East of Seattle in Issaquah Washington is a spectacular place to stay. The Dream of Pete and Judy Nelson , Treehouse Point has a variety of options for experiencing the outdoors.  This is a definite must visit and great addition to my collection of tents, tent house suites and yurts.

“The THP team is committed to a vision of sustainability while providing opportunities for lodging, education and connection in a unique and natural environment. Whether it’s hosting a wedding, planning a corporate retreat or implementing new practices, green principles are always at the forefront of daily operations. Please contact us with questions, to schedule a site tour or plan an event.”

The property hosts two tree house rooms with two more on the way. There is also a lodge as well as more rustic tents.

“During the summer months we set up the miner’s tent and create a romantic “Out of Africa” experience. With a queen size bed, side tables and a few eclectic curiosities placed about, one feels like true adventure is just around the corner. Miners never had it so good!”

My first choice would be to experience one of the two tree houses, Temple of the Blue Moon and Trillium.  It is the largest of the two tree houses. Built in 2006 the room is patterned after the Parthenon in Athens and supported by an ancient Sitka Spruce and Western Red Cedartree.  It sits 16 feet off the forest floor and is only a short walk to a raging river and ten minutes from Snoqualmie Falls.

The interior is immaculately appointed with natural wood features, two classic leather reading chairs, a writing desk, a book case and a beatufifully hand-crafted armoire.    Topping it off is one of the Treehouse Point’s signature queen size beds.  The walls are well insulated with Golden fir to keep your toes nice and toasty year-round.  It also has a number of modern conveniences like an iPod/CD player.

Rates range from $110-$215 per night with an included continental breakfast.  If you’re looking for a unique getaway or a romantic escape with your favorite someone, this is a great place.  If you can imagine how much fun you’d have think of it as the ultimate family friendly kids getaway.  What a way to make a dream come true for your kids to sleep in an actual tree house that’s not in danger of being spied upon by the backyard neighbors.

The website is a bit clunky with few picture of the actual property, but what I saw I liked.  The limited photo gallery took forever even on a fast connection to view a few of the photos.  The photos are high-quality, it just takes a while to see them.  I’m missing a few common links that most pages would have, rates, getting here, etc.  Things like that to really make the web site useful and freindly.

The Cedar Creek Treehouse near Mount Rainier in Ashford, Washington boast a true treat for the outdoor lover in you. Not only do you get to see the splendor of Mother Nature all around Ashford Washington you get to do so snuggled in your own tree house 50 feet up in the air. Surrounding ancient cedar trees  the Cedar Creek Treehouse is adorned with a sleeping loft, kitchen, and glass-enclosed observation room with an indoor hammock.

The Cedar Creek web site boasts that “Cedar Creek Treehouse is an Earth-friendly, privately owned and operated mountain retreat, located one mile as the crow flies, 10 miles by car, from the Nisqually River Entrance to Mount Rainier National Park, and bordering the Gifford Pinchot National Forest”.

While the property and view may be a sight for sore eyes, their web site is the cause for the sore eyes.  The site looks like a hold-over from 1998 in the days before the internet was just for the military and academics.  There is so much confusion on the front page that I’m lost at where to click to find out any information.  It’s definitely in need of a redesign and restructuring.

I’m sitting here dreaming of redesigning their site while enjoying the splendors of the property.  How better to be inspired to do almost anything that to enjoy the peace and tranquility that’s sure to abound 50 feet in the air in one of the most beautiful outdoor settings there is.

Take a peak at their photo gallery for some shots of them working hard to make your stay pleasurable and safe.  Likewise you’ll want to view the photos of the “Stairway to Heaven” which is the stairs that service the observatory.

(Bloomberg) – New Jersey’s Newark Liberty International and New York’s LaGuardia, located in the biggest U.S. aviation market, ranked lowest among airports in a survey of passenger satisfaction.

LaGuardia had the worst score among 66 facilities ranked in the 2010 North America Airport Satisfaction Study released today by market researcher J.D. Power & Associates, with 604 out of 1,000 possible points. Newark was second to last at 609.

The two airports, along with New York’s John F. Kennedy International, handled a combined 106 million passengers in 2008, 18 percent more than Atlanta’s Hartsfield, the world’s busiest airport. The survey rated accessibility, baggage claim, check-in and baggage check, terminal facilities, security check and food and retail services.

“There are things airports can do and move up as well as slip, unfortunately as is the case with all three airports in the New York area,” said Stuart Greif, vice president and general manager of J.D. Power’s global hospitality and travel practice. “All three airports went down in every measure. Whether Newark, LaGuardia or Kennedy, which fared a little better, the challenges are across the board.”

The results are based on responses from more than 12,100 people who took round-trip flights between January and December 2009 and evaluated both arriving and departing airports, according to J.D. Power, a Westlake Village, California-based unit of McGraw-Hill Cos.

Newark also ranked worst among large airports with at least 30 million passengers a year, while LaGuardia was last for medium airports handling 10 million to fewer than 30 million.

Below Average

LaGuardia’s 604 score compared with the 683 average of 20 medium airports and 742 for Kansas City International, which led the category. LaGuardia ranked second highest in the previous J.D. Power survey in 2008.

Newark’s 609 compared with the 665 average for 19 large airports and 705 for Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County, the top score in the category. Kennedy was 15th in the group, at 635. Newark ranked ninth and Kennedy seventh among large airports in the 2008 survey.

Higher ratings influence airport spending, J.D. Power said Passengers with the best airport experience spend an average $20.55 on food and retail purchases, 45 percent more than “disappointed” passengers, Greif said.

Newark ranked last and LaGuardia next to last in on-time arrivals among 31 airports in 2009, the U.S. Bureau of Transportation Statistics said last week. The New Jersey airport was next to last for on-time departures, and LaGuardia was 24th.

Today I was mesmerized by the beautiful beaches and resort of the Grand Palladium Jamaica Resort and Spa.  I found out about it first after having visited the Bookit.com web site.

If this resort is half as beautiful as it looks it would be a paradise.  The beaches and reef look like I could spend a number of days lounging and snorkeling to my hearts content.

This all-inclusive resort is all about fun in the water.  Not only do they have a prime location on the beach but they have 5 wonderful swimming pools to boot.

If water sports are not your thing you can enjoy time relaxing at the rejuvenating spa or play a few rounds on their golf course.

The World Famous Golf Course (a.k.a. Johnny Walker World Championship Course) is providing an exclusive opportunity to the guests of Grand Palladium Jamaica/Lady Hamilton & Spa of using the property, including (18holes, cart and caddie). For more information, please contact the resort.

All this luxury and splendor can be yours for only $445 for 3 nights with air fare included. 

This price is had by going to the bookit.com web site.

The resort is almost as beautiful on the inside as it is on the out.  The rooms are no slouchy rooms.  they are beautifully appointed with fine materials and decor.  They aren’t skimping on the lodgings, that’s for sure.  Take a look at the assortment of suites and junior suites that will leave you in a quandary trying to decide if you want to nap in the plushness of the included bed or recline in the beauty of nature while you soak up some rays.  Either way your sure to get some rest and relaxation that your missing.

My Month-long Google Products Experiment: Google Books

Now were on day three of our Google Products experiment.  To give a quick recap of what we’ve covered thus far, day one saw us revisiting Google Alerts.  I’ve got to say that I’ve actually anticipated checking my email each day.  I might mention that this has been one of my Gmail account.  Now before anyone starts crying foul I’ve had a gmail account for three or four years and never used it.  I got it first as it was something new but didn’t like using it and still don’t, but we’ll save the details of that for another day.  It was quickly abandoned in favor of my Yahoo Mail account.  I kept the Gmail account as a spam catcher and it’s remained that way until this day.  Anyway, I digress.   The point is that I’ve actually been interested in checking my mail to see just what Google Alerts had scrounged up for me today.  So far Google Alerts have kept my interest.

Next up was Google Blog Search.  As opposed to Google Alerts I don’t feel the same excitement to revisit the Blog Search.  It seemed superfluous the first time I used it and I still feel the same way today.

Now for today’s product to evaluate, we’ll take a look at Google Books.    At first glance Google Books looks like a ho-hum portal for Jr. Highschool book reports.  I see old copies of Life Magazine, never-before heard of “classic” books and old rag magazines about Don Cheadle.  Yawn…  Maybe it’s me, maybe I just don’t get it.  Maybe it’s the same reason I don’t own an Amazon Kindle or read books on my iPhone.  I never want to read an entire book on line.  Reading is a sacrosanct act for me and you just can’t beat a physical, tangible book in your hands and the smell of a new book.

There’s got to be something more behind having these books online.  I don’t think Google would go through the effort to create and maintain the site without a reason.  I dug deeper and scrolled to the bottom for the About Google Books link.  Here Google provides five reasons why the have added these resources to the internet.

1. Search:  This makes sense for all those jr. high school book reports, little Jonny needs a resource to quote.
2. Browse Books Online:  Let me drop my smug persona (we write what we know, right)  for a bit and I guess I can imagine that there are people unable to visit their local library or afford to purchase all the standard classics for themselves.  This could be a dream come true for many people to have access to all these tombs.
3. Learn More–Fast:  Not only have they made it possible for little Jonny to read all about Don Cheadle, they’ve provided all sorts of meta data about each work like references and maps. Okay, that’s a good thing too….I guess.
4. Buy the Book …or Borrow it from the Library:   Ah  now we’re getting somewhere.  We can actually purchase the magazine about Don Cheadle.  At last!  Surely I jest, I’m a proud American capitalist, why else would I be writing this…;-)  We can leave number four without mentioning the last part of this item, the … borrow it from the Library portion.  Now I this is a great tie in, I love it when something serves more than one purpose.
5. Where do the Books Come From:  This is the kick for me or what makes the whole thing worth while.  I love libraries and history, this project is joining the two for the best of both worlds.  In number five Google tells us where the books come from and about their Partner Program and the Library Project.

Overall Grade: C

Pros: Documenting some of the best works for all time.  Making content available to millions of people around the world.

Cons: I have to read about Don Cheadle. ;-)  I don’t like to read books on-line.  What’s the longevity of this product for me.  Honestly I’ve never used it before and will probably never use it in the future.  I have many of these works available for me for free as well on my iPhone but I don’t read them there either.