1940’s StyleTrain Travel

by Adrienne Wilson on

Lovers of travel by rail prepare yourself for what I’m about to say. It will sound like an opportunity of a lifetime – something that should not be missed! Imagine zipping through time and space the very same way they did in the olden days when luxury and class was everything and the ladies wore such pretty hairstyles, not the big stuff you see in the south.

According to the folks over at Chicagoist a new train venture from Train Chartering is offering those who can afford this trip of a lifetime the chance to ride in a Mount Vernon rail car from NY to Chicago. The Mount Vernon was built between December 1949 and June 1950 for Pullman service on the Union Pacific Railroad, but has since undergone some minor renovations. Think private rail car with TV, DVD, CD, XM satellite radio receiver, full kitchen, marble-tiled shower and so-on. All this can be yours for the low-cost of $17,500 for full-service which also includes fine dining and beverages.

Go check out the 2007 itinerary if you think it’s a good fit. I’d love to do it myself, but well, I have some other places my $17,500 has to go towards. Perhaps you’ve heard of Sallie Mae’s student loan rail services? Not quite as luxurious, but just as expensive.

GADLING’S TAKE FIVE: Week of December 3

by Adrienne Wilson on

Time to wrap up the week that was with some of our some very tasty and foul entries.

5. How to Have A Bad Time in New York City:
Sad to say, but everyone who arrives in NYC doesn’t have a great time which is not a reflection of the city by any means. Instead it goes to show how much homework time they invested in seeing the Big Apple the right way. To avoid having a bad time on your first trip in try giving this article here a spin.

4. Find a Grave Tourism:
Over the last year or so I’ve been attracted to cemeteries for many reasons and thankfully none of which were to attend a funeral. When Neil posted this plug on finding graves of celebrities or even your own special loved ones I thought how cool! Not that I go stalking the dead on a regular basis, but there is so much history in grave yards. Anyhow, if this sounds like your sort of thing too then go take a look.

3. Low Rollers Guide to Vegas:
Looking to go to Vegas on a tight budget? Head to Downtown Las Vegas where Low Rollers remain Low Rollers and save a little pocket change.

2. No Lights on Flights:
Passing on gas on planes probably won’t earn the kind of fame and stardom you’re seeking in life, but lighting a match to your flatulence will. Read the tale about common sense lost and a plane grounded when a woman tries to cover her smelly toots from her caboose.

1. Smile! You’ve Been Secretly Profiled!:
For some folks being spied on is a high honor that shows someone really cares, but for others it is enough to boil the blood stream and do nutty things. What kind of nutty things? I don’t know for sure, but it sounds as though the government has been secretly collecting data on domestic and international travelers for the last four years. Flattered yet? What they’ve managed to soak up and put in your own personal folder may be of interest to you. Check it out.

How to Have A Bad Time In New York City

by Adrienne Wilson on

Let’s face it – hundreds of thousands will visit NYC every year, but few will return home knowing all the tricks of the trade. In fact some may never return after having the worst time possible in the Big Rotten Apple. That is all too bad considering how often sites like the New York Times and Newyorkology publish good material on all the good places to go and good deals to be found and more importantly good how-to information on making it all happen. Well, in today’s edition of the NY Times they feature a very detailed and absolutely funny piece on how to have a never-ever-want-to-come-back type of time in the big city. So if you are the type of tourist that loves being accompanied by a large gray over-hanging cloud, you may want to read this well-written article, but should you decide to take any of the advice given make sure you tell your pals what they’re getting into or go solo. You’ll find that some of your friends may actually want to shy away from chain restaurants to try the local flavor or build up the courage to ask a New Yorker how to get from point ‘A’ to ‘B’ in those scary subway tunnels.

Oh, and after reading if you should feel so inclined to leave a tale or two here it’d be much appreciated. I’m sure there is at least one or two of our readers who have suffered from a nightmarish time in NYC.

Hitch50 Comes to a Finish

by Adrienne Wilson on

Remember Scotty and Fiddy? They started off about two months ago on a mission to hitchhike their way to the state capitals of all 50 states in 50 consecutive days. (Yes, even Alaska and Hawai’i.) Erik gave them some link love early on in their adventure and now that they’ve completed their fantastic voyage from state-to-state it’s time to recap. On October 10, 2006 the two young men headed off into the cold, dark, unfriendly land we know as the United States… Okay, that’s not true. They did head off on October 10, 2006 and I’m sure part of the whole thing was not only set up to score some free travel, but to show that there is a little kindness in the hearts of Americans everywhere for two men with extended thumbs. Now, whether or not they stuck out their thumbs or just prearranged every single ride, you’ll have to find out on your own by visiting the Hitch50 site.

They did spectacular job blogging the whole shebang which includes photos and video. I kept tabs on the fellas by text messaging, hoping to give them a lift at some point in their journey, but they moved a lot faster than I imagined they would. Their mission was successfully completed the mission on November 28, 2006. Way to go guys!

La Fusta Restaurant

by Adrienne Wilson on

Since I only went into to La Fusta to pick up my carry-out order I can only go into detail about the menu item I ordered two days in a row. (It was just that good!) If you’re in search for a light yet filling dish and wanting to avoid pastas and steak for whatever reason try La Fusta’s avocado & shrimp salad. One serving is good for either one or two people, but if you like it anywhere close to as much as I did, you’ll want it for yourself or you’ll go back for greedy seconds. Sliced egg, tomato, red onion, beans, lettuce, avocado and shrimp are all found in the salad and with a dash of salt, pepper and their lemon dressing, a simple leafy dish becomes a mouth-watering masterpiece.

I had a full sample of the salad at La Fusta’s North Bergen, NJ location while camping out at the Comfort Suites for work. It’s in an industrial, slightly sketchy part of town, which makes it easy to miss if you’re trying to make it to an area more pleasing on the eyes. Check them out if you’re in North Bergen or if you’re in New York at their Elmhurst location. See the website for more details.

La Fusta is located at 1110 Tonnelle Avenue, North Bergen, NJ 07047. Ph. 201.770.1950.