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Sunday, November 14, 2010
THE PHILADELPHIA INQUIRER
Online Traveler
App focuses on U.S. national parks By Karen Schwartz ASSOCIATED PRESS
ROCKY MOUNTAIN NATIONAL PARK, Colo. — I’m in Rocky Mountain National Park, watching the elk resting on the Estes Park golf course, when someone from the visitors’ center approaches me about taking a survey. I decide to impress him and pull out my iPad, loaded with the brand new National Park Field Guides application. I switch it on, tap the bar that says “Current Location,” and smugly present it to him. “Er, Badlands National Park is a long way from here,” he says of the park name that appears on the screen — 400 miles and two states away. Turns out this app is not designed to automatically locate your position. I falsely assumed that by tapping a bar labeled “Current Location,” it would put me in Rocky Mountain National Park. But all I was doing was randomly tapping a spot on the map beneath the bar — and I happened to tap Badlands. To get information on the park I was in, I would have to physically find the right place on the map or choose it from an alphabetic list. And so it was with this application. I really wanted to like it, but it kept disappointing me. On the positive side, the application covers 50 national parks and is free to iPhone, iPad, and iPod touch users. It’s lighter to carry around than a guidebook and includes descriptions of the parks and lots of information. It lists plants and animals (birds, fish, mammals, trees, and wildflowers); things that are poisonous and dangerous; and information about threatened and endangered animals. It even has audio of birdcalls. On the negative side, the information is provided in a format that resembles an encyclo-
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pretty carefully proofed over the 10 years that eNature has been online, a few little things slipped by.” That’s not to say the information isn’t useful — I did learn that elk are mostly nocturnal — but it certainly isn’t as interactive as one would hope from an application. As I read through the description of elk “bugling” (the term used to describe the species’ mating call), I wanted to be able to bring up the sound. But there’s no such capability. And what about maps? The “About Parks” section got me interested in a few hikes that it describes, but where are the trailheads? Carrie Collins, a spokeswoman National Parks Conservation Association The National Park Field Guides app for the app, says it is not designed to serve as a travel guide, covers 50 sites. It is free to users but more as a comprehensive daof iPhone, iPad, and iPod touch. tabase of flora and fauna in each park. Hence the title “field guide,” rather than “travel How to Get the App guide.” The National Park Field Perhaps most annoying, each Guides is available at time I go to the app, it asks me to http://bit.ly/NPCApp. A register, a move that McGuire complete list of parks says is intentional. (You can byincluded is available at pass this by clicking on the canwww.npca.org/parks/app.html. cel button.) I start to wonder if it’s just as easy to use a different applicapedia. I can search for “elk,” tion, so I hold my Droid phone up but not for “elk diet.” Once I go to a buck to see if Google Goggles to the entry for elk, I need to — which searches the Web for manually scroll through pages information about images — can that cover “description,” “simi- give me basic information. But it lar species,” “breeding,” “habi- fails completely. tat,” “range,” “sign,” and One other thing to keep in “ t r a c k , ” u n t i l I g e t t o a mind when using apps or elec700-word “discussion” section, tronic devices in national parks is where it tells me what elk eat. that you will not always have conIt also tells me that “the nectivity. Roosevelt subspecies … shown My final opinion of the nationin Plate 317 in its rain forest al park app, which is being rehabitat in Washington’s Olym- leased by the National Parks pic National Park, is found in Conservation Association, is the Pacific Northwest.” Why, I that it’s probably worth having wonder, does it refer to a photo- when you are heading out to a graph that isn’t included in the park. After all, it doesn’t cost guide, and why does it clutter anything and it covers 50 of the up the page with information 360 U.S. national parks, includabout a species that is 1,500 ing Yellowstone, Grand Canyon, miles from here? Yosemite, Cape Cod National “The text content we use on eNa- Seashore, and Gettysburg Nature.com and in the mobile guide tional Military Park. comes primarily from the print Still, as the fellow from the visieditions of the Audubon field tors’ center said after looking at guides,” software developer Tom the app: “I don’t think this is goMcGuire of eNature.com ex- ing to keep people from stopping plains. “Even though it’s been in to see us.”
Cool Travel Websites www.airbnb.com Lowdown: A site where anyone can post the accommodations they’ll rent to travelers — whether in their home or a commercial property. “Sleeper couch + some cats” read one recent Ann Arbor, Mich., posting. The prices are good and the site’s reputation is decent.
www.nycvp.com Lowdown: If you want help planning a New York City vacation, this is the place. It also can arrange specialevent trips to the Westminster Kennel Club dog show, to Times Square to watch the ball drop on New Year’s Eve, or to the King Tut exhibition. It can help with special requests, hotels, transportation, and theater tickets, too.
www.ustravability.org Lowdown: One-source travel help for people with disabilities, compiled by Travelers Aid International. Includes information on transportation and airports, tourism resources, disability organizations, and state resources.
www.travel-ticker.com Lowdown: Good place to monitor short-term deals and just-announced airline sales. Run by Hotwire. The editors check among 10,000 suppliers for good deals that actually can be booked as advertised. Many deals, however, are good for a few days only, so check back often.
www.expertflyer.com Lowdown: For $4.99 a month, you get something not available on other sites — availability of flights and award seats in real time. If you do a lot of traveling, it’s worth it. — Ellen Creager, Detroit Free Press
10 for the Road You can plan now to attend these weekend events, occurring within a few weeks and within a day’s drive of Philadelphia. 1. The 17th Night of 100 Elvises. Baltimore. Dec. 3-4. Celebrate Elvis with at least 12 bands and 12 tribute artists and entertainers performing the King’s music all night. 1-888-494-9558; www.nightof100elvises.com. 2. Sparkle Weekend. Freeport, Maine. Dec. 3-5. Watch the lighting of the Talking Tree and meet Santa during the Sparkle Parade of Lights on Main Street. Hot chocolate, carolers, a tuba concert, a Jingle Bell Run, and a visit from the Wreaths Across America. 207-865-1212; www.freeportevents.com. 3. Gingerbread Village & Christmas Bazaar. Middlebury, Conn. Dec. 4-11. See a village built entirely out of edible ingredients — more than 50 gingerbread houses, all for sale. 203-758-9557. 4. Farm Film Fest III. Chatham, N.Y. Dec. 4. See movies about farming by professional, amateur, and local filmmakers and farmers. 518-392-5252; www.clctrust.org. 5. Victorian Christmas Designer Show House. Marshfield, Mass. Dec. 3-12. Visit the 1880 Queen Anne-style Daniel Webster mansion, decorated for the holidays. The festivities start with a gala evening. 781-837-7579, www.danielwebsterestate.org. 6. Christmas at Canterbury Shaker Village. Canterbury, N.H. Dec. 4 and 11. Take a candlelight stroll in the historic village, or hop on a horse-drawn sleigh or wagon. Celebrate a Shaker-style Christmas with gingerbread decorating, live music and a 19th-century magic show. 603-783-9511; www.shakers.org. 7. The Columbus Arts Ball. Columbus, Ohio. Dec. 3. Put on a mask and dress up in black and white for a masquerade ball. Enjoy a creative costume contest, music, and a fashion show by Masked Divas. 614-233-3000; www.columbusartsball.com. 8. Keeping Christmas with the Whitehornes. Newport, R.I. Dec. 4. Meet the Whitehorne daughters in their decorated early-1800s Federal-style home. Learn about the history of the holiday, sample desserts, and get authentic colonial recipes. 401-847-7300; www.newportrestoration.org. 9. Vermont International Festival. Essex Junction, Vt. Dec. 3-5. More than 50 craft vendors, plus ethnic foods and delicacies. Also, multicultural music and dance performances. 802-863-6598; www.vermontinternationalfestival.com. 10. Gray Ghost Vineyards Open House. Amissville, Va. Dec. 4-5. Wine tasting with hors d’oeuvres, a display of more than 70,000 corks, a 14-foot Christmas tree, a sleigh and reindeer. 540-937-4869; www.grayghostvineyards.com. — Rachel Gouk
How to avoid hotel bedbugs Hotel’s smoking stance Travel Troubleshooter
Before moving into a room, it pays to check mattress, box spring, and headboard. By Beth J. Harpaz
leaves a visitor burned By Christopher Elliott
it is stonewalling you. This is no way to treat a guest, let alone a frequent guest. Question: My wife and I checked into Part of the problem may be cultural. the Marriott Grand Flora in Rome on Europeans tend to be far more tolera reward stay. (I’m a platinum elite ant of cigarette smoke than Americans member of Marriott’s rewards pro- are, so when you complained to the gram, which means I’ve stayed in its manager at the Grand Flora, I imagine hotels more than 75 nights a year.) one of the reactions was, “Come on, One of the benefits is that my room what’s a little smoke?” type is guaranteed. My wife and I are But you have a right to a smokeboth affected by cigarette smoke, free room, and Marriott, as a hotel and the ability to guarantee nonsmok- chain, has taken a pretty aggressive ing rooms is welcome. stand when it comes to smoking. AcWhen we checked in, the front- cording to its “smoke-free policy” desk clerk waxed on about how we (www.marriott.com/marriOrkin L.L.C. had received an upgraded room, but ott.mi?page=smokefree), it is commitwas in retrospect unclear about ted to providing a smoke-free enviBedbugs are fairly common in hotels and can be taken home by guests. whether it was a nonsmoking room. ronment in the United States and I inspect my room for any evidence an infestation. The next day, we both felt sick. Canada. Alas, Europe is exempt. of bedbugs. I would not want to What I’m trying to understand is Although there was no obvious smell bring potentially infested bedding Q: Are bedbugs truly a widespread of smoke, we looked around and fi- why they did this to you. You’ve conback to my home. I think that in- problem in the hotel industry, or is nally noticed an ashtray tucked away centrated your business with Marricreases the chances of a home infes- this a lot of hype? ott, earning a “platinum” designation on a table. tation, even if one takes the precau- A: It’s pretty common to find bedI immediately requested a room as one of its best customers. They tion of laundering those items. bugs in hotel rooms. So many peo- transfer. At first we were told the should have made extra sure that all ple I know have — my boss, my hotel was full. Eventually, after of your needs were being met — not Q: A number of products claim to parents, the New York City schools’ speaking with a manager, we were hesitated before giving you another repel bedbugs. Has any product pest control director, friends. I look given a different room, but were told room. And they should have helped been found to be effective? and have never found a bedbug in we had to vacate our room as quickly you recover your lost items. A: The only thing that was studied my travels. … I think there are as possible. Unfortunately, I did not At the same time, I’m sure the hoand published in a peer-reviewed false reports, and there is definitely pack everything. tel had its reasons for handling your journal was standard insect repel- hysteria, but some hotels were notoAfter discovering the problem, I case the way it did. If the property lents vs. bedbugs. They found evi- rious for pretending this issue asked the hotel staff to let us back was full, then accommodating a spedence that DEET is repellent to bed- didn’t exist — or worse, knowingly into our previous room. This request cial request that may have seemed bugs. It makes sense that other bo- renting out rooms that had bed- was refused, and repeated requests frivolous to the staff probably didn’t tanicals might be repellent as well, bugs. … One would hope every ho- to the housekeeping staff to search rank high on their priority list, debut none is foolproof because you tel has a protocol for dealing proac- the old room did not yield anything spite your protests. can’t possibly cover your whole tively with bedbugs today. If Marriott sent your case back to left behind. Q: Does keeping your luggage in the body or your entire environment Several items of clothing, including the Grand Flora’s manager for resoluhotel bathroom really help protect with an even layer of the scent. Q: If dogs are so good at finding a good portion of my socks and under- tion, I think that may explain the lack it from bedbugs? Plus, given a no-choice situation, bedbugs, why don’t hotels have wear, were left behind. Because we of action. You see the hotel as failing A: I keep my luggage off the bed bedbugs will likely brave it and get dogs go through every room? had been assigned to a smoking room to meet Marriott’s high customer-serand more toward the door. My theo- their meal. Also, all these repel- A: Dogs are not foolproof, but they in error, I asked the hotel to make vice standards. They probably see you ry is that when luggage or belong- lents wear off over time, so by 4 are a great tool. Properly trained good on the room benefits guarantee as a whiny American who can’t handle ings are placed and left on the bed a.m. you might no longer be protect- and handled dogs can find a bed- for elite Marriott members. I was a whiff of cigarette smoke. overnight, and bedbugs sense a per- ed — and that’s usually when they bug that nobody else can find. They planning to use the money from the If that’s the case, then you’re right son and become active, they may like to feed. have been shown to be way more guarantee to purchase clothing so I and they’re wrong. It comes down to feed, then run and hide in the closeffective at inspection than people wouldn’t have to do laundry in the this: You’re the customer — and not est crevice available … which Q: Can you really bring bedbugs are. However, it is unfeasible and bathroom sink on my vacation. just any customer — and they made might just happen to be a suitcase. home from a movie theater or air- cost-prohibitive to consider using a Marriott has refused to honor the a promise. They are not attracted to suitcases, plane? Is it really possible for lug- dog every day in each hotel room. guarantee, even though I escalated the I contacted Marriott on your bebut suitcases provide suitable habi- gage to get infested in a cargo Dogs, like people, get tired, need complaint to the hotel manager and half. A representative contacted you tats for bedbugs that come across hold? breaks, and don’t always have the Marriott customer care back in the and offered a $100 check, in accorA: All a person needs to do is bring best day at work. Any job should States. Is there anything you can do? dance with its elite benefits guaranthem. home one “gravid” female bedbug have two dogs, for cross-verifica— M.G., San Francisco tee. That should buy you a few pairs Q: Would it help to sleep inside a [fertilized and ready to lay eggs] tion, or a technician that finds the of socks and underwear. In addition, silk sleep sack, mosquito netting, or and an infestation could begin. … bug. If a hotel were to have a dog Answer: I feel for you. I just spent two Marriott’s corporate office sent you a sleeping bag, assuming you could Females wander and can get into on site all the time, it also would days in a “nonsmoking” room that $100 gift card in apology. launder the bedding before bring- your personal belongings in any sit- need to have a devoted handler. happened to be next to a room occuing it home? uation. Your luggage wouldn’t be- The handler and dog work as a pied by a chain smoker. I smell like Christopher Elliott is the ombudsman for A: It might prevent a person from come infested, it just might contain team. I don’t think hotels consider the Marlboro Man. National Geographic Traveler magazine. getting bitten if there were bedbugs a gravid female. If someone picked this a large enough problem to pay If Marriott guarantees a particular E-mail him at celliott@ngs.org or in the hotel room. But I wouldn’t up a nymph [juvenile] only, he an employee and keep a dog just room type, and backs up that promise troubleshoot your trip through his bother, personally, because instead might get bitten but would not start for bedbugs. in its contract, I don’t understand why website, www.elliott.org. ASSOCIATED PRESS
NEW YORK — Worried about bedbugs on your next hotel stay? The mere mention of the creatures probably makes you itchy. Here are some common questions about travel and bedbugs answered by bedbug expert Jody L. Gangloff-Kaufmann, urban entomologist in the integrated pest-management program at Cornell University. Question: How do you inspect a hotel room for bedbugs? Answer: Experts say that inspection of the mattress under the sheets is good, but you’re even more likely to find bedbugs in less disturbed places, like the box spring and the headboard, so I make some effort to inspect these areas. I’m not especially paranoid, so I don’t go crazy inspecting. But even rooms that appear clean have been found to harbor bedbugs behind the headboard. And most headboards are mounted on the wall with hooks and can be lifted off and removed or replaced. Places where the box spring meets the frame are good; crevices are favorite hiding spots. And I always look between the mattress and box spring by lifting the mattress. The fecal stains are what to look for primarily, although they could be old. If those are found, it’s a strong indication to either do a very thorough inspection or change rooms.
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