Western USA

Rendezvous of the Gunfighters in September
Rendezvous of Gunfighters - Allen St.,
Activities
3 days of shows in the O.K. Corral by the best western show groups from around the US, authentic costume parade on Sunday,
$4 for the O.K. Corral, 5 shows daily

Wings and Spurs
September
This will be the third annual Wings & Spurs, Fly-in, Vintage Aircraft and Western Swing.
There will be several vintage aircraft, experimentals, and ultralights on display with People's Choice Awards given to the selected planes.

There will be several local entertainers on hand for a great Western Swing Saturday from 6 -10 p.m.Admission to the dance is a cash donation or non- perishable food items to benefit Helen's Food Bank of Tombstone.

Helldorado Days in October
3rd weekend in October
Tombstone's oldest festival, celebrating her glory days of the 1880's.
Activities:
Started in 1929, this festival consists of gunfight re-enactment shows, street entertainment, fashion shows, and a family oriented carnival. Come watch the Annual Helldorado Parade on Sunday at 11:00 A.M.
make phone calls NOW for rooms,they fill up fast
most reservations are a year or two in advance.
Listings of Bed & Breakfast, Motels, and Campgrounds are on the Tombstone Lodging page.
If all are filled...Should still be rooms available in...
Benson---25 miles
Sierra Vista---24 miles
Bisbee---24 miles
Self-contained motor homes can grab a piece of desert outside town

Emmett Kelly Jr. Days in November
first weekend in November
Activities:
clown contests, clown round-up, parade, clown costume contest, performances, street dance, free, 9 am, 520-457-9213

Clanton Family Reunion in November
second weekend Every November,
November 17-19, 2005
the Clanton's have hosted "Clanton Day's Tombstone Rendezvous" a special Tombstone event that combines lots of fun and history.
Activities:
This yearly reunion of the Notorious Clanton Gang features activities that include historical speakers and tours, look-alike & best-dressed contests.
"Lies, Myths, & the Truth" stage show w/ Terry Ike Clanton.
Info: 520-272-6061 www.tombstonearizona.com

Tombstone Western Music Festival
November 2005 Fri. 11/4 & Sat. 11/5
Tombstone, Arizona
3rd Annual Tombstone Western Music Festival
entertainers include The Texas Trailhands
day and evening performances
two outdoor stages and Schieffelin Hall
http://tombstonewesternmusicfestival.com/sched.htm
RESERVE YOUR TICKETS EARLY! LAST YEARS SHOW WAS A SELL-OUT! Get yer tickets at:TOMBSTONE WESTERN MUSIC FESTIVAL INC.PO BOX 358
TOMBSTONE AZ 85638
or call 520-457-2295 OR 520-457-3616

Christmas Craft Show
November - December
Cochise County Crafters (All items handmade)
Tombstone Art Gallery group
www.tombstone.org

The Single Action Shooting Society
I have never been to Tombstone in November, but came across this event by accident
The Single Action Shooting Society
Tombstone Territory Championship
Nov 2005
Tombstone, AZ
Guess I'll have to go to Tombstone in November to find out more about what is happening in Tombstone

Tombstone Holiday Festival
December
Shop Tombstone and enjoy varied holiday activities.
Contact (888) 457-3929
www.tombstone.org

Deaths due to drowning are estimated at 450,000 per year worldwide. Before departure, travelers should be reminded of some basic principles of water safety to reduce their risk of drowning while swimming or boating. Travelers should be advised never to swim alone or when under the influence of alcohol or drugs. Likewise, no one should ever dive or jump into an unfamiliar body of water without first determining the depth (at least 9 feet for jumping and diving) and the terrain, and whether there are any hidden obstacles. Children should always be supervised when swimming or playing in or around the water. Travelers should try to select swimming sites that have lifeguards. A personal flotation device (life jacket) should always be worn when boating, skiing, or using personal watercraft, regardless of the distance to be traveled, the size of the boat, or swimming ability. Travelers should also be advised to learn cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) and basic first aid to assist others in the event of a drowning or near drowning.

Travelers should be aware of local weather conditions and forecasts. They should be advised to be alert for and heed colored beach warning flags. Strong winds and thunderstorms with lightning strikes are dangerous to swimmers and boaters. Travelers should be reminded that open water usually has limited visibility, and conditions can sometimes change from hour to hour. Winds and currents are often unpredictable, moving rapidly and quickly changing direction. Swimmers and boaters should watch for dangerous waves and signs of rip currents (e.g., water that is discolored and unusually choppy, foamy, or filled with debris). A strong water current can carry even expert swimmers far from shore. Swimmers caught in a rip current should swim parallel to the shore until free of the current and then swim toward the shore.

Biting and stinging fish, corals, and jellyfish can be hazardous if touched. Larger marine animals are generally harmless and unless deliberately or accidentally threatened, injuries seldom result from aggressive action by the animals. Wounds acquired in the marine environment can be contaminated with bacteria, often contain foreign bodies, and occasionally contain venom. Travelers should be advised to wear protective gloves and footwear and avoid contact with corals and other marine animals.

By Jed Clark
When you are planning a vacation to Maui or Rio de Janeiro you may put beaches on the top of you list of things to see. However, when planning a trip to San Francisco, you may have heard of North Beach, but North Beach doesn't have any beaches (though the neighborhood was named after a beach that used to be on its north shoreline). If fact, San Francisco has several beaches that provide diversions for residents and visitors alike.

Make no mistake about it, San Francisco is not Los Angeles. Unless it's an exceptional day, San Francisco beaches tend to be a little chilly, windy and foggy. However, this should not deter you from enjoying a nice afternoon at the beach. Many San Francisco beaches have beautiful panoramic views of the Marin Headlands, Point Bonita Lighthouse and the Golden Gate Bridge. Just be prepared with a sweatshirt or jacket in addition to your shorts or swim suit. Because of the latitude of San Francisco, the waters may be too cold for swimming (unless you brought your wet suit). Bring your beach towels, a sand bucket, a good book, a kite and a Frisbee to make the best of your afternoon at the beach.

San Francisco's most popular beaches are Ocean Beach and Baker Beach. Although East Beach at Crissy Field in the Presidio has become quite popular since the restoration of Crissy Field.

Ocean Beach is San Francisco's largest and longest beach running 5 miles up the entire west side of San Francisco. The northern end of San Francisco Ocean Beach popular among locals, surfers and visitors. The Cliff House towers above Ocean Beach perched on the edge of a coastal bluff that borders the north end of the beach. The beach is perfect for building sand sculptures and hosts a yearly sand sculpture contest. Ocean Beach has a very slight slope, making it ideal for wading in the surf. Surfers wearing wet suits are a common sight along this section of Ocean Beach.

Baker Beach is located in the Presidio just south of the San Francisco Golden Gate Bridge. With its panoramic views of the Golden Gate Bridge and the Marin Headlands, Baker Beach is a popular beach and picnic destination for San Francisco locals, especially on the weekends. Several picnic tables with barbecue pits are located to the east of the north parking lot. The beach has strong rip-tides, so swimming can be hazardous. A few fishermen may dot the shoreline. The north end of the beach is clothing optional, so families typically stay toward the middle and south ends of the beach.

Other beaches in San Francisco include Lands End Beach and China Beach, named for the Chinese fishermen who used to camp nearby. San Francisco Castro Beach is not really a beach at all. It's a park that has garnered the "beach" nickname because of all the Castro sun bathers that blanket its lawns.

Adding a beach to your San Francisco agenda may be a great way to slow down the frenetic pace of sightseeing and enjoy a more relaxed appreciation of San Francisco's natural beauties. Visit San Francisco Beaches for more information.

Jed Clark is a travel writer, photographer and long-time San Francisco resident. He maintains ZurdoGo.com, which contains travel tips and information about San Francisco destinations, attractions and neighborhoods.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/

Each year, thousands of persons with disabilities travel the world by planes, trains, automobiles, cruise ships, and even bicycles. With the proper planning and attitude, travel can be rewarding and adventurous.

Each person with a disability has his/her special needs. Individual countries have their own standards of accessibility for disabled travelers. Some countries have nondiscrimination laws that help to protect travelers with disabilities, while other countries have no such laws. Preparing before you go can often prevent difficulties and ensure that your planned destination will be accessible, safe and enjoyable.

BEFORE YOU GO

Choosing Your Destination: Some countries make every effort to provide accessibility for all travelers, including those with disabilities, while other countries do not have the resources to do so, or do not consider it to be necessary. Before you travel, research your planned stops and ask detailed questions about the services that are provided. Also, be prepared for a certain amount of culture shock. Some cultures are not very accepting or open about their citizens with disabilities.

Once you have decided on a destination, you may also consider local transportation needs to and from the airport, luggage assistance and whether assistance will be needed to leave the airport terminal. Some suggestions for finding resources are: contact the airport management office; work with a travel agent who specializes in travel for persons with disabilities; search the internet, call local disability organizations; or check with various travel guides.

MEDICINE
Another aspect to consider when planning your trip is the level of health care available at your planned stops.

Your Doctor: Talk to your physician about the activities you have planned and your general physical condition, any immunizations that might be needed, and medications, whether prescription or over the counter, that you might need for your trip.

Medication: If you take prescription medication, make sure you have enough to last the duration of the trip, including extra medicine in case you are delayed. Pack your medication in your carry-on bag. Delays can occur, and checked baggage occasionally becomes misdirected or lost. Always carry your prescriptions in their labeled containers as many countries have strict narco-trafficking laws and might be suspicious of pills in unlabeled bottles. Bring your prescription information and the names of their generic equivalents with you just in case. Double-check one last time before leaving home that you have your medication with you in your hand luggage.

Health Insurance: Make sure you have adequate health insurance coverage while abroad. Your policy might not cover such things as medical evacuations. Ask what coverage your plan provides and how you can reach your insurance company during times of emergency.

U.S. Medicare and Medicaid programs do not provide payment for medical services outside the United States. But many travel agencies and private companies offer insurance plans that will cover health care expenses incurred overseas, including emergency services such as medical evacuations.

SERVICES & EQUIPMENT

Service Dogs: Travelers should be aware that some countries have restrictions on service dogs traveling through or arriving in their countries. If you intend to travel with a service dog, be sure to check on possible restrictions with the embassy or consulate of each country that you will visit. If service dogs are permitted, learn about quarantine or vaccination requirements.

Find out what documents are needed, including international health certificates, rabies inoculation certificates and if the documents need to be translated. Talk with your vet about how to travel with your dog and how travel will affect the dog. You may also want to ensure that hotels will accommodate your service dog and that there will be an adequate area for the dog to relieve itself.

Equipment: If you require a wheelchair, scooter or other equipment, consider having a maintenance check done on it to ensure that everything is in working order before you leave. You may want to research the availability of wheelchair and medical equipment providers in the areas you plan to visit before you depart on your trip.

Airline and Hotel Travel Arrangements:

When making your travel arrangements, you should think through air travel plans, considering flight lengths and plane transfers.

In the United States, the Air Carrier Access Act prohibits airlines from discriminating on the basis of disability. This law affects issues such as denial of service to persons with disabilities, seating, accessible features in terminals and aboard aircraft, requirements regarding attendants, medical certificates, and transport, storage and liability of mobility and medical equipment (such as wheelchairs, scooters and other assistive devices).

Unfortunately, the Americans with Disabilities Act does not follow you when you leave the United States.
The Department of Transportation outlines helpful information in New Horizons for the Air Traveler with a Disability and Plane Talk: Facts for Passengers With Disabilities. Both of these publications are available at the Department of Transportation’s website www.dot.gov.

When making your reservations, inform your travel agent or the carrier of the following:

Assistance that will be needed while flying and at the airport; Type of disability and equipment used for mobility, such as crutches or a wheelchair;
Request for a manual or electric wheelchair to be stored and brought to the airplane door/gate upon arrival;

Special diet requirements.

These airline suggestions might be adapted when making your hotel reservations. You should make sure that foreign hotels will be able to accommodate you and your needs as well.

In all cases, ask that your needs and requests be documented as part of the reservation and take down the name of the agent. That way, if there is a problem, you will have a clear record of what you requested, in the event it is necessary to take your complaint to a customer relations office.

It is to every traveler’s advantage to know the policies of the airline before arriving at the airport. Arrive extra early to allow plenty of time for any last-minute problems to be administered.

ONCE YOU HAVE ARRIVED

Carry with you your written itinerary and directions of where you wish to go. These can be shown to people who might be able to help you if you are lost. This little step will make it much easier when trying to get help from someone.

Another tool that some have found useful is a point-and-conversation guide.
Your journey can be the most rewarding experience. There is a wealth of literature available both on the Internet and in books with information and advice for disabled travelers.

Take the time to search the web and your local bookstore. By taking the time to research and educate yourself about travel opportunities and considerations for persons with disabilities, you can enjoy your adventure and have memories to last a lifetime.