Screwpop

Recently I picked up a little tool to try out thinking it might have some travel uses. Since I’m in love with my Swiss Army Knife, I thought this would make a great companion. The item is called The Screwpop, named because it has a phillips and a flat head screwdriver and a bottle opener.

The price of only $4.95 and name first attracted me to the product. I’m not a keychain person because I hate things poking me and having a huge bulge in my pocket (hahahaha). This isn’t very large but very heavy duty in it’s construction which makes it able to open any bottle and even have use as a screwdriver. However, since I always have my Swiss knife, I never need a bottle opener or flathead screwdriver. That being said, in the two weeks it was on my keychain I did use the phillips attachment to change my license plate, but I only did so to prove whether or not the product works. I should have saved some time and frustration of using the tiny tool and simply ran up to my apartment and got a real screwdriver.

The tool also has a ¼” Hex. Nut driver and honestly I can say I’ve never used one of these during any home or car application, it simply works to hold the screwdriver in place – which it does very well. When you put it in your pocket however, make sure the Phillips attachment is facing out because the flat head will poke you in the leg all day.



This thing did make it through security at an airport so if you decide to not take a knife and check a bag this might be the way to go to have a couple features other than a simple pocket bottle opener. But for me, I can open a bottle with a lighter, spoon, railing, table, stapler, scissors, another bottle, a rock or even a frying pan so it wouldn’t be on my list of must haves for a trip to Europe, but it is definitely a great stocking stuffer for a friend who thinks he is MacGyver.

The Innocent Abroad

Interested in going to Australia, New Zealand and the Pacific? There's a great new web site/blog that has information and discussions about it. The Innocent Abroad was started by Melissa who is American but has lived in Australia before and will be going back for another year soon. She has some great advice and a site that is a perfect place to start planning your trip!


Red Wine Helps you Sleep on Trains was included in one of her posts about what it means to be a backpacker - check it out!

Creating a Travel Blog

While traveling to a new place, it is often tempting to want to send out a mass e-mail to family and friends, update your Facebook status and Twitter feed, and load photos of your experience along the way. Unfortunately, this takes a lot of time and effort, which are two things you don't want to waste when the Eiffel Tower or Vatican Museum are calling your name.

We have found that the easiest way to keep up with everyone at home is to set up a blog before you leave. Whether you use Blogger, Wordpress, or another blog storage service, this tool serves as an online journal that allows all of your friends and family to become part of your trip. This is not something you need to update on a daily basis, but is good to utilize for a quick post before bed to let everyone know what you have been up to.

Hometown Series: Cleveland, Ohio

Krystin shares her ideas about what makes Cleveland, Ohio, a city worth visiting. And yes, she is aware that Cleveland is famous for the Cuyahoga River catching fire, being called "the mistake on the lake," and for generally being one of the most made fun of cities in film and television. But she is out to prove that this city has something to offer, something that makes her proud to be a Clevelander.

"I was born in Cleveland in 1984 and raised in Streetsboro, a suburb 30 minutes outside the city. My family moved out to Streetsboro because my parents wanted my sister and I to grow up somewhere safe, which tells you a little bit about the state Cleveland was in during my youth. Fast forward 25 years and Cleveland seems like a completely different city than the one I was born in. Major improvements have been made to clean up the city and make it a location worth exploring.

One of the highlights of Cleveland is, of course, the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and Museum that opened its doors on the bank of Lake Erie in 1995. The admission is a bit steep (regular admission is $22, college students pay $17 with a student ID), but you get to spend all day perusing Jim Morrison's hand-written letters, Jimi Hendrix's clothing collection, Janis Joplin's Porsche, John Lennon's glasses, and many more relics that make the visit worthwhile. The building itself is an impressive architectural monument to rock created by revered architect I.M. Pei, who is most famous for designing the additions to the Louvre in Paris.


I grew up going on field trips to the Cleveland Metroparks Zoo and The Rainforest. I have been to zoos all over the U.S. and Europe, and Cleveland's is really one of the best. Founded in 1882, this is one of the oldest zoos in the country, but it is always making improvements and additions. There is a wide variety of every animal you expect to see - giraffes, gorillas, monkeys, sea lions, bears - but the wolf exhibit is a must-see along with the newly renovated elephant area that will open in 2011. The Rainforest is also really impressive, featuring over 6,000 plants and 600 animals in a two-story building that really makes you feel like you have been transported to the jungle. Depending on the time of year, admission is between $7 and $10, which is a steal considering most zoos and aquariums run around $20.


Another spot I often frequented on school trips in my youth is The Cleveland Museum of Art. I visited the museum with Scott recently, and I still think it is an impressive collection even after visiting the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City and the Tate Modern in London. Major works are featured by famous artists including Dalí, Matisse, Renoir, Gauguin, Degas, Monet, van Gogh, Picasso, Warhol, and Pollock. One of the best parts of the museum is that it's free, so you can spend the day exploring and still have cash in your pocket for the evening.

As for the nightlife in Cleveland, the main spot to go out is called The Flats. Major renovations took place in this area during the 80s and 90s, making it a great place to grab a drink, eat a meal, or catch a gig. One of my favorite spots to catch a show is The Odeon, a smaller venue with an industrial feel. Of course, Cleveland also has a House of Blues if you prefer to visit a more mainstream venue. If you like to try local beers, make sure to get some Great Lakes Brewing Company specialties. Scott's favorite is the Dortmunder.

A fun way to see Cleveland and to appreciate all the changes its been through it is take a trip on the Goodtime III, the city's largest excursion ship. It's $15 for a two-hour narrated cruise through Cleveland (save a buck by visiting the site and printing the coupon). The Goodtime has been around since 1924, and riding down the river really gives you a sense of the history of the city.


As for seasonal activities, if you happen to be in Cleveland during the Christmas holidays and are a fan of the classic film A Christmas Story, there are two musts for you. A little known fact is that this movie was filmed in Cleveland, and the home used for the filming has recently been renovated to look exactly like it did in the movie, complete with a museum and gift shop where you can purchase your very own leg lamp. Admission to the A Christmas Story House and Museum is $8. You can also visit Tower City Center and Public Square to see the lights and visit the spot where the Christmas parade scene was filmed."

For more information on the latest happenings in Cleveland throughout the year, check out Cleveland Magazine.

Beer Gardens in the UK

As we were checking e-mail on Yahoo.com, we came across an article about the Top Ten Beer Gardens in Great Britain. These pubs have been chosen by the editors of The Good Pub Guide, UK’s #1 bestselling guidebook. When traveling around Great Britain, you’ll see signs in pub windows that show off the fact that the establishment was included in last year’s guide.

Unfortunately, we can't say we have been to any of the pubs on the top 10 list. However, we have been to many fantastic pubs in two England cities we've lived in and would definitely recommend visiting: Lincoln, Lincolnshire and Exeter, Devon. Our favorite beer garden in Exeter is The Imperial, which is located in front of Exeter University, making it a popular student hangout. One of the best parts about this pub is that there is a huge area to sit outside that overlooks the train station. The building itself is interesting because it used to be an old hotel and was home to a massive glass orangery (or conservatory) before that.

The only bummer about The Imperial is that it is part of a pub chain, so it lacks some of the character that privately owned pubs possess. The chain is Weatherspoons and can be found throughout Britain. What makes it a chain is the menu, drinks and employee uniform (once you visit one, you will be able to recognize other Weatherspoons-owned pubs). Because the Imperial is part of Weatherspoons, they have some of the cheapest drink prices you’ll find in England - one of the best parts of this chain!

The best beer garden in Lincoln is The Jolly Brewer. They have regular open mic nights and jam sessions, great real ales, local cider in barrels on the counter and plenty of outdoor picnic tables and heaters in the winter. Beer prices are decent and the atmosphere is extremely diverse and friendly with an eclectic mix of locals, students, professionals and artists. It is more than worth it to visit the Brewer just to people watch for a night to see the unique characters that frequent it.


For a great "real" pub experience in Lincoln, try The Strugglers Inn located just outside Lincoln Castle. The pub got its' name because this is the spot prisoners would visit for their last pint on the way from court inside the castle to the gallows located just down the road. This pub is great for a glimpse into life of the locals and what a real English pub looks like. There is almost always a fire burning a dog wandering around beneath the tables.

No matter what city you visit throughout the UK, the best idea is always to ask the reception staff at your hostel what pubs they would recommend. If you are looking for something specific (cheap drinks, local ales, live music), be sure to ask for pubs that cater to these criteria. The best part about the UK is that no matter how small the town is, they will always have a local pub. The second best part is, that pub is more than likely within walking distance of where you are staying. Remember, the walk home is half the fun. Make sure to stop at the all-night chip shop where locals will be lined up and grab some chips and gravy for the walk home.

17 Days in Italy

Two of our friends recently spent a couple weeks in Italy and were nice enough to give some tips and advice about their experience.


"Ahhhh, Italia. Ryan and I spent 17 days playing in this beautiful country and it breaks my heart to be away. We decided to fly into Milan (as this seemed to be the cheapest option). We were told by many people that Milan is not worth the stop. However, Ry and I were glad to be able to spend the day exploring the city; walking on the top of the beautiful Duomo, exploring La Scala Opera house, window shopping, indulging in copious cups of gelato, etc.

Do I Need Travel Insurance?

We have never purchased travel insurance because we are cheap, but it doesn’t mean that it is not worth the money. We’ve simply been very lucky and never lost our backpacks or had medical emergencies during a trip.(Krystin did forget to grab her bag in New York from London and recheck it for the connecting flight and arrived in Florida with no clothes, but that is another story). Scott does, however, have insurance on his camera gear.

YouTube Video Comments

One of the great things about Youtube is receiving comments from viewers. It is fantastic to know we helped someone with his or her future travels. However, sometimes the comments can be off-kilter and we have no problem taking comments down if we think they may lead other viewers to make bad decisions on their trips. All over YouTube, there are millions of viewers with way too much time on their hands who enjoy writing something that makes no sense or might confuse someone just for kicks.

For instance, someone said Krystin was wrong in her video about packing by saying that heavy items go in the bottom of the backpack. However, every hiking guide we have read say that heavy items should go in the bottom third of the pack, but most importantly as close to your back as possible. Maybe we should have elaborated on this fact, but we provided the general rule in the time allotted. We would hate for anyone to read that comment and think they should carry heavy items at the top of the pack, which could potentially cause physical injury to that person during their travels.