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Guests for this week’s show, March 6, 2010

Our "countdown to Spring begins today"! If you are "suffering" from cabin fever or if you are searching for a great spring break getaway; Listen up!

First, we will travel to southeast New Mexico and the town of Carlsbad. Here, adventure awaits us both above and below the earth's surface! Robert Defer, CEO of The Carlsbad, New Mexico Chamber of Commerce will join us and talk about this fun town where adventure and recreation go hand-in-hand. Robert will begin by talking about the main landmark in Carlsbad: the Pecos River. This wide and deep river flows east of downtown and is the epicenter of recreation in Carlsbad. The river is great for swimming and even has a real beach and recreational area complete with palm trees and seagulls, both of which are "transplanted" from the Gulf of Mexico. Cruises, paddle boat rides and kayaking are available on the river. A popular annual event, "Christmas on the Pecos" takes place along the river in December. Pontoon boat rides cruise past riverside homes and businesses "glowing" with thousands of sparkling lights. This event has been listed among the "top 20" events for all of New Mexico! Robert will then take us to Canyon Street. Canyon Street is located in downtown Carlsbad. Here antique shops, art galleries and historic buildings abound. In fact, the historic pueblo Courthouse is located here. In addition, The Carlsbad Museum & Art Center is located downtown and offers a wide variety of authentic southwestern art. A popular pastime in Carlsbad is to check out a new first-run movie at "The Fiesta Drive-In" movie theater. Cattle, ranching and agriculture are an important part of life in southeast New Mexico. The Pecos River Flume, once the largest concrete structure in the world which was erected just to the north of town made irrigation possible here. Located on the south end of Canal Street are numerous good, clean hotels and a B&B. Restaurants in Carlsbad serve up international cuisine including authentic Italian and Mexican dishes. "Danny's BBQ" serves up delicious smoked meat, topped with sweet hot sauce and served with bacony pinto beans. Aside from the Pecos River, located 45 minutes southwest of town is Carlsbad Caverns National Park. This national park is one of the country's most awesome natural wonders and this regions most popular attraction. There is truly nothing else quite like it anywhere! For a $6 fee, which is good for 3 days and includes the basic 2 hour tour, visitors have access to (2) major parts of the cave; 1). The Natural Entrance Trail which decends 800 feet in one mile and 2). The Big Room elevator ride which drops 754 feet down to the cave floor. The "Big Room" is the largest cave in the Carlsbad complex. In the "Big Room", high, cathedral ceilings soar above you and the rooms openness enables you to actually see as far as 1.25 miles inside the cave. Audio, Ranger led, and adventurous tours including rope, ladder and "lantern carrying" treks are also available in the cave for the more daring! Beginning in Mid May, over 400,000 Brazilian Free Tail Bats exit the cave at twilight each evening. This is quite a site to see! Remember to bring a light jacket (the temp is always 56f), wear sturdy shoes and leave the camera in the car (the flash from a camera disorients the bats) when you visit. There is a scenic, 9.5 mile drive available above ground on the graveled Canyon Desert Drive. In the area, the "Living Desert State Park" and "Sitting Bull Falls" make nice trips as well. For adventure "both above and below"; make your plans to explore Carlsbad, New Mexico today! Go to www.carlsbadchamber.com and begin your journey.

President Obama signed The Travel Promotion Act into law on Thursday. We will give you his take on the legislation in this week's "Travel News". Also, renting a house or apartment in an actual neighborhood the next time you travel is a great way to "get to know the area that you are visiting". We will give you some tips and helpful resources on how to do this in this week's "One For The Road" segment.

Finally, located 23 miles southwest of Fort Myers, Florida are the beautiful islands of Sanibel and Captiva. Bridget Stone, Director of Marketing for Florida's Sanibel and Captiva Islands Chamber of Commerce will join us and talk about this area's reputation for having the "best shelling" in the Country! Bridget will begin by talking about the "Sanibel Stoop". This occurs, mainly in the AM when thousands of new shells wash ashore. You see people "bent" or "stooped" over looking for that perfect sand dollar, conch or cockle; only to name a few of the 400 plus shells available here. Bowman's Beach, which is located on Sanibel Island offers some of the best shelling and a spectacular "green flash" sunset. Bridget will explain that the beaches of Sanibel and Captiva have an east to west bend. This is the primary reason that there are so many shells here. Most beaches have a north to south bend. The "Bailey Matthews Shell Museum" is a great place to learn the history of shells, shelling and is great for kids. Approximately half or 6,300 acres of Sanibel Island are part of the "J.N. Ding Darling National Wildlife Refuge". Here is where the term "snow birds" was born. Winter flocks of spoonbills and white pelicans are common here. Plus a wildlife drive, hiking, bicycling and a ride in an open-air tram are great ways to see the refuge. In addition, the 1,800 acre wetlands area which is managed by the "Sanibel Captiva Conservation Foundation" includes a beach walk, walking trails, a butterfly house and a place to "touch" sea creatures. The islands offer over 15 miles of pristine beaches. Captiva Beach, which has been voted the nation's "most romantic" and Tarpon Bay Beach is great for swimming. Turner Beach is a fun place for surfers. The narrow road which meanders along the spine of the islands is a bicyclists dream. Canoeing, kayaking, fishing (mackerel, pompano and grouper are plentiful in the waters here), golfing and shopping are also available. Posh resorts like the "Sanibel Beach and Golf Resort" and gulf side motels are readily available. Delicious island cuisine including sweet potato crusted tilapia, BBQ shrimp, crab, baked oysters and grilled swordfish is served at the many open air, gulf view restaurants. To plan your next vacation getaway to Florida's Sanibel and Captiva Islands go to www.sanibel-captiva.org today! Naturally, you will love it here!!