#MDT324 - @BruceBere

Bruce Bere

MDT hosted our second annual fly in tweet-up, #MDT324 and over the course of the next week or two will be sharing the blog posts from the attendees.  Today's post is from Bruce Bere, a self-described 'airline, aviation and travel enthusiast' from the Midwest.  This was Bruce's first time joining us for fly-in tweet-up.

I love aviation—quite a bit. When I got an email and an invitation to the tweet-up, #MDT324, I jumped at the chance to go. Flying in from all different areas of the country, a group of people met at HarrisburgInternational Airport (MDT) and started what was the second consecutive tweet-up for this group.

Our lovely host, Stephanie Gehman (@airport_girl), who showed us around the airport including a behind the scenes look at the baggage operation and the tarmac, met us. Working for United Airlines at ORD, it was quite an experience to see a completely different airport. I am used to a baggage room with over 100 belts for different flights--MDT has only three. Overall, it was a great experience getting to compare a larger and smaller airport. The neat thing about MDT was the fact that so much goes on there that I certainly would never have guessed before touring the facility. Between the commercial aviation, military presence, and the FBO on site, it is always a full day.

Going into the tweet-up, I was a bit uneasy. I am shy by nature but by the end of the night, I felt great connecting with such a great group of people. Here’s to #MDT324 2013! 

We look forward to having another crew of #avgeeks fly in for next year's #MDT324!  Hope to see you there, Bruce.

Tips for Germ-Free Hotel Stays

No one realizes how beautiful it is to travel until he comes home
and rests his head on his old, familiar pillow. 

-Lin Yutang

In a time of year when colds, coughs, runny noses and the like are plaguing many travelers, MDT offers a few tips to minimize your exposure to germs when staying at a hotel year round. 

• Choosing a newer hotel as opposed to the charm of a older hotel may lessen your exposure to allergens and dust.
• If your allergies are working over time - speak to front desk about an allergy-free room, or ask if they have allergy packs (face masks, special pillows and mattress covers).
• Carry sani-wipes with you when you travel - wipe down common use areas such as phones, door handles, faucet knobs, drawer pulls, remote controls and the like in your room.
• Wandering about the bedspread?  Consider removing it from the bed before you go to sleep.
• If you want to drink from the glassware in your hotel room, wash it before you use it.
• If coffee/tea stirrers offered in your room are unpackaged, don't use them in your drink.
• Pack flip flops. Don't walk across your hotel room or its bathroom floor barefoot.
• Don't be shy - wear your flip flops in the shower!  Protect your feet.
• When using the hotel gym equipment - be hygiene cognizant.  Wipe down the machine before and after use.  Don't traverse the locker room floor in your bare feet.

What tips and tricks for a cleaner hotel stay do you have?  Share 'em and we'll repost them in a future blog post!  

Spotlight on Local Tourism: Roundtop Mountain Resort

Cheryl W., a member of the Harrisburg International Airport staff had the opportunity to visit Roundtop Mountain Resort for a snow tubing trip.  She enjoyed it so much she wanted to share her experience.  Learn more...  

Last month I had the pleasure of going to Roundtop Mountain Resort.  This was my first time to visit Roundtop, which is of course best known for its skiing and snowboarding.  The mountain has 17 trails with 5 chairlifts and features some of the steepest terrain in the state.  So if you’re planning on hitting the slopes, this is the place to go.  Roundtop Mountain is an easy drive from I-83, I-81, Route 15 and the PA Turnpike.

For my first experience, I chose to go snowtubing.  After grabbing a tube, it was time to jump on the Magic Carpet lift to the top of the run.  I chose a lane and the staff assisted me in how to get positioned on the tube and where to hold on to the handles.  You are given the choice of going down the run feet first or face first and you can choose just a single run or doubles with a partner.  There were many possibilities to pick from.  With a gentle push, I was screaming with delight as I took my first snowtubing ride.  It was so much fun.  Several rides later, it was time to take a break.  My first stop was the giant fire pit located next to the lanes.  I was wishing I had a stick and a marshmallow to toast.  After stepping inside the lodge to warm up next to the fireplace, it was time to once again grab my snowtube.  With each run, from the first to the last, the rides only got better. 

With my snowtubing adventure complete, it was time to head up the road to the main lodge to check out the Fireside Pub & Grill.  This restaurant is a great place to kick back, grab a drink and relax while enjoying a front row view of the slopes.

The enthusiastic staff made this visit such an enjoyable experience.  As soon as I entered the Mountainview Lodge to get my tickets from the cashier, the employees at the tubing lanes and the magic carpet lift, the housekeeping staff and the guys at the Pub; the whole team made you feel welcome.  I can’t wait to go back again.

Just because winter is over doesn’t mean you have to wait until next year to visit.  Beginning next month, Roundtop will be open with Mountain Adventures.  Play a game of paintball, take a ropes course, go for a ride in a Go ball or jump in a bumper boat.  If your adventure includes a zip line, you’ve come to the right place.  The vertical trek begins with a chairlift ride to the top of the mountain.  Come back down using a series of 10 exciting zip lines as you descend over 600 feet through the treetops.  If that seems a little too adventuresome though, you may choose a roundtrip ride on the chairlift.    

For more information on Roundtop Mountain Resort, visit www.skiroundtop.com. 

Are you a regular at Roundtop? What are your favorite year round activities at this local destination?