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Packing Tips for Easy Travel

November 21, 2012 By

Travel should be fun! Of course, it usually comes along with the hassles of packing bags and hauling them through a variety of planes, trains, and automobiles. You can streamline those hassles by following these packing tips. Try them next time you take a trip away from Fort Eustis Homes.

Pack Light
Overpacking takes the case when it comes to travel-related difficulties. Having less stuff to lug around with you will be helpful no matter who you are or where you're going. Take what you need, not what you want, and you'll be off to a good start.

Make a Check List
Come up with a list of what you need to take with you. Doing so will streamline the packing process, saving you valuable time. Lists are also a great way to pack light, as you can organize and prioritize, striking items that you don't really need off of the list.

Roll Your Clothes
A wonderful and easy way to optimize your luggage space is to roll your clothing rather than folding it. Doing so takes up less space, saving you valuable room. You'll be able to take more with you, or take a smaller suitcase!

Bring Food
Rather than spending your preflight time frantically looking for a bite to eat, take a snack or a small meal with you. Packing your own food is a great way to save time, and it will also mean that you're getting exactly what you want while not paying a huge mark up.

Split Up Valuables
Make sure that your valuables are spread out between your bags, in the event that something gets misplaced or lost. This is especially helpful if travelling with friends and relatives.

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Beautiful Beaches Throughout The U.S.A

September 13, 2012 By

Who doesn't adore soaking up some warm rays while listening to the water gently lap at the shore? If you’re like most people, you love spending time on a serene beach in the summer sun. The next time you’re thinking about a beach vacation away from Fort Eustis Homes, consider checking out one of these awesome destinations.

The Outer Banks, North Carolina
The Outer Banks are a lovely chain of barrier islands off of the coast of North Carolina, and have long been one of the most popular East Coast beach destinations. In general, The Outer Banks are renowned for their calm surf and great swimming conditions, as well as for the variety of great activities offered – horseback riding on the beach, hang gliding, and a variety of water sports. You can also tour shipwrecks, visit the famous Currituck Beach Lighthouse, or make a fascinating trek to the Wright Brothers National Memorial at Kill Devil Hill.
 
Miami Beach, Florida
If you've never been, you must know that Miami Beach is popular with people from all walks of life – well-moneyed vacationers, the 20-something party crowd, families with kids, and folks just looking for a low-key and relaxed getaway. Miami's white sand beaches are gorgeous, and the warm Atlantic water offers wonderful opportunities for recreation, including kayaking and surfing. In addition, there are great restaurants, fabulous shops, and outstanding spas in the area, as well as more serious cultural offerings like the Bass Museum and the Holocaust Memorial.
 
Myrtle Beach, South Carolina
Myrtle Beach is just a short drive from historic Charleston, SC, and it’s a popular East Coast hotspot for beachgoers. The area has everything — large resorts at reasonable prices, opportunities for boating, myriad watersports, and snorkeling and scuba diving. It's also a great choice if you’re looking to include some golfing in your vacation getaway, since the area boasts over a hundred high-quality golf courses. If you’ll be traveling with kids, make sure to visit the area’s hugely popular Family Kingdom Amusement Park. 
 
San Diego, California
San Diego is a destination that lets you enjoy the surf and sand while also partaking in an array of urban attractions that are also close by. The region is famous for its amazing weather, ever-sunny skies, vividly blue ocean water, and bright white-sand beaches. The opportunities for watersports are endless, and when you’ve had your fill of the beach, you can head out to great cultural and recreational offerings like the Museum of Contemporary Art in La Jolla and SeaWorld San Diego. Also, the area offers wonderful hiking, walking, and running trails, like the hugely popular trails at the Torrey Pines State Reserve.
 
U.S Virgin Islands
This glorious Caribbean destination offers you a fabulous combination of remote peacefulness and bustling culture. You can revel in relaxing on the quiet and expansive beach, engage in fun watersports like parasailing, snorkeling, and jet skiing, or wander the shops and wonderful restaurants. If you’re a history buff, you’ll enjoy learning about the colonial past of the U.S Virgin Islands, since there are ample opportunities for exploring the historical background of the area. There are three islands you can visit, each with its own unique flair – St. Thomas, St. John, and St. Croix. Why not visit all of them while you’re there? 
 

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Unique Hotels in the U.S.

June 14, 2012 By

Trust us, you do not have to venture overseas to experience a truly unique hotel. Lucky for us, some of the most unusual, one-of-a-kind hotels may only be a quick day trip away. If you're in need of a vacation, check out these travel gems:

Jules Undersea Lodge in Key Largo, Florida
After teaching a scuba lesson, and handing over room keys, Jules Undersea Lodge invites guests to literally dive into then fun, and swim to their hotel rooms! Every room has a phenomenal view. This place allows you to get up close and personal with breathtaking sea creatures. 
 

Turpentine Creek in Eureka Springs, Arkansas

You may never have thought of Arkansas as a place to experience a taste of Africa, but that's just what you get at Turpentine Creek. This retreat was originally a sanctuary for big cats found in peoples’ homes, and on the black market. Today, Turpentine Creek now allows guests to repose and relax among big cats like lions and tigers — so long as guests don’t mind being awoken by growls in the night.

Earthship Biotecture in Tres Peidras, New Mexico
To get a feel for what things might be like in the future, or in deep space, book a stay in a sustainable space pod at Earthship Biotecture. The pods are all constructed of sustainable materials, and also recycle water, grow food, all while allowing you to stream Netflix to your television!

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Great Fly-Fishing Areas Around The U.S.A.

May 3, 2012 By

Fly-fishing offers thrilling rush of adrenaline when the long-awaited fish takes the fly. Below are some of the most popular and fruitful fly-fishing destinations in America — ideal for both beginners and long-time anglers.

Bighorn River, Montana
This river is one of the best fly-fishing locations in the nation, and it is especially a great choice if you’re looking to hook some large trout. The waters are full of fish because insects hatch year-round. Here, you can expect to make catches from between 17 and 22 inches in length. Fall is a particularly great time to fish on the Bighorn because the crowds are less heavy and you have a chance to catch some of the brown trout that migrate during winter and fall.
 
Colorado River, Colorado
There are many chances for fabulous fly-fishing along the Colorado River, including ample opportunities for private and guided fly-fishing tours. Here, you can expect to encounter a variety of trout, including rainbow, brook, cutthroat, and brown trout. In this region, you’ll have the chance to fish in rivers, alpine lakes, and spring-fed ponds, and you’re likely to make hefty catches – with two pounders being average but six pounders always an exciting possibility. Another boon is that there are several wonderful lodging options near the Colorado River, certain to make your fly-fishing trip as comfortable and homey as possible.
 
San Juan River, New Mexico
This is often considered one of the most ideal locations for fly-fishers looking to catch very large trout – four and five pound catches are average, and it’s not hugely uncommon to find a nine-pounder on the end of your line here. The river is lavish with rainbow, brown, and hybrid trout, and it’s known as one of North America’s most fruitful tailwater fisheries. If your schedule allows, you should aim to head to the San Juan River in the off-season (early spring) so that you can avoid crowds. 
 
Alagnak River, Britson Bay Region, Alaska
This area of Alaska is known for the exceptional guided fly-fishing outings that are offered along the Alagnak River, particularly great for the beginning fisher. You can expect to find rainbow trout, a variety of Pacific salmon species, and arctic grayling, and you’ll learn about traditional Alaskan angling methods while also taking in the breathtaking surroundings – the area around the river teams with wildlife, and you’ll have a chance to spot beavers, brown bears, caribou, and even bald eagles.
 
Potter County, Pennsylvania
The Hammersley Wild Area in Potter County, Pennsylvania is a great destination if you’re looking for an exclusive private, guided fly-fishing experience. The area abounds with miles of private streams that are divided into small sections, with no more than two anglers and one guide allowed on a section at any given time. You’ll enjoy a great deal of privacy and top-notch instruction as you fish for the large brown, brook, and rainbow trout that fill the streams. 
 

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