Though I've been to all 50 states, both coasts of Canada and Mexico, Guatemala and Belize, much of Europe and some of Asia, I still call the South home, and want to thank Atlanta-based Delta Air Lines for its generous frequent flier program. Thus far, I've cashed in over a million miles for free trips that would have otherwise not been possible. Thanks, too, to Marriott and Hilton for all the free nights. Also, Avis for discounts. Free air travel, complimentary nights in hotels and cheap ground transportation have made our dream vacations come true.
It was late one September when I was priviledged to witness a stunning sunset. This shot was taken from the balcony of a 16th floor room in the Sandestin Hilton in Destin, on the Florida Panhandle. Though spectacular sunsets often occur on the Gulf, they cannot be predicted. Luckily, I just happened to have a camera and a fresh roll of film with me when this one came about, and I shot 36 frames as the sun slowly sank in the West. I have yet to see a sunset prettier than this one.
Key West, Florida, is only 90 miles north of Cuba. So sayeth the sign. It is also the southernmost point in the Lower 48. I had yet to capture a picture of me with the sign, so it made perfect sense that blustery February to escape to south Florida for a few days. On that trip, we also toured the Everglades on a high-speed fanboat, walked leisurely around South Beach just to see what was there, drove top-down all over the Keys in a low-slung convertible, enjoyed daiquiris of every conviction in too many bars and on too many beaches, and otherwise had a blast.
St. Peter's Cathedral anchors Jackson Square in New Orleans' infamous French Quarter. It is always best to visit there in the afternoon when a rag-tag band of Dixieland jazz aficionados puts on a free sidewalk show worthy of anything you might pay big bucks to see on-stage in Vegas or New York. Watch the mimes, always comic, have your fortune told, or indulge in classic bigets and sugary cafe au lait until it's time to rest up for what you will do later that night.
The trick to accumulating travel awards is to pick an airline or two, a couple of hotel chains, and stick with them. Some travelers spread their business too thinly, only to wind up with nothing because the balance in each of their accounts is too low to redeem for meaningful awards.
