Over the last few days a spate of severe winter weather and geological phenomena has been reverberating across the United States.

The residents of Seattle were jolted awake Friday morning by a 4.5 magnitude quake that was felt as far away as British Columbia.

The 15-second Seattle earthquake did not cause injuries or damage, but frightened a lot of people, many of whom have vivid memories of a strong 6.8 magnitude quake that shook the region back in February 2001.

Chances are, you’ve heard of the trees in Sequoia National Forest or the cherry blossoms in Washington DC. But, there are plenty of other destinations have great “tree tourism.”

Those viewing, please make sure that you have your safety glasses on and prepare for the test.

The blast will occur in 5, 4, 3, 2, 1!

Atomic tourism is a new style of travel that involves visiting places that are significant to atomic and nuclear history such as real explosion sites or museums.

Here are just a few of the glowing highlights:

Peter will be broadcasting this Saturday from the Ojai Valley Inn & Spa in Ojai, California.

Michal Morgan, head of general aviation security at the Transportation Security Administration, will talk about plans to extend security rules to private aviation.

Michelle Higgins, who writes the Practical Traveler column for The New York Times, will dish on what tour operators are focusing on this year and how it can help you.

John Rambow, Budget Travel’s online executive editor, will discuss expensive cities on the cheap and where to go in this economy.

 

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Here’s a type of unusual museum you may not have thought of: a salt mine. Not only will you learn the history of one of life’s most important elements, and you get to do it underground.

Aprons promoting beer and television commercials using sexually suggestive double entendres have prompted some workers at Spirit Airlines to make a formal complaint to management that the ads are offensive and inappropriate.

The union that represents flight attendants wrote a letter to Spirit executives this month saying that the requirement to wear aprons with a Bud Light patch would turn staff into “walking billboards” and would send the wrong message to passengers.