Packing Shoes for Traveling

Shoes are bulky items to pack in luggage. They take up a lot of room, and they have a tendency to get crushed. Here's a few quick tips for packing shoes that will save room and protect your footwear.

• Roll your socks and stuff them into the toe of your packed shoes. This will help keep the shoe intact. It also saves space.

• Place your shoes on the bottom of your suitcase or along the sides, so they don't get your clothing dirty.

• Pack only neutral shoes that go with everything, so you're not taking one pair of shoes for every outfit.

• If you're traveling on a plane, wear a pair of shoes that you can take on and off easily, as you will have to remove them at the security checkpoint.

Find Green Spaces with Green Maps

Whether you're traveling, relocating, or curious about your community, Green Maps shows you where green spaces are located. The maps, which are created by people who live and/or work within the community, "chart green living, ecological, social and cultural resources," including parks, habitats, healthy dining places, farmers' markets, sustainable local businesses, ecological organizations, and much more. The maps also show you where undesirable locations, such as waste facilities and prisons, are situated.

The next time you're looking for a place to visit or relax, check out Green Maps, and find yourself in a healthy and sustainable environment.

Airline Three Lane System Reduces Security Wait Times

The Transportation Security Administration has introduced a new three lane system designed to shorten wait lines at security checkpoints. Called "Diamond Lanes," the three lines are:

Families and Special Assistance
Casual Traveler
Expert Traveler

You're an expert traveler if you fly more than twice a month and are accustomed to security procedures. If you stand in this line, it's expected that you will have all items, including shoes, jewelry, jackets, etc. removed before entry, and all documentation in hand.

If you don't meet the qualifications for the Expert "Black Diamond" line, use the Casual Traveler line, where people who are familiar with traveling, but don't fly as frequently as expert travelers, are welcome.

Those people who are traveling with children or have special needs, should use the slower lane, where they can take the time they need to get through security comfortably.

Use Trip Cart to Customize Your Vacation

Are you looking for an adventurous road trip across the United States, a ski trip to Vermont, or a family-oriented vacation to Florida? You can plan all of those vacations and more with Trip Cart.



While other travel sites allow you to book flights, make hotel reservations, and rent cars, Trip Cart takes trip planning several steps further. With Trip Cart, you can customize your vacation and build an itinerary based on the places you want to see and the activities you want to take part in. If you want to tour wineries in Sonoma, or visit historical homes in Savannah, Georgia, use Trip Cart’s visually appealing symbols to the right of the map to build your vacation. Add your activities to your itinerary, and from there, you can schedule your day-to-day activities, add directions, phone numbers, confirmation numbers, and other notes. You can even email the itinerary to your traveling companions. It's easy and free!