Sunday, August 20, 2006
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The Problem With MilesTHE AUG. 13 TRAVEL section was filled with interesting and useful information for travelers. All the stories were well written. Among these was "Hey, Partner, Where Are My Miles?" by Michael Shapiro. Fortunately, I have not had a problem earning the credit, but using my frequent-flier miles has become steadily more difficult.
For example, five months before a planned trip, I was unable to use my more-than-enough frequent-flier miles between Dulles and Heathrow on British Airways for two business-class seats -- nor was coach available for upgrading because frequent-flier space was not available anywhere. I have encountered the same problem on major U.S. airlines as well. Perhaps you could look into this aspect of frequent-flier usage: necessary lead time, seat availability, blackout dates, etc.
Victor Delano, Chevy Chase
Rhode Island EatsYOUR ARTICLE on Rhode Island restaurants ["Clamming Up in Rhode Island," Aug. 13] was terrific, but it had one glaring error, perhaps an oversight, but worth mentioning in case anyone wanted to make Rhode Island chowder. The author forgot to mention the salt pork that provides a lot of the flavor.
As a transplanted Rhode Islander who now lives in Annapolis, I've e-mailed the article to lots of my local friends to confirm what I've been telling them for years: The best seafood, clams, fish, lobster, etc., are from Rhode Island. It's just one more reason they should put the Ocean State high up on their "to-do" travel list.
Linda Bednarek, Annapolis
'Trek' TimeTHE INFORMATIVE article on the 40th anniversary of "Star Trek" ["A Celebration Light-Years in the Making," Aug. 13] suffers from its headline writer's misfired attempt to be cute.
Both in the real world and in sci-fi, a light-year is a measure of distance, not of time. Most Trekkies are scientifically literate, some are very much so. Revealing that you are not can't be a good way to gain the confidence of this audience.
May the Force be with you.
Joseph Fischer, Washington
Who Needs I-95?I JUST wanted to add to your suggestion on that "I-95/I-64 escape route" [Coming & Going, July 30]. I live in Reston and I wanted to avoid the 95/64 speedways when going to William & Mary for a graduation ceremony in May.
I took the Fairfax County Parkway to Route 66, then Route 29-211 to Warrenton, to Route 17 and then all the way without the headaches. Just two or three miles on I-95 in Fredericksburg!
It was a great scenic route with practically no trucks -- and not too many cars.
Joe Harrington, Reston
Hatteras, Cont'dWHY HYPE that distant, expensive, crowded, unswimmable, traffic-jammed tourist trap called Cape Code ["A Hatteras Fan Goes North to Try Out the Other Cape," July 30]? You might say all the same nasty things about the Outer Banks and Cape May. You need to take a look at the only remaining gem of a cape, Cape Charles, Va.
Use the only public beach on the Chesapeake Bay, east or west side, and it has parking, is not crowded and has no dangerous surf. Real estate is up, but not out of sight. Taxes are not yet prohibitive.
For nature, we have a national wildlife refuge, a major migratory bird flyway, the huge Kiptopeke State Park, miles of barrier islands with nothing on them that is manmade, saltwater on three sides and the Chesapeake Bay Bridge-Tunnel. Throw in two PGA golf courses, a huge marina, a new Irish pub, restaurants and a local ambiance of a hundred years ago.
Don't write about it. Everyone will want to come.
Dan Taylor, Cape Charles, Va.
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