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The PSAs are now airing on the Travel Channel and are available to the entire travel community for free download at http://www.ustravel.org/marketing/travel-channel-psas. Travel industry organizations and associations are encouraged to link to the PSAs from their own websites and make them available to customers and constituents.

The U.S. Travel Association has been actively engaged in advocating for why travel matters, promoting its economic impact to policymakers and its impact on the bottom line to business leaders. It has created these PSAs to help in promoting the benefits of travel to individuals.

The PSAs can be downloaded by clicking here

(ARA) - Planes and trains may have their place in our society, but for the dedicated traveler there's still nothing like getting in your RV and taking a trip along America's highways.

A brief history of paved roads 625 B.C. The Babylonians are credited with the first recorded use of asphalt as a road building material. The ancient Greeks were also familiar with asphalt (the word comes from the Greek "asphaltos," meaning "secure"). 1500s Christopher Columbus landed off the shores of Trinidad in 1498 and discovered the famous Asphalt Lake, which would later be used on the Pennsylvania Avenue project in Washington, D.C. covering 54,000 square yards. 1800s Macadam roads became popular in the U.S. for rural road construction during the 1830s and 40s. Belgian chemist Edmund J. DeSmedt laid the first true asphalt pavement in the U.S. in Newark, N.J. The Cummer Company opened the first central hot mix production facilities in the U.S. The first asphalt patent was filed by Nathan B. Abbott of Brooklyn, N.Y. in 1871. 1920s World War I ended and the use of the automobile was steadily rising, but roads outside the city limits were frequently too muddy or dusty for travel. To fix this problem, road engineers used oils and asphalt. 1940s-1950s The modern American turnpike is born. After World War II, full scale automobile production resumed along with major levels of road maintenance and new highway construction. By 1950, vehicle registration exceeded 40 million cars and 8 million trucks. In 1956, President Eisenhower signed the Federal-Aid Highway Act and launched the Interstate System to create an infrastructure highway program unmatched anywhere in the world. 1970s A national move to conserve energy and materials initiated a widespread interest in recycling of pavement materials; asphalt is now America’s most recycled product. 1990s A traffic study by the World Road Association indicates that asphalt pavements are at least 4 decibels quieter than concrete pavements. 2000s The U.S. population has increased 23 percent since 1990 and the number of miles driven has risen by 41 percent. Only half of the nation’s major roads are in good condition, based on an analysis of recent Federal Highway Administration data.

Half the fun of road trips, in the minds of many, is getting home and telling friends and family about the adventure - and the roads they traveled.

In the past, drivers' road stories were largely told by word of mouth to a few people at a time. Now drivers can tell their tales to millions via the Internet. FavoriteRoad.com is a new Web site that features America's favorite highways and byways.

The site encourages you to post your favorite roads and explain why you like them. Simply log on to submit a photo and story of your favorite road. Use links posted on the site to share your road via popular social networks such as Facebook and Twitter. Your submission may even win a prize in contest giveaways.

The past year's economic downturn has reintroduced the word "infrastructure" to our vocabulary. As a result of stimulus legislation passed in 2009, the federal government has allocated millions of dollars to specifically improve state roads and highways. And, with more affordable gasoline prices, people are increasingly using America's roads for leisure travel.

By posting on FavoriteRoad.com, you're doing more than just "telling a good story." Your testimonials may help encourage lawmakers to push for increased infrastructure spending to keep America driving smoothly and safely for years to come.

What's your favorite road? Log on and tell the world at FavoriteRoad.com.

Adventure-lovers, welcome to utopia!

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White Knuckle Adventure
Rapid Rides
Did you know America's deepest river gorge (yes, even deeper than the Grand Canyon) winds through Eastern Oregon? It's long been dubbed Hells Canyon, where the Snake River cuts through rock for breathtaking scenery and knockout white water rafting. There's lots to do on dry land too, including wilderness trail hikes and a great road trip. Follow the Hells Canyon All American Road from river's edge to mountaintop for a glimpse of elk, bear and bighorn sheep among the region's colorful and rugged basalt cliffs. In Southern Oregon, The Rogue River offers countless opportunities to get your feet wet - by canoe, jet boat or raft, or even in hip waders with a fishing pole in hand. A favorite hangout for governors and pro fishers alike, the region boasts some of the best fly fishing guides in the country.

Surf's Up
Killer waves? Yep. Public beaches? Got those, too - 363 miles worth. Surfing in Oregon rivals some of the best locations in the world. Of course, the water is a few degrees cooler, so bring a wetsuit. Surf spots dot the entire coastline, and one popular place is Oswald West State Park, just south of Cannon Beach. Backed by rugged, forested cliffs, the park provides gentle swells for beginners and pros alike.

For a more intense experience, the world's top surfers have just 48 hours' notice to descend on Lincoln City for the annual Nelscott Reef Tow-In Classic, one of only two professional tow-in surfing contests in the world. The large swells off Lincoln City result from the first winter storms reaching the Oregon Coast while a dominant high pressure system remains over the Northwest. Translation? Giant waves, some reaching a staggering 40 feet.

World's Windsurfing Capitol
On a typical breezy day near Hood River, hundreds of colorful sails dance across the Columbia River as windsurfers and kite boarders ride the famous Columbia River Gorge winds. The conditions are so good, this area of the Gorge has earned a reputation as the windsurfing capitol of the world, attracting professionals from around the globe. First timers are welcomed too, and local shops will arrange for lessons. Nearby Hood River is a vibrant community nestled in a fertile valley known for its bountiful fruit harvest. It offers friendly inns, good eats and an engaging, ecologically minded business district.

Rockin' Roll
Smith Rock in Central Oregon challenges all who come to conquer its sheer walls, cliffs and crags up to 700 feet tall. The peak lures rock climbers from around the globe with more than 1,400 climbing routes. Fall is one of the best times to climb, when weather is still dry and rocks are cooler than during the longer sunny summer days. Those who aren't "craggers" can hike or bike on the park's numerous trails, scout for birds and local wildlife, or eat a picnic lunch as they view the action on the walls above the Crooked River. The river flows through the 641-acre park. North of Redmond, cutting a 300-foot deep crevice through 10-million year old basalt flows to form the Crooked River Gorge, a hotspot for fly fishing, rafting and kayaking.

Putt and Pedal
Tee Time
Play through spectacular stretches of sand dunes high above the Pacific Ocean or tee off in the heart of wine country. Oregon offers world-class golf courses built by some of the industry's best known architects. Perhaps the epitome of Oregon golfing is Bandon Dunes Golf Resort, a place where all the essential elements converge to create a spectacular golf experience. Located on Oregon's rugged south coast, the resort is one of the few American golf retreats that can truly lay claim to the legacy of Scotland's ancient links. Golfers have their choice of three distinct courses perched high above the Pacific Ocean, each remarkably different in character and shot-making requirements. Or, near Oregon's central coast, enjoy a challenging 18-hole, par-72 golf course also built in the Scottish tradition: Salishan Spa and Golf Resort. Golf Digest recently ranked Central Oregon as 23rd in the top 50 best golf destinations in the world, with 25 local golf courses to suit your fancy. Overall, there are more than 150 golf courses dotted throughout the state. Visit www.traveloregon.com/golf for a complete list of courses and resorts.

Pedal Power
Not only has Portland been rated the number-one biking city in the nation, according to Bicycling magazine, but Oregon's back roads, miles of trails, intimate inns and dining options make the state ideal for a road trip on two wheels. We've got everything from easy rides at sea level to exhausting assaults on 10,000-foot peaks. One popular option is the Oregon Coast's Three Capes scenic route near Tillamook, a 40-mile section that takes bikers through old growth forests, expansive dunes and panoramic vistas. Or, join Eola Hills Wine Cellars every Sunday in August for the "Bike Oregon Wine Country" tour through the Willamette Valley, with loops ranging from 45 to 70 miles.

Cycle Oregon, often described as "the best bike ride in America," takes riders across roughly 500 miles of Oregon's diverse landscape in seven days. Serious cyclers and adventure lovers wind through bucolic backroads, climb narrow mountain passes and sail along the coastline on a journey from the coastal community of Astoria to Ashland in Southern Oregon. You do the pedaling, they take care of everything else.

Mountain Mania
Snow lovers will find some of the most pristine powder in the nation, with 12 commercial downhill ski areas and 400 trails in three mountain ranges.

As Oregon's largest snow area, Mt. Bachelor in Central Oregon has one of the longest winter seasons for downhill skiing and snowboarding in North America, and was ranked as the best lift system by readers of Ski magazine. Groomed cross-country trails, dog sled rides, ice skating, sleigh rides, a half-pipe and a full snowboard park are also part of Mt. Bachelor's ski resort. Regulars include a handful of past U.S. and Canadian Olympians.

Just a short drive from Portland, Mt. Hood features three unique ski areas, multiple tubing parks and the historic Timberline Lodge for post-ski retreat. Renowned for its year-round snow, Mt. Hood's terrain park serves as a training ground to some of the best snowboarders in the world. The recreational area also features a variety of trails for cross country skiing and snow shoeing.

Roughing It
Who needs room service when you can pitch a tent and roast marshmallows at more than 350 well-groomed or rustically maintained campgrounds, nestled in 13 national forests and more than 200 state parks? Camping is a great way to see and experience the beauty of Oregon.

For a more pampered campsite adventure year-round, yurts (circular, domed tents) provide a deluxe experience. From the coast to mountain lakes, 18 Oregon state parks offer these rotund, cozy structures. Near the coastal community of Winchester Bay on the coast, the Umpqua Lighthouse State Park has six deluxe yurts within feet of 500-foot-tall sand dunes. Each yurt sleeps up to seven people and has a kitchen, a bathroom with hot water, a TV and covered decks with private grills.

Another alternative for a unique overnight visit is the Out 'n' About Treehouse resort in Cave Junction, which offers Swiss Family Robinson-style lodging - literally up in the trees! Suites include amenities like kitchenettes, claw-foot bathtubs and heat. Or, rent a teepee at Clyde Holliday State Park near the pristine John Day River or at Lake Owyhee State Park in Eastern Oregon, both perfect for rockhounds, hikers and wildlife observers.

Visit www.traveloregon.com for a complete listing of campsites across the state.

Home Tweet Home
Oregon is a birder's nirvana, with its coast, mountains, desert and swamps and all the species that occupy them. Eastern Oregon's lakes, rivers and marshes attract frequent fliers to viewpoints including songbirds at the Bird Track Springs Nature Trail and bald eagles at the Ladd Marsh Wildlife Area. Near Portland, the Sauvie Island Wildlife Area boasts an astounding number of ducks, geese, sandhill cranes and tundra swans. The Klamath Forest National Wildlife Refuge in Southern Oregon is a vast refuge habitat for thousands of birds, ducks, geese, pelicans, herons and eagles. Or, spy on more than 1,000 majestic bald eagles in the nearby Bear Valley Refuge - the largest concentration of wintering bald eagles in the U.S.

Natural Oddities
Besides 363 miles of pristine public beaches, high-desert country, painted hills and wine-producing valleys, Oregon is home to North America's deepest river gorge (Hells Canyon), the country's deepest lake (Crater Lake) and the world's second-most-climbed mountain (Mt. Hood), which also happens to host North America's only year-round ski season. So giddy up…you've got some exploring to do! Here are a few good places to start.

• Visit Cannon Beach to see the majestic Haystack Rock, one of the most recognizable Oregon Coast landmarks and home to thousands of tufted puffins, gulls and cormorants. Pick a spot on the cliffs to observe their flight, photograph the view, set up an easel, or just let the rhythm of crashing waves inspire your imagination.
• In Southern Oregon, visit Crater Lake, the deepest lake in the U.S. at 1,932 feet, and be astounded by the intense blue color and incredible clarity, an effect of the water's depth and purity. During the summer, drive around the rim of the caldera (formed from an intense volcanic eruption), enjoy boat tours across the lake and hike up trails for breathtaking views.
• The John Day Fossil Beds National Monument is one of the richest fossil bed sites in the world, containing 14,000 acres of preserved plant and animal fossils from 40 million years ago. Visit the Paleontology Center to join a guided tour of the diverse geological landscape.
• Take the kids to some of the best tidepools at Cape Arago State Park, about 15 miles south of Coos Bay. Spy on the families of seals and sea lions at Shell Island and go beachcombing for shells and agate.
• Walk alongside the world's largest obsidian flow, trek through the Lava Cast Forest, venture into the Lava River Cave, climb to the top of Lava Butte to examine the region's ancient volcanic features, and visit the Lava Lands Visitor Center - all part of the Newberry National Volcanic Monument near Bend.

The 14th Annual GTBC will be April 24 – May 2, 2010

Green Jay

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Birding 101 (Click Image to Download PDF Brochure)

To date, the GTBC has contributed $686,000 directly to avian habitat conservation along the Texas gulf coast through the Conservation Grant funding. Prior to each year's competition, organizations submit conservation project proposals to win funding through the grants awarded by the winning teams.

Mission Statement
To increase appreciation, understanding and conservation of birds along the Great Texas Coastal Birding Trail through education, recreation, nature tourism and conservation fundraising.

Why is Bird Habitat Conservation Important?
Currently, 633 species of birds have been documented in Texas. Over 400 species can be found along the Texas coast during spring migration. All of these birds are present due to the highly diverse habitats along the Texas coast. Each year we watch more and more habitat being significantly altered. Forty years of bird population data from Christmas Bird Counts and Breeding Bird Surveys were analyzed by National Audubon to determine bird population status. Since 1967 the average population of the common birds in steepest decline has fallen by 68 percent; some individual species nose-dived as much as 80 percent. All 20 birds on the national Common Birds in Decline list lost at least half their populations in just four decades.

These findings point to serious problems with both local habitats and national environmental trends. Only citizen action can make a difference for the birds and the state of our future.

While conservation organizations and agencies are working harder than ever to preserve habitat, we all have resource limitations. It is the support and generosity of corporations, communities, local businesses and caring individuals that enable additional habitat preservation. Working together, we are making a difference.

Birding in Texas

Birding is probably one of the most cosmopolitan outdoor activities in existence. By all accounts, the ranks of birders are growing. Formerly called “birdwatchers,” birders come from all walks of life, from doctors to lawyers, teachers, policemen, corporate executives, truck drivers, merchants, young children, young marrieds and senior citizens. There are as many varieties of birders as there are birds. They range from intense perfectionists who travel the globe at the drop of a hat to see a species never seen, to the casual weekend hobbyist who enjoys watching the neighborhood birds at a backyard feeder or nearby greenbelt.

What is the appeal? Why do so many people enjoy this activity? While each individual birder may focus on different aspects of the pastime, I think all will agree, birding fulfills many of our basic criteria for what makes for good outdoor recreation. Birds appeal to our sense of aesthetics. Birds are beautiful and dazzling to the eye. Their complex behavior is intriguing and their songs are varied, evocative and very pleasing to the ear.

Birds occur in a wide variety of places and are abroad both night and day. Birdwatching is something you can do while doing other things, working in the backyard, tending the garden, walking or jogging in the park, while at work or from a kitchen window. Birds can brighten up the day and break the monotony of a dull routine.

Explore the information in these pages to learn more about where to bird, activities and events open to birdwatchers throughout the State, bird and conservation facts and information, checklists and identification materials, land management information for landowners and even some fun kids’ activities. We hope that the information you find here is helpful and that it better equips you to enjoy the birdiest state in the nation!

The Birding Classic Migration Calendar is an excellent opportunity for your organization to offer events of interest to birders, such as lectures, guided tours, regional bird counts, specialized birding workshops, and nature festivals. The August issue's calendar covers the period from August 1, 2009 through April 30, 2010. Bird-related events open to the public are eligible for inclusion in this calendar of events.

Code of Birding Ethics from the American Birding Association

1. Promote the welfare of birds and their environment.
   1. Support the protection of important bird habitat.
   2. To avoid stressing birds or exposing them to danger, exercise restraint and caution during observation, photography, sound recording, or filming.
   3. Limit the use of recordings and other methods of attracting birds, and never use such methods in heavily birded areas or for attracting any species that is Threatened, Endangered, or of Special Concern, or is rare in your area.
   4. Keep well back from nests and nesting colonies, roosts, display areas, and important feeding sites. In such sensitive areas, if there is a need for extended observation, photography, filming or recording, try to use a blind or hide, and take advantage of natural cover.
   5. Use artificial light sparingly for filming or photography, especially for close-ups.
   6. Before advertising the presence of a rare bird, evaluate the potential for disturbance to the bird, its surroundings, and other people in the area, and proceed only if access can be controlled, disturbance can be minimized, and permission has been obtained from private land-owners. The sites of rare nesting birds should be divulged only to the proper conservation authorities.
   7. Stay on roads, trails, and paths where they exist; otherwise keep habitat disturbance to a minimum.
2. Respect the law and the rights of others.
   1. Do not enter private property without the owner's explicit permission.
   2. Follow all laws, rules, and regulations governing use of roads and public areas, both at home and abroad.
   3. Practice common courtesy in contacts with other people. Your exemplary behavior will generate goodwill with birders and non-birders alike.
3. Ensure that feeders, nest structures, and other artificial bird environments are safe.
   1. Keep dispensers, water, and food clean and free of decay or disease. It is important to feed birds continually during harsh weather.
   2. Maintain and clean nest structures regularly.
   3. If you are attracting birds to an area, ensure the birds are not exposed to predation from cats and other domestic animals, or dangers posed by artificial hazards.
4. Group birding, whether organized or impromptu, requires special care. Each individual in a group, in addition to the obligation spelled out in Items #1 and #2, has responsibilities as a Group Member.
   1. Respect the interests, rights, and skills of fellow birders as well as those of people participating in other legitimate outdoor activities. Freely share your knowledge and experience, except where code 1(c) applies. Be especially helpful to beginning birders.
   2. If you witness any unethical birding behavior, assess the situation and intervene if you think it prudent. When interceding, inform the person(s) of the inappropriate action and attempt, within reason, to have it stopped. If the behavior continues, document it and notify appropriate individuals or organizations.
5. Group Leader Responsibilities (amateur and professional trips and tours)
   1. Be an exemplary ethical role model for the group. Teach through word and example.
   2. Keep groups to a size that limits impact on the environment and does not interfere with others using the same area.
   3. Ensure everyone in the group knows and practices this code.
   4. Learn and inform the group of any special circumstances applicable to the area being visited (e.g., no tape recorders allowed).
   5. Acknowledge that professional tour companies bear a special responsibility to place the welfare of birds and the benefits of public knowledge ahead of the company's commercial interests. Ideally, leaders should keep track of tour sightings, document unusual occurrences, and submit records to appropriate organizations.

The Bodie Times to speak for silent ghost town

Church in Bodie, California

Bridgeport, CA - The largest and best preserved ghost town of the Old West is talking, again, through the pages of its new, semi-annual newsletter: The Bodie Times. Stories in the inaugural edition (Winter 2008) include details on a new approach to locating lost burials by the use of forensic detection dogs, what’s next for Bodie’s cemetery, a Bodie decedent’s family story and the introduction of technology to Bodie.

"This town may be inhabited only by ghosts but those ghosts still have many stories to tell," says Kent Adams, Friends of Bodie President. "Whether it's a bone, a piece of iron or some markings on a stone--all of these things can now tell their stories through the pages of The Bodie Times." Adams says the newsletter will not only provide a forum for sharing information about the ghost town today, but create a record for future research.

The Bodie Foundation announces the availability of its beautiful 2009 calendar. The calendars will be sold to the general public at www.TheBodieStore.com to raise funds for projects in development by Bodie Foundation that support Bodie State Historic Park. Donated images of Bodie were submitted by photographers from around the world this past fall and selected by the Bodie Foundation board of directors. In addition to the 2009 calendar, the Bodie Foundation has added a new and expanded catalogue of available items in its online store www.TheBodieStore.com. Whether it be a great holiday gift, or a chance to build one’s collection of Bodie books, The Bodie Store is an excellent way to support the many projects of the Foundation.

The town of Bodie, California, remains in a state of 'arrested decay'. A thriving mining town from 1860-1900, its population peaked at nearly 10,000 in the fever of the California gold rush. 200 buildings still exist on the site which is recognized as a National Historic Site and a California State Historic Park. The Bodie Foundation, evolved from a dedicated group of 'modern-day Bodieites', was formally established late last summer with the launching of www.BodieFoundation.org. Consisting of an all-volunteer team, the Foundation is encouraged with the number of Charter Members who have joined, as well as the many notes of encouragement sent from around the country and around the world.

Download The Bodie Times (pdf version)