A few weeks ago as I was driving I-10 in Baton Rouge, I noticed on one of the digital road signs an advertisement for a cool looking app — RoadNinja. A few days later I saw it again. Being the road trip and app freak that I am, I decided to download the free app to see what it was all about.

First, I’ll admit, I think the name itself is absolute coolness. Add the little character to the mix along with the useful information provided by RoadNinja, and I’m sold. The app was created by Lamar Advertising and offers much more information for travelers than those official state exit signs. I can’t tell you how frustrated I get when we’re on a road trip, looking for a particular restaurant or gas station, only to have the sign obscured by an 18 wheeler as we pass the sign.

Thanks to Lamar Advertising and their RoadNinja, I no longer have this frustration. I can locate businesses within a three mile radius, along with their specials, Twitter feeds, and share my finds with my social media communities.

Features

• Travel with Ease – Automatically detects your location and displays the nearest upcoming exit.
• Plan Ahead – Plan your trip effectively with a directory of every interstate/exit in the U.S.
• Locate Places – Search by business name or browse through default categories at each exit to locate points of interest.
• Promotions – Save money with promotions displaying deals nearby.
• Customize – Modify categories displayed at each exit on the app (there are over 30 options).
• Notifications – Save your favorite places and receive push notifications when you’re close by.
• Socialize – Share your favorite promos/reviews on Facebook and check-in on Foursquare.
• Interact – Access info and reviews for businesses/points of interest and map your route. Share reviews, ratings and photos of places with others.

RoadNinja is my new must-have app for any road trip. No longer will there be frustration when trying to find some of my favorite places to stop on a trip. You know you’ve been there, looking for YOUR favorite place to stop, not knowing how far you’ll have to go to find the place. The kids are crying (or whining) in the back seat and the hubby just wants you to choose someplace soon so he can get out of the vehicle to stretch his legs, so you end up at McDonald’s or Burger King for lunch. Sadly, as soon as you get back on the highway, you see that your favorite place was at the NEXT exit. RoadNinja takes some of the stress out of the family road trip and helps keep everyone happy.

RoadNinja is currently available on iTunes and soon it will be available for Android. For more information, check out the official site of RoadNinja and follow on Twitter: @Road_Ninja.

The Ralph Braun Foundation has launched its first grant program for mobility equipment. Qualified applicants have an opportunity to receive up to $5,000 toward the purchase of mobility equipment–including wheelchair vans and lifts.

In order to qualify, applicants must be working with a mobility dealer who is in good standing with the National Mobility Equipment Dealers Association (NMEDA). This dealer needs to have evaluated the applicant for the mobility product that best meets the customer’s needs. Grant winners will need to provide proof that the remaining funding required to complete the sale is secured. Grant awards must result in an immediate equipment sale, and checks will be made to the representing dealer.

The application form is available at www.ralphbraunfoundation.org and must be submitted in its entirety online by Nov. 30, 2011.

Individuals and dealers will be notified by Friday, Dec. 16, 2011 if their grant has been awarded.

Louisiana has long been known for some spooky things. It’s no wonder televisions shows like True Blood and movies such as Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn have been filmed here. My state also has some beautiful houses that are home to otherworldly apparitions. Here are a few of the haunted plantations in Louisiana I’ve checked out over the years:

The Myrtles – Growing up I would listen to my mother recall memories of her visit to one of America’s most haunted houses: The Myrtles Plantation in West Feliciana Parish, Louisiana. Her stories of feeling as if she were being smothered and many of the horrible events that occurred while she and my dad were on the plantation grounds are enough to scare anyone. Read the entire story…

Houmas House – Houmas House is the site of numerous films including Hush, Hush Sweet Charlotte,Fletch Lives, and television shows like All My Children and K’Ville. It is also reportedly haunted by a few ghosts of days gone by. Read the entire story….

Loyd Hall – Loyd Hall is a bed and breakfast located in Cheneyville, LA. I’ve passed through this area many times when my hubby and I lived near there in the early months of our marriage, but I never even knew Loyd Hall was there, much less haunted. I was always more interested in getting to Lecompte before Lea’s Lunchroom ran out of my favorite, chocolate pie. Read the entire story…

These homes are open for tours all year long, not just during Halloween. Have you been to any of these homes and had any ghostly experiences?

When we travel, our preferred mode of transportation is our wheelchair-accessible minivan. Our van and my wheelchair have been modified allowing me to be the driver or the front passenger. I can remain in my wheelchair and there is no awkward transferring to a car seat.

Even though I drive with hand controls (look  Mom–no feet), my husband or anyone else, such as a parking attendant,  can also drive the van.

When I plan our vacations, my first preference is to drive to the destination.  Flying with a wheelchair is difficult and coordinating wheelchair-accessible transportation is time consuming, expensive and sometimes nonexistent.

Whenever we can take our van, we do. It is easier than flying and I’m definitely more comfortable in my own vehicle.

I have buttons inside my van and on my key that automatically open the side door and allow the ramp to descend and ascend.   I love the independence my van provides.  I can run errands without anyone assisting me and kids think my ramp is cool.

If you are considering buying a wheelchair-accessible van, you will have lots of questions.  A good place to begin is  the website for the National Mobility Equipment Dealers Association.  The site is packed with tips and helps you locate local accessible vehicle dealers by typing in your ZIP code.

Shopping for a wheelchair-accessible vehicle can be overwhelming. Before we bought our van, we asked numerous questions and spent hours researching the options.  The folks at BraunAbility have developed a nine-part video that covers the basics that can be viewed on YouTube.com. The series is called, “Wheelchair Van Straight Talk” and a new video is posted every Wednesday. Just type in the title and you can watch the informative series.  BraunAbility has a network of dealers across the country.  The company offers Dodge, Honda, Chrysler, and Toyota minivan conversions.

We highly recommend you visit a local dealer and work with your occupational therapist before purchasing a wheelchair-accessible van.

Quality. Safety. Comfort. Convenience.

These words describe the Chevrolet Traverse for a family road trip. A few months ago, I took the 2011 Chevrolet Traverse on a mini road trip for a review and familiarization drive. I was able to enjoy the ride and the comfort of this family vehicle, but had no idea what really went into the planning of overall package. This past week, GM invited me into their inner sanctum of corporate offices and testing facility, giving me an inside look into the thought process and engineering behind the 2012 Chevrolet Traverse.

Our group’s day of immersion began with getting to know many of the personalities behind the various vehicle components. A few of the top executives gave presentations introducing us to their families, how their life journeys brought them to GM, and personal stories about vehicle safety.

For me, safety is the number one factor in choosing a vehicle, be it for everyday use or a family road trip. I’ve heard a number of stories throughout my life of the family on a road trip that was injured or lost family members due to an accident on the highway. We can’t predict the actions of other drivers, but we can provide the utmost safety for our families while on the road.

The Chevrolet Traverse is a top-quality vehicle recognized by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) with a 5-Star Overall Vehicle Safety Rating and the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) as a Top Safety Pick.

Beyond safety, I look for quality. I want quality in a reliable vehicle that won’t leave my family stranded when out of town. I also want a vehicle that will still be a viable option for my kids to drive around, once they get their licenses.

I was able to sit in the CAVE, the latest 3D virtual reality technology, so that I could experience how General Motors designers and engineers use this technology, along with customer feedback, to create sleek, functional and durable storage solutions for the Chevrolet Traverse crossover.

A vehicle isn’t just something to get from Point A to Point B when taking a road trip. I want to be comfortable when I’m driving long hours. I want to be able to nap in the passenger seat when my husband is driving. I want the kids to have their own space, along with plenty of outlets for their gadgets and drink holders for whatever their drink of choice may be. I also need plenty of storage to keep our clutter organized while on the road.

At General Motors Proving Ground in Milford, vehicles go through the “Parade of Punishment” as the engineers verify the quality of the Chevy Traverse. I sat inside a Chevy Traverse while it went through a cycle of punishing situations, from simulated potholes to gravel roads. It was actually kind of fun.

Afterwards our group went outdoors to the test roads which are miles and miles of roadway with a variety of tracks and test areas for durability. The test roads provide every situation a vehicle may encounter, including major potholes, steep grades, salt spray, bumpy roads, and even flooded roads. I was really impressed when the Chevy Traverse drove through a flooded roadway two feet deep and handled well.

The day ended at the Vehicle Teardown Facility, where engineers tear down vehicles to look for vulnerability in every area of the vehicle, even the parts consumers can’t see. The purpose is to make sure the vehicle is not only safe when used daily, but that the quality of the vehicle holds up years after the warranty expires.

After seeing what goes into the planning, design, building, and testing of the Chevy Traverse……I’m really impressed.

Disclosure: GM sponsored my transportation, food, and lodging during the visit, but no other compensation was made. These opinions are my own.

Lately I’ve been spending more time exploring my own state of Louisiana. I do enjoy the thrill of flying to a far off destination, but with school and football season in full swing, it isn’t always practical to venture far away. My home base is a suburb of Baton Rouge, LA and I decided to check out a few places that are three hours or less from home.

I hopped in my car and headed in almost every direction, driving past sugar cane fields and through swamps. These short trips reminded me of the beauty to be found here in Louisiana and why I love calling this place Home. Here are a few of the destinations I’ve been exploring:

Downtown Baton Rouge – I always forget just how much is going on in the Baton Rouge area. Downtown has really become a hotspot for entertainment, with free concerts, a wide variety of cuisine, and even a few luxury hotels. Last week I had my first glimpse of the new Hotel Indigo Baton Rouge and sampled a few of the dinner offerings at the King Bar and Grill located off the lobby. Of course, there are a number of museums located downtown, historic sites, and the beautiful Mississippi River.

Marksville – Paragon Casino Resort is only a 1 1/2 hour drive from my home. We’ve visited this resort as a family a few times and find it to be an easy getaway for a family, a couple, or a group of girlfriends. There’s so much to do at the resort, that you may not want to venture outdoors, but don’t forget that this area offers more than just a casino. There are some small, quaint museums showcasing agriculture in Louisiana to the history of quilts in the area. There are also plenty of down home restaurants serving Louisiana country cooking. If you are looking for alligators, you can find them in the lobby of Paragon or venture out into Spring Bayou where the gators glide across the water, right in front of your boat. After all the exploring, Spa la Vie at Paragon Casino offers the best spa in the area.

Lake Charles – This Southwest Louisiana city was recently named one of the top places to retire in the US. I visited to experience the area’s premiere food and wine event, Rouge et Blanc. While in town, I was able to meet many of the personalities that make this area an attractive place to live and visit. L’Auberge du Lac is a casino resort that towers from across Lake Charles and was my lodging while in the area. Lake Charles is also one of the top places for a family friendly Mardi Gras experience.

Natchitoches – I’ll admit, I have an ulterior motive for visiting Natchitoches since my son goes to the state high school here. Downtown Natchitoches sits on Cane River Lake and is such a beautiful place. In fact, the movie Steel Magnolias was filmed here. There are numerous bed and breakfasts in Natchitoches to choose from and this city is frequently on romantic getaways lists.

New Orleans – Visiting New Orleans is a given at some point for residents and visitors of Louisiana. It’s been a top destination in the state, overshadowing everywhere else in Louisiana. New Orleans is beautiful and strange at the same time. At one time, there were over 3,000 bars in the area. Recently, my husband and I spent a weekend at the Roosevelt Hotel for a romantic getaway. We could have chosen one restaurant for a nice meal, but instead opted to have our own progressive dinner, stopping at different venues along our path to sample some of our favorite dishes from our favorite restaurants.

Lafayette – If you are searching for true Cajun Country, then Lafayette is the city you’ll want to visit. It is the home of the Ragin’ Cajuns and the CajunDome. To truly experience the beauty that is quintessential Louisiana, be sure to take one of the many swamp tours offered in the area. This is also the place to entertain your ears with true Zydeco music.

These are just a few of the major destinations for day trips and weekend getaways in South Louisiana. There are so many smaller cities and towns that offer the hospitality and culture we in Louisiana are proud of. To plan your visit to Louisiana, begin with LouisianaTravel.com.

Snack mixes make a good choice for a road trip snack. They can be prepared to your liking and placed in pre-portioned snack bags for easy snacking on the road. We like to make our own snack mixes before we embark on any trip, with each family member making their own blend. Here’s a good snack mix recipe using Mrs. Dash seasoning blends. This snack mix is low in potassium and low in sodium. It’s a holiday themed snack mix, making it perfect for a holiday road trip, Christmas gifts, or for that tailgating road trip later in the season.

Mrs. Dash Extra Spicy Holiday Snack Mix

Serves:16
Serving Size:1.3 ounces (35.8g)
Prep Time:5 min
Cooking Time:20 min
Ready In:25 min

INGREDIENTS
1 Tablespoon (15mL) Mrs. Dash® Garlic & Herb Seasoning Blend
1 Tablespoon (15mL) Mrs. Dash® Extra Spicy Seasoning Blend
4 cups (1L) wheat squares cereal
1/4 cup (60mL) unsalted butter
2 cups (480mL) shelled pumpkinseeds
1 cup (240mL) sun dried cranberries

DIRECTIONS
1. Preheat oven to 350°F (180°C).
2. Melt butter and add Mrs. Dash® Garlic & Herb Seasoning Blends and Mrs. Dash® Extra Spicy Seasoning Blend.
3. Place cereal and pumpkinseeds in large bowl. Toss with Mrs. Dash® mixture. Place on cookie sheet and bake in oven 15-20 minutes or until cereal is crisp.
4. Remove from oven and toss with sun dried cranberries.

Mrs. Dash Seasoning Blends are an all-natural blend of 14 natural herbs and spices that add a unique flavor to every dish, so you won’t ever miss the salt. In addition to their line of Seasoning Blends which are both salt- and MSG- free they also have 6 salt-free marinades including Spicy Teriyaki and Southwestern Chipotle.

Mrs. Dash Salt-Free Seasoning Blends is currently offering a coupon of $1 off any one Mrs. Dash Seasoning Blend on their Facebook page. Have you used Mrs. Dash? What did you think?

Lake Yellowstone Hotel and Cabins is one of the most historic and well-known lodging options inside Yellowstone National Park. Built in 1891, and restored in the 1990′s, I felt like I was stepping back in time as I walked through the doors of Lake Yellowstone Hotel. The main hotel offers an ambiance of the 1920′s with a string quartet playing in the lobby with the sun shining through the large windows that provide a view of Lake Yellowstone. As I walked around the hotel, I expected to see Vanderbilts and Rockefellers dining in the elegant dining room.

The Rooms

The main hotel, while elegant in the common areas, provides basic amenities in the standard rooms. You won’t find a television, you won’t find a radio, and you won’t even find air conditioning. Cell phone service is almost non-existent, as is internet. However, there’s no need for these modern conveniences as all you have to do is open your window for a fresh breeze and take in the wonderful setting of Yellowstone National Park.

I enjoyed my stay at Lake Yellowstone Hotel and found the beds to be comfortable, the bathrooms clean, and the overall experience wonderful. Before bed, I gazed out my window at Lake Yellowstone, watching the full moon hang in the sky, as its twin looked back from the water. It was a beautiful and peaceful sight. The next morning I woke up to see a Bison grazing in the yard of the hotel.

The Dining

The Lake Yellowstone Hotel Dining Room is open for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. I enjoyed an evening meal in this elegant dining room. The white columns gracing the yellow dining room made me feel like I was in the scene of an art deco era movie. The menu itself offers a wide variety of sustainable and organic cuisine, including entrees such as Blackened Wild Alaska Salmon, stuffed quail, bison tenderloin, and many other options. It was delicious and much better than I was expecting, if not possibly one of the better meals I’ve ever enjoyed during my travels. Of course, no meal is complete without dessert and I highly recommend closing your meal with a Yellowstone Caldera, a warm chocolate truffle torte with a molten middle. Wine afficianados will not be disappointed by the extensive wine list, with offerings by the bottle and a few by the glass.

If fine dining isn’t what you’re looking for, you can visit the Lake Lodge Cafeteria or find a quick sandwich to pick up at the Lake Deli.

Things to Do

You may be on a road trip with hiking or outdoor activities from your base of Lake Yellowstone Hotel and Cabins, but consider one of the many activities the park provides. I took a Lake Butte Sunset Tour on the Historic Yellow Bus Tours. Our small group was picked up out front of the hotel and took this open air ride to the Lake Butte Overlook. We watched the sun set over Yellowstone National Park before heading back for a late dinner at the hotel.

If you’d rather see the view from the water, visitors to Yellowstone National Park can take a scenic cruise from Bridge Bay Marina towards Stephenson Island. You’ll get to see wildlife such as eagles and osprey, along with bison and other animals while listening to the history of the area.

For more information to plan and book your stay at Lake Yellowstone Hotel and Cabins, visit Yellowstone National Park Lodges.

Special thanks to Xanterra Parks and Resorts who hosted my stay at Lake Yellowstone.

Four travel bloggers. One car. 10,000 Miles.

The Mongol Rally first began in 2004 with six teams and has grown in numbers and gained popularity as an adventurous road rally starting in London and ending in Mongolia. This year, a couple of my travel blogging friends (@RickGriffin & @OttsWorld) have joined forces with @ThePlanetD to share the journey while raising funds for a worthy charity.

I’ve been following their misadventures adventures since July 23, 2011 and admit that it is quite fun to travel vicariously through this group. I watched them prepare for the journey for over a year, gathering sponsors, gear, and setting things up through social media. Their official team name is The Social Media Syndicate and you can follow along as they travel to their destination, where they will donate their vehicle and money raised along the rally to the Christina Nobel Children’s Foundation. This charity assists homeless and abandoned children of Mongolia.

Here are some of the entertaining entries from their journey:

Sherry Ott learns to drive on the Autobahn – Ever thought afternoon traffic was scary? Try driving the Autobahn.

Rick Griffin eats a Belgian Waffle in Belgium – I have a bucket list and so does Rick Griffin from Midlife Road Trip. He finally gets to check another item off of his bucket list. He even has it on video.

ThePlanetD documents the Odessa Hotel Fiasco – Have you ever been on a road trip and played it by ear? Sometimes, the guidebooks just don’t offer the best information, like hostels that are still in business. The team couldn’t seem to find an affordable lodging option in Odessa.

You can follow all of their posts and updates at The Social Media Syndicate. Best of luck to the entire team and have an amazing rest of your adventure in the Mongol Rally. If you’re on Twitter, you can follow their hashtag #MongolSMS.

The Help, a New York Times bestselling novel, is being released in theaters on August 10, 2011. This fictional story is based on the real culture of household workers in 1960′s Jackson, Mississippi and was filmed throughout the state.

Author, Kathryn Stockett, was insistent that if her book was to be bought to the big screen, then it had to be filmed in Mississippi. It only makes sense, seeing that the book was set in this southern state. Director Tate Taylor, Stockett’s friend, and screenplay writer, stayed close to the storyline of the novel. The movie was filmed in three Mississippi locations: Clarksdale, Greenwood, and Jackson.

I recently traveled to Jackson, Mississippi on Amtrak’s City of New Orleans and from the moment I stepped off the train, I had almost stepped back in time. The historic train station housed the Robert Johnson Blues Foundation and the entire building had been restored to it’s former glory. While the novel is based predominantly in Jackson, the residential film site was actually Greenwood, which still offers the architecture of the era. There were some scenes of The Help movie filmed in downtown Jackson, Mississippi.

The Cuisine:

If you are a big fan of book, then you’ll be a big fan of the movie, but you don’t necessarily have to read the book before heading to the theater. Fans of the book and movie can take a trip to Jackson and enjoy southern comfort food, such as golden fried chicken and fresh country vegetables, all washed down with a glass of sweet ice tea. There are a number of restaurants (including the amazing Parlor Market), but the most notable for fans of The Help is The Mayflower Cafe, which appears in the movie a few times. At night, the neon light beckons visitors to step into a time warp. You’ll sit down and expect to see Skeeter enjoying a malt or to hear that mean old Hilly Holbrook walk through the door, entourage following, as they gossip about those they think are beneath them.

And I’ll bet you can find a slice of chocolate pie or two for dessert. If you are looking for other delicious Southern Cuisine restaurants in Jackson, a great online resource is Eat Jackson, complete with reviews, menus, and directions.

Places to Stay:

The Historic Fairview Inn was not only a film site for The Help, but also where many of the stars stayed during filming. It is also mentioned in the novel on page 148. The Fairview Inn is offering The Help Package, giving fans of the book and movie their own Southern Mississippi experience. The package includes lodging and nostalgia such as old fashioned bottle Coca Cola (with peanuts, drop a few in your coke for a true Southern delicacy), mint juleps on arrival, authentic southern dinner for 2 at Sophia’s Restaurant, playing cards, and a book on how to play Bridge. Rates start at $349 per night.

If you aren’t up for staying at The Fairview Inn, in downtown Jackson you can spend a night or two at the Jackson Mississippi Hilton Garden Inn, just across the street from the train station and one block from The Mayflower restaurant. The Hilton Garden Inn is an historic property built in 1923. It was once called the King Edward Hotel and is very chic and elegant. I stayed overnight during my visit to Jackson, MS and have to recommend breakfast at the hotel restaurant – the grits were delicious.

Driving Tour of Belhaven Neighborhood:

The City of Jackson, Mississippi put together a driving tour for fans of The Help, complete with quotes from the book and the landmarks mentioned. You can check out details of the full tour, along with a map download. Check out The Help in Belhaven Neighborhood Tour.

Synopsis (from Dreamworks)

Based on one of the most talked about books in years and a #1 New York Times best-selling phenomenon,  The Help stars Emma Stone (Easy A) as Skeeter, Academy Award®–nominated Viola Davis (Doubt) as Aibileen and Octavia Spencer as Minny—three very different, extraordinary women in Mississippi during the 1960s,  who build an unlikely friendship around a secret writing project that breaks societal rules and puts them all at risk. From their improbable alliance a remarkable sisterhood emerges, instilling all of them with the courage to transcend the lines that define them, and the realization that sometimes those lines are made to be crossed —even if it means bringing everyone in town face-to-face with the changing times.

Deeply moving, filled with poignancy, humor and hope, The Help is a timeless and universal story about the ability to create change.

The Help opens August 10, 2011 and is a movie of strength and inspiration. Be sure to share your thoughts on The Help Movie Facebook Fan Page.