Important Stuff

Win a Free Copy of my First Published Book on Amazon!

May 2, 2017 By Tam Warner 11 Comments

Fish Faces, Tam Warner Minton, ebook, ocean — **My first published book!**

My first published book on Amazon! Yes, I finally did it! I wrote a book on a subject near and dear to my heart, our intriguing fish friends in the ocean. FISH FACES, Photos and Fun Facts, is a photo book of common reef fish from all over the world. Children of all ages (that includes you!) will enjoy looking at these colorful and engaging fish, and learning a fun fact about each one. A paperback copy will soon be available as well.

As an amateur underwater photographer, scuba diver, and citizen scientist, I have seen the damage being wreaked on our ocean, and on our ocean friends. By learning about these gorgeous and fascinating fish species, it is my hope we can teach our children and grandchildren the value of the underwater world, and how necessary it is to protect our oceans. FISH FACES is the first book in the series, OCEAN FRIENDS. 10 percent of the profits will go to Marine Megafauna Foundation, a non profit dedicated to saving our ocean pelagics from extinction.

I am, of course, very excited about publishing my very first book, and to celebrate, I am giving away 3 free copies on Amazon! Please visit the GIVEAWAY on Amazon, and be sure to enter and share with your friends!

Please Support Candidates Based on the Reality of Climate Change

November 7, 2016 By Tam Warner 15 Comments

vote Climate Change, climate deniers, vote democrat, vote Hillary — A frightening graphic about the composition of our legislature. How can people on the House Committee on Science, Space and Technology deny science? It is horrifying.

Millennials, you have real power:

91% of millennials want to transition to clean energy.

83% of millennials believe the results of this election will affect their life.

69.2 million millennials have the power to win November’s election.

I have tried not to post about the US 2016 election on Travels with Tam, for obvious reasons. One should not mix politics into a blog about travel. I have, on my Facebook page and political twitter account, @PoliticTammer, posted quite a bit on the subject. I have also written articles about the election on The Huffington Post.com / Tam Warner Minton. Now I have to change that way of thinking, because this is not only a blog about travel, it is a blog about conservation, voluntourism, citizen science, and yes, trying to make the world a better place. Yes, I do review travel, but I also post about my experiences and my values. One of the most important issues, actually, the most important issue, in this election is CLIMATE CHANGE. It is real. It is dangerous, and it will destroy life as we know it. Will it “kill the planet”? No. But it will kill us, humans, just as it will kill other creatures.

climate change, election, vote democrat — We need a President and Congress who understand the issue.

It is not my place to give a seminar on the importance of our survival regarding our warming planet. You can learn the science in a million places. I recommend looking at the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s website, watch NatGeo’s Before the Flood, you can watch it now and for free, and Jane Goodall Institute‘s Time to Choose. (Read Jane Goodall as she challenges Republicans regarding climate change.)

You can get facts from many places. National Geographic has a stunning article about deforestation and its ties to the warming planet, Climate Central (dot) org has article after article about our rising temps and rising sea level, and NASA has infographics, charts, and pictures to show the devastation. NASA also has three new Climate Apps where you can track the changes occurring on our Mother Earth, and hopefully learn to do something about it. Earth Now gives you the vital signs of our warming planet home, Images of Change shows photographs of what is occurring, and Offset is a new game that is totally retro as it is similar to the old game Pong. Offset educates and teaches us about the global carbon cycle and how we can Offset it. Here is the link to the apps for your Apple and Android: http://climate.nasa.gov/earth-apps/. I’ve downloaded all of them, and I hope you will, too!

AND, here is the Sierra Club’s Endorsement list for all House, Senate and Governor elections: http://content.sierraclub.org/voterguide/endorsements

As a diver who is concerned with conservation and citizen science, I have seen and felt the difference that climate change has made, particularly in our oceans. Thirty years ago our water temps in the Caribbean were 79 to 80 degrees Farenheit. Now? 82 to 84 degrees. We have not been using sustainable fishing practices, and we have lost many species. Many scientists believe we are facing a sixth mass extinction on our planet…caused by humans. Deforestation, development, use of fossil fuels, overfishing, poaching…the list goes on and on. Half of our coral reefs are gone, and they continue to die. It is said to be 95% certain that the Great Barrier Reef is dying…and I do believe that, after seeing the Ribbon Reefs on the Great Barrier Reef just this summer. It is happening, folks, it really is. I want my unborn grandchildren to be able to see a coral reef, but if we continue as usual, they will only see the death of one.

Researching Whale Sharks in Mexico — Here I am researching Whale Sharks in Mexico…they are endangered, partly due to the effect of Climate Change.

When casting your votes on Tuesday, November 8, please remember that if we do not address Climate Change, other issues won’t matter very much. We are at a critical point, a tipping point. Do your homework! Who believes the science of climate change? Who does not? Those who do not need to be voted OUT and voted down. We need to move forward, my friends, into a world of clean energy, renewable energy, sustainable fishing practices, and so much more. There is much that needs to be done, and we cannot afford to spend four years going backward. Hey, there is no such thing as clean coal or clean oil. Period.

Please vote for candidates who understand the science of Climate Change. Climate deniers have got to go, they are killing us. Get out and vote for doing something about climate change!

climate change, vote democrat — Duh…WRONG.

Think and Pray for the Victims of Orlando

June 12, 2016 By Tam Warner 2 Comments

I wanted to publish today, but I find myself unable to. The tragedy which unfolded in Orlando over the weekend dominates my thoughts.

Instead of writing about travel, or my life, today, I just want to say, hold the victims in your heart, along with their families. What has occurred is unspeakable, but it will happen again. Hatred and Violence are beyond my comprehension, and I don’t even know who, or what, to blame. I don’t think it matters. What matters are the lives lost, and the lives irretrievably damaged.

Truly, I am speechless with horror.

If you want to help, please click on this link. http://time.com/4365295/orlando-shooting-pulse-nightclub-victims-help/

I LOVE MY ONESOLE SHOES!

May 30, 2016 By Tam Warner 4 Comments

As a frequent traveler I always have problems deciding on which shoes to take. Shoes are bulky and heavy, and it is so frustrating trying to fit them all in. Those days are over for me, as I have discovered the solution: Onesole!

Onesole, Onesole shoes, travels with tam — My Onesoles arrive!

Dominique McClain Barteet, RPh. invented Onesole shoes when she bought three of the same shoes in different colors. Onesole–Quick Change Artist is her brainchild, and I only wish she had discovered it sooner! I wanted to try some for myself while traveling, and Onesole was kind enough to allow me to review them. They are fabulous!

The way it works is this: buy one or two soles, and as many tops as you want! I chose black, seastars, glitter, and leather strappies. Four looks and only one sole. As you can see above, they are packaged perfectly for traveling. I wore my seastar tops on the plane and tucked the other three tops in my luggage. Easy!

Dominique has been on Shark Tank with her Onesoles, and the product is sold in over 80 countries and features over 3000 different tops and over 20 sole bases! The online store is www.onesolestore.com. Your choices are amazing! And one of the very best reasons to buy Onesoles? They are made in the good old USA, and we all know how rare that is these days!

And here is the funny thing: my cousin met me in Cozumel for a week of diving, and I excitedly showed her my new shoes. She showed me her shoes…they were Onesole! We both wore our Onesole shoes all over Cozumel! She said she’d had them for several months and whenever she travels, they go with her! Great minds think alike.

Whether you are a traveler or not, you really do want to try these shoes! They are incredibly versatile. The soles are so comfy, and conform to your feet as you wear them. In 3 weeks I will be off on a month long journey, from chilly Sydney, Australia (it is winter there) to Nusa Penida and Seminyak, Bali, to Komodo, to Cairns, Australia and the Great Barrier Reef! You will see photos of my shoes all along the way! I’m serious, so FOLLOW ME on Twitter (@TravelwithTam), Instagram (@TravelswithTam) and Facebook (Travels with Tam). And don’t forget to FOLLOW @Onesoleshoes on Twitter, @Onesoleshoes on Instagram, and Onesole Quick Change Artist on Facebook!

The OC Bucket List Challenge: Visit Buena Park!

May 25, 2016 By Tam Warner 3 Comments

I think everyone knows how much I love the OC! (Orange County, California, of course). When I received word about the OC Bucket List Challenge for Buena Park, I had to copy it down and share it with you right away!!!! These Challenge activities have something for everyone, so pack along the kids and grandparents if you’d like, or just run off by yourself, or with someone for a romantic getaway. Any which way, this trip is a winner!

Buena Park, CA – Immerse yourself in the ultimate Orange County vacation by exploring hot spots that the locals don’t want you to know about. Our bucket list has something for everyone from cruising scenic harbors, hiking to breath-taking vistas and getting sworn in as a pirate to discovering hidden restaurants and splashing around one of the longest water park lazy rivers. Go to VisitBuenaPark.com/Challenge to take the challenge this summer and see how many you can check off your list!

Buena Park, Orange County, CA — Scenic Harbor Cruise

1.) Get Launched 83 Miles-Per-Hour in 2.3 Seconds on Xcelerator

Enjoy over 30 exhilarating rides including the famous Timber Mountain Log Ride, visit the loveable Snoopy and the Peanuts Gang at Camp Snoopy and pan for gold at the only authentic 1880’s Ghost Town at Knott’s Berry Farm in Buena Park. Save $33 on adult and $7 on kid’s admission at VisitBuenaPark.com/deals.

2.) Be a VIP at the West Coast’s Largest Shopping Center

South Coast Plaza is Southern California’s premier shopping destination and home to over 250 boutiques, personal shopping services and upscale amenities. Stop by the California Welcome Center in Buena Park to pick up a free carousel ride and VIP Passport, full of exclusive offers.

3.) Hike Past Ancient Oak Groves

Irvine Open Space Preserve invites visitors to hike past ancient oak and sycamore groves and rough rock outcrops in Bommer Canyon; conquer the three-mile Orchard Hills loop for a breath-taking vista from Loma Ridge that consumes the coastal ridge; and explore Irvine’s southern wilderness via the Quail Hill Trail, the only trail that allows dogs.

4.) Cheer on Your Favorite Knight

At Medieval Times Dinner and Tournament in Buena Park, visitors are transported back in time to an era of jousting, sword fighting, brave knights and a meal fit for a king. You might recognize the dinner show from several television shows and feature films including the 1996 movie, Cable Guy with Jim Carrey and Matthew Broderick. Get a free Royal Upgrade: VIP seating, cheering banner and more at VisitBuenaPark.com/deals.

5.) Check Out the World’s Largest Surfboard

Huntington Beach offers 10 miles of uninterrupted coastline and an International Surfing Museum. The free museum is home to a 42-foot surfboard that holds the Guinness World Record as the ‘World’s Largest Surfboard’ and an artifact exhibit honoring Hawaiian surfer, Eddie Aikau.

6.) Explore a Presidential Helicopter

At the Richard Nixon Library and Museum, history buffs can step aboard Marine One, the presidential helicopter that traveled the world with Nixon as well as Kennedy, Johnson and Ford. Visitors to the museum will also find an exact replica of the White House East Room, Nixon’s childhood home and the memorial sites of the President and First Lady.

7.) Graduate from Skipper School

Secret tip: After riding the Jungle Cruise at Disneyland®, ask the skipper for a map as you disembark. The maps are given to sailors who complete skipper school by making animal noises from some of the creatures that are seen along the ride.

8.) Salute the Martini Flag and Enjoy the Sunset

Every evening since the 1930’s the bugle is sounded and the “martini flag” is raised at 5pm to signal the end of a work day and time to relax at The Beachcomber Café. Located on Crystal Cove Beach, the restaurant offers outdoor patio seating for watching spectacular sunsets and dolphins playing in the waves.

9.) Brave 63-foot Waterslides on Old Man Falls

Knott’s Soak City, a 13-acre California beach themed waterpark in Buena Park, features one of the world’s longest lazy rivers, a rolling wave pool, dozens of waterslides and kid’s splash area. Save $12 at VisitBuenaPark.com/deals.

10.) Get Sworn in as a Pirate

At Pirate’s Dinner Adventure in Buena Park, Captain Sebastian the Black is seeking new recruits for his crew. Young landlubbers to the “World’s Most Interactive Dinner Show” may be called aboard to take the pirate’s oath and join the crew on their adventure. Save some treasure with a buy one-get one free offer at visitbuenapark.com/deals.

11.) Dine Aboard A Floating Restaurant

Well-known for their delicious brunch and dinner cruises, Hornblower also offers a two-hour Sunset Cocktail Cruise during the summer. The scenic boat ride in Newport Beach includes complimentary appetizers, music and cash bar. Save a boatload with a buy one get-one free deal at Visitbuenapark.com/deals.

12.) Uncover the Hidden Door to a 1920’s Speakeasy

The Anaheim Packing House is a foodie’s paradise, with a collection of unique restaurants, outdoor activities and live music. Hungry patrons will find fresh seafood, made-to-order popsicles, gourmet grilled cheeses and authentic southern food. Want a refreshing cocktail? Well, you’ll have to find it first. Behind a non-discreet wall of sake barrels with a small black rabbit on it lies a speakeasy appropriately named, the Blind Rabbit.

13.) Bonus Challenge – Pig Out on Award-Winning Ice Cream

Take a step back in time to a wildly fun, turn of the century ice cream parlour and restaurant awarded “The Best Thing I Ever Ate” by the Food Network. For over fifty years, Farrell’s has been serving up splendidly oversized ice cream treats like the Pig’s Trough, Hot Fudge Volcano and the mother of all desserts – The Zoo! See if you can devour the oversized sundae, which includes 30 scoops of ice cream topped with chocolate sauce, strawberries, marshmallow, whipped cream, cherries and bananas.

VISIT BUENA PARK
Located just 5 miles from Disneyland®, 10 miles from beaches and 20 miles from Los Angeles is the charming town of Buena Park. A vacation hot spot, the city is home to world-famous entertainment, interactive dinner shows and one-of-kind shopping. For more information contact Visit Buena Park at 800-541-3953 or www.visitbuenapark.com.

Don’t miss out on the Challenge, hurry and book today! They have special offers and deals on just about everything at http://www.visitbuenapark.com/visitors/special-offers/!!!

Being a Mother is the Trip of a Lifetime!

May 13, 2016 By Tam Warner 17 Comments

In many ways, I cannot believe I am a mother. These tiny creatures arrive, and all of the sudden you are responsible for a human life. It can be overwhelming, but there is no doubt that being their mother was the most important thing I have ever done.

Important Stuff!

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