I don't want to be here. At work, I mean. It's going to be hot and sunny today. And if you're reading this right now, during normal work hours, we are likely pretty simpatico.
I'm thinking about water. Actually I'm thinking about beer and water. I'm thinking about a sweat-soaked July evening and looking at an orange fingernail moon outside Mike's Westview in Amherst. Double-digit collections of ponies of Rolling Rock left behind.
A short hop to Puffer's Pond. And swimming. A half dozen of us. And we met others.
SO.
The past is. But if you have fond memories of old-fashioned, swimming holes, the folks at swimming holes.info have taken it upon themselves to compile lists of such places around this great land of ours.
In the Bay State, they list 37, with most of them concentrated in Western Mass. and around the Cape. They offer you directions to each place, along with descriptions, fees (if any), whether swimming is officially sanctioned (not necessarily a legal distinction), when the listing was last updated, and whether bathing suits are "Required," "Optional," or "Customary" (sadly they make no distinction about time of day for such niceties).

Those guys at the delightfully reprehensible Matador Nights. They define mensch. Why the lavish praise, you ask?
These guys have compiled a list of where you can find the world's sexiest -- outside of the United States. I know this is not the criteria by which most plan their travel. But frankly I have heard of worse reasons (I have a pal that has this Mickey Mouse thing...but that's for another day).
So, where can you find the sexiest women?
MENDOZA, Argentina: "Go out on a Friday or Saturday night in January and there’s a good chance seven out of ten girls you see at the bars will be insanely beautiful ... the majority epitomize what you would expect from a smoking hot Latina: Brunette, olive skin, sharp, dark eyes and hourglass curves.
HAVANA: "Tall women with striking features ... the music will stir your soul. This is no place to be a shy gentlemen, but if you can’t open up with a few words of Spanish you’re sunk.''
SEOUL: "If East Asian beauty floats your boat you’ve come to the right place. Don’t confuse westernized with western here -- Seoul style is singular and unique. And if anyone tells you that Korean women are docile and humble, you have been misinformed.''
Sun Lee of Seoul was Miss Korea in this year's Miss Universe pageant.

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Southwest plans to start offering international flights for the first time through a partnership deal with Canada's WestJet.
Southwest said it is working on a so-called code-sharing agreement with WestJet, a low-fare, Canadian regional airline, which flies around Canada as well as to Hawaii, Mexico, and the Caribbean. Code-sharing deals typically allow carriers to sell tickets on each other's flights.
The airlines hope to detail schedules, fares, and other features of the pact by late next year. I think it's pretty safe to say, though, that New England customers of Southwest, which services Providence, Hartford, and Manchester, will likely be among the recipients of more lower-fare options to Canadian destinations. The agreement is subject to review by regulators.

No, this just isn't any old Hot Air Balloon Fest...this is the Hillsborough Balloon Festival and Fair! While the show-stoppers tend to be the gorgeous inflatables rising above the mountains, this event has so much to offer, it seems likely you won't be able to fit it all in. There will be fireworks, a 5K, carnival midway, live music and entertainment, tractor pulls, mud bogs, and artist's fair, despite the large balloons filling the skies.

So, you want to take a ride but are afraid...no problem. Alternative Number 1 is to try out Tethering. When a balloon tethers, it is secured to the earth so it will return to the spot from which it took off. Accompanied by the pilot, you will "go up" about 50 feet then come back to the ground. The cost is $10 per person to go up for approximately 5 minutes. Or you can choose Alternative Number 2: Night Glow. A Night Glow isn't a ride, but it is one heck of a show. Once fully inflated, the propane burner is adjusted so as to create a white flame that illuminates the balloon and makes it glow. The night glow is free too. See, no flying needed for full enjoyment.

The festival runs July 10-13 with the 2008 theme of "Celebrating Family & Friends"...easy to achieve in such atmosphere. Parking donation is $5 but general admission is free with extra fees charged for certain events [you can't ride in a balloon without a cool $175]. Leave Fifi at home as absolutely no pets of any kind are allowed on the fairgrounds. Balloon liftoffs and nightglow events are subject to weather conditions, and in the event of rain-out Saturday, fireworks will be rescheduled for Sunday with the festival remaining open until 10 PM.

It's not quite commonplace to celebrate a historic homestead that hasn't changed in over a century, but in Colebrook, N.H., you'll find a town doing just that. The Poore Farm Museum is a historic homestead or settlement that visually documents one family's life from the 1830s-1980s. The house, barns, and outbuildings are in original condition making a visit here is a step backward in time to what existed prior to rural electrification of the northern regions of New Hampshire.

This Sunday, July 6 marks the home's 14th Annual Open Barn & Celebration, commemorating its founder's 123d birthday. So of course, there will be free birthday cake and lemonade open to the public from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Traditional bluegrass will be performed outside by Gopher Broke beginning at 1 p.m. So pack a picnic, bring a blanket or chair, and celebrate the good ole days of yesteryear at the Poore Farm. Donations are requested at $8 per adult while children under 12 are free.

The first time I stayed at Colonial Gables (207-338-4000) in Belfast, Maine, I was 7 years old and my family was moving to town. This time, I’m approaching geezerhood — but the motel and cabin colony on the beach is looking better than ever, thanks to ongoing top-to-bottom renovations. My wife and I booked a small cabin with kitchenette (all new appliances) and a front porch overlooking the ocean for (drumroll) $70 a night in high season. We’d expected something seedy, but instead got a spacious room with new fixtures and a comfy queen bed. And it was hard to beat the view of Penobscot Bay that we enjoyed with breakfast on the porch. It could be a base for exploring anywhere in midcoast Maine from Boothbay to Bar Harbor.

Posted by David Lyon, Globe Correspondent

Poor little Augusta. Who really remembers that Augusta is Maine's capital city? Well, on the 4th of July, it's Augusta's time to shine with its Capital City Riverfront Fourth!

The day is packed with all-American fun so rise and shine, hit the road, and make accommodations to stay over - Augusta's got it going on. A pancake breakfast starts things off, followed by the annual parade at 11 a.m. From noon to 5 p.m., there is an Old Time Independence Day celebration at the Old Fort Western, including a Town Ball game, which is a 19th century version of baseball. For dinner it's a chicken BBQ, where lickin' yer fingers is required while you watch some great area bands perform live. The day is topped off by the Westside Waterfront Park for more vendors and live music, as you await the riverfront fireworks show, which begins about 9:15 p.m.

For more information call 207-626-2352.

East Lyme, Ct. gives you three good reasons to spend your long holiday weekend within its town lines. First and second, is the Niantic Lions Club 30th Annual Lobsterfest and Chicken BBQ which is held in the same location as the 48th Annual Niantic Outdoor Arts & Crafts show. Anyone cooking lobsters in mass quantities for nearly 3 decades is surely to have it down pat, and if you couple that with over 100 artists and crafters spread over vast green lawns, you've got the makings for a wonderful summer tradition. Both events will be held on Saturday and Sunday, July 5-6, on the East Lyme Town Hall grounds.

Those same days, not far from all the lobster and art, the East Lyme Historical Society will host their Annual Flea Market, Crafts and Collectibles Sale from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. on the grounds of the Thomas Lee House on West Main in Niantic. These kinds of markets where donations are collected randomly, sometimes provide the most rich shopping experiences. And all of the above benefits some of Niantic's best charitable organizations.

Weather looks good for Thursday July 3, in fact, it looks gruesome hot outside of Boston. Escape the triple-H threat and head to Gilford, N.H.'s Meadowbrook Farm for an outdoor concert of Kidz Bop. Yes, the same name from TV - the commercial that my kids try to act like they know, as they lip sync away to their favorite tunes [and they do a better job than Milli Vanili did too!]. Starting at 4 p.m., the Kidz Bop concert is a series of singalong collections that debuted in 2001. The genius behind the scenes knew that if he got kids singing versions of hit singles, and even cleaned up the language of some big hits, that parents would be all over buying the music for their kids. Kidz Bop collections have sold millions of records, topped the Billboard charts, and make every kid feel like they are in the thick of pop culture.

Tickets range in price from $19-$42 but there are no bad seats at Meadowbrook, which started holding concerts on the grass on the shores of Lake Winnipesaukee, in the middle of a tree farm. Today Meadowbrook is a big-time amphitheater rivaling the old Greatwoods [that doesn't date me does it?]. Anyway, give the night to the kids, put the twinkle of stardom in their eyes, and you can enjoy a family-friendly night outside under the stars of a N.H. Lakes Region sky.

Western Massachusetts is such a hotbed for fine artisans and varied crafters, and this time of year, the region is flooded with new talent, familiar faces, and much excitement. This weekend, July 4-5, is set for Great Barrington's Berkshires Arts Festival where over 175 juried artists gather to show and sell their wares.

The Festival is geared for families too with live demonstrations and workshops for both adults and children, great food, and plenty of live music. The opportunity to meet and speak with so many talented artists and craftspeople is an inspiring experience. The show is held under large outdoor tents, and in Ski Butternut's lodge. Held rain or shine, the festival is worth the drive out to the Berkshires.

Adults pay $10, seniors $9, and students $5. Children under 10 are free and a weekend pass is available for $13 if you plan on seeing all the festival has to offer - and it will take 2 days! Hours are Friday, July 4, from 10 a.m.-6 p.m.; Saturday 10 a.m.-6 p.m.; and Sunday 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Want to stay a while? Visit the Berkshire Visitors Bureau for lodging information. And take a peek at last year's show here.

If the mountain won't come to you... go on a three-day rock-climbing getaway in New Hampshire. REI (yes, the outdoor clothing and camping supply company) has put together a great selection of outdoor adventures, many of which are right here in New England. The rock-climbing adventure takes place at Rumney Rocks, about 8 miles outside of Plymouth, N.H., and the introductory course is perfect for those who have never before gripped a crag with a be-chalked hand. For trip dates (including women-only climbs), go to rei.com/adventures or call 800-622-2236. Posted by Lylah M. Alphonse, Globe Staff

If you find yourself on Cape Cod over Fourth of July week, you might want to take advantage of a couple of programs designed to lure people to Hyannis, which is the downtown village in the town of Barnstable and arguably the region’s central business district. On Thursday, July 3, the galleries and studios of Pearl Street (just a couple of blocks west of the major Main Street intersection with Center Street and Old Colony Road) will host “Artscape 1st Thursdays.” Studios include the Shirley Blair Flynn Center for the Creative Arts, the Guyer Barn, ArtSpace, Breakdown Lane, and a new cooperative gallery called The Cultured Pearl. Complimentary appetizers and beverages will be served, and attendees can receive a 20 percent discount on dinner at participating restaurants by getting their brochure stamped. Another Thursday evening staple, the TD Banknorth Summer Stroll, with entertainers livening the Main Street scene, begins the same night and runs from 6-9 p.m. The Amazing Richard, a magician, will perform near Palio’s Pizzeria at 435 Main Street. Inca Son, an Andean musician, will play across the way near Kandy Korner at 474 Main Street, and Rebecca Marona will draw caricatures and do free face-painting in front of R&S Avenue, a children’s boutique at 547 Main Street. Go to hyannismainstreet.com for more information on the 120 shops and 40 restaurants in the district.

With more people vacationing close to home, short road trips are becoming more and more popular, even in the face of rising gas prices. AAA Southern New England offers their members some great "Drive Vacation" packages, which include admission tickets, lodging, driving directions, marked maps (with trip irritations like construction zones and congested areas highlighted), tour books, and discount partner listings. There are 30 destinations from which to choose, some as close as the Berkshires (starting at $170 per person for two nights) and the White Mountains (about $590 for two nights for a family of four), others as far away as Montreal (about $90 per person per night) and Pennsylvania Dutch Country (about $450 for two adults for three nights). For more information, call 888-222-4619 or visit aaa.com/travel.
Lylah M. Alphonse, Globe Staff

Vincent's here! Vincent van Gogh that is. The Yale University Art Gallery in New Haven, Conn., is hosting the painter's iconic "The Starry Night" and "Cypresses" from June 14- Sept. 7. The gallery says this is the first time these masterpieces have traveled to New England. Completed in 1889 during his yearlong confinement at the asylum in Saint-Rémy, in southern France, these two paintings are the epitome of van Gogh's work at the height of his creativity. The exhibit, called "Van Gogh's Cypresses and The Starry Night: Visions of Saint-Rémy," is free, but reservations (check the website) for timed tickets are required.

A sample of Tripping Lily's music.

Your fingers are nearly guaranteed to fly at the annual Hands on the Arts Festival this weekend 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Home to the Cape’s oldest working historical windmill, the Eastham Cultural Council transforms the green into an arts showcase geared to kids of all ages.
Under the big tent, visitors can explore arts and crafts like Japanese brush painting, jewelry making, easel painting, and fiber arts, all taught by local artists. Burgeoning artists can try their hands at making paper flowers, shell ornaments, and braided key chains. A perpetual crowd pleaser is the sculpture crafted from found objects, proving again the timeless adage that one’s person’s trash is another’s person’s work of art.
Besides the activities in the tent, the works of more than 50 artists will be on sale during the juried craft show.
Once you’ve had your fill of the visual it’s time to move on to the performing arts. The costumed, handmade Gerwick Puppets, will perform plays both days. And the Yo-Yo People show there’s more to the past time pastime than old school tricks like walk the dog.
For music lovers, Tripping Lily, a group featuring stringed instruments like such as mandolin, violin, and ukulele, will bring their blend of bluegrass and quirky pop, and Provincetown Jazz Festival founder and drummer Bart Weisman will perform with his entourage.
Hungry? They’ll There will be plenty of barbecue and made-to-order sandwiches for sale.
Posted by Marty Basch, Globe Correspondent

My husband listens to talk radio, my brother-in-law books on tape.
How to otherwise engage them on our next drive to New York? Sandy Wood and Kara Kovalchik may have the answer: their Frequently Asked Questions for the "curious-minded.''
"The Complete Idiot's Guide® to Fun FAQs'' includes more than a thousand questions on subjects ranging from food and celebrities to myths and team sports.
It's available on Amazon for $11.01.
While I can't imagine besting my travelmates on American history or movie questions, it might be fun trying.

Excuse me while I try to overcome an onslaught of peristaltic contractions. I'm not a ride guy. To me, they are like mechanically induced food poisoning: headache, nausea, oy.
But I know some of you are. So our pals at Travel + Leisure (so what's up with the plus sign?) have compiled a list of the World's Top Ten. Now why do you care? Well because our own Six Flags New England in the lovely bedroom community of Agawam made the list with its Superman Ride of Steel. (The good folks at Boston.com have also compiled a list of the top ten in North America, including footage of what it's like on the Superman ride.)
If you want the details, read on. I think I need to lie down. Got any saltines?

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The rodeo, with its bronco-riding, calf-roping cowboys and cowgirls, seems about as quintessentially Western as you can get. But the Painted Pony Rodeo, the oldest weekly rodeo in the country, is actually just a few hours’ drive from Boston, in the Adirondacks’ Lake Luzerne.
But tomorrow, the Painted Pony Rodeo crosses into northern Vermont for a show in Highgate. This is professional rodeo, and the event should attract up to 100 men and women from as far away as Texas, who are earning professional points competing in events like bareback bronc riding, steer wrestling, team roping, and cowgirls’ barrel racing, where riders steer their horses at a fast clip around a set of barrels.
There’s also an opening pageant, as well as rodeo clowns, and a trick roper who can do just about anything with a lasso. Wear your cowboy hat or come early: The first 100 kids children to arrive get a free cowboy hat.
Tickets for adults are $15, for children $10, and ages 5 and under free. Gates open at 4 p.m., and the show starts at 7, rain or shine.
Posted by Kathy Shorr, Globe Correspondent

Have you ever gotten up early to watch the sunrise? Let me rephrase that: Have you ever gotten up early to drive to the top of the highest peak in the Northeast to watch the sun come up over the Atlantic Ocean? The Mount Washington Auto Road is opening early on three Sundays this summer (June 29, Aug. 3, and Aug. 31) to allow drivers extra early access to the summit of Mount Washington. On June 29, the auto road will open at 3:30 a.m., on Aug. 3 it will open at 4 a.m., and on Aug. 31 it will open at 4:30 a.m. The regular rate applies ($20 per car and driver, $7 each additional adult, $5 for ages 5-12, and children under 4 free) as do certain vehicle restrictions. These rates include that famous bumper sticker and an audio tour on CD or cassette in English, French, or German. On a regular day, most vehicles take about 30 minutes to make the 7.6-mile ascent. Just don’t wait until the last minute to arrive. The popularity of last year’s sunrise drives showed that it may take as long as 30 minutes just to get through the Toll House at the mountain’s base. Someone once said, ‘‘We can only appreciate the miracle of a sunrise if we have waited in the darkness.’’ So what’s a little exhaust?

And so the cuts begin. American says it will cancel its daily Boston-San Diego service Sept. 3. The struggling carrier also says it will halt New York-London Stansted as of July 2, Chicago to Buenos Aires Sept. 3.Chicago-Honolulu Jan. 5, and trim American Eagle service in September to 33 flights, from the normal winter schedule of 55 daily departures.
These reductions are all part of the carrier's plan to reduce its schedule by as much as 12 percent and that of its regional Eagle service by as much as 11 percent. American detailed all this about a week ago -- at the same time it dropped the bomb about charging passengers $15 for even a first checked bag.
Be forewarned. This is just the beginning. News of more cuts will continue to trickle out.
If you are planning travel in the fall, you might do well to start making those plans soon. Decent fares and available seats will not be easier to come by as time passes.

Good morning, travelers. We keep hearing that this summer many will be looking for travel opportunities closer to home. And we are listening.

Six Flags, which has a park in Agawam (a bedroom community of the metropolis of Springfield), says if you buy admission tickets online you can get them at the children's rate of $29.99. Or if you're the type who has trouble planning ahead, they're offering special summer tickets at the gate in Western Mass. for just $39.99.
Besides the rides and the water park, Six Flags is planning summer concerts (including their Kiss 95 kick off with Bow Wow and Simple Plan and one special Thursday night show with Raven Symone) as well as a new Glow in the Park Parade, featuring state-of-the-art floats (I think we're talking glow sticks on steroids here) and Cirque Du Soleil-type music.
Cool. Somebody queue the music and let's bring back the creepy, fake-bald, dancing dude.

The most spectacular setting in Seattle, no doubt, is this 605-foot-high Space Needle originally built for the Seattle World’s Fair in 1962 -- back when the wages for the building crew were just $3.92 an hour. It has a tripod stem and has been called a “flying saucer on a pedestal.’’ The views include the Olympic Mountains on one side, the Cascades on the other, and of course, the magnificent Puget Sound. You gain entry via a glassed-in elevator whose operator calls himself your “pilot for the next 43 seconds.’’ You go straight up and feel as if you could walk right out into space. Once up top, there’s a main observatory and on another floor is the Sky City restaurant, an elegant room that rotates like the Hyatt in Cambridge. It is super-pricey, however, with a burger costing $25 and a shrimp salad $27. Guess you mostly pay for the views, but they really are priceless. A highly recommended excursion.
Posted by Steve Morse, Globe Correspondent

Wondering where to stay in Seattle? Try the Queen Anne section, which evokes old-school, bohemian Harvard Square minus the traffic. There are great restaurants such as Phuket and Racha (both serving Thai cuisine), the Melting Pot (cheese fondue), the Mercury (a fancy spot with lamb, steak and halibut), Pagliacci Pizza (a student hangout and you can’t beat their salads), and the diner-like Mecca and ever-funky Dick’s, both specializing in burgers. Culturally, the Uptown Moviehouse features the latest art films. And you’ll find terrific used-record stores such as Easy Street Records and Underdawg Records, both trumpeting the recent comeback of vinyl. The minimally named Used Books is a great bookstore. The club scene is well-represented with Peso’s (a wild ‘n’ crazy room late at night), Floyd’s Place (with 27 beers on tap), and Chopstix, a dueling piano bar. There’s also the 24-hour Metropolitan supermarket and 24-hour Bartell drugstore. This neighborhood caters to every need. And recommended lodging is at the MarQueen Hotel, a historic but inexpensive place with kitchens in the units.
Posted By Steve Morse, Globe Correspondent

Combine tickets to the Red Sox and a day of discount shopping and it's a perfect getaway for many. That's just what Boston Marriott Copley Place Hotel and Wrentham Village Premium Outlets are offering with their "Short Stop and Shop" Package.

Although they tout this for international visitors, it's available to all. Included are:
- three-night or four-night accommodations for two
- two tickets to Red Sox game
- round-trip transportation for two from the hotel to the outlets, for a day of shopping
- one $25 Chelsea Premium Outlets gift card
- one $5 VIP Chelsea Premium Outlets discount coupon book

Four-night package dates:
- July 5-9, with tickets on July 7 or 8 (Boston vs. Minnesota)
- July 25-29, with tickets on July 28 or 29 (Boston vs. Los Angeles)
- Aug. 31-Sept. 4, with one set of tickets on Sept.1, 2 or 3 (Boston vs. Baltimore)

Three-Night package dates:
- Aug.17-Aug. 20, ith baseball tickets on Aug. 17 (Boston vs. Toronto)

The four-night package price is $919; three-night $739 (including tax; excluding alcohol, parking, and gratuities). Availability is limited. For reservations, call 1-800-228-9290 and ask for promotional code ZJL.

The Student and Youth Travel Association (SYTA) has released these Top 10 rankings for US, North America, and International hot spots for student and youth travel from their annual member survey, which polls student and youth travel industry professionals on current and emerging trends:

Top 10 U.S. Destinations
1. Washington D.C.
2. New York City
3. Orlando
4. Chicago
5. Greater Boston
6. Historic Virginia
7. Southern California
8. Philadelphia Area
9. Baltimore/Annapolis
10. Hawaii

Top North America Destinations
1. Toronto
2. Montreal
3. Quebec City
4. Vancouver
5. Cancun & the Yucatan
6. Calgary
7. Edmonton
8. Ottawa
9. Oaxaca
10. Mexico City

Top 10 International Destinations
1. United Kingdom
2. France
3. Italy
4. Spain
5. Australia
6. Germany
7. Greece
8. Brazil
9. Peru
10. China

With average gas prices in Greater Boston in April topping the prices of the energy crisis of the early 1980s, and AAA now expecting the first decline in Memorial Day travel since 2002, our friends at CNNMoney.com asked the folks at Consumer Reports to take a look at a half dozen pretty widely circulated myths and debunk them.
Ever hear that running your air-conditioning wastes loads of gas? Or that a dirty air filter really hurts mileage. Apparently, not true.
Here's what they found:

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United says it will no longer award a minimum of 500 frequent-flier miles on each flight starting with its July 1 flights no matter when they were ticketed. Now travelers will only get credit for the actual distance flown.
The loss of this little perk will matter little to most of us but will sting many frequent and business customers who used to be able to rack up big miles this way.
It follows a move by US Airways, a United code-sharing partner, which did the same thing back in February. Oh, and did I mention US Airways and United also happen to be in merger talks?

Italian airline Air One said today it is launching its first flights between the US and Italy, including a flight from Logan Into Milan.

Air One said its inaugural flight to Boston will arrive at Logan International Airport on June 14; the Boston-Milan connection will fly daily, excluding Tuesday and Thursday.

Air One noted in its press release, "From lift-off, Air One passengers will be immersed in Italian culture, thanks to Italian cuisine, in-flight entertainment offering Italian films, and with onboard outfitting that guarantees maximum relaxation, making the flight an authentic 'Made in Italy' experience."

(At left, a Milan landmark.)

The press release also noted that Milan is "the industrial and financial heart of Italy, as well as the point of departure to some of Northern Italy's top destinations: elegant Turin; romantic Verona, the city of Romeo and Juliet; exclusive Lake Como, and the magnificent Alps."
(By Chris Reidy, Globe staff)

Welcome to another episode of: You Can't Make This Stuff Up. First up is the case of the airline passenger from Austin, Texas, charged with disorderly conduct after refusing to get off the wireless during a Southwest flight from Austin to The Big D.
According to the Dallas Morning News, flight attendants repeated asked the passenger -- one Joe David Jones, president and CEO of an Austin environmental start-up called Skyonic -- to please shut the phone down, as the FCC prohibits in-flight wireless calls.
Turns out Mr. Jones, apparently a black belt of witty repartee, nearly a Shakespeare of the clever comeback, reportedly responded: "Kiss my [expletive]." When asked for clarification, Mr. Jones, fearing his terse and pithy mots juste had not been properly recorded for future generations, repeated, "Kiss my [expletive]." Then delivering a linguistic coup de grace, he finished with: "Not happening.''
Mr. Jones remained on the phone for 20 minutes and when Dallas police later met him at the gate to question him displayed disorderly conduct and was charged with a Class C misdemeanor, punishable by a fine of up to $500, according to police reports.
For his part, Mr. Jones, through a representative, explained that he was on the phone because he had been trying to reach officials in a cardiac unit after getting a message his father's heart had stopped.
Beth Harbin, a Southwest spokeswoman, was sympathetic but said, "It was a safety regulation that we're required to enforce, and we're simply not in a position to make exceptions."

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Last week's April school vacation was pretty ho-hum for my kids, except for a surprise my husband and I launched at the last minute to completely blow their minds. (Not all that hard to do with a 9- and a 7-year-old.) Back in November we "won" a gift certificate for a helicopter ride for four at a silent auction to benefit our local schools. We cashed it in on a warm spring day when fuel prices are sky-high, so I'm guessing we got a bargain.
We donned headphones, strapped in, and lifted off from Norwood Airport. Our pilot took us on a 1-hour tour over Boston with running commentary. (It was cool to hear him on the radio politely requesting clearance for our various buzz-overs.) We peeked into the upper levels of office buildings downtown, flew over the USS Constitution (educational, no?) and Bunker Hill (looks surprisingly small from above), and saw our reflection in the John Hancock tower (the only bumpy part -- the air up there seems to follow its own weather pattern).

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OR, MY SO-CALLED GLAMOROUS LIFE

When I tell people I live in both Boston and Miami Beach their reactions range from admiring to insanely jealous. My Boston friends imagine me wearing flip-flops in February and swimming morning laps in the outdoor community pool. (True.) My Miami friends imagine me escaping the endlessly muggy Miami summer and sitting on my deck enjoying cocktails in lovely New England summer evenings. (Also true.)

But this glamorous life comes at a price. First, call me Queen of the Sublet. I can’t afford two mortgages and so twice a year I’m advertising on craigslist and then I’m cleaning/packing/unpacking and cleaning again. In between comes the driving. Twice a year—round trip—1500 miles each way. Actually, after three days of packing and loading the van the drive is a relief.

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Following competitors' efforts to offset rising fuel costs, American said that it will start charging most passengers a fee to check in a second bag. Passengers on American and American Eagle who purchase discounted economy-class tickets on or after May 12 for travel within the United States, US territories, or Canada will have to pay $25 for the second piece of checked luggage. The new policy does not apply to frequent fliers who have earned the gold, platinum or executive platinum status in the AAdvantage program or to passengers who pay for a full-fare economy ticket. America is now the sixth and last legacy hub-and-spoke carrier to adopt the charge since February. Last week, JetBlue said it would charge a $20 fee for the second checked bag to customers who purchase seats on or after May 1 for travel on or after June 1.
Posted by Nicole C. Wong, Globe Staff

Yes, it's that time of year again. It's a no-brainer. Sneak a peek at the website and head to the participating shop nearest you, belly up to the counter and score a free cone. This being their 30th year, B&J's is offering up a few new flavors: Coconut Seven Layer Bar (coconut ice cream, fudge flakes, walnuts, graham cracker and butterscotch), Imagine Whirled Peace (caramel and sweet cream ice creams with fudge peace signs and toffee cookies), One Cheesecake Brownie (yes, cheesecake ice cream and brownie chunks), and Cake Batter.
OK, so it could be warmer outside. But we're talking free ice cream here.

This offer from Boston Marriott Long Wharf Hotel is pricey, but if a Sox fan is willing to pay $175,000 for a once-buried, torn Ortiz jersey, this might seem like a bargain.

Here's the deal: The Waterfront Luxury Suite Baseball Package costs $1,200.
It includes: two field box seats to a Sox game at Fenway (seats are six rows from the field, on the third base line,section 31, Box 78, Row D); overnight hotel accommodations on the evening of the game, in a new Waterfront Luxury Suite; breakfast for two the next morning at Oceana Restaurant; and complimentary overnight parking for one car.

Check the website for games dates (no Yankees games on the list).

You have to pay in full at time of booking and the fee is nonrefundable. Availability is limited, so if this would make the perfect Mother's or Father's Day gift, act now.

It's that time of year again. The sun is shining; buds are budding, and airlines add international service at Logan ahead of the busy summer travel season -- and all just for your travel convenience.
So, get a pencil. Here's the list, courtesy of Matthew Brelis, Massport's director of media relations:
At the end of this month, Aer Lingus will increase Dublin service to seven times a week from four, and Lufthansa doubles Frankfurt flights to 14 from seven.
On June 6, Iberia heads to Madrid seven times a week, up from three. Two days later, Icelandair increases Reykjavik service to 11 times from seven, and on June 9 Air France takes off for Paris 14 times a week, up from seven. SATA will double service to Ponta Delgada, Azores to four times a week from two on June 26.

Spirit is starting Boston to Trinidad service via its Fort Lauderdale hub June 12. The discounter already offers flights from here to a couple dozen destinations, mostly in Florida and the Caribbean. To kick things off they (of the we-charge-for-checked-bags-and-just-about-everything-else) are advertising fares as low as 5 cents a seat (That deal ends today and involves flights between Fort Lauderdale and Port of Spain. Spirit is, however, also offering 5-cent-a-mile fares out of Logan, but those also end today and travel for those must take place on Tuesdays or Wednesdays between June 14 and Oct. 31).
Anyway, consider this an FYI.

Uncle Samuel, dude that he is, has just raised the caps on the amounts that airlines must pay to passengers who get involuntarily bumped.
The rule changes, which take effect in May, double the limit carriers must cough up to The Inconvenienced.
This is the way it will work: If you get bumped and the carrier gets you on another flight and to your destination less than an hour late, you get nothing, nil, nada, zilch.
If, however, they get you there between and hour and two hours late (or between 1 and 4 for international flights), they owe you compensation of 100 percent for that flight, up to a cap of $400. If it's more than two hours (or 4 for international flights), they owe you 200 percent, with a limit of $800.
Still unclear? OK, let's say you booked a round-trip for $600 to San Jose (as in: do you know they way to), and you get bumped. You were supposed to arrive at 3 p.m. But they get you on another flight and you land at 4:30. They owe you 100 percent -- or $300 -- for the one-way leg they messed up. Got it?
Bear in mind this does not affect you if they tell you they're overbooked and you voluntarily give up your seat. Then the compensation is a matter of mutual agreement (usually, when they ask for volunteers they tell you what they're offering).
The rule changes also cover more flights: any flight with 30 seats or more (before you had to be on one with 60 seats to qualify).
The US Department of Transportation has been working on these changes for months. But the final rules couldn't have come at a better time as we are just about to hit the busy summer travel season and folks have gotten skittish -- and understandably so given the nearly daily bad news about delinquent airline safety checks, flight cancellations, and poor treatment of passengers.
More to the point, with the airlines raising fares, cutting flights, and pushing to make sure every seat is filled, there can't help but be more overbooking so more bumping. Given what's going on, it's worth committing these rules to memory, hombre.

Imagine the plight of the harried iPod user rushing to catch an international flight out of Logan with no time to buy replacement headphones preflight. Thoughts of chattering seat mates would make one cringe.

Well, iPod users needn't fret. There's an Apple dispenser in terminal E. Much like a candy machine, you view the offerings and make your selection. A credit card is all you need.

Do folks really use it, I wondered recently? I didn't wait long for my answer. A young woman walked up, keyed in the headphones ($44.99), swiped her credit card, got what she wanted, and walked on, a satisfied customer.

Others only window shopped. Options included: iPod charging kit ($39.99), adapter kit ($49.99), Garmin navigation system ($379.99), Sony digital camera ($429.99).

One drawback for any shopaholic: No way to comparison shop.

Hear the music? The quickening pace? Now that Delta and Northwest have coupled everybody else is scanning the room to partner up, and you can all but see United and Continental reaching out to each other.
While all this recombining may be good for the struggling industry -- never mind fun for those of us who like to watch (and you know who you are) -- the bottom line for us here in Boston, at least in the short term, may be somewhat less significant.
Let's start with the $3.1 billion Delta-NWA deal. Yes, it will create The World's Largest Airline, but as my pal Nicole Wong sussed out this morning the biggest change for Logan passengers may be where they catch flights.
The newly combined Delta will become The Sky King at Logan, with 21.7 percent of the passenger market share. But because it is followed closely by American with 16.7 percent it won't be totally commanding. And Logan passengers will likely see little change in service as there is no overlap in the nonstop routes either flies from here, with Delta headed largely to the South, Mountain West, Northeast, Europe and Latin America and NWA focusing on the Midwest, Canada, and Asia.
However, Matt Brelis at Massport says it could make some sense for Northwest to move its four gates from Terminal E next to Delta's 12 in the newer, partially occupied Terminal A.
Now, onto United-Continental. Reuters is reporting that the two have laid most of the groundwork for a deal and would likely push to do one quickly if Delta-NWA manages to get all the way hitched.
OK, so what does this mean to us? Again, very likely not much.

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"Zagat Boston Restaurants 2008/09'' ($14.95) is out and I was thumbing through it recently, checking ratings of places I knew. Though it's mostly a list of Boston establishments the cover does tout that it includes Martha's Vineyard and Nantucket.

That it also covers "surrounding 'burbs'' made sense as well, but I was surprised to find ratings for eateries an hour away on the North Shore. That's good news for folks who don't mind a bit of a ride for a good meal. But it's bad news when the food at one of your favorites is rated in the "extraordinary to perfection'' category, with service "very good to excellent.''

It's hard enough to get a reservation now. Here's hoping Zagat followers won't read too closely.

The Quiet Car. Quiet. Even the word is hushed. Silent. Calm. Not busy or active. No talking in a loud voice to the person next to you. No talking on the phone. No radios blaring. No movies. No TV. No intrusive sounds at all.
The Quiet Car is the Amtrak Acela's semisecret sanctum, and my once-in-a-while refuge, a place where noise of any kind is not allowed. Which is not always what I want, to be unplugged and silent and still, not when I'm traveling with friends or family or children. "Want some M&Ms? Want to play 'Go Fish'? You really want me to read 'Bear Snores On' again?" Sometimes noise is important.

But sometimes no phones, no music, no chatter, no children's cries, no listening to a man in a business suit recite in a booming voice his client's names and Social Security numbers into his cellphone are exactly what I need.
Posted By Beverely Beckham, Globe Correspondent

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It's starting to look like the MD-80 Inspection Fiasco of '08 is winding down.
American says that it is only expecting 595 MD-80 cancellations today, including 10 at Logan which will affect about 1,000. This brings the running total to nearly 3,100 scrapped flights since this whole thing kicked off Tuesday, a disruption that affected hundreds of thousands of travelers.
This means that the carrier has restored about half of its schedule for the planes, and it is still hoping to have all the planes up by Saturday afternoon. But don't assume all will be back to normal. If you are flying out Saturday -- particularly on a longer haul flight with a stop in, say, Chicago or Dallas-Fort Worth -- you'll still need to check.
I wrote yesterday about the compensation American is offering by way of an apology to customers. In fairness to them, it's probably worthwhile to note that Uncle Samuel does not require airlines to offer passengers any compensation in these circumstances. But neither does it preclude them from doing the right thing.
Do you think AA handled this pretty well? Give it some thought because this won't be the last of mass cancellations as the chastened FAA turns the safety inspection lights on high after years of being slack. The regulators are making another round of checks that will run through June 30, and everybody's best guess is that the carriers that will be most affected are those with older planes, the AP reported. About a third of the US fleet is more than 25 years old, according to the International Air Transport Association.

OK, so you've been delayed. What now. Well, you can perhaps get some compensation from American, but it depends on how much you've been put out. And you'll need to tell them about it.
If your cancellation forced you to stay overnight somewhere, you can send a message to American's customer relations department and apply for compensation. There is a hot link on the website that gives you access to a form along with instructions. You will be eligible for refunds, hotel and meal vouchers, and a $500 voucher for future travel as an apology, said Tim Wagner, an airline spokesman.
American also will award vouchers of varying amounts to other passengers who message them from the site or write to them via snail mail (American Airlines Customer Relations/P.O. Box 619612 MD 2400/DFW Airport, TX 75261-9612) and detail how they were inconvenienced.
If you are scheduled on a flight that gets scrapped you can get a refund or apply the value of your ticket to future travel (Say Wa-Hoo, somebody). Travelers flying on any MD-80 flight from April 8 – 11, even if their flight has not been canceled, can rebook without fees. Travel must begin by April 17.

So, you think you're having a bad week?
American says it'll ditch another 933 flights today, including 16 at Logan which will affect about 1,600 passengers. You may add this to the approximately 1,550 total flights already grounded this week in the MD-80 Inspection Fiasco of '08, moves that have left 171,000 across the nation stranded.

American said this afternoon that they don't expect to have the situation completely resolved until Saturday night. So be forewarned.
For those you who hadn't heard, the thing that's triggered all this chaos is the tighter scrutiny on safety checks being brought by FAA, which has tightened inspections after catching major (well-deserved) flak from Congress and others for letting Southwest fly planes that had missed safety check-ups.
In the case of the MD-80s, it involves spot checks by regulators that found the carrier hadn't secured some wiring in accordance with an agency directive.
American has said that the problem posed no safety risk.
Also today, regional carrier Midwest Airlines said that it would ground 13 MD-80s for the same reason.
Get the feeling that this is just the start? With the FAA facing heat and the spotlight of public scrutiny turned up way high, it's a pretty safe bet we're going to see more groundings in the not-too-distant future.

A sure sign of spring are the thousands of blooming daffodils and early wildflowers in Blithewold Mansion's gardens on the shores of Narragansett Bay. The grounds of the 1908 mansion in Bristol, R.I., are a melange of color and scents during the annual Daffodil Days April 12-May 4. Though the yellow-and-white flowers are the centerpieces of the festival, visitors can stroll the Great Lawn with its bay views or linger in gardens, both classic and more informal.
The 17th-century English country-styled manor, complete with gargoyles and crests, was built as the summer home of Augustus Van Wickle, a Brown University graduate who became a coal baron in Pennsylvania. The 45-room mansion anchors the grounds with its 33 acres of gardens and striking trees, such as a 90-foot giant sequoia, ginkgo, and weeping pagoda.
Afternoon teas with scones and assorted desserts are served in the mansion's dark oak-paneled dining room overlooking the water Wednesday through Friday at 2 and 3 o'clock. Special children's teas will be served at 2 o'clock on April 16-18. Don't miss the Butler's Pantry with its displays of china, silver, and crystal.
The mansion also houses such indoor exhibits as floral arrangements, paintings from nature by area artists, and the Colonial Dames of America's collection of Bessie McKee's (Van Wickle's widow) turn-of-the-20th-century hats. But during Daffodil Days, garden variety visitors want to be outside.
Admission for adults is $10, seniors and students $8, children under 17 free. Afternoon tea is $10 (plus admission). Grounds and gardens open daily 10 a.m.- 5 p.m.; self-guided tours of mansion and gardens Wednesday-Sunday 10-4.

Posted by Marty Basch, Globe Correspondent

Did you call before you drove out to Logan? You should have.
Today's toll is estimated to hit at least 1,000 nationwide, including 17 flights at Logan, mostly to Chicago and Dallas-Fort Worth, affecting about 1,900 customers. Nationwide as estimated 110,000 travelers were affected. Yesterday, American canceled about 460 flights -- as many as five at Logan -- of its MD-80 planes to check the bundling of wires in some planes, the same issue that forced both it and Delta to cancel a combined total of more than 700 flights last last month.
American has said that flight safety has not been

compromised.

Passengers wait at the American counters at O'Hare Airport in Chicago Wednesday morning. (AP Photo)

The tighter scrutiny on safety checks is happening as the FAA has tightened inspections since coming under fire from Congress and others for letting Southwest fly planes that had missed safety check-ups. Airline spokesman Ned Raynolds said that it was highly likely there would be more cancellations tomorrow but he couldn't give a better estimate. Bottom line: Got a flight with American? Call before you go.

The calendar says it’s spring, but sometimes it’s up to you to go out and find it yourself. A good place to grab the season by the scruff of its neck is at the Garden in the Woods, the headquarters and botanic garden of the New England Wild Flower Society in Framingham. This ‘‘living museum,’’ which opens officially for the season on April 15, has more than 1,500 native plant species, along with many rare and endangered specimens. Family and children's programs coming up in May include Flower Power on May 18 (learn about flowers’ awesome powers at the height of the spring bloom) and Fairies in the Garden on May 29 (hunt for the woodland sprites among the wildflowers and build a fairy house.)

If you're planning to fly with American Wednesday it might be worth making a call before you head to the airport.
American said it was canceling as many as 500 flights to check the bundling of wires in some planes, the same issue that caused it to ground more than 400 last month.
At Logan, the airline said there were as many as five canceled flights. Representatives for American, which operates about 2,300 daily flights, said they expected there would be more throughout the system Wednesday.
The airline said the Federal Aviation Administration raised concerns about recent inspections of the wiring in its approximately 300 MD-80 aircraft. Company representatives said that the problems did not pose safety threats.
The FAA has tightened inspections since coming under fire for letting Southwest fly planes that had missed safety inspections. American and Delta both canceled hundreds of flights late last month to do wiring-related inspections and repairs.
The hits just keep on coming.

Some tidbits gleaned from the morning news:
*Aer Lingus just cut a partnership deal with United. This comes a couple months after the Irish carrier reached a similar code-sharing pact with JetBlue.
What this means is that it will be easier to fly between anywhere United -- or JetBlue -- flies and any place Aer Lingus does.
Now if you and/or yours only hop between Boston and Dublin or Shannon, it's maybe not such a big deal. But it will make a difference for relatives across the pond who might want to make the rounds here in the States. Or maybe for that daughter of yours living in San Francisco who hasn't been to see the grandparents outside Donegal in a bit.
*Hard to believe but John Weikle, the founder of the bankrupt carrier Skybus, is "working on a plan" to get discounter flying again, the News & Record of Greensboro, N.C., reports. The airline has about $10 million in cash, Weikle said, which is enough seed money to attract other investors. Locally, Skybus flew out of and into Portsmouth, N.H., and Chicopee, Mass.
Excuse me? Didn't we just leave a bunch of folks stranded this weekend?
If you revive it, they will come? Can I have a show of hands: Even if Skybus makes it back, who will take a chance?
My advice? If they get it going again and you're determined to do it, snag tickets early and fly right away. Long-term planning is perhaps ill-advised, methinks.
(Thanks to Today in the Sky for pointing us to this last item.)

Passengers are left scrambling for ultracheap transportation after Skybus filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection yesterday.

Skybus's Chapter 11 filing comes 10 months after it began offering low-cost, bare-bones service from small airports such as Portsmouth International Airport in New Hampshire, about 50 miles from Boston. Skybus abruptly halted flights Saturday, becoming the fifth small airline last week to disclose it would cease operations.

Skybus follows bankrupt Aloha Airlines, ATA Airlines, and regional carrier Skyway Airlines, which all shut down last week. And small charter carrier Champion Air last week said it plans to pull the plug on passenger service by the summer.

The failures highlight turbulent times for an industry squeezed by rising fuel prices, increasing competition, and safety concerns - and leave fewer options for travelers already complaining about worsened performance.

Passenger gripes rose 60 percent last year compared to 2006, according to the annual Airline Quality Ratings study that was released yesterday by researchers at the Wichita State University and University of Nebraska at Omaha's Aviation Institute. The analysis of the 16 largest US airlines also showed they mishandled more bags, denied boarding to more passengers, and landed more flights late in 2007 - earning the industry its lowest score since the ratings started 18 years ago.

"I don't see any way this is going to get better," said researcher Dean Headley, citing airlines' high fuel costs, cutbacks on seat capacity, hiring freezes, and unprofitable operations. "Everything's working against it."
Posted by Nicole C. Wong, Globe Staff

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Amid the recent airline gloom, a ray of sunshine -- actually, more like a pretty good deal from JetBlue.
The discounter is offering $25 off and 50 TrueBlue points for tickets purchased on the site with an American Express Card by May 13 for travel between May 1 and June 18. Since 100 points gets you a free ticket, you can score either by flying twice or you can think of this as a kind of “fly two, fly free” offer. You must, however, be a TrueBlue member, but that's no problem because it's free. Details are here.

Thanks to View from the Wing for the tip.

Another one bites the dust. Discounter Skybus shut down today and plans to file for bankruptcy protection next