User:KarriCostas0

And I am not talking about liquid refreshments. After a dry, and sometimes sunny period, we are about to see some serious rain again. Been almost a week.youtube.com Tonight we are getting some showers from a very weak front that is moving through (see radar image). And tomorrow there will be some scattered showers and even some sunbreaks--temps climbing into the 40s. Not too interesting.youtube.com Thursday. A fairly strong warm front will move up the coast during the afternoon and will pass over the central WA coast and Puget Sound around 4 PM (graphic). Winds will increase and temps will jump as it passes. Particularly strong winds will strike the Oregon coast behind the front. Moderately heavy showers will accompany the warm front--the 24h rainfall totals ending 4 PM on Thursday show that although western WA will be wet, the real soaking will over western Oregon and NW California (graphic). The subsequent 24-h will be equally as wet, with NW CA and SW Oregon getting inundated. Enough to make a web-footed Washingtonian happy? But wait, there's more! The latest runs show a modest low pressure center approaching our area. The first graphic below shows the pressure pattern at 4 PM on Friday--with the low off the Washington coast. Big pressure changes and winds along its southern flank. The track of the low will be critical for who gets strong winds and who doesn't--and subsequent runs have been shifting the low southwards. Puget Sound (see graphic). Perhaps gusts of 20-30 mph. Anyway, its good to be getting back into some active weather. And decent mountain snows on Friday and Saturday. I bet Jim Forman will have a good time. In our Internet-enabled age individuals can and will fill all of these roles and more, not as professionals, but as part-timers. The office worker can become a part time driver on Lyft or Uber to earn a few more dollars. The empty nesters can make some extra money for retirement by renting their spare bedroom through Airbnb or VRBO. You can even cut out those greedy banks by lending and borrowing directly from people just like you through LendingClub or Prosper. What is there not to like? A recent New York Times article suggests quite a lot. While technology has allowed for the possibility that amateurs can and will displace professionals, the reality is rarely so simple. The "providers" in these peer-to-peer platforms often find that to really be worth their time, they have to treat it like a real job. Even when they do, as the New York Times points out, the returns are far from certain. And when people don’t treat it as a full time job? Not only do they make less, or sometimes nothing at all, but they are still taking on a significant burden. Take for example vacation homeowners who decide to rent out and manage their homes themselves. In theory this is great - they can save on the commissions they otherwise would have to pay to rental management companies. In reality they have just signed up to take on all of the risk, hassle, and time commitment a professional would otherwise cover. In fact, a HomeAway survey of homeowners using their platform shows that these owners spend 8.4 hours per week managing their homes. That’s right. Every week they are spending an entire workday doing something that a professional operating full-time and at scale can do more effectively and efficiently. Fortunately, despite all of the "democratization" noise to the contrary, amateurs are not actually displacing professionals in droves. For example, look at eBay, the great democratizer of retail. Though the site started as a venue for soccer moms to sell Beanie Babies to other soccer moms, it is now a platform on which new professional retail businesses are started and grown.youtube.com This shift is so pronounced that "Power Sellers" now account for 80% of eBay’s total sales. Or look at Airbnb, the darling of the sharing economy. While pitched by the company as a platform where "regular people" can rent a spare room or even a couch, the reality of how it is being used is far different. What is actually happening is that the platform Airbnb provides has enabled the creation and growth of new model management businesses such as AirEnvy and MyVRHost, the new "Power Sellers" of the sharing economy. Companies built entirely on the backbone Airbnb provides, but companies nonetheless.youtube.com No wonder Jason Clampet says: "The future of Airbnb is not the guy who rents out his place on the weekend. Even beyond these companies, despite all of the talk surrounding what Airbnb and VRBO are doing to the lodging space, it is a more traditional vacation rental management company, Vacasa that appears to be growing the fastest.  All of this is to say that what may in the short term look like a Democracy is more likely to evolve into a Republic. We will not become a society where every single person does everything for himself or herself. However, that does not mean the business environment as we know it will remain static. Technology and new platforms enable the creation of new and disruptive business models. In the end, though, it will still be businesses that predominate. And this is a good thing. We should remember that, in the United States at least, our forefathers very explicitly chose to create our country as a Republic not a direct Democracy. Now there is a scary thought. The gorgeous breadth-taking Emerald Coast of Florida is wonderful for all kinds of Panama City Beach vacations, from honeymoons to spring break getaways to family beach vacations. Panama City Beach vacation condos and houses by Scenic Rentals offered by owner are the faultless place to kick back. Panama City Beach is the perfect place for foodies also which offer top class restaurants and shopping near Panama City Beach condos and beach house rentals. Panama City Beach house rentals as well as resorts are in the spirit of the "Seafood Capital of the World," so you know vast dining is all around. Eat your fill of unsullied local seafood at Capt. Anderson’s Restaurant, Montego Bay or Bonefish Grill Seafood House and many more fish moreover seafood eateries. Everyone in your family or group will discover what they are hungry for at the enormous selection of local and preferred restaurants - family favorites, steakhouses plus outdoor beach bars. Get in some trade therapy at Pier Park, an innovative open-air shopping center near Panama City Beach vacation rentals and the compassion of great shopping in Panama City Beach. Panama City-Bay County International Airport is next to Panama City Beach lodging, and it’s a straightforward drive from the airport to your beach rental along with to all the attractions in Panama City Beach. Front Beach Road is the foremost road, and it connects Panama City to Panama City Beach resorts. Spring and summer is the best time to book Panama City beach condos and vacation house rentals by Scenic Rentals. These are the most popular time for a beach vacation in Panama City Beach - be persuaded to book vacation rental condos and beach houses before hand of your spring break or summer Panama City Beach vacation. Author's Bio: Thomas Summers is offering a wonderful vacation packages for Panama City Beach Condo Rentals, Seagrove beach rentals, Seagrove vacation rentals at a very reasonable price. Fort Walton Beach condo rentals is full of entertainment, it is a incredible place to spend vacations. Please Register or Login to post new comment. WHY YOUR AIRPLANE TICKETS ARE SO EXPENSIVE NOWADAYS? If life is running you, if you see glimpses of living a life of something more than you need to read this.. The Internet is a great place to book Paris apartment rentals. There are hundreds of agencies that book Paris apartment rental and specialty, vacation rentals. As you browse and begin the process of booking a Paris apartment rental, or if you’re looking for a rental in a specific location, consulting the Internet and knowledgeable friends can be a great help. While searching the Internet to find the best advice for vacation rentals, pay close attention to the company’s level of experience. A reliable background will often determine the quality of a company’s service. Next consider the options provided in a Paris apartment rental or vacation rentals Ile St. Louis. Most agencies include information about their rentals. These details are accompanied with pictures to help you envision your stay in the rental. After you have chosen the particular Paris apartment rental, start booking your trip! There are ample descriptions of each rental home and their nearby attractions as well as average pricing for typical lengths of stay. Always ask what amenities will be provided. Inquire as to whether the amenities will require an extra charge or if they are inclusive in the apartment’s total cost. You can make the payments on a long or a short term basis. Keep all receipts and documents regarding the vacation rental and bring them along with you to France. While you’re visiting, the list of places to see in Paris is never ending. Ile St. Louis is a popular choice amongst tourists. Use resources, like Paris Address, to book vacation rentals Ile St. Louis or other Paris apartment rental. As the island is a renowned residential area, the variety of housing with vacation rentals Ile St. Louis is vast. Visitors can choose exactly what suits them - down to the period of architecture. It is also possible that you book your Paris apartment rental or vacation rentals Ile St. Louis with the same agency. It is always better to choose a local agency. A local agency will provide information that you would not want to miss. A local agency can offer unique, sights to see, and still can inform as to the most impressive tourist spots. As far as traveling is concerned, it is always best to plan any trip in advance. This ensures a more hassle-free, relaxed tour. Touring a foreign country can be overwhelming. Being well-prepared allows the traveler to relax and take in the joy of sightseeing and discovering new places. Author's Bio: If you are looking for vacation rentals Ile St. Louisduring your short stay in this beautiful city of Europe, then look no further. Get a Paris apartment rental vacation at reasonable prices. Please Register or Login to post new comment. How Can You Reapply for Uber PCO Driver? Buying An Airplane Ticket; But How? Buying An Airplane Ticket; But How? Buying An Airplane Ticket; But How? If life is running you, if you see glimpses of living a life of something more than you need to read this.. In some towns, Oregon coast house rentals are more popular and abundant than traditional lodgings like hotels and motels. House rentals along the Oregon coast offer both space and solitude, giving them a distinct advantage over the usual accommodations vacationers are forced to take. Fortunately, A-1 Beach Rentals in Lincoln City and Depoe Bay offers a variety of different properties to choose from to accommodate small or large groups. Click Here To View Oregon Coast House Rentals! The Oregon coast house rental you select from us will depend on the number of people you are bringing, the number of bedrooms and bathrooms you need, rates and location. Our 26 homes each come with varied and unique features such as lofts, 180-degree views of the Pacific, open-beam ceilings, cigar houses, and swimming pools or hot tubs. A rental from A-1 Beach Rentals will vary in size from one to seven bedrooms. All of our houses are non-smoking inside, and we do not take pets. Therefore, if you are an allergy sufferer you can feel free to stay in our accommodations without fearing an allergy attack. There are no house parties, so you can be sure that your accommodations will be clean and quiet. Please contact us today to ask a question about one of our properties or to book your rental. You can also make a reservation directly online. At A-1 Beach Rentals, we are confident that once you stay in our well-maintained homes for your vacation, you will never want to stay at a hotel again. 2 elementary aged children! This trip all came about by a suggestion by me (the mama). Due to my unreasonable and yet crippling fear of flying, when my husband had suggested a few vacation ideas that involved the West Coast, I came up with a plan to make a DRIVE sound appealing. A trip like this is a daunting thought but the memories are so worth it! If I am ever able to get 2-3 weeks off of work again I would plan another road trip across the country with my family in a heartbeat! What has been the duration of your longest road trip? We were all packed up and ready to leave and as we pulled out of the driveway the car started making a strange noise. Reluctantly, we drove straight over to a local mechanic's shop. After thanking the Lord that we at least caught this in our own hometown and not in the middle of the Texas dessert, we arranged to get back to our house and leave the car overnight for repairs. Mercifully, the mechanic could arrange for the part to be there the next morning and repairs done by noon. Day two went smoothly, repairs were made by noon and we were able to get back on our schedule by driving to San Antonio, TX in one day. We loved San Antonio! I loved the River Walk area, and I had always wanted to see the Alamo. We planned for a little time in the city and for a trip to the Schlitterbahn Water Park in our day and half there. Upon departing the water park on the real Day Two, we headed out to El Paso, TX. We had no idea what a long and desolate stretch of interstate it is between San Antonio and El Paso. Of course, we thought we could do better the what Mapquest predicted. Alas we did not make it to El Paso until the wee hours of 3 am! Needless to say, we slept that next day until check-out time. When we finally woke up, we headed out to Tuscon. When we arrived we were happy to find that Trip Advisor had not let us down with the description of the beauty of our hotel. We stayed at the Hilton El Conquistador Hotel and Resort, and it was truly and oasis in the desert. It was one place we wished we could have stayed longer. Beautiful grounds, scenery of the cacti and mountains, and great pools for the kids. We stayed as long as we could then headed on to our first California destination. Hooray we made it to California! We were so excited to reach San Diego! The famous San Diego Zoo and the town itself were our scheduled points of interest for our brief time in San Diego. After the zoo the next day we headed to Carlbad, CA to touch our toes in the Pacific Ocean and spend a day at Legoland. We loved our brief time on the beach and then Legoland. Our next stop was Valencia, CA after driving through LA in bumper to bumper traffic at 11 pm at night in preparation for a trip to Six Flags, Magic Mountain. We had a great day at Six Flags Magic Mountain. We purchased some Flash Passes so we could get in more rides in our one day visit. Exhausted, we started back down through LA to Anaheim for our last CA stop of Disneyland! We were all very excited about our last stop at Disneyland! Wanting to have a more relaxed visit there, we planned to stay for several days. Finally, it was nice to stay in the same hotel more than one night. Everyone had a blast at Disneyland enjoying both parks. Las Vegas was our next stop as we began our journey back home. As we didn't have much time to spare on the return trip, we only stayed on the outskirts of Vegas. We did stop at Red Rock Canyon before heading to our next stop at the Hoover Dam. Las Vegas, NV to the Hoover Dam! I forgot. We saw it. Off we went foolishly thinking we would make it to Arizona in time to see the Grand Canyon before dark. Hoover Dam to The Grand Canyon! We did not make it to the Grand Canyon before dark. Instead, we deviated from the plan and got a hotel room right outside the park. The next morning we drove to the park and spent several hours. Even my "hot" kids were speechless for a moment. They then said something like "you didn't tell us it was like THIS" in awestruck voices. Even at their age, they were impressed by the natural beauty that lay before us. The rest of the trip was just driving and stopping for a picture at the Route 66 sign. We made it home in the wee hours of the morning tired but with our minds full of memories! Sign in or sign up and post using a HubPages Network account. 0 of 8192 characters usedPost CommentNo HTML is allowed in comments, but URLs will be hyperlinked. Comments are not for promoting your articles or other sites. Based in Breckenridge, Colorado, Paragon Lodging offers comprehensive vacation rental management services to second home and investment property owners. Our meticulous, owner-focused management approach maximizes your property’s occupancy rate no matter where you’re located. We’ve been managing high-end ski lodging in Summit County since 2000. List your property with us, and let our team take care of all of the details. We offer no-hassle vacation rental ownership. Our experienced team fills your property’s vacant nights, caters to your guests, and takes excellent care of your home. Due to our long-standing presence in Breckenridge and Summit County, we also have an extensive network of skilled, carefully vetted vendors to assist with property management. As a result, we produce consistently high revenue for our owners, maintaining occupancy rates throughout the season. It’s this property management expertise that gives us a unique advantageous edge. That being said, arguably the most valuable and exceptional service we offer is maintaining transparent and helpful relationships with our homeowners. We prioritize clear and open communication. Our homeowners have a significant personal and financial investment in their homes. It’s our responsibility to preserve the integrity of that investment, and maximize its return. My better half, Roger & I jut got back from a 'road trip vacation. We drove from Reno,NV to Bend, Oregon, up through the Oregon Wine Country to Portland down the coast of Oregon. The truth of matter is that I am a food and fitness fanatic, and thank goodness I do train and get lots of exercise because I am truly a foodie at heart! I am writing a healthy gourmet cook book, so any time that I can get in contact with chefs, I am there! You see, folks, fitness fanatics are people too and I am all too aware of what all this traveling and eating in restaurants can do to can do to my health & fitness regimen. Here is what I am doing to keep things in control - hopefully some of these travel tips can help with your next vacation! I created my own little portable 'mini-gym'. I bought a little DVD player that fits into my computer bag - HURRAY! 50) & I think it has saved me! I had my current favorite exercise video, P90X with me! I have been setting up my little DVD player in every hotel room or hotel gym. And what a work out it is - a real calorie burner with real results! I have my exercise bands with me. Some of the hotels that we stayed in have a gym & weights and some don't - my Beachbody Bands are portable and get the job done!