QUAD CITIES - The Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT), Illinois State Police (ISP) and the Office of the Secretary of State, Department of Police (SOS) joined other safety advocates and law enforcement officials for the More Cops, More Stops "I-80 Cross Country Crackdown" to ramp up enforcement of life-saving laws during one of the busiest travel times of the year.

The purpose of this campaign is to crack down on drivers who are speeding, driving drunk or distracted, or not wearing a seat belt, with the goal of achieving a zero fatality rate for the eight-day period. The campaign began on July 24 and wraps up on July 31.

St. Charles, Ill. (July 23, 2013) -- Zephyr Route, a rail tours company based here, is offering two nostalgic rail journeys this fall. One involves a trip to Kansas City for an enjoyable weekend. The other involves a fall foliage trip through the Colorado Rockies.

Kansas City Weekend Tour

The Kansas City Weekend Tour takes place Friday through Sunday, Sept. 13-15. Boarding points are Chicago, Naperville, Princeton and Galesburg, Ill., plus Ft. Madison, Iowa.

A restored, vintage railcar named the Cedar Rapids will provide first-class, individual parlor car seating. Meals will be served at passengers' seats.

A unique glass-enclosed lounge at the end of the car offers spectacular vistas of the passing scenery.

The tour package includes two nights lodging at the Hyatt Hotel across the street from Kansas City's historic Union Station. Breakfast is also included.

On Saturday, passengers are free to select their own activities for the day and evening.

The hotel is conveniently located within walking distance to the Hallmark Visitors Center and Shopping Mall and the World War I Memorial. There is easy access by city bus to Country Club Plaza, another famed shopping district.

Zephyr Route is also organizing a short motor coach tour of Kansas City narrated by a local historian.

Passengers also are welcome to join a group dining at Jack Stack's Restaurant, which has been voted the best in Kansas City for barbeque cuisine. This meal is not included in the tour.

The package price for the Kansas City Weekend Tour is $625 per person for both single or double hotel room occupancy.

The reservation and payment must be made by Saturday, Aug. 31, so Zephyr Route can determine if there's adequate interest to proceed.

Colorful Colorado Rockies Tour

The majestic and scenic Colorado Rockies between Denver and Glenwood Springs will be the highlight of the Colorful Colorado Rockies Tour also being offered this fall by Zephyr Route.

The travel dates are Thursday through Monday, Oct. 3-7.

Boarding points include Chicago, Naperville, Princeton and Galesburg, Ill., and Burlington, Iowa.

En route passengers will enjoy first-class rail service like that which was offered by the famed Burlington Route. Dining service will be in the traditional manner, with white linens, fresh flowers, chinaware and sparkling glassware and silverware. Savory dinners and breakfasts will be served both going to and returning from the Rockies.

Overnight rail accommodations are in first-class private rooms with private toilets and sinks. Shower service is available on an individual, scheduled basis.

A gorgeous, restored dome car from the infamous Santa Fe Super Chief will provide lounge and dome seating. Since seats are limited in the dome, guaranteed dome seating times will be scheduled so all passengers will have an opportunity to enjoy the dome views.

This trip has been scheduled to hopefully coincide with the spectacular aspen fall foliage time. While not guaranteed, this is generally the best chance to view the brilliant yellow and gold colors amidst the pine trees' green hues.

Glenwood Springs is the Colorado resort town destination. Lodging will be at the historic Hotel Colorado, once known as President Teddy Roosevelt's Western Whitehouse. The hotel has been restored to provide excellent accommodations and dining service. Breakfasts at the hotel are included.

Nearby is a huge sulfur springs pool for swimmers, which also has enjoyed longtime fame. Lovely shops and restaurants are within walking distance. Arrangements also can be made for golf at the nearby Glenwood Springs Golf Club.

The Colorful Colorado Rockies Tour package price is $1,995 per person, double occupancy. Please inquire regarding single occupancy rates. Reservations and payments must be made by Sept. 15 so Zephyr Route can determine if there's adequate interest to proceed.

Both the Kansas City Weekend Tour and the Colorful Colorado Rockies Tour can be reserved by contacting Zephyr Route. Call (630) 542-3607 or e-mail zephyr360@att.net.

The Zephyr Route website, www.zephyrroute.com, has a for a printable tour brochure. Click on the "Journeys" button.

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Explore U.S. History While Creating Your Own, Says Patriotic
Mommy Blogger

Not sure how to make vacations and school breaks count with your family?

Discover your own backyard with a family road trip, advises veteran traveler and mother of three Alisa Abecassis.

"With busy lives and, perhaps, lingering anxiety about job security, a family vacation may not be parents' top priority, but if they can pull it off, even if only for a few days, it can be a truly rich experience for both parents and children," says Abecassis, who recently launched ExploreAll50.com, a website filled with resources for travel in the United States.

A modest investment of time and money creates a lifelong return for each family member, says Abecassis, who began traveling with her three children as a way of forging new bonds with them.

"I've picked up a lot of great tips not only for families, but also for any group or individual who are hungry to eat, drink, sleep and breathe more of what our country has to offer," she says.

Abecassis gives four reasons why parents should take their kids on a road trip:

• Memories: Visiting the same amusement park over and over again isn't the stuff of lasting memories. Experiencing some of North America's greatest natural wonders is! A few years back, Abecassis began planning themed trips to specific regions of the country. She started in the Pacific Northwest, including Washington and Oregon, which featured dramatic coastal views of waves and sand dunes; farther inland included stops at volcanoes. But the themes can be anything. Most recently, her July 4 theme was "Rebels and Revolutionary Ideas," and others have included "Pioneers in the Heartland" and "Lewis & Clark and the New Frontier." The themed trips will continue for the Abecassis clan until they've visited each state.

• Bonding: With three teenage children, Abecassis recognized a need for new collective experiences as a family. "Perhaps the most common experience all parents share is how quickly children grow up," she says. "It won't be long before they're out of the house and having their own families." This is especially true for a family, or an individual member, who has experienced a rough patch. "After a death in the family, divorce, or some other painful life event, every day is an opportunity for setting a new tone," she says.

• Tangible history lessons: Ignorance of U.S. history by the native population is a problem recognized by many historians and new citizens alike. "For understanding how and why our country works, it is necessary to grasp how it came to be - from the ideas driving our founding fathers to bringing law and order to the Wild West," she says. Physically being at historical sites - smelling the grass at Gettysburg or seeing the living conditions at the Alamo - breathes life into the past.

• Feeding the domestic economy: Many Americans set their sights on exotic and, sometimes, less-than-safe destinations overseas. Confusing roads to nowhere, foreign diseases and cultural missteps are all potential pitfalls in foreign travel. Why not stay in the states, which are safe and family-friendly, and help out an economy that could use your dollars? "America is arguably the most diverse place on the planet; why not witness firsthand what makes us who we are?"

About Alisa Abecassis

Alisa Abecassis is the proud mother of three children - Lilia, 17; Isaac, 15; and Joel, 14. After her marriage ended, she decided it was time to strengthen her family's bonds and personal history by traveling and gaining a better appreciation of the 50 United States. Abecassis is a prolific blogger and has a bachelor's degree in political science from UCLA. Contact her on Twitter, @ExploreAll50

Due to the flooding at various locations along the bike path, Quad City Segways Tours are temporarily suspended. However, continue to call Cole 563-594-8839 or visit their website www.quadcitysegway.com as they plan on offering options in order to keep bookings in the future once the waters receded enough for tours to begin.