms.

6) Find free and cheap fun. We visited Whiskeytown Lake National Recreation Area outside Redding, Calif., on Trails Day, when park admission is waived throughout the country. We went to the Oregon Zoo in Portland on the second Tuesday of the month when admission is only $2. Convention and Visitor Bureau Web sites are great resources for inexpensive activities and events.

7) Go for hotel freebies. Bed down at places that offer great value: free breakfast, Wi-Fi, and parking. For example, you’ll receive free Internet access at all Best Western hotels (bestwestern.com).

8) Dive into the hotel pool. Take a break from the amusement parks and shopping malls, and hang out at the pool, where you don't have to pay admission. Ninety percent of Best Western properties have swimming pools.

9) Load your iPhone with apps. We used CheapGas to pinpoint the lowest priced gas stations and AAA Discounts to alert us of money-saving opportunities. You can download both applications for free on iTunes.