Bustinwheels Travel and Adventures

03/20/2026

https://apple.news/AzvFtDk6EQhWBq163MuWywA

Winter ended early in Yosemite this year. Badger Pass Ski Area, one of California’s oldest ski resorts, closed for the season Wednesday after a burst of unusually warm weather rapidly melted snow across the Sierra Nevada.

03/18/2026

Flight to Nowhere Los Angeles, California. What was meant to be a landmark birthday celebration in New York City turned into a grilling 12 hour flight to nowhere for a group of travelers from Southern California on March 16, 2026. The journey intended to coincide with the St. Patrick’s Day parade, and a family birthday celebration ended back where it started at LAX after a series of mechanical failures. American Airlines flight to was to depart at 7:10 but did not get off the tarmac until 7:22 AM. The trouble began before the wheels left the tarmac. The situation escalated roughly an hour into the flight. The captain informed passengers that the aircraft windshield wipers would not turn off. Compounded by a severe storm over New York, the decision was made to divert. After circling three times the plane landed at Phoenix airport. The ordeal at Phoenix airport lasted several hours. After deplaning and re-boarding the crew determined the aircraft was overweight for a new takeoff necessitating a fuel dump on the tarmac due to a sensor that would not let the airplane takeoff. Once cleared the flight finally headed back toward the East Coast, JFK. The relief was short-lived. One hour later, the captain delivered a second blow: the windshield wipers had failed again. Sighting safety concerns and lifting fog in Southern California the decision was made to abandon the trip entirely and return to LAX. Inside the plane were a few problems one of them being that the brand new Airbus 321NEO had a bathroom door that kept coming off the hinges several times. Flickering cabin lights and a malfunctioning microphone for crew announcements did not make anybody feel safe. For many on board, the physical exhaustion was matched by the financial stain. The cancellation in my trip alone resulted in thousands of dollars in nonrefundable losses for myself and other travelers. $1500 in prepaid hotel stays, $600 for Broadway tickets to operation mincemeat and $560 in combined parking, Pet Care and luggage fees. So the question is, what are our rights as passengers when things like this happen to us?

01/08/2026

It's been a while since I have posted. I promise this year 2026, I will be posting a lot!

Just read a story on Travel & Leisure on Europe's ETIAS and Americans will have to pay roughly $23 for a special fee to our favorite destinations beginning this year. Countries like France, Spain, and Greece will be charging these fees.
https://www.travelandleisure.com/travel-tips-customs-immigration-where-us-citizens-can-travel-without-visas-11878655

Do U.S. citizens need a visa to travel to Europe?
U.S. citizens can travel to most European countries without a visa (Russia being a notable exception), but the European Commission plans to roll out the European Travel Information and Authorisation System (ETIAS) in 2026. Once the program is launched, citizens from visa-exempt countries (like the U.S.) must apply for the ETIAS travel authorization and pay a €20 (roughly $23) fee before entering 30 European countries, including France, Iceland, Spain, and Greece.

The ETIAS authorization is linked to the traveler's passport and is valid for three years, or until the passport expires, whichever comes first. Approval for the ETIAS authorization will allow visa-exempt tourists to visit any of these 30 countries for up to 90 days within any 180-day period. Visitors can leave and return as long as they don't exceed the time limit.

What countries require U.S. citizens to get a visa?
If you want to see which countries require you to get a visa before traveling, start by visiting the Henley & Partners Passport Index and selecting the country from which your passport is issued. Then, you'll see a list of countries and their visa requirements. You can then go to the U.S. Department of State travel site, which provides more specific details about passport and visa regulations.

Wondering where U.S. citizens can travel without a visa? Here's what you need to know before booking your next international trip.

11/04/2025

If you travel to California, be sure to visit Bishop off Highway 395.

Hiking the Lower Rock Creek Trail was spectacular. The end of October is a great time to go for two great reasons. 1. This is a shoulder season, so it's not ...

08/05/2025

Stage 3 begins in Redondela. Today we left the Casa de Esfarrapada, our wonderful apartment, and YES, I would stay there again. We are on our way to Pontevedra, an estimated 20.20 km, but the actual mileage by the end of the day, after dinner, was 15.7.

We met many wonderful pilgrims, stopped for a lot of cafe con leche, and took a "Complimentary" route recommended by a very nice local in one of the towns in Redondela. Hint: when you get to the Chapel of Santa Marta in Vilaboa, you will see the Camino marker with a yellow arrow pointing left and with the word "COMPLEMENTARIO" that is where you take the route. It adds on up to 1 km, but totally worthy it. The route runs along the Rio Tomeza, which becomes Rio Gafos as it flows into Pontevedra. It's all shade and you can soak your feet in the river if you'd like.

Stage 3 begins in Redondela. Today we left the Casa de Esfarrapada, our wonderful apartment, and YES, I would stay there again. We are on our way to Ponteved...

07/25/2025

Camino Portuguese, Stage 2. Walked 12.6 miles although it was only supposed to be 9.5. By the time we get to our albergue, shower, eat dinner, see the sights, we've put on a few extra miles.

Camino Portuguese from O Porrino, Spain to Redondela, Spain. Stage 2.PLEASE SUBSCRIBE TO MY YOUTUBE CHANNEL THANK YOUToday's hike/walk is 15.30 km, 9.50 mile...

07/25/2025

The Classic Cafe in Fullerton serves a delicious bulgogi bowl with a hibiscus iced tea! This adorable cafe has a ton of seating as well both inside and outside.

07/17/2025

Follow me on the Camino Portuguese. Stage 1 begins in Valenca, Portugal, north of Porto into Spain.

Camino Portuguese from Valenca, Portugal to Santiago de Compostela, Spain. Stage 1 of 8.We landed in Porto and spent one night acclimating and resting. We th...

03/05/2025

Loving what Naples, Italy has to offer! A must see are the catacombs - San Gennaro & San Gaudioso.

05/02/2023

It's been a while since I've posted. Here's the latest from Orange, California. Hiking at Santiago Oaks Park. This park has so many great trails that will take you from Anaheim Hills into Irvine Park, via Orange. All the rains have made the hillsides a flower show and it's gorgeous! Enjoy the pics and happy trails.

05/21/2020

The vibrance of this flower caught my eyes and the combo of goldenrod and deep magenta was perfection!

05/21/2020

This gorgeous glass floral sculpture photo was taken on the island of Murano in Italy. It was enormous and put me into a trance!