John Bacon, USA TODAY

Residents, rescue teams and aid workers across the storm-battered northern Bahamas could breathe a sigh of relief Sunday when Tropical Storm Humberto, expected to soon reach hurricane status, steered wide of the beleaguered island nation.

The National Hurricane Center said Humberto was located well north of Great Abaco Island and was moving toward the north-northwest at about 7 mph.

The Florida coast also won an apparent reprieve, with forecasters predicting Humberto will turn sharply to the northeast early this week and well off the U.S. coast. Still, swells generated by Humberto will affect the U.S. coast from central Florida to North Carolina during the next few day with “life-threatening surf and rip current conditions,” the Hurricane Center warned.

“Regardless of the exact track or development, Floridians along the East Coast should be prepared for heavy rain and potential flooding, have supplies ready and follow local media for updates,” Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis said.

Humberto could threaten Bermuda on Wednesday or Thursday, AccuWeather said.

Keep reading

By Alysia Gray Painter

Those famous hinges of Disneyland’s Haunted Mansion, the ones that creak, are well-known to fans of the frightfully fun attraction.

And the “doorless chambers”?

Those spaces, too, are familiar to those who love the New Orleans Square destination.

It is a rare instance, however, when the physical parts of the structure are transformed into something tasty, a spicy-sweet treat, a house that is made of fantasy, dreams, and, most essentially, gingerbread.

But that’s exactly what has happened inside the planet’s most celebrated spook house, thanks to the brand-new gingerbread house sitting in the middle of the Haunted Mansion’s phantom-filled ballroom.

If you know your Halloween Time traditions at Disneyland, you know there is always a themed gingerbread creation in the ballroom, one that often has look that pays homage to “Tim Burton’s A Nightmare Before Christmas.” 

Keep Reading

Harriet Baskas @HBASKAS

• All-inclusive private jet trips can cost more than $100,000 per person.
• These companies offer around-the-world tours and trips to far-flung locations like Antarctica.  
• Perks of private jet tours include specialty guides, on-board chefs and dedicated luggage managers. 

There’s luxury travel and then there’s super-luxury travel.

And by any measure, touring the world on a specially outfitted private jet with 15 to 50 like-minded passengers, all on the same financial playing field, falls into the “ultra-luxe” category.

For well-to-do, worldly travelers with destinations and experiences still on their bucket lists, joining a private jet tour is a popular way to efficiently explore the world in the lap of luxury. These all-inclusive trips can cost more than $100,000 per person. 

“But the level of care, the food and beverage offerings and the special amenities and white glove services are top of the line,” said Becky Powell, president of Protravel International. “What really makes these journeys special is the ability to visit many exotic and off-the-beaten track destinations, stay in unique high-end accommodations and have access to curated, insider experiences.”

Sound like your kind of travel? Here are some private jet journeys to consider.

Keep reading

 Gary Trock,TheBlast

The practice of bringing cuddly pets on airplanes as emotional support animals has taken a new turn after a woman brought her mini horse onboard a flight.

The incident went down last week, when Abrea Hensley was spotted at O’Hare International Airport with her service horse, Flirty.

Onlookers posted photos of Hensley and her horse all over social media, and even Barstool Sports posted a video, that has since amassed almost 2 million views.

Turns out, the horse has her own IG account with 8,000 followers, and posted about the flight — especially since the pilots even posed for a photo with Flirty.

Keep reading