States where drivers had better toe the line, or else

With the first major driving holiday of the summer underway, the National Motorists Association  has analyzed laws across the country to determine the best and the worst states
when it comes to exploiting the motoring public. The rankings were based upon traffic laws, enforcement practices, and the treatment of traffic ticket defendants.

And the winner is ... New Jersey!

With its toll roads, roadblocks, and speed traps, New Jersey knows how to extract cash cash from motorists, according to the association . The state  also recently pushed through a red-light camera pilot project, and then there are  "driver responsibility" fees.

The rest of the top 10, in order, are  Ohio, Maryland, Louisiana,  New York, Illinois, Delaware, Virginia, Washington and my state,  Massachusetts.

On the other hand,  the five states that the association says treated motorists most fairly are Wyoming, Idaho, Montana, Nebraska and Kentucky.

For a complete list of rankings, click here. To learn about the National Motorists Association (and to see if you agree with the group's goals, etc.), visit www.motorists.org.

A Yelllowstone family adventure, for all abilities

Wilderness Inquiry, which caters to travelers of all abilities including the disabled has a variety of Yellowstone National Park packages. One of them, for $695, is the five-night Yellowstone Pack and Paddle. Participants set up base camp at Grant Village and explore Old Faithful, Dunraven Pass and the Grand Canyon of Yellowstone. There will be geysers, thermal pools, mountains, lakes, canyons and other natural wonders along the way. The adventurers will paddle and fish Lewis Lake, hike to Norris Geyser Basin and go to sites that most tourists don't even know exist. Those who book before midnight Central time on May 26 will save another $50. 

For trip details, click here. For all the Wilderness Inquiry trips, visit www.wildernessinquiry.org.

I think I've stayed in that motel!

We are indebted to Resourcesfor Attorneys.com for this wacko list of signs that you've made a bad choice in picking a motel: The complimentary newspaper tells you that President Nixon has resigned; the mint on the pillow starts moving when you come close to it; The pictures are strategically placed  to cover up  bullet holes; you have to wait until the guy next door is done with the towel so you can use it; there's a chalk outline in the bed when you pull back the covers; the desk clerk has to move the body in order to get you some ice; and, finally, your wake-up call comes courtesy of a police helicopter.

Two inn packages that are nicely Nantucket 

The Union Street Inn in Nantucket, Mass.,  has opened for the season with two new packages. The Quintessential Nantucket package  includes accommodations for two in a deluxe designer room, a cooked-to-order gourmet breakfast on the patio or in bed, use of  a beach bag & towels, a $20 voucher for boxed lunches from Provisions, a one-day Jeep rental with a map of island highlights, a $20 voucher to Cisco Brewers  and a $100 voucher for dinner at one of several island restaurants.  Rates start at $549 a night. The ACK Getaway package features accommodations in a deluxe designer room, sparkling wine upon arrival, and a sunset cruise on the  Friendship Sloop Endeavor. This package is available Mondays-Thursdays and starts at $239 a night.  

Visit www.unioninn.com or call 888-517-0707.

Sit back, relax and enjoy this fellow's column

For the many of us who panic when a flight is canceled or delayed or some other travel glitch occurs, we recommend reading this  USA Today column by Craig Wilson. Click here.

Nothing could be finer than a zucchini festival

We're giving you plenty of advance notice to prepare for this event. On Saturday, Aug. 8, (rain or shine),  the West Stockbridge (Mass.) Cultural Council will host the 6th Annual Zucchini Festival in the town center.  There will be activities for youngsters and adults, including a pet parade, rides and  races, a zucchini recipe contest, zucchini decorating/weigh-off contests, live music and entertainment, games, and food booths. The event begins at 10 a.m. and continues until about 9:30 p.m. when fireworks and dancing in the streets take place. Attendance is free, with small fees for tickets at game booths. And why does West Stockbridge celebrate the zucchini? One version points to  the Italian heritage of many of the early settlers. The second, and possibly most accurate, version is that West Stockbridge views itself as a somewhat quirky town and the "love-to-hate, hate-to-love" aspect of the Zucchini fits right in. 

For a complete listing and schedule of events, click here or call 413-232-0222.