A road map to adulting, to help you navigate the twists and turns you may encounter along the way.
There are a lot of perks that come with being an adult: traveling on your own, buying your first car, becoming a homeowner. But all these exciting milestones are balanced out by admittedly not-so-exciting obligations: insurance, loans, mortgages. All of that adulting can be intimidating, especially when facing it for the first time.
What is adulting? Used as a verb, it means “To behave like an adult. To attend to the ordinary tasks required of a responsible adult,” according to Merriam-Webster. It’s laundry, it’s taxes, it’s bills. It’s all the necessary, often mundane things that you didn’t think of as a child when you said you couldn’t wait to grow up.
Over the past 120 years, we’ve learned a thing or two about growing up at AAA.
Although everyone’s journey is different, we like to think of the way to adulthood as a road (of course!). There’s no GPS to guide you toward the fastest route, no linear way from point A to point B. You have to find your own way, but it never hurts to stop and ask for directions. And that’s where we come in.
With this interactive map, our experts can help you navigate the various triumphs and challenges you are likely to encounter between your late teens and early 30s as you learn how to become a responsible adult. Think of it as a friendly guide to your adult years that you can refer to whenever you need it.
If you’re already well-versed on how to adult, please share with someone in your life who may find it useful.
We recently asked about your favorite travel souvenirs, and you responded with sweet, sentimental and fun stories of your most-cherished travel treasures.
When traveling, there’s an undeniable impulse to want to take a piece of our destination home with us. That’s what makes travel souvenirs so special: They’re tangible, smile-inducing reminders of the places we’ve been, the things we’ve seen and the memories we’ve made.
There are trips where you wish you could stuff an entire city into your suitcase. And while you can never do that, a simple magnet that reminds you of your adventure every time you open the fridge can do practically the same thing.
We recently asked you to tell us about your favorite travel souvenirs, and you responded with sweet, sentimental and fun stories of your most-cherished travel treasures. Whether a collection of trinkets and tchotchkes amassed from a life of globetrotting or local art picked up during a once-in-a-lifetime vacation, the best travel souvenirs are often not expensive or extravagant but modest, creative and personal.
Read about some of our members’ favorite travel souvenirs below.
(Some entries have been edited for clarity.)
Your Favorite Travel Souvenirs
“Our go-to souvenir is refrigerator magnets. They come in all shapes and sizes but are mostly affordable and small enough to not be a problem to pack. When we get back home and the grandkids are here we have the “Ceremony of the Placing of the Refrigerator Magnet.” The kids chose the location and there the magnet stays. Just visiting the refrigerator brings back fond memories of our adventures in life.” – Rodney Howarth, Warton, N.J.
“In June 2021, I spent a week in the Italian Tyrol. Beautiful beyond words! Coming home I had a five-hour layover in London and went by high-speed tube to the Southwark Bridge for a tour of the then recently rebuilt Globe Theatre. I bought a candle holder made from oak used in the rebuilding. It has a quote from ‘The Merchant of Venice’ carved on it: ‘That light we see is burning in my hall. How far that little candle throws his beams! So shines a good deed in a naughty world.’ I love it! I had to race back to Heathrow after that to be on time for my flight home.” – Franny McGarry, New Bedford, Mass.
(Michelle Nason)
“My favorite trinket that I collect from every destination I visit is a silver charm for my charm bracelet! On Christmas Day, 1978, my parents gave me this charm bracelet with its first charm. I was 12 years old, and this was my first piece of ‘real’ jewelry.
Through the years, at each destination I went to I bought a charm for my bracelet. I have a charm of the RCCL Majesty of the Seas, a trolley car that celebrates my trip to San Francisco and a sea otter from Monterey refreshes my memories of my West Coast trip. A Nantucket lightship basket reminds me of my trip to Nantucket. The charms can be very intricate. I have a lei from Hawaii that is several flowers linked together that moves like the real ones! A horse and buggy charm reminds me of my trip to Amish country. And a Bermuda longtail bird charm reminds me of my trip to – you guessed it! – Bermuda.
Bringing back fond memories of my first trip to Europe is a copy of the Imperial State Crown from England, along with an Eiffel Tower charm from Paris and the Manneken Pis (aka Petite Julien) from Brussels. A key charm for Key West, an articulated alligator from Florida, a Gloucester fisherman, Mickey Mouse and many more dangle from my wrist. These charms represent memories of the destinations I’ve visited and the major events in my life. I hope to add more in the future!” – Michelle Nason, Coventry, R.I.
“I have a large collection of Christmas ornaments from all the places that I have visited. One of my first was of the Chateau Frontenac. Every December my family and I decorate our tree and as we unwrap the ornaments we reminisce about our adventures!” – Joanie Mazzella, Glen Head, N.Y.
“When my kids were very young, we discovered souvenir penny machines at the Chesapeake Bay Bridge and Tunnel gift shop on the way to the Outer Banks. It sparked a years-long quest for ‘squished’ pennies for all our travels. Now as young adults, they have filled penny passport books with imprinted coins from the top of Mount Washington to Disney’s Space Mountain, and many in between. For 52 cents, what a great way to preserve precious memories!” – Laura Follo, Brandord, Conn.
“Like most people, we take photos when we travel. It is so much easier now with phone cameras, but we often bring a real camera along. After each trip we choose our favorite and have it printed and framed. There is often a good story to go with each of our favorite photos.” – Louis Roth-John, Needham, Mass.
“My husband and I always collect pins from each destination, but our favorite memento we collect is dirt and sand! We have dirt from wild mustang trails from Theodore Roosevelt National Park and sand from any beach we’ve been to. We have each in beautiful glass bottles and they always invoke special memories from every place we’ve been.” – Karen Mastandrea, Fort Lee, N.J.
“I have a bottle of Sicilian wine that is completely covered in Mt. Etna’s lava stones.” – Anthony Lawrence, submitted via Facebook
(Kim Pereira)
“In 2019, my husband, our two adult kids and I finally went to Portugal (where my husband was born). My daughter had the fabulous idea for us all to get tattoos to commemorate our trip. We found a reputable tattoo parlor before going and planned a visit toward the end of our stay. Now we each have a beautiful reminder of our amazing and unforgettable vacation and no trinkets to lose!” – Kim Pereira, South Hadley, Mass.
“I collect the flat pennies you can make in those machines at tourist sites. It is a small remembrance of where we have been and have pictures of things we did or saw there. They sell books to display them so it’s nice to flip through and recall fun times as a family. Sometimes we get Christmas ornaments, too, so putting up the tree has extra meaning.” – Laura Ulrich, Massapequa Park, N.Y.
“I have collected heart-shaped rocks for my wife on every hike, from here in the USA to Iceland, Peru and 35 states. We have two huge heart-shaped bowls filled with rocks from those areas.” – Christopher Chanowitz, Milton, N.Y.
“My travel diaries. I’m not big on souvenirs but have a tradition of finding the strangest thing in the souvenir stores (and buy things I need in these stores to help their economy instead). So far, my favorite was a 6-foot-tall fly swatter in the Dallas Airport. (And too many to mention from Wall, South Dakota. A fun place to stop.)” – Rosemary Ross, submitted via Facebook
“After my sister passed away unexpectedly eight years ago, I began the quest of visiting all 50 states with my three children by my 50th birthday, all on a limited budget. Challenging to say the least. This was a way for me to deal with the deep grief I was experiencing, to research and plan how we were going to road trip these and afford it.
(Linda Zanetti)
Travel journals…my favorite way to revisit my trips. – Linda Zanetti, Duxbury, Mass.
Outside of photos, I wanted something to remember from each state we visited. I chose to collect Christmas ornaments as I way to honor my sister. We loved Christmas growing up and she kept the spirit of Christmas alive all year. I would scour gift shops for the perfect ornament that would symbolize what that particular trip meant.
Each year my three children still decorate with me and it’s truly like opening a time capsule each time we place these on our tree. The stories, memories, tears, laughter and conversations are so symbolic of the travels we have had and the love we share. Although I am turning 52 and still have not yet traveled Hawaii, I look forward to the day I can place my 50th ornament on my tree.” – Tara Bozek, Ayer, Mass.
“Small amount of sand or shells from beaches.” – Jodi Zammit, Huntington Station, N.Y.
“My first and only trip to Ireland, I found a four-leaf clover on my first day in Adare. I pressed it in a book and laminated it when I returned home.” – Jennifer Nolan, Farmingville, N.Y.
“My favorite travel souvenirs are the small rocks I pick up from each state I visit. Just a small one, no bigger than an inch in size. I have them in a bowl on my kitchen windowsill. I take them from someplace where I know I am getting the natural stone found in the state.” – Catherine McMahon, Rhinebeck, N.Y.
(Nancy D’Anna)
“I have collected sand from every beach I visit. It’s amazing how varied the colors and textures are from different beaches. And looking at them reminds me of all the beautiful places I have been.” – Nancy D’Anna, Revere, Mass.
“My favorite travel memento was a miniature perfume bottle a stewardess gave me as a 7-year-old child en route to London. She escorted me to meet the pilot who gifted me a small gold pin and she made me a junior Boeing club member. It was a huge thrill, and I finally procured a second bottle from eBay as a backup this past year. I open and smell it sometimes but just seeing it makes me smile. Naturally, it’s aged, but then again, so have I!
I have loved flying and cosmetics ever since I got to wave to Her Majesty the Queen as her shiny, black Rolls-Royce – probably the Phantom IV State Landaulet – rolled out of the Buckingham Palace gates. It was quite a moment, seeing for myself that women really can and do rule the world.” – Peggy K. Schunk, Hawthorne, N.J.
“Whenever we go on vacation, I try to find a Christmas ornament, preferably a handmade ornament from that place. It takes hours to decorate our 6-foot tree. Looking at the tree brings back memories from the 60 years of travels.” – Carol Zordan, Litchfield, Conn.
“I would have to say pictures. Otherwise, antiques, like making a road trip out of finding an inexpensive fixer-upper Hoosier cabinet. Great memories going away with my husband for a few days to get it.” – Michelle St Clair, submitted via Facebook
“I used to go to Cabo San Lucas and San Jose Del Cabo for fishing, scuba diving, exploring, music and food with friends. One day with the scuba guides, I decided to go deep down to about 170 feet. On the way up you are to stop and let your body adjust, so I stopped and put my right hand on small rock ledges. On the last ledge I felt something. I picked it up … it was a coin. When I got to the surface it turned out to be an old British coin. Wow! What are the odds?” – George Stevenson, Portland, Ore.
“I collect a Christmas tree ornament from each new place that I travel to. When decorating my tree, I can then relive each experience/place. It’s also a great conversation starter when friends come over and look at the ornaments.” – Barbara Damico, Mays Landing, N.J.
(Gail Brodie)
“My favorite vacation souvenir is a beat up, spiral notebook titled “CAL REC”. It’s the record of our family’s 1971 cross-country trip (ending in California) when my brother and I were teenagers. I recorded all of the restaurants and motels we went to, listed all the tchotchkes that I bought, notated the sights we saw, the weather and illustrated each day with postcards from the motels. Forty years later, I created a digital version for my brother with then-current restaurant/motel status updates. And this year, my brother sent me an email each day, 50 years later to the day, with additional restaurant/motel updates, scans of my father’s old slides and the sharing of memories. It’s amazing how we share this experience still thanks to that old notebook.” – Gail Brodie, Shrewsbury, Mass.
“I went to Atlantic Beach in North Carolina in 1980 when I was 18. I went with a family on their vacation to help with their four children. We went shopping for souvenirs at a little store filled with pretty ceramic things. I bought myself a spoon rest with a little cat and one for my mother with a sand dollar. We both still use them. Every time I use it, I think of all the happy memories from that vacation!” – Susan Gura, Naugatuck, Conn.
“Once my son began traveling for work and bringing home souvenirs, I decided Christmas ornaments would be best. This is wonderful for our family to take the ornaments out, have a chat and hang them on our tree rather than just having a souvenir that sits on a shelf waiting to be occasionally dusted. Each year we are able to relive our travel memories. Now it’s so many they are the only thing on the tree and they are beautiful” – Marie Tremblay, Billerica, Mass.
“When I travel, I try to find a small music box to add to my collection. My music box from Paris plays Offenbach’s ‘Orpheus in the Underworld,’ better known as the ‘Can-Can’ song. From Barcelona, the music is ‘Habanera’ from Bizet’s opera ‘Carmen’ (yes, it takes place in Seville, but …). From Ireland, it’s ‘When Irish Eyes Are Smiling.’” – Sandra Steiner, Jamaica Estates, N.Y.
(Susan Ruttenber)
“My most memorable souvenir is this simple bamboo stick. Why? Well, a good 30 years ago, my then-boyfriend and I went on a trek in the Annapurna Sanctuary in Nepal. I had come down with what all the hikers jokingly called the Himalayan flu and had taken a very strong decongestant. The weather was very sunny and warm. As a result, I became very dehydrated and could hardly walk. So, for the final leg that day between Hinko Cave and the Machapuchare base camp, the sirdar (probably young enough to be my son) cut this stick for me to support myself. He and my boyfriend carried all of my gear. Hot tea with sugar helped revive me at the camp.
Several days later, my boyfriend suffered an ankle sprain and – after a day’s rest – used this stick for the remainder of the trek. There was no way I was going to lose this stick. As you can imagine, it was a bit of a problem going through several security checks at all of the airports on the way home. But here it is, still in the same corner of my home.” – Susan Ruttenber, Westwood, N.J.
“I like to pick up a pair of earrings when I travel. I have several turquoise ones from the Southwest. When I wear them, it brings me right back to when and where I bought them.” – Christina Green, Westerly, R.I.
“As a world traveler who has spent extended periods of time living out of a carry-on suitcase my favorite mementos are the hotel soaps. Using them at home for daily showers brings back the fabulous memories of far-flung destinations and the specific adventures we so enjoyed from those special parts of the world. Every shower is a trip down memory lane.” – Janet Marks, New York, N.Y.
“I collected shot glasses from all over the world. Everywhere we went, I bought one or more. Some were from the city itself, some were for a sports team from that city and some were just novelty-type for the fun of it. I had collected over 300 and had them displayed in my basement family room in shadow boxes that had up to 36 little cubbies that the shot glasses fit into perfectly. I received so much joy looking at them when I was down in that room. I sometimes would sit and think of the places we had travelled to and the memories would flood in. We are downsizing now, so about a year ago I sold my collection to a young man who seemed so happy to get them.” – Margaret Smith, Budd Lake, N.J.
“I was a flight attendant later than most, my children were up [in age] and some were married. I bought my husband a baseball cap from most every city I had a layover. He ended up with more than anyone would need. Not all the states, but pretty close.” – Mary Carey, Salem, Mass.
“Since I could never remember what size my growing children were when I went to various conferences, I always bought souvenir keychains. Even though they are now adults, we still make a point of bringing each other key rings. We try to avoid the cheap plastic squares, choosing instead to get the metal or pewter ones.” – Erma & Bob Bressler, Anramdale, N.Y.
(Beth Mancuso)
Photos As Souvenirs
One of the most popular travel souvenirs are photos. Learn how to preserve and showcase your vacation snaps with these tips from our Photo Session pro photographer, Beth Mancuso.
Cull Them
Step one after downloading your images is to go through and cull them. This means sorting through all of them and only keeping the winners. I use an asset managing program called Adobe Bridge to download and rate my images. After I have rated them, I go through and delete all the ones that didn’t make the cut.
Back Them Up
Technology can fail us! It is so important to back up your images. In addition to having the images saved on your computer, I also recommend backing the files up on both an external hard drive and a cloud service. I use a 1TB external hard drive as well as Google Drive. It’s better to be safe than sorry. There is nothing worse than losing all those precious memories.
Print Them
Perhaps my favorite way to preserve images is to print them. There are so many wonderful options out there and printed items can also make great gifts. My favorite high-quality consumer level print lab is Mpix, which offers all of the products mentioned below.
Make a Collage
You can get 4-by-6-inch prints made for as cheap as 27 cents. After you have printed out your favorite travel photos consider making a collage out of them. I have a bulletin board hanging in my office that I add to over the years. The nice part about a bulletin board is that you can change out the pictures whenever you feel like it.
Make a Calendar
Calendars make the best gifts! I like to try to match the month to a picture I took at that time. Most printing companies even allow you to customize the dates on your calendar.
Make a Book
My kids love flipping through the pages of the photo books I have created over the years. I love the books because they are durable and something that I can pass down to them when they are adults.
Wall Art
If you are looking for something bigger, I recommend having a canvas or metal wall art made to hang on your walls. My favorite is the metal wall art because it is so luxurious looking.
Looking to plan your next trip and add to your travel souvenir collection? Our Travel Advisors are always here to help.
Driving in inclement weather can be a challenge for even the most experienced drivers, but it can be especially daunting for new drivers. If your teen recently received a permit or driver’s license and has yet to experience driving in wintry conditions, these AAA driving instructor tips can help.
By preparing young drivers for winter conditions you’ll be making the roads safer for everyone.
Prepare the Vehicle
Young drivers should practice winter driving in a car that’s suitable for the weather. To have a properly winterized vehicle, consider switching to winter tires and winter windshield wiper blades. No matter which type of tire you opt for, be sure they are properly inflated and have plenty of tread.
Make sure your car is in peak operating condition and that you have it serviced before chilly weather returns. Check to make sure there’s plenty of antifreeze and windshield wiper fluid, and always keep at least half a tank of fuel in your vehicle during the winter.
Ensure young drivers have essential winter tools in the car, especially a shovel, ice scraper and an emergency kit. Additional supplies may include a blanket, spare winter clothes (gloves, hat, scarf, socks, etc.), a flashlight, bottled water and a first-aid kit.
Have your teen practice in the vehicle they are planning to drive, whether it’s a sedan, crossover, SUV or truck, because they all handle differently in slippery conditions. While anti-lock brakes and stability control are required by law, new drivers should also get familiar with any additional advanced safety features in the car. Features that rely on sensors, such as blind-spot and and lane-departure warnings, could be affected by winter weather conditions, so it’s important for them to practice with and without the technology. Remember, advanced driver-assistance systems are designed to work in conjunction with an engaged driver, not replace one.
Check out our story on the five best cars for winter driving, all of which boast important safety features that make driving during the winter a little easier.
Prepare the Driver
Teach young drivers how to properly brake while driving during the winter.
“When there is a light coating of snow or ice on roadways, drive into a large cul-de-sac or spacious parking lot with no obstructions in your path,” said Richard Field, a AAA Northeast Driving School instructor. “At low speeds have them apply the brakes firmly to gain experience on stopping distance, slippage and sliding as well as effect of the anti-lock braking system. Experiment by varying light to hard pressure on the brake pedal. Repeat while turning the steering wheel to understand understeer on slick roads.”
Drivers must start braking earlier during slippery conditions. Emphasize doing everything slowly and carefully. Never use cruise control or slam on the brake. Instead, tell them to take their foot off the gas, let the car slow and apply the brake gradually.
Another lesson for winter driving is to increase following distance between yourself and other drivers on the road, generally providing about four to 10 seconds of distance in between cars. This gives drivers extra time to react in case of ice or other slippery conditions.
“Regardless of whether the vehicle has front-, rear- or four-wheel drive, the best way to regain control in a skid is to take your foot off the accelerator and avoid slamming on the brakes, while continuing to look and steer in the direction you want to go,” said AAA’s Car Doctor John Paul. “Wait for the front wheels to grip the road again. As soon as traction returns, the vehicle will start to steer; you can then gently apply the accelerator. While all-wheel drive vehicles get you moving better in snow than front- or rear-wheel drive vehicles, they all stop the same way. Don’t become overconfident and drive faster than the road conditions safely allow.”
An additional option is enrolling your young driver in a AAA Driving School course. Our programs create lifelong safe drivers by presenting students with real-world, hands-on training. Program offerings vary by state, but courses are available in Massachusetts and Rhode Island. All programs are licensed by each state’s departments of motor vehicles.
Teach Caution
The most essential driver instructor tip for winter driving? Practice, practice, practice.
“New drivers simply may have no experience in winter driving, and rather than learning via trial and error, will benefit greatly from supervised driving practice,” Field said.
Start with being a good example. Keep an eye on the weather report: Everyone should avoid unnecessary driving during certain winter conditions – new and more experienced drivers alike. Be safe and stay home during severe winter storms.
One intimidating factor of winter driving is the possibility of running into black ice. Familiarize your young driver with how to navigate this challenging condition, starting with these tips.
Instilling your children with responsible money habits and leading by example can help them work toward a stable financial future.
From setting up a savings account and figuring out an allowance to explaining how budgeting and credit scores work, different financial discussions are appropriate for different age groups.
When you decide it’s the right time to start teaching your kids good money habits, keep these tips in mind.
Start Talking About Money
When it comes to discussing money and financial topics with their kids, 25% of parents were somewhat reluctant, 14% were very reluctant and 11% were extremely reluctant, according to a Parents, Kids & Money survey from 2019.
However, 53% of the children surveyed – ages 8 to 14 – said they wished their parents taught them more about money. Before your child reaches the age of seven, start talking to them about money, the importance of saving and how much different goods and services cost.
Open a Savings Account
It’s never too early to open a savings account in your child’s name. This is where you can deposit any funds they receive on birthdays and holidays, before they’re old enough to make their own financial decisions.
This money can start gaining interest, and your child will have some funds to start learning with when the time comes. What’s more, the age of bank accounts can help them with applying for credit later.
Giving Allowance
Allowance is a great way for young kids to start earning money. According to a survey from T. Rowe Price, 51% of parents said they give allowance, but their kids have to earn it. This is opposed to 17% who give allowance without any requirements and 32% who don’t give allowance at all. What’s more, 52% of parents surveyed said they give $10 or less per week.
How you decide to grant allowance depends on your parenting style. Some parents give allowance for daily chores, like making the bed, feeding a pet, putting away dishes. Others only give allowance when their kid(s) go beyond regular/expected responsibilities.
When it comes to the amount of money you should give your child as an allowance, experts tend to say that, on a weekly basis, 50 cents to a dollar for every year of age is appropriate.
Emphasize Saving
When teaching your kid about saving, use a clear container – like a mason jar or plastic tub – to allow them to watch the progress of their savings. You can even have more than one, labeling each for different things, such as saving, spending and giving.
Many children take well to visual learning. Seeing the dollars and change stack up over time makes tracking goals clearer and can lead to a bigger sense of accomplishment.
Explain Budgeting
If there’s something your child wants, teach them how to purchase it through budgeting.
Show them how to set a financial goal, including the price of the item they want, plus a little extra so they’ll still have some money left afterwards. If they don’t have any savings remaining from birthdays and holidays, they may be able to save faster by doing extra chores, or they’ll simply have to be patient and save up to meet their goal gradually.
Introduce a Debit/ATM Card
If your child/teen gets a part-time job, they should have a more secure place to save their money. When your child becomes an adolescent, it’s time to consider whether they’re ready for a debit/ATM card.
A debit card allows them to pull funds from a checking and/or savings account and make purchases. Show them how to track their spending, maintain minimum account balances and remember to replenish their savings after a larger purchase.
Today, a lot of banking is done online, and many banks have apps that allow for easier money management. Help your child stay on top of their finances by setting up low-balance alerts, charge notifications and more.
Start Building Credit
Once your teen is a bit older and starting to think about college, trade school and/or making a significant purchase like a car, it’s time to teach them about credit.
Have them use their credit card only for charges they have the money to cover. Then, have them pay off balances right away. Also, emphasize the importance of checking their purchase history to find and report fraudulent charges. And make sure they know what to do if their credit card number is ever stolen.
Finally, let them know they are entitled to one free annual credit report each year from the three credit bureaus – Equifax, Experian and TransUnion. This will allow your teen to track the progression of their credit score as they try to get at close to 850 as they can.
Be a Good Example
It’s true that you will likely need to be a co-signer for certain accounts for your kids when they are young, and you’ll be acting as their financial advisor for many years. However, one of the most important things you can do to teach your kid(s) good money habits is to lead by example.
Show your child how you budget, save and spend responsibly by being a strong saver and savvy spender. Sharing your tried-and-true financial habits, as well as money mistakes you’ve made in the past, can all become valuable lessons to the young people in your life.
How do/did you teach your kid(s) good money habits? Tell us in the comments below.
As temperatures dip and the weather outside gets a little more frightful, your home should be toasty and warm. But ensuring the comfort of a well-heated home on the most bitterly cold winter days starts with keeping your heating equipment properly maintained. Snuggle more and shiver less this winter with these tips.
Staying on Top of Maintenance
Don’t wait until something breaks and your home heating system requires emergency repairs. When the weather is cold, you won’t want to go a single day without heat. By regularly maintaining your system, you can save money on costly repairs and prolong the life of your home heating system. Annual maintenance, even when you don’t think anything is wrong, will ensure that you don’t have any surprise problems when you need your heating system most.
Petro Home Services can provide comprehensive, full-service annual inspections from highly-trained heating specialists that can save you money, give you peace of mind and keep your home comfortable.
Central Heating System Maintenance
A central heating system is a fine-tuned machine, and all of the components need to work together to make sure that your heating is safe, warm and cost-effecient. When a home heating technician comes to inspect your heating system, they will calibrate it to make sure you get proper delivery of heat to every part of your home. Here are some of the components that they should be inspecting.
In central heating systems, warm air moves through filters to keep the air clean. If these filters get clogged, dust, dirt and other contaminants can make their way into the air that circulates through your home – the air that you and your family breathe all day. The warm, dirty air will move through the ductwork, room by room. This contaminated air can be hazardous to your health and should be dealt with immediately. Clogged filters also cause your heating system to work harder and can lead to it breaking down.
When a home heating technician inspects your system, they will inspect the air filters to make sure that they are clean and safe. If they’re clogged or dirty, they will often simply be replaced – a cheap, easy fix that will help you breathe easy and keep your system running efficiently.
Thermostat Inspection and Repair
The thermostat – that thing your kids are always messing with! The thermostat is one of the most important parts of a home heating system, and the part that you interact with the most. A properly-functioning thermostat will signal your home heating system to produce the desired temperature, and it also measures the current temperature in your home. If your thermostat is malfunctioning, it can report the wrong temperature to your home heating system, or signal it to produce the wrong temperature in your home. It can be frustrating to users who simply want to set the thermostat to their desired temperature.
Many times you can fix the problem on your own, if you have a programmable thermostat, by simply changing the battery. Other times you will need to call in a trained professional to take a look. A trained home heating specialist can diagnose if there are any problems with your thermostat, and either repair or replace it.
Boiler and Furnace Inspection and Repair
What’s the difference between boiler heating and furnace heating?
A boiler uses hot water or steam to heat your home. The heated water is pumped through the house to heat radiant flooring systems or radiators. Boiler systems can run on natural gas, propane, electricity, oil or even wood pellets.
A furnace uses air rather than water. It can run on natural gas, propane, oil or electricity to heat air and push it through your home’s ductwork. Furnace heating can sometimes produce more dryness than boiler heating, due to the blowing air. Boiler heating is a more radiant heat, so there’s no hot air blowing on you.
These two types of systems require two different types of maintenance. Furnaces require an annual inspection, and your air filters will also need to be changed out on a regular basis. If you live with pets or in an area with a lot of dust in the air, you should change them more often to maintain their cleanliness. Boilers require an annual inspection and tune-up by a professional home heating technician. Remember to keep the area around your furnace or boiler clear and clean.
When your boiler or furnace is inspected, a home heating technician can repair any issues or replace it if necessary.
Ventilation and Radiation
If you have a furnace, you have a heating ventilation system. If you have a boiler, you have a heating radiation system. When these systems are functioning properly, they will deliver consistent warmth throughout your home.
Over time, air trapped in your boiler, pipes or radiator can block the flow of heated water – it’s also susceptible to rust from dirt and debris in the system. When this happens, the system draws more fuel to compensate and reach the correct temperature and it can get expensive.
If you have a furnace, clogged ventilation systems can cause a similar problem. Warm air gets trapped in the heating system, and more fuel has to be used to overcompensate. A home heating specialist will inspect the points at which air or heat flows or radiates into your home.
Duct Inspection and Replacement
In furnace-based central heating systems, air ducts deliver warm air throughout the house. If the insulation in your duct systems breaks down or tears, it can cause heat to release in places where it’s not supposed to be. Since the air isn’t heating your home like it should be, the system will again draw extra fuel to hit your desired temperature. It’s like money leaking out of your wallet and into your walls. A heating system technician will inspect your ductwork and insulation to ensure that all the warm air goes where it needs to be going.
Fuel Line and Fuel Tank
Fuel lines, which transport fuel to the burner, must be tightly-sealed to be safe and operate efficiently. A home heating specialist should inspect the fuel line for rust, leaks and consistent assembly. They will also inspect the fuel tank. If there are any issues with your fuel line, a total replacement of the piping is the safest option.
AAA members who sign up as a new customer with Petro Home Services can receive special offers including $200 off any new heating or AC system. Learn more.
How often does your home heating system receive maintenance? Let us know in the comments below!
Your credit score provides potential lenders with an easy way to evaluate your creditworthiness. A high credit score can open a lot of doors, such as buying a car or house. A low score, on the other hand, can make your goals harder to reach.
Not knowing what affects your credit score is akin to trying to ace an exam for a class you never took. With that in mind, let’s take a refresher course on what does and doesn’t affect this all-important number.
What Does Affect Your Credit Score
Payment History
Five main factors affect your credit score, but none hold more weight than your payment history. This category shows lenders whether or not you’ve paid past credit balances on time, including those for credit cards, mortgages, and student and car loans. It also takes into consideration factors such as how overdue late payments were, the amount of money still owed and how much time has passed since any delinquencies.
Credit Utilization
Credit utilization refers to the percentage of available credit you’re using. For example, if you have a $10,000 monthly credit card limit but only put $1,000 worth of charges on the card that month, you would have a credit utilization rate of 10%. (Remember, having credit and using credit are two different things.) It’s recommended to keep your rate below 30%, but the lower the better.
Credit History Length
Generally, the longer your credit history, the better. This is especially true if you have a strong payment history. It proves to lenders that you’re likely to continue such behavior in the future. Credit history length includes items such as the age of your oldest and newest accounts, and the average age of all your accounts.
Hard Credit Inquiries
Whenever you apply for a new line of credit, the lender will request to see your credit report in order to determine your eligibility. This is what’s known as a “hard inquiry.” Each hard inquiry will cause a temporary drop in your credit score that usually only lasts for a few months.
Credit Mix
It’s good to have a mix of revolving credit, such as credit cards, and installment credit, such as mortgages, car loans and student loans. Credit mix doesn’t have a huge impact on your credit score, however, so you can still have a high score without having both credit types on your report.
What Doesn’t Affect Your Credit Score
Shopping for Low Interest Rates
As mentioned above, applying for a loan, mortgage or credit card will trigger a hard inquiry by the lender, negatively impacting your credit score. Shopping around for lowest interest rates will require multiple inquiries over a short period of time. Fortunately, credit bureaus will recognize you’re simply applying with multiple lenders in order to compare rates and treat it as a single inquiry.
Checking Your Credit Score
Requesting your own credit report results in what’s known as a soft inquiry, which has no impact on your credit score. You’re entitled to one free annual credit report from each of the credit bureaus – Equifax, Experian and TransUnion. During the COVID-19 pandemic, these companies are offering free weekly online credit reports.
Getting Married
Your credit score is yours and yours alone, even after you get married. If your spouse has bad credit prior to your marriage, it won’t impact your score after you tie the knot. That said, it will affect your ability to open any type of joint account, and if said account becomes delinquent, it will appear on your credit report.
Your Income or Bank Balance
How much money you have and are bringing in play important roles in your financial life, but are not reflected in your credit score. Meaning, you won’t have a high credit score simply because you have a high-paying job or hefty savings account, and vice versa. And in turn, any changes to these numbers decreasing won’t affect your credit score.
Note that although you won’t find income or bank balance information on your credit report, lenders will often take these into consideration when deciding if and how much credit to award you.
Using a Debit Card
Debit cards are linked to your own personal bank accounts, so when you use them to pay for something, you’re using money you already own. Since no lender is extending you credit, debit card use has no effect on your credit score. Debit cards can help prevent you from spiraling into debt the way credit cards can. However, since they are not reported to credit agencies, they also can’t help you build credit.
Being Denied Credit
If you are denied a line of credit, it likely means your credit score is less than ideal. However, the actual act of being turned down doesn’t lower your score. There will be a slight dip when the lender requests a hard inquiry into your score, but that’s all.
Learn about all the ways AAA and Discover can help you handle your financial needs.
With shortages and shipping delays predicted for this holiday season, experts are warning consumers to start shopping early.
This year, why not accumulate memories instead of more “things”? Join AAA Northeast for its incredible Vacation Sale Nov. 6, from 9 a.m.-3 p.m. You’ll find no lines, no delays and no hassle – just plenty of travel-planning anticipation and some of the year’s best prices.
“It’s the perfect time to give the gift of travel,” said Chelsea San Martino, director of travel marketing at AAA Northeast. “There’s no stress and no shortages when you’re planning a getaway with family or friends.”
The online event will feature pre-Black Friday deals like discounts on international getaways, reduced cruise fares, onboard credits and more. Attendees could save $1,400 on worldwide vacations, up to $3,100 on river cruises and $1,300 on cruises, and get up to 50% off on Caribbean getaways.
Those who book at the show will be eligible for up to $400 cash back at time of departure or up to $800 in future travel credits. AAA Travel advisors will be available during the event for help with questions and options.
For more information and to register for the free event, visit AAAVacationSale.com.
Buying a new house is likely to be the most expensive purchase of your life to date. After all, the median selling price for a new house in the United States is nearly $400,000. Numbers that high are unchartered territory for most. So how do you know which house you can afford, and which is out of your budget?
The first step in financing a house is to prequalify for a home mortgage. This simple process can go a long way in helping you home in on the house of your dreams, make your offer appealing to sellers and avoid any transaction complications down the road.
Here’s everything you need to know about mortgage prequalification.
How Does Qualifying for a Mortgage Work?
Mortgage prequalification is an early step in determining how much money a potential homebuyer can spend on a new house. During the process, a financial institution will review an applicant’s pertinent financial information, including credit, income and assets, and issue a prequalification letter. This document states that the lender is tentatively agreeing to loan the homebuyer a certain amount of money in order to purchase the property. It is not a guarantee.
The primary benefits of being prequalified for a mortgage are twofold: It provides a ballpark budget for those looking for a new home and ensures sellers that a buyer will likely be able to secure financing. It’s not uncommon for sellers to require a prequalification letter before accepting an offer.
What Are the Different Types of Mortgage Prequalification?
All prequalification letters are not created equal. Some provide just the basics, telling the loan officer how much money the potential homebuyer makes and how much they are looking to put down. This is great if you just want a ballpark figure to work on your budget. However, without any of your assets and income being verified, the letter is often not worth much when you go shopping for a home with a realtor.
If you want to have a letter that removes obstacles and makes it easier on you when you find a home, you will have to put a bit mote time and effort put into becoming prequalified. The next step up could be providing the loan officer with documentation of your income and assets and then to pull what is known as a soft inquiry into your credit profile. The soft inquiry is often free to the consumer and will not impact their credit score. The downside to this is the credit pull can’t be used to underwrite the loan. However, with these elements in tow, the loan officer can then provide a prequalification letter that has some teeth to it. They would be able to review all the documents to ensure there are no red flags for underwriting.
If there are legitimate concerns about qualifying for a home loan, then the borrower should consider a prequalification letter with a hard credit pull. This pull will affect the borrower’s credit score and it usually requires a small upfront payment. However, this is the same type of report that will be pulled when you finally find a property and are ready for your loan to be underwritten. The same type of documentation will be collected for income and asset verification, and you will be able to have a prequalification letter that carries a lot of weight because this type of process mimics the actual loan process.
Getting started with mortgage prequalification process couldn’t be any easier. In many cases, it can even be done from the comfort of your own home. With AAA, for example, you can simply fill out a quick-and-easy online questionnaire. Your information is then forwarded on to a mortgage specialist who will contact you to gather any other necessary information.
When you prequalify for a home mortgage you ensure that the homebuying process goes as smoothly as possible.
Looking to buy a new house? Start the journey today by getting prequalified for a mortgage from AAA.
Halloween Month (or October, as some call it) is upon us, and with it comes all the joys of autumn, like pumpkin pie, costumes and ghouls. Lots of ghouls. To hype yourself up for the best October yet, here are some spooky, scary podcasts for Halloween.
“Spooked” started out as a recurring special episode on storytelling podcast “Snap Judgement.” It was so popular that “Snap Judgement’s” host, Glynn Washington, spun “Spooked” off into its very own show. Guests tell stories about their experiences with the paranormal and their encounters with the unexplainable. They’re ostensibly true, but they sound like campfire stories come to life – the perfect Halloween podcasts.
“Criminal” is unlike other true crime podcasts, because it’s not really interested in gore. Still, that doesn’t mean it’s not terrifying at times. Nothing is more bone-chilling than listening to host Phoebe Judge calmly tell you a story about a stranger living in a woman’s attic. “Criminal” is one of the best podcasts out there, with magnificent audio production and reporting. Judge also has the perfect voice for a podcast like this – cool and collected, but also occasionally spine-tingling.
“Radio Rental” is a podcast about real-life horror stories, told by those who lived them, produced by Atlanta Monster’s Payne Lindsey. Although the stories are real, the podcast is hosted by a video store clerk named Terry Carnation, played by Rainn Wilson. This framing device provides some much-needed levity when the stories get a little too close to home. “Radio Rental” is all about close calls, mysterious strangers, weird memories and last-minute twists. I inhaled the entire show in about two days, since I just couldn’t stop listening.
Host Aaron Mahnke explores the historic origins of humanity’s creepiest folktales and ghost stories. It’s a history podcast and a horror podcast all in one – and Mahnke’s calm, dulcet tones make it seem almost like a campfire story. Tune in for stories of people burying themselves alive, staging pictures with ghosts, accusing one another of being vampires and so much more.
Karen Kilgariff and Georgia Hardstark love murder – but not in that way. “My Favorite Murder” is a true crime podcast about the joy of telling horror stories to your friends. Every week, Kilgariff and Hardstark trade (lightly-researched) stories about murderers. Nothing captures the spirit of Halloween quite like joking about serial killers and real-life monsters.
In some ways, “RedHanded” can be similar to “My Favorite Murder.” Friends Suruthi Bala and Hannah Maguire get together to tell a true crime story together, but since they’re telling the same story, they can often do more research and go deeper into detail. Although they’re not afraid of making jokes sometimes, “RedHanded” can get pretty serious and gruesome. A lot of the episodes have a charming DIY feel, with Bala and Maguire making references to being “under the blanket,” AKA sitting under their duvet covers to record. Even though the show has gotten more successful over the years, it’s still obvious that Bala and Maguire are doing this because they love to do it. Be warned: “RedHanded” gets dark.
“Dr. Death” is the terrifying true story of Dr. Christopher Duntsch, a Dallas neurosurgeon. Bad back? Chronic pain? Don’t go under this doctor’s knife. Dr. Duntsch had a nasty habit of turning spine surgeries into grisly hack jobs (that only some of his patients survived). “Dr. Death” is the story of a dangerous doctor – and the whistleblowers who took him down.
Podcaster Justin McElroy and Dr. Sydnee McElroy take listeners on a tour of the messed-up things people have been doing to their bodies for centuries. “Sawbones” is a podcast about medical history – particularly about the strangest parts of medical history. Due to its proximity to sheer body horror, some of the episodes get especially ghoulish – though the McElroys endeavor to make it as light-hearted as possible.
“Stuff You Missed in History Class” is a venerable old podcast with a huge back catalog of episodes for new listeners to trawl through. For most of the year, “Stuff You Missed in History Class” is a calm, well-researched podcast about the forgotten corners of history. But every October, they deliver a series of new Halloween podcasts. Hosts Tracy V. Wilson and Holly Frey tell spooky stories about historical ghosts, haunted houses, colonial vampires and the history of Halloween pop culture.
Sometimes there’s nothing better than a good old-fashioned ghost story. The following fiction podcasts are sure to deliver spooks and scares (or at least some creepy-crawlies). They’re a great addition to your list of Halloween podcasts.
Santa Cruz County is nestled in the geographic shadow of San Francisco and San Jose.
And that’s kind of fitting because it’s often overshadowed, at least in popular culture, by those two wildly different siblings: one an artistic free-spirit and the other, Silicon Valley, a highly caffeinated entrepreneur.
But Santa Cruz presents a different vision of California. Here, you can surf and go mountain hiking in the same day, or explore ancient redwoods before riding a heritage railroad car to an iconic amusement park on the beach.
Santa Cruz is characterized by an unhurried pace, the epitome of Northern California cool, in contrast to San Jose’s hustle. It’s both agricultural and coastal, historic and progressive at the same time. Its city is quaint, unlike San Francisco, and the county’s expansive footprint and Mediterranean climate offer a dynamic range of outdoor activities.
Even wildlife knows it’s a special place: Butterflies and humpback whales stop there on annual migrations down the coast. And that’s where the tale of Santa Cruz starts, along the coast, where the city’s brand was seared into popular culture.
The OG Surf City
In July 1885, three Hawaiian princes – Prince David Kawānanakoa, Prince Edward Abnel Keliʻiahonui and Prince Jonah Kalanianaʻole – hopped on some locally milled redwood planks and surfed in Santa Cruz. It was the first recorded description of surfing in California.
Ever since, Santa Cruz and surfing have become synonymous, have grown up together. The local newspaper coined the term Surf City in 1927 (a name that Huntington Beach unfairly co-opted decades later). And naturally, the city’s home to the world’s first surfing museum.
Calling Santa Cruz a “best-kept secret” is ridiculous to any surfer. Santa Cruz has 11 world-class breaks, meaning it has some of the best waves on the planet. It hosts surfing competitions such as the International Longboard Association Contest and the O’Neill Cold Water Classic – the latter a reminder that wetsuits were invented here. O’Neill Wetsuits was founded after local surfer Jack O’Neill experimented with material so he could stay in the water longer when it grew cold.
But surfing is just one facet of Santa Cruz aquatic life.
You can go whale watching pretty much any time of year. The humpback whale is an annual Monterey Bay visitor from spring to fall. And about 20,000 gray whales swim through these waters twice a year, from December to April.
Dolphins, sea otters and sea lions are also local denizens of the deep. And is there anything cuter than watching a sea otter go about its day?
As the presence of so much sea life would suggest, the fishing is pretty good, too. You can do the deep-sea thing, or head up to the mountains for freshwater fish or just cast a line off of the wharf.
An Iconic Coastline
Anyone who’s seen “The Lost Boys” or “Us” will instantly recognize the iconic Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk, California’s oldest amusement park.
The park, built along the northern shores of Monterey Bay, has been in operation since 1907. Two of its rides are registered National Historic Landmarks.
The Looff Carousel, operating since 1911, is one of only six carousels in the country with its original brass ring dispenser. The ride’s 324-pipe organ, separately constructed in the 1890s, is still intact.
Then there’s the Giant Dipper. Built in 1924, it’s one of the 10 oldest operating wooden roller coasters in the world. And it’s still thrilling visitors nearly a century later. Even by modern standards, it’s a great ride. The coaster peaks out at 70 feet and reaches 55 mph, and there are a few moments where your stomach will drop and drop again.
Taken together, the boardwalk is an experience all its own. While its architecture harkens back to a golden age, the park is no dusty museum. It’s still vibrant and a heck of a lot of fun for kids of all ages.
Naturally Speaking
If amusement parks aren’t your thing, there’s plenty more to see. Santa Cruz is replete with natural splendor.
Natural Bridges State Park (named after the once-intact rock formations pictured at the top of this article) features more than just a gorgeous spot on the coast. The park’s Monarch Grove is home to migrating masses of butterflies from October through February.
There are so many butterflies at times that they form a sort of “living tree.” When you first lay eyes on them all huddled together on a branch, it looks like a mass of leaves – until each leaf flies away. The scent of eucalyptus trees permeates the grove and of course, the ubiquitous towering redwoods abound.
The redwoods and geography of Henry Cowell State Park are so stunning, they inspired President Theodore Roosevelt to hasten federal parkland initiatives. Old-growth redwood trees (some as old as 1,500 years) inhabit 40 of the park’s 4,650 acres, which also encompass grasslands, sand hills, and the San Lorenzo River. You may also bump into deer, bobcats, coyotes and of course banana slugs (which are, no joke, the official mascot of the University of California, Santa Cruz).
Hiking and mountain biking are also popular here given the miles of trails, and Henry Cowell is just one of many campsite opportunities. There are 14 state parks and beaches in Santa Cruz County.
Wait, There’s More
Santa Cruz offers much more than sand, surf and redwoods. Its mountains are home to more than 30 wineries including popular Ridge Vineyards and Rhys Vineyards. And the city’s downtown is packed with public art, live music venues, bars, restaurants, small shops and occasional street performers.
There’s history to explore, too. The oldest human settlement, in nearby Scotts Valley, dates back 12,000 years. The Ohlones tribe settled along the coast about 8,000 years ago. And the city’s Chinatown as well as its nearby mission, offers some more recent history lessons.
Santa Cruz should be on any tourist’s California radar, even if just for a day trip. And getting there can be half the fun. From San Jose, you’ll drive through scenic mountains toward the coast.
And Santa Cruz is just a 90-minute drive south along the stunning Pacific Coast Highway from San Francisco. If you keep driving, Big Sur isn’t far behind.
Take the hassle out of travel and book an adventure today with AAA Travel!
What’s your favorite “best-kept secret” spot? Let us know in the comments below.
Have you been thinking of adding a pet to your life? At time of writing, about 70% of American households include a furry friend – and shelters are helping more pets find homes every single day. But if you’re new to the pet adoption process, what should you expect? We spoke to the team at North Shore Animal League America, the world’s largest no-kill animal rescue and adoption organization, to find out.
Before you adopt a pet, you need to think about how that pet would fit in to your lifestyle. A pet is a big responsibility, and you need to make sure that you’ve thought everything through. Do you live in a small apartment or a house with a fenced-in yard? What do the other members of your household think about adopting? What kind of budget are you working with? Are you ready to commit to loving and caring for a new pet for the rest of its life?
“Adopting an animal is a 13-15-year commitment to caring for that pet for the rest of its life,” says the team at North Shore Animal League America. “Are you ready, willing and able to care for that animal’s needs?”
Specific animals also have specific needs – caring for a dog is different than caring for a cat. Research what your desired pet would need to make them happy, healthy and comfortable in their new home. You should also consider the age of the pet you might want. Puppies and kittens might be cute, but they’re a lot of work. Are you willing to give them the time, training and attention they need?
Once you’ve decided on the type of pet you’d like to adopt, check out your local shelter’s website and see what animals are available. North Shore Animal League America lists its pets at animalleague.org, where you can find information for potential adopters and current pet owners alike. You can also visit their campus in Port Washington, N.Y., to work with an Adoption Counselor who will help find the right animal for you.
When you adopt at a shelter, you will need to fill out an application with some information about yourself. At North Shore Animal League America, you need to be 21 years of age to adopt. You’ll be asked to provide contact information, personal references, previous experiences as a pet owner and veterinary history of your past animals (if applicable).
“Our Adoption Team will review information you provide … They’ll reach out to several personal references you provide. Finally, they’ll make sure that your plans match the best future for each animal,” said the team at North Shore Animal League America.
Shelters will most likely have an adoption fee, which can vary based on the animal you’re adopting. This adoption fee usually includes things like necessary vaccines, spaying/neutering and sometimes even microchipping. Microchips make it easier for pets to be reunited with their rightful owners if they get lost.
Who Gets Adopted?
The most popular animals at shelters are “tiny and adorable,” according to the team at North Shore Animal League America. “Most of the animals we have in our care are mixed breeds, what we lovingly refer to ‘mutt-i-grees,’ but when pure breeds are available, they don’t spend much time on the adoption floor. We regularly facilitate large rescues from puppy mills and backyard breeders, taking in dogs who had been used to mass produce puppies being sold to the public in pet stores. These dogs tend to be smaller, in-demand pure breeds.”
Out of all types of animals, the team at North Shore Animal League America wishes that more people were interested in adopting senior pets. “Adopting a senior pet can have many advantages. The puppy and kitten stages are a lot of work; older animals have established personalities and are usually housebroken, somewhat trained and well-socialized.” They also said that an “unexpected silver lining” to the pandemic was that many more people were open to adopting senior animals. Pets that might have been overlooked in the past were able to find a loving home.
The Pet Adoption Process and the Pandemic
The pandemic – especially the early months of quarantine – had a huge impact on the pet adoption process. With veterinary and shelter staff considered essential workers, people were able to continue adopting animals. Like many other animal rescues and shelters, North Shore Animal League America experienced an immense surge in adoptions during the pandemic. But the ongoing crisis also hindered their abilities to rescue animals across state lines and to raise needed funds. Fortunately, interstate animal transports were eventually allowed to resume, and they were able to substitute their fundraisers for virtual events and online donations at animalleague.org/donate.
“Notably, despite recent headlines claiming shelters across the country were seeing animals being surrendered by adopters returning to pre-pandemic work situations, North Shore Animal League America never experienced this sad phenomenon,” the team noted. “We attribute this to our vigorous application and approval process, and the personalized, one-on-one interactions between our Adoption Counselors and adopters.”
If you’re thinking of adopting an animal, you should do it. As long as you make sure you’re being responsible and doing the right thing by your pet, it will enrich your life and theirs. North Shore Animal League America likes to say that when you adopt, you save two lives: You save your pet and you open up space for them to rescue more animals.
Have you ever adopted a pet? Are you thinking of adopting now? Tell us your story in the comments below!
Learn how your pets may be covered by your auto and home insurance policies.
Is there a better way to celebrate Halloween than turning off the lights, curling up on the couch and watching a scary movie?
From horror classics to recent hits – and a few not-so-scary options – check out these Halloween movies that take place or were filmed in locations throughout the Northeast.
All of the films on this list have an average score above 50%, according to Rotten Tomatoes. The only exception is “The Amityville Horror,” which we just had to include.
Maine
Many of the films inspired by Stephen King’s stories take place in the most northern point of the U.S.
“Cujo” (1983)
When a rabid, killer canine traps a mother and her young son in their car on a hot day, escape seems nearly impossible.
“Pet Sematary” (1989)
After moving, a family learns of an eerie pet cemetery in the woods by their new home and its uncanny ability to bring the dead back to life.
“The Mist” (2007)
When a strange fog rolls over a town following a storm, it unleashes a barrage of deadly creatures, trapping the townspeople in a grocery store.
“It” (2017)
Here’s one of those times where a remake outperformed the original; the 1990’s “It” was not as well-received by critics or audiences. Both versions take place in the fictional Derry, Maine, and tell the story of kids haunted and hunted by an evil, shapeshifting creature called Pennywise. You may also want to check out the 2019 sequel, “It: Chapter 2.”
Lower New England
From Salem witches to psychics and hauntings, lower New England has helped set the scene for a number of memorable Halloween movies.
“Hocus Pocus” (1993)
Beloved by children and adults, this not-too-scary Halloween flick about three soul-stealing, sister witches has become somewhat of a cult classic. Taking place in Salem, Mass., “Hocus Pocus” is fun, creepy, quotable and takes place on Halloween.
“The Witch” (2015)
Set in 1630s New England, this film tells the story of a family wrecked by paranoia and the possibility of witchcraft after their youngest – a baby – disappears. The epitome of a slow burn, this film’s eeriness builds all the way to the end.
“Beetlejuice” (1988)
When a recently deceased couple summons Beetlejuice to help them scare a living family out of their house, they quickly question his dark methods. This creepily quirky movie by Tim Burton is a double-hitter; it took place in Connecticut but was actually filmed in East Corinth, Vt.
“The Dead Zone” (1983)
Director David Cronenberg, the king of the body horror genre, set this horror-thriller about a man with psychic abilities (played by Christopher Walken) in New Hampshire.
“The Conjuring” (2013)
This film, “inspired by true events,” follows a family living in Rhode Island as they are haunted by spirits and must seek the help of paranormal investigators.
“The Witches of Eastwick” (1987)
The lives of three women (played by Cher, Michelle Pfeiffer and Susan Sarandon) are forever changed when a mysterious character (played by Jack Nicholson) rolls into their small New England town.
“The Lighthouse” (2019)
A horror-drama by Robert Eggers (the same director as “The Witch”), “The Lighthouse” stars Willem Dafoe and Robert Pattinson as two lighthouse keepers fending off insanity. The movie is set on a remote New England island back in the 1890s.
New Jersey
The Garden State is responsible for one of the most iconic Halloween movies.
“Friday the 13th” (1980)
Another slasher, this film — and starting point for the numerous Jason Voorhees sequels and remakes — follows a series of murderers at a campground where a young boy accidentally drowned. This film is set in the fictional Camp Crystal lake in New Jersey, but it was filmed in several locations across the state, including Camp NoBeBoSco in Hardwick, Hope Moravian Cemetery and others.
“The Prowler” (1981)
Fitting under the “slasher film” category of horror, this movie follows a group of college students as a military-clad killer wreaks havoc on their small New Jersey town.
New York
New York has produced the most horror films of all the states on this list, offering a sense of setting to scary movies old and new.
“Ghost Busters” (1984)
Here’s a Halloween movie that will have you laughing, thanks to the comedic talents of Dan Aykroyd, Bill Murray and Harold Ramis as their characters try to defend New York from spirits.
“The Amityville Horror” (1979)
Based on real murders, and some supposed supernatural activity, this movie shows a family whose dream house becomes their worst nightmare. While the real Amityville house sits on Ocean Avenue in Long Island, the house filmed for the movie is actually in Toms River, N.J.
“Funny Games” (2008)
What’s interesting about this film is that it’s a frame-by-frame recreation of the 1997 original from Austria. This version was filmed in Brooklyn and Long Island and depicts the story of a family who falls victim to two sadistic men.
“Sinister” (2012)
This film lives up to its name. It follows a writer who, after discovering films of family murders in his attic, tires to uncover their secret. Some of these darker scenes were filmed in locations on Long Island while the rest was shot in Los Angeles.
“Sleepaway Camp” (1983)
Another teen slasher, this movie follows the shy Angela Baker who’s stuck at a summer camp as fellow campers and staff start dropping like flies. It was filmed in several New York locations.
“Cloverfield” (2008)
Following a group of New Yorkers, this movie uses “shaky cam” to show first-person recordings of terrifying, alien creatures wreaking havoc and destruction on NYC and its inhabitants.
“Sleepy Hollow” (1999)
Based on Washington Irving’s classic tale, “The Legend of Sleepy Hollow,” this Tim Burton movie is scarier than his previously mentioned “Beetlejuice,” featuring the ghost of a murderous headless horseman as it haunts Sleepy Hollow.
“Sisters” (1973)
Here’s a work from a director who knows how to do horror and suspense. This film from Brian De Palma is part of the Criterion Collection, a group of films honored for their cultural, visual and thematic importance. “Sisters” follows a journalist who swears she sees her neighbor viciously murder a man.
“Gremlins” (1984)
In this not-so-scary pick, a father buys his son a strange pet called a “mogwai” from a shop in Chinatown. When the rules for taking care of the creature are broken, mayhem befalls the town of Kingston Falls, N.Y.
“The Exorcist” (1973)
This supernatural horror follows a young girl as she’s possessed by a terrible evil. Once considered the scariest movie of all time, this movie was filmed in several locations, one of which was New York’s Goldwater Memorial Hospital on Roosevelt Island in East River, N.Y.
“Jaws” (1975)
Though it takes place during the summer, this adventure-thriller about a killer great white shark terrified audiences. The film’s fictional setting, Amity Island, is actually Martha’s Vineyard.
“A Quiet Place” (2018)
This mix of horror, sci-fi and thriller tells the story a family forced to live in silence to avoid being hunted by bloodthirsty monsters. It was filmed in locations throughout New York, including a bridge in New Platz.
Fun fact: The film’s sequel, “A Quiet Place Part II” (2020), was also filmed in upstate New York.
“Get Out” (2017)
This horror was filmed in Alabama, but the story takes place in a New York suburb. Following main character Chris as he meets his girlfriend’s parents for the first time, things go from uncomfortable and odd to downright disturbing. This film is a true must-see and won an Academy Award for Best Original Screenplay.
“Rosemary’s Baby” (1968)
This film is part of the Criterion Collection and a true horror classic. Shot entirely in NYC, the film follows the pregnant Rosemary as she begins to suspect her unborn child is something evil.
Pennsylvania
Pennsylvania brings us the oldest film on the list as well as some other classics.
“Night of the Living Dead” (1968)
Arguably the first ever “zombie” movie, George A. Romero wrote and directed this horror classic about seven people trapped in a farmhouse as they fight for their lives against the living dead. It was filmed in Pittsburgh and is part of the Criterion Collection.
“Dawn of the Dead” (1979)
This zombie-packed sequel to the previous entry, “Night of the Living Dead,” was shot in Pittsburgh, including the Monroeville Mall in Monroeville, Pa. Following an outbreak of carnivorous zombies, a television studio staff and SWAT team members all fight to survive.
“The Crazies” (1973)
When a manmade, insanity-causing virus takes over a small Pennsylvania town, the results are gruesome. An interesting note about this film is that its 2010 remake actually scored higher. The remake, however, was filmed in Georgia and Iowa instead of Pennsylvania.
“The Blob” (1958)
The oldest movie on this list, “The Blob” is also part of the Criterion Collection. A horror classic, this film features a gelatinous creature that consumes everything it touches, including people. Shots of the preyed-upon town were filmed in Phoenixville, Pa.
“Creepshow” (1982)
Directed by George A. Romero and written by Stephen King, this movie is an anthology telling five horrifying stories. Filming locations included Pittsburg, Philadelphia and other Pennsylvania spots as well as Ocean County, N.J.
“The Sixth Sense” (1999)
Shot mostly in Philadelphia, this film tells the story of a young boy who can see and talk to the dead. Though its twist ending has been widely known for quite some time, this iconic film is still worth a watch (or re-watch).
“The Silence of the Lambs” (1991)
This Academy Award winner and Criterion film follows the story of a young FBI agent as she interviews the cannibalistic Dr. Hannibal Lecter to gain insight about a new killer on the loose. Some scenes were filmed in Pittsburgh and other Pennsylvania locations, while others where shot in Virginia and the Bahamas.
Whether you prefer classic, recent or not-so-scary Halloween movies, there are plenty of options when it comes to horror movies from the northeast.
What are some of your favorite Halloween movies that take place in the Northeast? Tell us in the comments.
This article has been edited and expanded to include suggestions from our members.
“Interest” is a term we hear left and right. After all, just about every aspect of our financial lives is affected by interest rates. But what exactly is interest? How are interest rates determined and what effect can a high or low rate have on our financial futures?
To get a better understanding of this all-important financial practice, we compiled answers to your interest-related questions.
What Is Interest?
Interest is something that is either paid, or something that is earned.
On a loan, interest is the amount of money charged by a lender for borrowing their funds. Think of it as a fee for having access to a large sum of money earlier than you would have otherwise. Loan interest is expressed as a percentage of the amount borrowed; a number known as interest rate.
On a deposit account, interest is the amount of money you earn for having your funds on deposit. Interest on deposit accounts is known as the annual percentage yield.
What’s the Difference Between Simple and Compound Interest?
There are two types of interest: simple and compound. Simple interest affixes a set interest rate only on the principal amount of money borrowed or deposited. Compound interest, however, applies interest to the principal amount as well as any interest previously accrued.
Let’s take a look at an example to see the difference in action:
Let’s say you deposit $100 in an account with a 5% annual interest rate. In one year, your balance would be $105 regardless of whether simple or compound interest is applied ($100 in principal plus the $5 you earned in interest). After the first year, however, the two interest types diverge. With simple interest, the 5% would continue to be applied only to the $100 going forward, meaning you’d have $110 in two years.
If, however, compound interest is applied to your account, the 5% is applied to the full balance of $105, so you’d have $110.25. Over time, and depending on the account balance, compound interest can accumulate significantly more money.
The U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission’s website has a helpful compound interest calculator to see just how much money you can earn over the years.
How Are Interest Rates Determined?
The Federal Reserve sets the interest rate banks charge each other to borrow money, a number known as the fed funds rate. Financial institutions use this to formulate the interest rates they charge or offer customers.
If interest rates are low, it’s a good time to take out a car loan or mortgage. If interest rates are high, on the other hand, it could be an ideal time to deposit money into a money market account or open a certificate of deposit.
What Affects Your Interest Rates?
Financial institutions use the fed funds rate as a guideline but will usually offer customers varying interest rates. You’ll want the lowest interest rate possible when you’re taking out a loan. This way, you’ll owe the least amount of money over the lifetime of the loan.
The rate a financial institution charges you is indicative of how likely it feels you’ll be able to pay back the money. (The higher the interest rate, the lower the likelihood.) It determines the interest rates it awards through a number of factors. These include your credit score, credit history, loan type, loan term and down payment.
Can Consumers Earn Interest?
Yes! Interest is most often associated with borrowing money from financial institutions in the form of mortgages, car loans, student loans, etc. This forces debt owners to pay interest. But consumers can lend financial institutions money by depositing funds into a savings account or product such as a certificate of deposit. Such financial tools also come attached with interest rates that will grow the account balance and earn their owners money. Granted, interest rates on savings products will always be lower than on loans (the difference is how banks make money) but these accounts are an easy way to watch your money grow on its own.
Where most prefer to drive ghosts away, I drive towards them. Well, not usually; but I did recently on a road trip along the Haunted History Trail of New York State.
Despite being a skeptic at heart, I’m always up for a good ghost story, and New York has more than enough to tell. Dating back to early native inhabitants and the American Revolution to when dignitaries began to build it up to the place we know today, tales of unrested spirits in the Empire State are drawn from nearly 400 years of history.
So, with piqued curiosity and an open mind, I headed on a haunted road trip from Long Island to the Hudson Valley, through the Catskills and up to the Capital-Saratoga region to meet the ghosts of New York past.
A Trail of Fears
The Haunted History Trail of New York State was established in 2013 when Kelly Rapone of the Genesee County Chamber of Tourism noticed a growing demand – and a hefty supply – for more eccentric attractions.
I narrowed my trip to the eastern regions, but the trail stretches state-wide, featuring over 90 allegedly haunted hotels, restaurants, museums and other stops that appeal to paranormal fans, ghost hunters and those simply interested in learning more about the past.
“The trail is hugely popular,” Rapone said. “We can’t keep the brochure in stock.”
For the apprehensive, don’t let the creepy angle scare you away. The so-called haunted attractions are not outrightly frightening. In fact, the trail is a guide to some of the most beautiful and fascinating destinations in the state that you might not find otherwise. The goosebumps-inducing stories are there if you ask, and many locations offer private ghost tours.
Though the trail is a year-round attraction, fall is peak ghost-hunting season. Grab a map and try to hit as many spots as you can! Here’s a look at the places that I visited.
Miss Fanny’s Victorian Party House
(Real) Haunted Houses
Maybe you’ve heard strange noises in your house when no one was home or felt a sudden chill in the room that makes the hairs on your arms stand on end. It could be the heat knocking through the pipes or the wind, or it could be something more elusive. At the “real” haunted houses of New York, certain occurrences have no explanation.
What some consider peculiar is the norm for homeowner Julia Drahos and her family at Miss Fanny’s Victorian Party House in Wappinger’s Falls. Part macabre and part kitsch, the 19th-century farmhouse feels straight out of “The Addams Family.” There’s an embalming table in the living room, a coffin in the attic and the occasional zombie mannequin in the hallway. But that’s not the weird part.
A photo of Fanny Van Wyck sits on the mantle at Miss Fanny’s Victorian Party House. Fanny’s spirit is said to be in the house.
Miss Fanny’s has a few extra house guests who often make their presence known, one of which is believed to be the home’s namesake and former owner, Fanny Van Wyck, the last of one of old New York’s most prominent families. A clip of electronic voice phenomena recorded during a paranormal investigation of the house was identified as Fanny by the granddaughter of her former housekeeper. Another EVP session revealed a total of 17 spirits roaming the property.
Julia, who is also a medium, is not afraid of her tenants. Mostly, she is pleasantly surprised by how parts of the past continually seem to reveal themselves through the supernatural. “It’s not only about the ghosts, it’s history,” she said, which she gladly preserves for Fanny and the rest of the gang by welcoming visitors into her home (by appointment only) for ghost hunts, showers, readings, ladies’ nights and other events.
In nearby Millbrook, the owners of Wing’s Castle have reported a few strange occurrences in the past, earning it its place on the Haunted History Trail, but more than that it is an incredible live-in art piece.
Artists Toni Ann Wing and her late husband, Peter, started construction on their fortress-like home in the 1970s, and work continues to this day. Filled with antiques, museum-worthy artwork and handmade details created from recycled materials acquired mostly from the Hudson Valley region, there are intricacies to discover around every corner. Wake up to sweeping views of the Hudson Valley when you stay in one of the rooms or suites part of the bed-and-breakfast.
Tours of Wings’s Castle are currently closed to the general public for the 2021 season due to the pandemic; however, guests of the bed-and-breakfast receive a complimentary tour with their stay.
Knox Mansion
In Johnstown, the Knox Mansion is the most captivating house on the block. Built in 1889 as the home of gelatin magnate Charles Knox and his wife Rose, the historic residence tells many stories. Fortunately, owners Marty and Fawn Quinn are happy to share them.
Some of the bizarre encounters at Knox Mansion are said to have turned skeptics into believers and scared expert ghost hunters away. The energy is there as soon as you walk in; for some a light presence; for others a force that stops them dead in their tracks. Paranormal investigators believe occupant ghosts include Rose Knox, a doctor who once lived in the house, and a little girl. There is also a phantom gardener that appears to children in the yard.
Two of the mansion’s 42 rooms are available as a bed-and-breakfast, and tours are offered for small fee (appointments preferred). Halloween may be the best time to see the mansion, when it turns into a popular walk-through haunted attraction featuring themed spaces staffed by around 40 volunteers. No guarantees if the ghouls you meet are real or actors.
Mysteries at the Museums
Old Stone Fort Museum
Schoharie’s Old Stone Fort Museum is a bit creepy from the onset and instantly interesting. Set inside of a former German High Reform church built in 1772, it is surrounded by a cemetery and filled with historical artifacts, and – as quite a few ghost hunters have confirmed – a few lingering spirits.
British troops attacked the building during the Revolutionary War during the Burning of the Valleys in 1780. It was one of three building in the area converted into a fort. One of the few Revolutionary war sites that have been preserved in its original form, it’s taken on a few different lives, but has been a museum since 1889. “It was our local internet (before Google),” said museum director Carle Kopecky.
He took me up the old staircase of the church tower, a favorite stakeout for paranormal investigators, where the energy has felt so strong that some staff members can’t bring themselves past the first few steps. On our way up, we passed beams with names and dates scribbled on them that dated back to the 1800s, leading to a window (pictured above) where one psychic claimed to see a woman looking out toward the cemetery. I’m not typically sensitive to ghostly vibes, but hearing that story in the exact place that it happened gave me instant chills.
The most common repeated occurrence at the museum is the sound of footsteps on the second floor when no guests are there. “More than one person has experienced that,” Kopecky said.
For those serious about ghost hunting, the museum offers a program where paranormal investigators can request a few hours in the building overnight.
The Saratoga Springs History Museum at the historic Canfield Casino.
The Saratoga Race Course is known as “the graveyard of favorites” for its reputation of bringing down Triple Crown winners. If you are the betting type, that might be the scariest thought of all. For a thrill that’s less risky, the Saratoga Springs History Museum, located within the historic 1870s Canfield Casino in Congress Park, has a haunted reputation worth exploring.
Tour guide and museum board member Charlie Kuenzel has seen and heard his share of ghost stories. Working in the building has made a believer out of him – and all other regular employees. “Everyone has bought in,” he said.
A lot of money was won and lost at the gaming house in its day and some may still be holding out hope for a win. On occasion, Charlie has walked into the empty museum to find the roulette wheel in the second-floor gambling exhibit inexplicably spinning. Employees also frequently pick up smells of cigars and lilacs.
Many have claimed to see the apparition of a man sitting on this couch on the purportedly haunted third floor of the Saratoga Springs History Museum.
“The energy, without question, could be from past gamblers,” Kuenzel said, but most of the strange occurrences are attributed to the Walworth family.
The third-floor Walworth Museum, which features several replicated rooms from the home of one of Saratoga’s most influential families, is a hotbed of paranormal activity. Since its installation, guests and staff have consistently described accounts of an apparition wearing a white dress and the figure of a man sitting on a couch at the end of the hall. As confirmed by ghost hunters, the Walworths’ energy is held in their belongings. So basically, the family still thinks they are home.
Ghost tours at the museum are Monday, Wednesday and Friday at the height of racing season and on demand. At Halloween, tours ramp up and there are occasional special overnight events for those brave enough to investigate the third floor in the dark.
Naturally Creepy
The gate to Yaddo Gardens.
A short drive from the Canfield Casino, Yaddo Gardens offers a different kind of ghost tour that will leave you feeling more peaceful than spooked. The gardens are located on the grounds of the prestigious artists’ retreat Yaddo, whose notable past residents include Leonard Bernstein, Langston Hughes and Sylvia Plath.
Yaddo was the vision of financier Spencer Trask and his wife Katrina. Though their life was gilded, the Trasks were surrounded by tragedy, some of which has been entwined with legends of the gardens’ mystic vibe. One story says that the four seasons statues that stand beside the rose garden have a special aura believed to represent the four Trask daughters who died as children.
There is an unusual spirituality about Yaddo; it’s one of the reasons why the Trask family thought it would be a good place for artists. As docent Barabara Kolapakka described, “If ghosts were to be anywhere, they would be here.” The gardens were restored and are maintained by volunteers. You can visit year-round from dawn to dusk. Tours are currently unavailable.
Yaddo Mansion is exclusive to the artists who work hard to get there, but you too can claim your spot at a mansion, at least for a night or two. If you’re looking for a beautiful place to stay in Saratoga Springs that also has a bit of an eerie edge, the Bathcheller Mansion Inn is architecturally and historically stunning. Once the home of prominent political figure George Batcheller, the high Victorian Gothic mansion may still be occupied by its former owner, who likes to make his presence known.
Ghost Hosts: Hotels and Restaurants With Spirit(s)
On my way back downstate, I stayed in the adorable little town of Sharon Springs at the American Hotel. It’s not listed in the Haunted History Trail brochure, but it was one of my favorite stops. An 1842 building restored after 30 years of vacancy with nine cozy rooms, antique furnishings, dining and porches on two floors, it was just the palate cleanser I needed after all the spooky places on my haunted road trip. Sharon Springs is a great little getaway in itself with shops like Beekman 1802, cafes and a spa, all within walking distance along its main thoroughfare.
While not exactly haunted, it turns out the American hotel has seen its fair share of Caspers over the years – a fact I’m glad I learned about after getting some sleep. Although listening to owner Doug Plummer tell me about them was a highlight of my trip.
Plummer, who owns the hotel with his husband, Garth Roberts, is an amazing and animated story teller. With accents and all, he told me about the spirit of a “pissed-off rabbi” identified by a Southern clairvoyant staying over, and how she helped Doug get rid of him by way of an “Oy Vey” pillow peace offering that still sits on a couch in the lobby.
Plummer shared a sentiment from the clairvoyant that helped me to make some sense of the paranormal experiences I heard about on my trip. It was that “energy can’t be destroyed, it can only be displaced.” So, if you are ever in a room and feel inexplicably weird, it’s because something is there – whether you can see it or not – and you innately know it.
About 20 minutes away in the village of Cobleskill, the Bull’s Head Inn is the oldest building in town, and some might say, a local haunt. Constructed in 1802, its long-storied past includes being the residence of Mr. John Stacy and his wife Grace, an avid prohibitionist. All fingers pointed to her when odd activity such as slamming doors, items being pushed off tables and sightings of a woman in white began to occur around 1966 soon after a bar was installed. “When people see apparitions, they say it’s Mrs. Grace Stacy,” said owner Chris Guldner.
Most of the supernatural action happens on the second floor of the restaurant, where Guldner says ghost hunters have come in and picked up a lot of activity on their equipment. He has also experienced some odd occurrences such as seeing a kitchen sink being turned on by itself. If you are tuned into abnormal energy, you might feel it here. Either way, come for the history. Although the entire restaurant has been gutted and refurbished (check out the new Cellar Tavern), it stays true to its roots.
At Grapevine Farms Restaurant & Boutique, also in Cobleskill, customers often tell the owners that something feels off, especially on the third floor of the restored 1860s farmhouse. Not to fear; it’s only former owner – and resident spirit – David. The place is completely charming and homey, so it’s understandable that he wouldn’t want to leave.
For husband-and-wife team Tim and Tracy Purcell, their business is a literal extension of their home, and they treat it as such. Family photos fill the walls of the restaurant, along with personal heirlooms and mementoes, creating an atmosphere that immediately makes you feel as though you are welcomed as a friend.
The dining room at Grapevine Farms Restaurant & Boutique.
While overhauling the space they learned that David Hiltz and his wife were buried in a cemetery in the backyard. And though Tim tends not to believe in the ghost stories, he does keep the gravestones that he found on the property right where he found them as not to disturb any forces. If you would like to learn more about their spectral side, look out for special events during the Halloween season, when they will occasionally host dinners and talks featuring mediums and other paranormal experts.
Stop in for lunch daily from 11 a.m.-3 p.m. (try the chicken salad sandwich made with New York state riesling-soaked cranberries). The shops are open until 6 p.m., giving you extra time to explore the themed rooms, which range from jewelry to candles to Christmas. Hang out on the back or front porch with a glass of wine or coffee from the coffee bar and you could easily make a day out of it.
Alien Encounters
In the town of Crawford, the tiny hamlet of Pine Bush is known as the UFO capital of New York. It is best recognized for its annual UFO fair, a single day in the beginning of May that draws seven to eight thousand visitors. The fair is fun for all – lighthearted enough for those who want to dress like aliens and get a little spacey, yet serious enough for believers to not feel judged. Experiences are quite common in these parts.
During my visit I got to meet paranormal and UFO expert Linda Zimmermann. An author of 21 books on the subject to date, Zimmermann has interviewed several hundred people about their sightings and experiences and is an experiencer herself.
Having grown up in the Hudson Valley area, Zimmermann heard about UFO sighting so frequently that she thought it was normal. “I don’t think there is another location like Pine Bush,” she said. “As to why all of these sightings occur, I haven’t a clue!”
What sets Pine Bush apart from other places where UFOs have been reported is consistency. “A sighting can occur for a few seconds at a location, and then you can return to that spot every night for the next fifty years and never see anything again,” Zimmermann said. “Since the 1920s, there have been regular sightings in the Pine Bush area. In the 1980s and 90s there were sightings just about every night of the week.”
To learn more about the history of sightings in the area, be sure to check out the Pine Bush UFO and Paranomal Museum. After much demand for a year-round UFO destination, the museum made its debut at the 2018 Pine Bush UFO fair in its new permanent home at 51 Main St.
Museum director Lance Hallowell has carefully curated a collection of artifacts and research that tell the stories of happenings in and around New York and New England. In addition to learning about reported abductions (and a great photo-op for visitors to stage their own), there is also a haunted exhibit which includes an EVP room that features the summoned voices of ghosts, including those recorded right in the museum building! Dive even deeper at a lecture or Q&A session at the museum’s Paranormal Center.
I concluded my trip at a mountain overlook beside the Cragmoor Stone Church. The mountain range is believed to be a strong lure for UFOs, but simply watching the clouds cast their shadows over the Shawangunk Ridge was enough of a thrill for me. After days of thinking about the afterlife and the extraterrestrial, it brought me right back down to Earth.
Are you interested in haunted history? Would you like to explore this side of New York? Tell us in the comments.
For many people, fall is their favorite time of year. It’s not too hot and not too cold, there’s a holiday all about eating candy and a second holiday all about eating way too much dinner, and it’s when the leaves make their colorful transition.
But if you have a house and a lawn, you might be dreading the time of year when the leaves start to fall. Landscaping fall cleanup can be a chore but it is necessary to maintain both the beauty and safety of your property.
What should you be doing to prepare your lawn and garden for winter? Here are a few landscaping tips.
Fall Leaf Cleanup
Ideally, you should clean up fallen leaves once a week. Too many leaves can damage your lawn, because deep leaf cover blocks the grass from getting sun. Some people don’t have time to do leaf cleanup every week, but try to do it on a regular basis. Don’t leave it all for one big job at the end of the season – that’s too much for anybody to handle, and your lawn will look pretty scraggly by the time you uncover it.
One of the easiest ways to deal with fallen leaves is by using a mulching mower. A mulching mower will break down leaves and filter them back into the lawn. Chopped up leaves make a tasty mulch snack for the grass. This method works best for yards that only have a slight leaf cover – too many trees and leaves will probably require you to go over your lawn a few more times with the mower. If you want you can collect your leaf scraps into a lawnmower bag and use them as nutritious mulch for other parts of your garden.
If you’d like to use a leaf blower, just be sure to do it on a dry day. Wet leaves make the task much more difficult, since they stick to the ground and to each other.
The easiest way to collect your leaves is to rake them onto a leaf tarp or drop cloth. You can drag the tarp along with you as you build up your pile, then you can deposit your collected leaves as you see fit (or as your town sees fit). It’s much easier than having to deal with a bunch of loose piles all over your yard. Even if you have to use a leaf bag, the tarp can make for an excellent funnel (with the help of another pair of hands to hold the bag). It makes the whole process a lot easier.
A wide rake that doesn’t snag on too many leaves can also make the task go a lot faster.
Another important part of leaf cleanup is clearing fallen leaves from your home’s gutters. Clogged gutters could contribute to ice damming in the winter, one of the most common winter insurance claims. Caused by snow melting on a warm roof, ice damming occurs when water runs down and freezes at the eaves. As the dams melt, they can leave water pools that can seep into your home and cause water damage. Clean gutters won’t eliminate the possibility of ice damming, but it will certainly decrease it.
Landscaping Fall Cleanup: Lawn Care
Fall is a great time to give your lawn some extra love and care, since it’s probably facing some rough winter months ahead.
This is a good time to aerate your lawn. Aerating is almost impossible to do once the ground is frozen, so you should take care of it while you’re doing landscaping fall cleanup.
An aerator is a tool that plunges out “plugs” of soil and pulls them out of the lawn, creating small holes. This helps to loosen soil that has become too densely packed, and it gives the roots some breathing room to access water, air and other important nutrients. Don’t worry about picking the plugs up – they will break down on their own and return their own nutrients to the lawn.
The easiest way to aerate is to do it when the soil is moist and it’s easy to pull the plugs out. Even though the soil is already wet, you should thoroughly water the lawn after you aerate it.
This is also the perfect time of year to fertilize your lawn and garden (which you can even do with some of the leaves you mulched earlier). Just make sure you apply your fertilizer about two or three weeks before the ground freezes. That’s when it can have the most impact, strengthening root and blade growth. After you apply fertilizer, water your lawn so that the fertilizer sloughs off the blades of grass and goes into the soil.
Trees and Branches
Leaves aren’t the only things that can fall down. In fall, you’ll have a better view of the trees and branches near your house, and you’ll be able to tell which limbs are diseased or dying. Although you can plan which limbs to prune throughout fall, it’s better to wait until very late in the season. Limbs that are pruned too early in fall could become diseased or even spur regrowth. When the cold has truly set in (mid to late November in the Northeast), then you can get to it.
But why prune your trees? Pruning can excise dying and diseased branches, it’s true, but it can also make your tree stronger and more attractive. It will also let more light onto your yard and into your house, which you’ll need as the daylight hours get shorter.
Dead and diseased branches that can fall create an insurance risk. If they just fall onto your lawn, that’s no big deal. But if they fall on your house, a car or walking pedestrian, that can be a big problem. Pruning also reduces the amount of branches that could fall during a heavy storm.
If your branches require a ladder to reach, or if you are inexperienced with sharp tools, calling a landscaper or arborist to groom your trees is the safest option.
What’s your go-to method for landscaping fall cleanup? Let us know in the comments below!
While America has a rich tradition of ghosts and ghouls, creepy tourist destinations can be found all around the world.
Sure, most travelers seek out the beauty of a botanical garden or a polished palace. But some of us search for something a bit more macabre. These creepy places can make your skin crawl, but they also reveal a lot about history. Let’s dive in.
Far beneath the city of Paris, under the sewers and the metro line, lies miles and miles of winding tunnels. Also, they’re filled with human bones. The Paris Catacombs are basically an ossuary (a room decorated with skeletal human remains) filled with bones from graves that were unearthed in the 1700s. In the 18th century, Parisians were afraid that the city’s graveyards would overflow and lead to the spread of disease. As a result of this, many graveyards were dug up and their contents sent far underground into old quarry tunnels. Talk about creepy places!
Now, the Paris Catacombs are lined by walls made of tibia and skulls (smaller bones are supposedly stored behind them). The catacombs are open for tours, but don’t stray too far from your tour group. It’s all too easy to get lost in this ghost city underground.
Chernobyl Exclusion Zone – Ukraine
Chernobyl is the site of one of the world’s worst nuclear disasters. Ever since the disaster, an area of about 1,000 square miles has been declared uninhabitable due to the risk of radiation poisoning. Tours have been running through the exclusion zone for years, but since it was brought into the spotlight again with the success of the 2019 hit HBO miniseries aptly titled “Chernobyl,” the Ukraine has expressed an interest in making it an official tourist attraction. Whether that is the safest idea, is up for debate.
The most eerie place in the exclusion zone is the atomic city of Pripyat, which had been built by the USSR to house the power plant’s employees and their families. Pripyat was once an exceptionally plentiful city, with state-of-the-art schools, public gymnasiums and amusement parks. Now, it’s a ghost town. Pripyat is apocalyptic, empty and haunting. Nature has already started to reclaim the buildings and landmarks. It’s certainly a creepy place to visit and it’s enough to send a chill up anyone’s spine.
You’ve heard of the Dracula castle, but what about the home of a real-life vampire? Okay, Countess Elizabeth Bathory wasn’t actually a vampire, but she might as well have been. Cachtice Castle is the former home of Elizabeth Bathory, who in the early 1600s was accused of murdering over 600 young women. The legend was that she would bathe in the blood of her victims, but that has never been proven (or disproven, I guess). It is overwhelmingly likely that Elizabeth did commit some of these crimes, since she was never accused of witchcraft or sorcery – only murder. She also had help, as her servants were often used to lure young women to the castle.
When Elizabeth was put on trial, many of the servants who helped her were imprisoned or sentenced to death. Elizabeth herself was locked in a tower of her own castle, to live out the rest of her life in solitude. The castle was abandoned in 1708, and since then it has become a ruin. These ruins are open to the public, where you can walk in the footsteps of countless victims, their names lost to history.
Okay, so … it’s the Dracula castle. That’s what makes it one of the creepiest places on earth.
Dracula is a made-up character, it’s true, but he was clearly inspired by historical figure Vlad the Impaler (and he was no walk in the park either). While Vlad the Impaler’s actual castle lies in ruins, the castle in Bram Stoker’s “Dracula” was heavily based on the nearby Bran Castle.
Vlad the Impaler was also imprisoned in Bran Castle for a time, which is why some people have claimed that his spirit still lingers there. Whether you believe in ghosts or not, the castle still makes for a great visit.
Part folk art and part horror show, Isla de las Muñecas (translation: Island of the Dolls) in Xochimilco is famous for the hundreds of dolls covering almost every surface. The tiny island was once home to Julian Santa Barrera, who started collecting the dolls after he discovered the body of a drowned child in a nearby canal. It has been said that he collected the dolls to ward off evil spirits, or to remember the child he had found.
Now, the only residents of Isla de las Muñecas are the dolls themselves; sitting at the water’s edge, hanging in the trees and watching every step you take.
The next time you’re on vacation, check out nearby haunted spots or spooky landmarks. You never know what you might find!
What’s the creepiest place you’ve ever been to? Let us know in the comments below!
Stretching across New Hampshire and into Maine, White Mountain National Forest’s 800,000 acres of wilderness are like Valhalla to an avid nature lover. The slopes and trails in the park’s mountains and forests draw skiers, hikers, campers and virtually anyone who is eager to revel in scenic views and explore historic sites.
Whether you’re ready to venture out on foot or on skis, it all starts with a road trip through White Mountain National Park. Check out the best places to schuss, slalom and experience nature with a bit of history.
Hiking
If you like hiking, then expect to find bliss on the 1,200 miles of hiking trails — including a section of the legendary Appalachian Trail — with layover towns like Gorham, New Hampshire, at the foot of the mountains. The Tuckerman Ravine Trail, which begins in Pinkham Notch, is a popular — although challenging — way for experienced hikers to reach the 6,288-foot summit of Mount Washington for some excellent views.
The Mount Lafayette and Franconia Ridge Trail Loop is also regarded as a difficult hike, while the Sabbaday Falls Trail is easier and leads to one of the state’s most popular waterfalls. Moderate trails include Champney Brook Trail and Boulder Loop Trail, both off Kancamagus Highway. Three Ponds Trail is a combination of easy and moderate hikes and leads to a scenic pond. Moose, black bears, beavers, minks, bobcats and coyotes are among the wildlife you might spot on one of these hikes.
Skiing
If you love winter sports like skiing, snowmobiling and snowboarding, you certainly won’t be disappointed by the options in White Mountain National Park. It’s home to six ski touring areas, four alpine ski areas and 400 glorious miles of snowmobile trails. If you prefer to enjoy the winter wonderland scenery at a slower pace, opt for cross-country skiing or snowshoeing through the forest.
Popular skiing and snowboarding areas include Hermit Lake Shelters, Wildcat Mountain Ski Resort, Loon Mountain Ski Resort, Waterville Valley Ski Area, Attitash Ski Area, Black Mountain Ski Trailhead and Double Head Trailhead. At Loon Mountain, you can take to the slopes on three peaks rising up to 2,100 vertical feet. In Mount Washington Valley, the Attitash Ski Area’s two mountains, Attitash and Bear Peak, are consistently rated top ski resorts. Wildcat Mountain in Pinkham Notch offers long trails and spectacular views of Mount Washington. During the spring, Tuckerman Ravine is popular with skiers who enjoy testing themselves, an experience made even more challenging by the lack of ski lifts and need to carry your own equipment.
Top snowshoeing trails include Echo Lake Trail and Peaked Mountain Trail near Conway and Arethusa Falls Trail in Crawford Notch. Greeley Ponds Trail is ideal for backcountry cross-country skiing, and Bretton Woods Nordic Center boasts a 62-mile trail network, complete with a cabin and a yurt where skiers can stop and warm up.
Snowmobilers can rev up with self-guided snowmobile rentals and make tracks on the Meadow Brook Snowmobile and Biking Trailhead on Bear Notch Road. The Sawyer River Road Snowmobile Trailhead connects to Meadowbrook Trail and Bear Notch Road to create a loop of 25 to 30 miles.
(White Mountains New Hampshire)
Kancamagus Scenic Byway
Your time on the road means colorful scenery, especially during fall leaf-peeping season. Take in the view from the comfort of your car along the Kancamagus Scenic Byway, also known as New Hampshire’s Route 112. As the northeast’s highest roadway — and one of the best places to view the area’s spectacular fall foliage — the 34.5-mile drive weaves through the forest before reaching an altitude of 2,900 feet on Mount Kancamagus. The byway takes you by quaint covered bridges, stunning scenic overlooks, rivers, dramatic gorges and mountains, and cascading waterfalls.
Historic Sites
On the historical side, you can explore remnants of stone walls, mills and logging camps throughout White Mountain National Forest. On the Kancamagus Highway in Albany, New Hampshire, one historic structure, Russell-Colbath Homestead, still stands and is open to the public. The 19th-century farmhouse gives you a chance to view historic artifacts and learn about the region’s history.
Near Bretton Woods, the Fabyan Guard Station, built in 1923 for $75 on Old Cherry Mountain Road near the Fabyan train station, is one of the eastern U.S.’s oldest remaining guard stations. Guards were posted in the one-room, 16-by-20-foot, red spruce log cabin to protect the forest.
Fall makes its presence known with a few definite signs and portents. Leaves change color from green to red and yellow, pumpkin spice lattes flow wherever coffee is sold, and temporary storefronts pop up to sell a colorful array of Halloween decor and costumes.
Now considered part and parcel of Halloween, the act of dressing up in costume dates back to the earliest records of the holiday. Long before Christianity spread throughout northern Europe, the pagan Celts of the British Isles and surrounding regions dressed in animal skins to disguise themselves from the spirits of the restless dead, who were believed to wander the Earth on Samhain (pronounced sow-in, meaning “summer’s end”). To appease the spirits, the Celts burned pyres and left sacrificial offerings to the dead, lest they remain to haunt their homes.
With the arrival of Catholicism to the British Isles, Samhain was rechristened All Hallows’ Eve (later shortened to Hallow-e’en), followed by All Saints’ Day on Nov. 1 and All Souls’ Day on Nov. 2. During this time, the poor went “souling” at the doors of more affluent neighbors, offering songs and prayers for the dead who awaited judgement in purgatory. These souls were represented by lanterns carved from turnips, each with a single candle lit inside it – an early precursor to the modern jack-o-lantern.
Trick-or-treating has its roots in an old Christian tradition known as “souling.”
Halloween as we know it didn’t take hold in America until the mid to late 1800s, when Irish and Scottish immigrants introduced customs such as jack-o-lantern carving and “guising,” in which children dressed in masks to visit shops and neighbors, offering rhymes and songs in exchange for nuts and candies.
While these customs derived from the older Catholic tradition of souling, Halloween had grown increasingly secular by the time it reached American soil. By 1939, guising evolved into its modern incarnation, “trick-or-treating,” in part through efforts by civic and religious organizations to mitigate the more anarchic elements of the holiday. In the original premise, the treats were offered so that costumed children would refrain from playing tricks upon stingy adults.
Early Halloween costumes were often homemade. Popular women’s magazines in the late 1800s printed instructions for costume-making, while children later gathered old clothes from attics and closets and blackened their faces with burnt cork or soot.
The modern costume as we know it first appeared on store shelves around 1910.
Commercial costume companies started to appear around 1910. The garments were made from cotton or linen, with masks most often made of waxed and painted buckram – a stiff cotton-based fabric typically used for gauze and bookbinding – and sometimes cardboard.
The Dennison Manufacturing Company in Massachusetts produced simple paper costumes, while Collegeville Costumes in Pennsylvania made clown and jester outfits using scraps of fabric left over from making flags. The Ben Cooper Company, based out of Brooklyn, N.Y., took off making costumes and sets for theatrical productions before going into the Halloween business, and later joined with another New York-based company, A.S. Fishbach, which held rights for Disney characters such as Donald Duck and Mickey Mouse.
With the commercialization of Halloween costumes, a variety of characters from the popular culture of the time, such as Little Orphan Annie, appeared alongside the traditional witches and ghosts. Starting in the 1950s, vacuum-formed plastic masks and rayon fabric costumes replaced the rougher materials of the previous era, giving Halloween a neon bright and kitschy aesthetic which can still be seen today.
Children of the 1970s and ’80s will remember these condensation-filled plastic monstrosities.
Although classic goblins, ghosts, and witches inspired some of the earliest Halloween costumes, it was not until the 1970s and 1980s that the holiday’s association with cinematic horror became truly established.
In 1988, the most popularly purchased Halloween costume character was Freddy Krueger, the dream-stalking slasher villain of the “Nightmare on Elm Street” movies, followed by Jason Voorhees of “Friday the 13th” fame, and television horror hostess, Elvira. Less frightening costume choices (depending on your point of view) included commercial mascots such as Spuds MacKenzie and the California Raisins, wisecracking sitcom puppet Alf, and even televangelists Jim and Tammy Bakker.
Halloween is seeing a renaissance of popularity among adults today, especially millennials who grew up with fond memories of trick-or-treating in the ’80s and ’90s. For many, Halloween costumes provide a sense of deep nostalgia and of liberation from the daily normal, so that wearing them may be as ritually sacred now as it was for the ancient Celts.
Leave a comment below telling us about your favorite Halloween costume memory.
Take a moment to think about the numerous ways that you use the internet. Chances are that some of the items on that list include banking, shopping, conducting business, listening to music, keeping up with current events and communicating with friends and family.
While growing connectivity serves to make many aspects of our daily lives easier, it also exposes us to the risk of theft, fraud and abuse. It’s more important than ever to learn how to stay safe online.
Identity theft is one of the fastest growing crimes in America, according to the Federal Trade Commission, with almost 10 million incidents occurring each year. And while there is no surefire way to prevent it from happening, there are certain precautions we can all take to lower our risk of falling victim to identity thieves.
It’s vital that Americans stay aware about the latest cyber threats and on top of ways to stay safe online. AAA offers the following tips:
1. Use secure passwords.
When creating a password, use a combination of letters, numbers and symbols. Avoid using words in the dictionary or personal information, such as your Social Security number or birthday. Be sure to never share your passwords with anyone. And don’t reuse them – while it may seem like a good idea to recycle passwords, using the same or similar ones for different accounts makes it easier for hackers to gain access.
2. Enroll in an identity theft monitoring service.
Be sure to keep your operating system, web browser, anti-virus, anti-spyware and other essential software up to date. Most major software companies provide free updates and patches for their users to download.
4. Know who you’re dealing with.
If someone claiming to be a representative of a company asks you to provide personal information via email, contact the company directly to verify.
5. Pay attention to URLs.
This is one of the easiest ways to stay safe online. Always double check that the URL of the website you are visiting is correct. Malicious websites sometimes use a variation in spelling or a different domain to deceive computer users.
6. Don’t open unsolicited email attachments.
Attachments can sometimes contain hidden viruses or bits of code that can access your personal information and send it to a specific individual without your knowledge. Turn off the setting to automatically download email attachments. It’s also smart to save and scan attachments with anti-virus software before opening them.
7. Be careful what you post.
Being conscious of how to stay safe online is especially important on social sites. Limit what personal information you post on social media sites and forums and be sure to never post your address, schedule or any other information that could leave you vulnerable.
8. Configure your security settings.
Use your social media site’s privacy settings to change who can view your information. Many websites allow you to share information only with certain people instead of the general public.
9. Only use secure networks when web browsing.
When accessing the Internet on a mobile device, be sure you are using a network that you know and trust. Using an unsecured network allows anyone else on that network to pull your information at will.
10. Don’t trust unknown links.
Do not click on strange links or answer suspicious questions sent through email or text message if the sender is unfamiliar.
11. Only download trusted apps.
When downloading applications for your computer or mobile device, be sure to get them from reputable marketplaces, such as the Apple App Store or Google Play.
12. Keep track of who is storing your information.
Create a list or spreadsheet to keep track of websites with which you have created accounts, particularly ones that are storing your credit card information. Delete account profiles from websites that you no longer use. The less places your information is being stored, the easier it is to identify the source of a breach.
13. Don’t share your Wi-Fi.
While sharing your Wi-Fi connection with neighbors may seem generous, it can slow down your Internet speed and allow other users to see everything on your computer.
14. Use shared computers with caution.
Never input confidential information into a public or shared computer as any user after you will have access to it. Also, be sure to check for any flash drives or disks that may have been left in by a previous user. These devices could be used to monitor your activity and store any information you do decide to input.
15. Secure your mobile devices.
Anti-virus and anti-spyware software isn’t just for your computer. Download security software onto your smartphone to protect it from malware.
Keep these tips in mind as you go about your daily internet use and stay safe online.
How many of these tips do you use to stay safe online? Let us know in the comments below!
Tailored for AAA members by Experian, ProtectMyID lets you detect and resolve identity threats with dark web surveillance, alerts, day or night fraud resolution support, and more. Stay safe online and take control of your identity.
We’re wild about your wildlife photos! Flip through the slideshow below to see the creatures and critters that members photographed. Just like the bird Photo Session, this one did not disappoint.
Check our social media channels, where we will be sharing some of our favorites. Select photos may also be featured in an upcoming issue of Your AAA magazine.
Thank You for Participating!
(Vicki Hammer Rosenkrantz)
The Andover Deer. (Alisha Quezada)
Beautiful America. (Negma Sulaiman)
Zebras front and back. (Mathilde Diaz)
Looking at YOU... (Marc Wantuch)
Fawn siblings. (Lynne Lavalette)
Peregrine Falcon, the fastest animal in the world. Cape Breton, Canada. (Richard Stone)
Brown's Harvest. (Luisa Pagnoni)
(Lori Phillips)
Lions in the bush in Tanzania. (Karen Mastrandrea)
Tomato love. (Juanita Estrada)
Bobcat beauty. (Joanne Ekstrom)
Bear in water. (Hector Troche)
Young elk. Yellowstone National Park. (Russel Henault)
Nature at its best. (Gregg Lentoni)
Humpback whale. (Greg Gale)
Hopkins Cottontail, a handsome rabbit! (Gail Brodie)
Backyard safari. (Diane Kuchta-Humphrey)
Great Blue Heron. Quaboag Pond, Brookfield, Mass. (Dean Meersman)
Bear with salmon in Alaska.(Betty Ennis)
Florida Keys on the wild side. (Barbara Esposito)
Fly away free. (Ann O'Meara)
Welcome to the world, snapping turtle hatchling! (Paula Leydon)
Tips for Photographing Wildlife
Photographing wildlife is one of the most rewarding types of photography. There is nothing more exciting than capturing an animal in its element. But it could also be a challenge, requiring both skill and patience. Here are some of my top wildlife photography tips.
(Photo: Beth Mancuso)
Pick the Perfect Lens
Animals are easily spooked by human presence and may run or act defensively. Because of this, you will want to have a telephoto zoom lens to capture wildlife safely from a distance. I recommend purchasing a lens that can zoom up to at least 200mm. If you want to be able to really zoom in, look for one that can go up to 400mm or 600mm.
(Photo: Beth Mancuso)
Vary Your Focal Length
When I am photographing wildlife, I like to vary my focal length. I like to get some close intimate shots of details like teeth, paws, eyes, etc. Then, I take a wide shot that shows the wildlife in its environment.
(Photo: Beth Mancuso)
Think Fast
Wildlife can be unpredictable, so it is best to be ready to click that shutter button at any moment. This means having a fast shutter speed. I recommend being over 1/1000th of a second for slow moving wildlife and 1/2000th of a second for fast moving wildlife. An easy way to ensure that your shutter speed is fast enough is to set your camera to shoot in shutter priority mode; this setting allows you to pick the shutter speed you want, and the camera adjusts itself accordingly.
(Photo: Beth Mancuso)
Focus
It can be tricky to nail focus on a moving subject, but there are camera settings that can help you. I recommend setting your camera to continuous focus mode. Using this mode, simply focus on your subject and hold down the shutter button halfway; the camera should track the subject for you. Then, press the button down all the way when you are ready to take the picture. Some cameras have built-in animal autofocus that finds the animals eyes and locks focus.
(Photo: Beth Mancuso)
Rapid Fire
When photographing a moving subject, I recommend having your drive mode set to shoot more than a single image at a time. You can set it up to rapid fire many shots at a time when you press the button. Luckily for us, we don’t have to process film anymore! But keep extra memory cards handy just in case.
Check out past AAA Photo Sessions and stay tuned for the next one, coming soon.
What is some of the most amazing wildlife you’ve had the opportunity to capture? Tell us in the comments.
Beth Mancuso is a professional landscape and travel photographer.
