Green and Alternative Travel Blog by Desoto Inn

Hitting the road for your green and responsible vacation and need a few more tunes to soothe the environmentally friendly soul? Last time, Joni Mitchell (and the Counting Crows) made the list with the classic “Big Yellow Taxi” and what green travel tune list would be complete without Kermit the Frog’s “Bein’ Green”? This time, we’ve got a few more environmentally aware songs and singers to put on your green-friendly travel playlist.

Jack Johnson, “The Horizon Has Become Defeated”

Jack Johnson returns for our second list with this song about the dangers of being environmentally tone-deaf and not listening to the earth. While we’re at it, anything by Jack Johnson should be on your green travel soundtrack. Whether he’s writing about the beauty of nature or backing up his green efforts through his activism, Jack Johnson is willing to go the distance to create a more environmentally aware world.

Anything By U2

Even though the Edge’s eco-friendly house plan was called into question a few months ago, the band has a history of trying to highlight environmental awareness, even going so far as to promote carbon offsets for their 360 Tour.

Anything by Bonnie Rait

Bonnie Rait’s green awareness goes back to the 70s, when she cofounded the Musicians United for Safe Energy (MUSE) with fellow singers Jackson Browne and Graham Nash. To this day, she remains an outspoken advocate for green living.

Photo by Kekka

By Marissa Cohen

Music is an important part of any vacation plan. Whether you’re flying the friendly skies or hitting the road, load up your ipod with these green  songs to keep you in the spirit of environmentally-friendly living.

Joni Mitchell, “Big Yellow Taxi”

They paved paradise and put up a parking lot,” sings Joni Mitchell on this classic 1970s track from Ladies of the Canon. Known for its environmentally aware lyrics, “Big Yellow Taxi” is both a warning (“They took all the trees and put them in a tree museum”) and a call to action. Counting Crows also covered this one as a hidden track on 2002’s Hard Candy.

Jack Johnson, “The Three R’s (Reduce, Reuse, Recycle)”

This catchy song is perfect for kids who are just learning about the ins and outs of being environmentally friendly, but it’s also fun for adults, too. Like much of Johnson’s  music, this track has a fun, swingy beat.

Kermit the Frog, “Bein’ Green”

Your green travel mix is nothing without this timeless ballad, featuring everyone’s favorite Muppet pondering nature and individuality. (However, we know that with just a little awareness, it can be very easy being green.)

Melissa Etheridge, “I Need to Wake Up”

Etheridge brings her soulful lyrics and heartfelt sound to this 2006 Academy-Award winning song written for the film An Inconvenient Truth. “I am not an island/I am not alone,” she sings, reminding us of our interconnectedness.

Photo by star5112

by Marissa Cohen

In Green on the Train, Part I, we examined ways that taking the train can save money, reduce your carbon footprint, and help you chill out. In this second part of Green on the Train, we’ll share a few more train-positive ideas, guaranteed to help you enjoy your eco-friendly ride.

People

Travel makes us vulnerable. We’re sitting next to a total stranger for several hours and they are right there in our personal space. But here’s a thought. Try getting to know the carbon-based life form sitting next to you. After all, nothing kills a burgeoning travel friendship faster than when you hide behind a copy of a book designed to get people to leave you alone (The Encyclopedia of Serial Killers, anyone?), but for two minutes, try putting the scary book away. Chat with the person sitting next to you on the train. You might be surprised. You might learn another person’s story. On my last train ride, I sat next to the former assistant of a famous artist. She had many interesting stories to share – and I was pleased to listen. A green tip? By talking to someone, that’s a few more minutes that you’re saving the electricity of your phone or handheld device. More importantly, you’re taking the time to connect with others.

Chill

If you can get used to the rocking of the train, let it rock you to sleep. Bring along an electronic device and watch your favorite shows, read, or listen to music.

Windows

Eat in the dining car or in the observation car. Often, most trains have a casual area with booths and a more formal dining car. No matter which one you try, check out the scenery, which can be panoramic. There can be distinct beauty in the world as seen from the train. If you really want to increase your green appreciation, ditch the power-operated devices and take in the scenery. On my last train trip, we sped past a gorgeous orange grove, backlit by the late afternoon sun. Stunned, I took it in and thought I’d never see that from the air or the highway.

Want to check out train schedules? Try Amtrak or Tri-Rail.

By Marissa Cohen

Photo by prayitno

I’m a die-hard train lover. There’s something about boarding a train that gets me daydreaming about glamorous, black-and-white 1940s films. Some of the best vacations I’ve had have begun with a five-hour train trip to a nearby town (as opposed to the three hour, highway/high-stress/high-mileage version). There are several advantages to choosing to take the train and not the car.

Reduce the Footprint

Train travel is one of the greenest ways to get around. Basically, you’ve got several hundred people all reducing their carbon footprint because they are traveling together. Train travel also means less stress. You’re not going to worry about gas prices, highway confusion, or road rage. Ahhhh, bliss! Of course, if you’ve got kids, you may want to pack a considerable bag of stuff for them to do. The downside? Train travel can be slower than air or car travel, so double check delays before you book.

Inexpensive

A train ticket runs between $50- $100 on average, while airplane prices are much higher and gas prices can add up. If you’re on train ride that is a day or less, consider packing some organic snacks, sandwiches, or fruit – and don’t forget that reusable water bottle. Between the inexpensive ticket prices and the chance to bring your own food, train travel is an eco-friendly steal.

Awareness

Most trains have a recycle bin onboard, so remember to recycle your wrappers, cans, and extra paper. Also, be sure to only print out only the maps or paperwork that you need for your trip.

By Marissa Cohen

Photo by Risager

It’s the little things we can do to help keep the eco-balance in our lives and on our vacations. Sometimes just being mindful of the things that we use can go a long way to creating a more eco-friendly environment.

Save the Trees

Whenever possible, only print out what you need when on vacation. Paperless tickets or online check-in can save a lot of time and trees. Take advantage of the internet and check in to the airport before you leave the house. Leave the heavy travel books on the shelf and instead download free maps to your smartphone or other electronic device. Try downloadable travel podcasts as well.

Buy Locally – But Carefully

When buying souvenirs on the road, focus on locally made items, but avoid items made from animals or plants. Ask vendors if the items support any local charities. Points if they also support environmental causes.

Watch your Waste

As always, remain aware of what you are taking with you and what you are leaving behind. Collect all trash from your hotel room and recycle it. If you brought it with you, take it home. If you’re camping, leave the area just as you found it. If you’re not going to read your hotel newspaper, leave it for the next guest.

By Marissa Cohen

Photo by sundaykofax

Eating Green on Labor Day – Veggie Burger

We’ve already talked about ways to green up your Labor Day plans. You can do this whether or not you decide to travel or stay home. Sometimes the best cookouts can happen while you’re on vacation. In any cookout, though, the biggest and most important thing is the food, of course. Half the fun of Labor Day is the smell of burgers, hot dogs and other deliciousness. (And as a reminder, make sure you’re grilling your food with eco-friendly charcoal and grilling on a gas grill.)

Burgers and Hot Dogs

If you want to stick with the traditional red-meat burgers, try to find grass-fed, free-range meats so that you’re not injesting hormones. Want a non-meat option for Labor Day? Ditch the cheeseburgers and hot dogs and try vegan patties, gardenburgers, or veggie dogs, most of which can be thrown on the grill. If you want to skip dairy, several food brands make soy or rice cheese. I can tell you that this rice cheese  is delicious on top of any kind of veggie burger and melts just like dairy-based cheese.

Sides

For organic fruits and veggies, such as apples, tomatoes, squash, peppers, berries, and other in-season produce. Another great tip? Grilling produce is not only cheaper than spending money on red meat, but it’s also great for the environment. Try grilled apples or watermelon. Not sure what to do with fruit and veggie scraps? Use them for compost.

By Marissa Cohen

Photo by Dano

It’s officially here! Summer is out and fall is in. Say goodbye to the summer and greet the fall this Labor Day weekend. If you’re like me, you’re wondering how you can incorporate green and clean principals into your Labor Day celebration.

Staying Home?

Even though we know that it is easy to stay green while on the road or in the air, staying home or close to home during Labor Day weekend – or other high-traffic holidays – can contribute to a vacation that’s truly green because you’ll be spending less money and using less gas. However, if you’re going to hit the road for Labor Day, be sure to look into websites that offset vacations such as Terrapass.

Cookouts

Eco-friendly Labor Day cookouts can be a great time to go green. Make sure that your plates and cups are either recyclable or reusable. Serving beer, soda, or wine? Eating off disposable flatware? Get a few separate containers – one for glass bottles, one for aluminum cans, one for flatware – in order to encourage your pals to recycle during the party.

Gas grills are the way to go since they don’t leave behind as much waste as charcoal grills. Several organic stores sell eco-friendly coal. Make an effort to avoid conventional briquettes and go with either natural, hardwood charcoal
or check this list of eco-happy charcoal products.

By Marissa Cohen

Photo by Ilovebutter

Now that you have some green cleaning car tips, it’s also important to know how to give your car eco-friendly love. There’s plenty we can do to conserve resources while still having a great family road trip.

Don’t Let the Car Sit

It’s typical of any family vacation. One of the kids forgets something and runs back to the house to get it. Maybe your son forgot a favorite magazine or your husband forgot his eco-friendly phone charger. They jump out of the car to go get it – and the car is still running. In order to reduce the amount of carbon emissions caused by this, turn off the car when someone goes on a pre-vacation dash back into the house.

Pile ‘em In

While cars overstuffed with relatives is truly the stuff of hilarious vacation stories, there’s an up side to cramming yourself into a car with Great-Aunt Edna and Cousin Charley – you’ll use less carbon emissions and the decision to carpool is kinder on the environment.

Clean it Out

Believe it or not, all that accumulated car trash from the week can add weight to your car, making it use more fuel and release more carbon emissions into the air. Want to save some gas? Toss the car trash. Keep a bag for compost (food scraps) in the car so that your fruit and veggie peels can be used to help a garden grow. Also consider keeping a bag just for recycling and empty it into a recycle bin.

Check the Tires

Car experts advise that you check your tire pressure once a week to make sure that tires are inflated properly. The more deflated your tires are, the more gas you’ll use. If your tires don’t have the right pressure, your car’s fuel consumption can feel the impact.

Offset the Trip

Check carbon offsetting sites like Terrapass in order to find ways to offset the cost of your car trips. The environment will thank you!

Photo by Wetwebwork

by Marissa Cohen

“I’m going to go clean the car,” my father said.

My cousins and I nodded at him and then exchanged worried glances. The family trip was just around the corner and we were all hoping to avoid a scene out of National Lampoon’s Vacation. In order to do that, dad had to clean the car before taking it on the road so that the kids wouldn’t throw random pieces of trash at each other. There was nothing green about me back then except the color of my face as I watched dad uproot part of someone’s ancient candy bar from the back seat. Still, in order to keep your car green and clean when preparing for a big vacation, follow these eco-friendly car-cleaning tips.

Careful with Cleanser

In order to avoid volatile organic compounds, avoid cleaning your windows with smelly, toxic, headache-causing cleansers and stick to natural cleansers, such as mixtures of vinegar and water. No more headaches and you’ll be able to see through squeaky-clean windows.

The Right Kind of Cleanser

Dr. Bronners’ Sal Suds  is fantastic for washing cars – and it’s also a great, all-purpose cleanser made from a plant base. Even better? Sal Suds is cruelty-free and biodegradable.  Friends of mine who live on the beach swear by Dr. Bronners’ Sal Suds because they can make a spray to clean the car’s insides as well. You can use this cleanser for dish washing and house cleaning as well.

Wipe Windows With Newspaper

Use old newspapers or junk mail to wipe down windows. Why? Newsprint doesn’t leave streaks and you won’t waste countless paper towels cleaning the glass.

Change the Filter

To avoid dust mites and potential mold spores, change out the air filter in your car. You’ll be able to do this in most cars manufactured in the last ten years.

Lose the Pinecone-Scented Air Freshener

At some point, we’ve all had one of those air fresheners that dangled from the rear-view mirror. A friend of mine once had a Yoda air freshener that smelled of mint. As Yoda himself might say “Get an air freshener and breathe in toxic chemicals, you will.” Avoid air fresheners, especially on long car trips, or if you’re really feeling creative, make your own. Now that’s wisdom.

By Marissa Cohen

Photo by J Wynia

September is almost here, which means it’s almost time for Womenfest (September 6-11), one of the hottest events for lesbian and bisexual women in South Florida for the last twenty years.

Go Green

The lesbian-owned and operated Venus Charters offers daily eco-friendly dolphin-watching trips, snorkeling, fishing and much more, including at-sea unions. Established in 1997 by Captain Karen Lukins (and joined by Captain Debra Butler) Venus Charters is also a pet-friendly service.

 Go Watch

On Thursday, September 8^th, at Tropic Cinema, check out the premier of Jan’s Coming Out , a feature film about one woman’s coming out journey, featuring interviews from Meredith Baxter, Cathy DeBuono, Dana Goldberg, Vickie Shaw, Julie Goldman, and musician Jennifer Coroday. On Friday, September 9^th at 7:30 pm, check out Curiously Strong Comedy with comedians Julie Goldman, Gloria Bigelow, and Jackie Monahan for an evening of hilarious standup. Goldman starred on LOGO’s “The Big Gay Sketch Show.”

Go Play

Womenfest offers a whole host of activities, including a golf tournament, pool parties, face (and body) painting. There’s also the Sunset Watersports Tea Dance and Dinner Cruise featuring music by Sister Funk on Friday the 9^th, and huge variety of music all fest long, including dance parties, a trolley tour and more.

by Marissa Cohen

Womenfest Website – Key West 2011