How to Pack a Travel Med Kit

That is just the information we need, seriously. How many of us go on vacation or a road trip and don't even consider to bring some medical supplies.

Maybe you have a first aid kit in your car and don't worry about. Well..., you should. At least check it from time to time, re-stock it and replace expired medications.

I found some very useful tips:

- When you travel abroad and you have a condition which requires you to take medications, make sure to keep them in the bottle you got them in from the pharmacist. Bring a little extra, just in case.

- Carry copies of all your prescriptions as well as proof of medical insurance and contact information for your doctor back home.

- If you can, bring a list of the generic names for your prescriptions, as well as the usual over-the-counter (OTC) medications. It could be helpful to determine what medications you might need.

In case you don't know what all should be in your first aid kit, ask your pharmacist. They should be able to help you out. It is better to be safe then sorry!

Gila Monster

The Gila monster, or Heloderma suspectum in Latin, is one of the two known lizards which are poisonous. This monster has its home in the southwest of the U.S. and in the North of Mexico.

There are two types of Gila monsters: one who's lighter colors are unbroken bands and the other one's colors are more broken up by dark scales.

It can grow up to 2 feet long and is very recognizable due to the pink or orange colors, although blue, silver and yellow can occur as well. The older it gets, the more the colors tend to loose their intensity.

Its large forefeet with sharp claws are used for digging, which comes in handy since this monster spends most of the year in burrows and under rocks. They can mostly be found in scrub land, succulent desert and oak woodland and mostly near water holes, since it loves to dive in. You may not likely see one, they spend most of their lives underground.

Its diet consists mainly of birds, reptile eggs, mammals, frogs, lizards and insects, but it is not shy of eating found leftovers.

The bite of this monster is poisonous, but to be bitten by it is usually a result of people's curiosity or persuasive behavior; the creature is rather slow and sluggish. Once it bites though, it will not easily let go and the chewing motion of it's jaws will slowly but surely inject the venom. The best way to prod it to let go is to submerge it under water.

The venom causes extreme pain, a drop in blood pressure, edema, bulging eyes and hemorrhoids in organs. Even though it may not be lethal to a healthy person, a visit to a doctor is recommended.

The Gila Monster is protected in Nevada and Arizona by a state law, so if you happen to see one, just take a picture from a distance and go your merry way, while you still can.

Be Prepared

Vacation is great and many of us are looking forward to it. Most of the time it is only fourteen days of breaking out of the rut and what are we supposed to do with the remaining 351 besides work and school? Well, here is a good suggestion for both you and/or your kids: the Boy and Girl Scouts.

About four months ago our oldest grandson joined the cub scouts and he loves it. Each week he is looking forward to and excited about going to the den meetings and he has already earned several badges, patches, beads and belt loops.

He has acquired and developed skills he would not have been able to otherwise, simply because we either wouldn't have thought of it, don't have the equipment or resources, or wouldn't have the time.

Now, we are forced to make time and even though it is just one hour a week, he has already been taught and found confirmation in good family and other values.

Be prepared: it is also excellent for bonding, because a lot of stuff is done at home and requires the help of the family. Camping trips are organized on a regular basis and offer the opportunity to participate in many activities.

It is absolutely worth looking into. The scouts can be found all over the nation and joining them is not expensive either.

If you are scouting for family fun then you just found it!

A 5-Star Vacation At An All-Star Island

This post brought to you by Puerto Rico, The All-Star Island. The content and opinions expressed below are that of All Over The Map.

It is pretty cold here right now and visions of warm weather keep popping up in my mind. It will still take a while before we can bask in the sun again, unless we pack a suitcase, hop on a plane, and head out to enjoy the tropical climate of the All-Star Island, Puerto Rico.

The main island may be the smallest of the Greater Antilles, but it is an excellent destination to relax and recharge. You don't have to worry about foreign money or even needing a passport since it is U.S. territory.

You can Live your own 5-star vacation story in Puerto Rico. My vacation would probably start out by soaking up some sun on one of the beaches, which are ranked in the Top 10 from the Travel Channel. It would be followed by an exquisite meal including some of the many Puerto Rican delicacies.

Since I love nature I would have no problems filling my days with a visit to the rainforest, caverns, many lakes and rivers. My craving for past times and previous civilizations would be well met by walking through San Juan seeing, learning about, and admiring its rich, many centuries old history.

Did you know there are also bioluminescent bays located in the east region of the island? I sure wouldn't want to pass up the thrill of swimming in one and watching the water light up all around me. I may not have enough time to do it all, because Puerto Rico is filled with world-class attractions that will turn any trip into a 5-star vacation story.

If all this sounds too good to be true then why don't you check it out for yourself? Go to seepuertorico.com and share with me why you want to check out Puerto Rico by leaving a comment on this post. Don't forget to Like SeePuertoRico.com on Facebook and/or you can also Follow @PRTourismCo on Twitter.

What are we waiting for? Let's start packing!

Slot Canyons

Documentaries and reality shows about slot canyons are rather fascinating. I have never been in one before and I am not so sure I would like to.

On one hand, I can only imagine how humbling it must be making your way through these majestic gorges.

On the other hand, the dangers involved may not be worth the experience. Slot canyons are created due to water rushing through the rocks and eroding the material. This usually results in a small, but very deep gulch which still functions as a passage for water.

Rainfall, whether that is local or even in the far distance, can cause flash flooding. What is a dry, beautiful slot canyon one moment can suddenly turn into a dangerous nightmare. Several hikers were surprised by a flash flood and never made it out of a slot canyon. Therefore, a warning is in order.

Slot canyons can be found in several parts of the world. The longest slot canyon on the globe is Buckskin Gulch which is located in Utah. This state is also where most of the slot canyons in the U.S. can be found. Another state to visit and where you can admire these wonders of nature is Arizona.

Caution is advised, so be careful!

Happy Thanksgiving!

It is that time of year when families get together for Thanksgiving. Many of us have already taken to the road or will be leaving soon.

I do hope all of you will make it to your destination safe and sound. No matter where you are heading, be sure to take your time.

It may not be a bad thing to leave a little earlier than planned. There are lots of obstacles you may encounter which could entice anger and frustration.

None of those are helpful and they most certainly will neither contribute to your health nor enhance the mood of your fellow travelers both in and outside your vehicle.

Since you will not be the only traveler on the road, the headway you might be making could be slow going. You could even end up in a traffic jam in which case you would be thankful you took some travel games along to bide the time.

The weather may not be very cooperative either. Many parts of the country have seen heavy snowfall which, just like rainfall, could slow down your progress.

Moving forward at a snail's pace has it perks; it gives you the opportunity to admire the landscape and you may be treated to some stunning views you would have missed otherwise.

To make a long story short: enjoy your trip and a very Happy Thanksgiving!

Halloween Destinations

Beware when darkness falls across the land,
especially with Halloween so close at hand.
Creepy crawlers and freaky figurines
will not shy away from frightening means.

The scenes about to unfold
are guaranteed to make your blood run cold.
You may cry and you can scream,
but unfortunately... it is not a dream.

Drawn into this ghoulish atmosphere,
you will believe the end is near.
Exposed to a scary action and bone-chilling display
you are certain you won't live to see another day.


The witch's lair is open for business.
Keep an eye out for her slickness.
She may bind you to her gridiron
or have you simmer in her cauldron.

You can visit Salem, Massachusetts, for some Haunted Happenings.
Lafayette Cemetery, New Orleans, Louisiana, offers some ghostly things.
How about Halloween Extravaganza in Las Vegas, Nevada?
Or another one is Cassadaga located in Central Florida.

The suggestions above are a true spree
which will suit thrill-seekers to a tee.
However, when being squeamish at heart,
staying at home would be smart.

Things you wished you had never seen,
will be stuck on your retina, this Halloween.
Whatever you choose; the trick, treat, or trait,
Heed the warning and be very, very afraid!