Giant squid invade waters off San Diego

by Katie Hammel on

It sounds like the plot of campy 1970’s horror flick: aggressive giant squid sporting razor-sharp beaks and tentacles with teeth start showing up in the waters off the coast, attacking divers and grabbing their masks and hoses. But this is a real-life version of “It Came from the Deep”, and it’s happening in the waters near San Diego.

The creatures are called Humboldt squid, (though they’re also referred to as “red devils” for their color and hostile behavior) and can grow up to 5 feet long and weigh 100 pounds. They’re carnivorous and known for being particularly aggressive, especially when feeding. Scientists say they’ll even cannibalize other squid during a feeding frenzy. Though they’re native to Mexico, the squid have shown up in smaller numbers all along the west coast of the US. The last time such a large invasion occurred was in 2002, when 12 tons of dead squid eventually washed ashore near San Diego.

The squid generally stay a few hundred feet below the surface, but divers have reported seeing them at depths of 60-80 feet. Some divers have come across them without incident, but others have been bumped, pushed and pulled by antagonistic squid. Many divers are just choosing to steer clear of the squid, staying out of the water until the “carnivorous calamari” move on. Swimmers most likely won’t run into any of the squid, except for the few that wash up on the beach.

[via ABC News]

Budget adventures near New York

by Kraig Becker on

In these difficult economic conditions we’re all looking for ways to save some money while still putting a little adventure into our lives. Now more than ever we need a distraction from the daily grind that won’t empty our pocket books. Fortunately, the New York Daily News is here to help, with some great suggestions for cheap adventures close to NYC.

The inexpensive escapse come in a variety of flavors, ranging from an epic mountain bike ride in the Allegheny Mountains of Pennsylvania to taking in the beauty of upstate New York via hot air balloon. Each of the suggestions includes a nice description of what to expect on the day long adventure, as well as some tips for stretching your dollars, such as the use of budget hotels, complimentary continental breakfasts, and unadvertised specials.

An example of one of the unexpected outdoor adventures includes a trip to New Hampshire’s White Mountain National Forest, which offers a tree-top canopy tour that put visitors at elevations between 1600 and 3000 feet as they fly through the scenic forest on ten zip lines and two suspension bridges. The travel package costs $115 but in addition to the canopy tour, travelers get a night’s stay at the historic Mount Washington Resort, a round of golf, and a visit to the hotel’s spa.

Each of the other budget adventures offer similar amenities on the cheap and with plenty of summer still ahead, it’s never too late to put a little adventure into your life. And at these prices, how can you resist?

Get everything you want in Vail this summer

by Tom Johansmeyer on

I don’t know what it is about The Arrabelle at Vail Square, but that property knows how to put an interesting deal together. The RockResort property is adept at finding new and unusual ways to make itself even more attractive (which is hard to do when you consider the quality of the property and amenities). The latest gig is offered in partnership with Kessler Canyon, a wildlife retreat and luxury resort. So, prepare to head out to Colorado for six nights, all-inclusive, for a diverse experience that will take you from the mountains to the mesas.

The package allows for a customizable itinerary, so it’s not as confining as most all-inclusive packages. You can have a blast in Vail, then disappear into the Rocky Mountains for a while before heading down to De Beque to experience the mesas (the last being a somewhat magical concept to a child of the northeast who has never seen this type of natural “structure”). The list of activities is long and includes golf, rafting, off-road tours, horseback riding and hiking. If outdoors isn’t your thing, lean toward more luxurious activities such as spa treatments and wine tours.

The price may seem a bit steep at $750 per person per night, but it becomes pretty amazing when you keep in mind that it covers everything – including food and booze. The property will also take you to and from the airport (a major headache if you have to deal with it on your own.

If this turns you on, don’t put it off. You have to travel by August 23, 2009 to take advantage of this deal.

Watergate to go on the block

by Tom Johansmeyer on

Monument Realty hopes the action on the Watergate Hotel Tuesday will rival what made it famous. The storied property, a monument to our eventual freedom from President Richard Nixon, is set to be auctioned. The real estate developer that bought it five years ago – hoping to restore it – received a foreclosure notice and had to find a buyer. Originally, Monument had its figurative fingers crossed for some relief form lender PB Capital, but it’s pretty clear that the Tooth Fairy wasn’t listening.

Before we rush to lament the forced sale of the most famous hotel in our nation’s capital, keep in mind that it hasn’t been open since Monument bought it in 2004. The company still owes $40 million on the hotel. Nothing’s happening. And, while we can blame today’s economic climate for the failure of this endeavor to launch, the reality is that Monument pissed away several months of prosperity.

Stupidity – rather than economics – is the driver behind this auction.

Passengers won’t have to pay for airbags on planes

by Tom Johansmeyer on

Would airbags on planes jack up your ticket prices? It doesn’t seem that way, according to MSNBC. The maintenance of safety equipment does cost money – there’s no question about it – but, as in many industries, costs really don’t drive pricing. Customer demand and market forces play the greatest roles, along with the cost of fuel (really the only major cost that impacts fares).

This is why airlines are always in a rush to cut jobs and amenities when they are forced to lower their prices. With fuel the only major cost that affects pricing and competitive pressures generally squeezing margins, the only lever they have to pull is to lower expenses that they can control.

By October 27, 2009, all new commercial planes will have to come equipped with airbags, as the seats will have to be able to withstand a force 16 times that of gravity. Now, these devices won’t show up magically – there are no elves poised to run into the factory the night of October 26 and surprise the manufacturers and airlines the next morning. And, AmSafe, which makes the airbags, isn’t likely to give them away for the greater good. Instead, they are forced to charge $1,250 a pop.

The money’s going to have to come from somewhere. This is a difficult thought for an industry that can’t seem to find a profit anywhere. The airlines will have to dig into their own lint-filled pockets, since, as you saw above, the customers can’t be expected to pay for safety (after all, safety isn’t like peanuts).

But, let’s be realistic. How nasty an expense is this? Over 20 flights, it results in an incremental cost of $62.50 per seat. Over 40 flights, it’s half that. The big number – when you add up all those airbags – can seem menacing, but on a per seat basis, it’s a bit more manageable. Of course, there’s maintenance on top of this: they have to be checked once a year and replaced after 14. It’s manageable. Unfortunately, it’s just another expense for an airline that can’t handle any more.

The good news? You’ll be protected by an airbag and won’t have to pay for it with higher fares.

Since you can’t talk about airbags without showing some crash test fun … remember this commercial? Crash test porn at its finest.