Frequent travelers if you have not taken the time to sign up for TSA Clear, you really should. It is SO worth it! Many major airports including Charlotte Douglas International Airport have special lines for TSA Clear passengers.

For $100 (and going through the registration/approval process) you get the benefit of
- Designated lines which are VERY short....I've never waited more than 5 minutes
- You no longer have to remove, shoes, coat, laptop, 3 oz items, etc.

I can now get to the airport about 30 minutes later than I normally would.
NOTE: This program is airline specific. The following airlines currently DO NOT recognize the CLEAR program:

JetBlue
AirTran
Southwest

If you fly out of Charlotte as I do you are probably on US Airways most of the time and US Airways recognizes the program. I think everyone should write to the other airlines and push for them to recognize the program.

For more information on the process of applying for TSA Clear go to

I can't even tell you how much fun I've had traveling with some of my girlfriends over the years. No offense to the guys but sometimes a girls trip is the best kind! These trips don't have to be expensive ladies! It could be something as simple as going to a local winery or spa for the day. Of course if you do want to max out your credit card (not recommended at all) or blow your entire tax return (wouldn't be the worst thing you ever did) then there are so many fun places to go. At the bottom of this post is a list of some of my favorite blogs/sites for travel...all focused on girls.

If you have some ideas/photos from your trips.. send themto me..I'd love to see them! As I was pulling up these pictures it struck me how many really great friends I have. I am happy to be able to travel and spend time with some of the most fun, kind, adventurous, intelligent, positive women around! Here are photos from some of my favorite trips.....in no certain order.

This is a list of travel sites focused on women.........you might find them helpful in getting ideas for your next trip

Maiden Voyage www.maiden-voyage-travel.com
Girl Gotta Travel http://www.facebook.com/GirlGottaTravel#!/GirlGottaTravelTravel Betty www.travel-betty.com Solo Female Traveller www.solofemaletraveler.com
Go Gallivanting www.gogalavanting.com
The Lost Girls www.lostgirlsworld.com
A Girl's Gotta Go www.agirlsgottago.com

The only time I've ever cried on my way home from a trip was the first time I flew back home from California. I've always been an east coast girl but there is something about California that gets me every time. I felt silly to say the least, crying on a plane but I am happy to find out that it is Ok........................................
perfectly normal, according to the editor of the 2012 Travel Guide To California. He says many people temporarily lose their minds when they come to CA. I noticed Laguna Beach made the cover of the 2012 Travel Guide. Laguna so far is my favorite spot in CA but I've never been to the wine country, Monterey, Big Sur or Santa Cruz. That will all be in this trip. I'll let you know if Laguna is still my favorite after my adventures this week.

I found some very interesting clothing that reminded me of the ones that I buy locally in North Carolina designed by my friend Devon (Jelbel Designs). CUTE!

After shopping we were apparently in the mood for Yoga so we attempted some poses on a snow mound. Well..... Chrisite actually did the poses...I made an attempt. I think I get an "A" for effort. :)

If you find yourself in Toronto you should definitely go to a Maple Leafs Hockey game. It is a great experience even if you are not a major hockey fan. As soon as you step in to the Air Canada Centre, home of the Maple Leafs, you can feel the passion for the sport. I was recently in Toronto for business and got an opportunity to go to the game and I'm so glad I did. The Air Canada Centre is impressive and is easily accessible in downtown Toronto.

Ticket prices range of course. Even the most inexpensive seats are good. I got a chance to go down to the ice and take some pictures.........great view!

It features a 3,000 bottle floor to ceiling 'Sterling Three Palms' wine cellar that surrounds a marble tasting table. Very, very cool. Opposite the wine cellar, the Rothschild Room is surrounded by glass for a more exclusive and intimate atmosphere. Both of these unique dining experiences can be booked through the Club Manager.

If you need tickets to a game or other event at the Air Canada Centre go to http://www.theaircanadacentre.com/

If you are interested in information about special events, group events or reservations at the Platinum Club just call Maple Leafs Sports and Entertainment at

(416) 815-5945
www.mlse.com

When my friends came back from Belize I was so impressed with their photos. Jeanette was kind enough to share her blog about their trip with me. Maybe this will give you an idea for a new vacation spot!

Our second port was Belize City, Belize. When we got there we walked out of the port area and purchase 4 tickets via the Caye Caulker Water Taxi to the beautiful little island of Caye Caulker. The ride took about 40 minutes! This charming little island is what you would expect to see in a travel magazine! There are no cars on the island. People get around by way of golf carts and bicycles.
The colorful hotels and outfitters lined the sandy streets. Small boats sat tied to the end of long docks. Palm trees and coconuts lined the shoreline with the crystal clear water glistening behind them. Ahhhh, heaven!

We didn't have reservations for an excursion, but as soon as we got off of the taxi we found Star Tours where we booked a tour going to Shark Ray Alley. This turned out to be one of our favorite experiences ever and we are already planning a trip back there to stay a bit longer! The tour consisted of 3 stops: Shark Ray Alley, The Barrier Reef, and Coral Gardens.

We got in the little boat and drove for about 5 minutes before we were at our first stop, Shark Ray Alley. Sting rays and nurse sharks started swimming toward the boat. We talked to the girls about what it would be like to swim with rays and sharks, but I must admit that the sight of them swarming us was a little intimidating. Jillian, on the other had, was so excited that she put on her mask and snorkel and jumped right in the water. She is a brave little one! Chloe was right behind her. I was still on the boat and not a second later our awesome guide, Shawn, had a 4 ft. nurse shark in his arms! Spencer was brave and held him and then finally talked me into doing the same! The girls couldn't stop talking about how rough he felt. They thought a shark would feel something like a dolphin or sting ray! We let him go and went on swimming with tons of sting rays and fish and even saw a barracuda!

Our second stop was a guided Barrier Reef tour. Here Shawn told us that he would lead and we would follow. We swam out for about 30 minutes while he pointed out all the different species of fish and coral. Right before we were ready to head back to the boat we were at a depth of about 30 feet! It was amazing. Shawn said he had something to show us and to pay attention. We all looked closely as he basically called an eel out from the coral and then fed it! It must have been 4 feet long!

Our final stop of the day was the Coral Gardens where we got to swim around on our own. It wasn't nearly as deep or filled with wild marine life, but the coral was quite beautiful!

If you go to Caye Caulker I highly recommend Star Tours. Shawn was so informative about the reef and the marine life.

For more information and pictures on the Western Caribbean and other locations check out Jeanette at her blog, www.TravelandPhotographyToday.com

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