Indian Echo Caverns - A Natural Beauty

Indian Echo Caverns is located in Hummelstown Pennsylvania and is a short car ride from Hershey and downtown Harrisburg. The caverns are open year-round and if you're planning a visit, head to their official web site and print off a money-saving coupon that you can use towards admission.

The caverns are technically a limestone cave and were formed because of the erosive properties of water. You can visit them any time of the year because the caverns remain a consistent 52 degrees F. inside. You may want to bring a light jacket or sweater when touring them, along with comfortable walking shoes.

Once you arrive...you'll park your car and head into the gift shop to pay your admission fee. Each tour lasts for approximately 45 minutes in length. When your tour is ready to begin...your guide will assemble your tour group and you'll walk down a path and down many steps to the cave entrance. From there, your guide will give you an introduction and you'll head inside for your guided tour.

Please note: You can NOT take backpacks or bags with you on the tour. You can take cameras with or without flash and video cameras along with you. In addition, you can not take food or water on the tour. If you're taking little ones with you on the tour, you'll need to leave diaper bags, baby gear and strollers in your car.

I have to admit, I've visited Indian Echo Caverns several times as a child and as an adult and every time I visit...I'm more impressed with it's beauty and history. I love learning about how it formed over a million years ago and about the animals & organisms that call it home or use it for shelter. It's interesting and definitely beautiful to see.

Once your done with your tour...you can do a little souvenir shopping at the gift shop or have a little fun at Gem Mill Junction where kids can try their hand at finding gemstones. This is a seasonal attraction, so check their web site for the operating schedule. In addition, this costs an additional, but reasonable fee.

There are two picnic areas (bring a packed lunch), a playground for the kids and a very small "petting zoo" where the kids can visit with the goats. They can pet the goats and for 50 cents they can feed the goats some farm corn. These areas are only open during late Spring, Summer and early Fall.

We love visiting Indian Echo Caverns and it's a very popular tourist attraction here in south central Pennsylvania. If you are going to be visiting Hershey, Lancaster, Gettysburg or Harrisburg it's definitely a must-see and do attraction.

Note: Click on each image in this travel feature. It will open up in a new window and in an enlarged size so that you can view all of the details up close. Enjoy!

2016 Blizzard in Pennsylvania #Jonas

Last week all of our local meteorologist's were coming on TV and warning all central Pennsylvania residents to get ready for a big snowstorm coming our way the following week. When we hear these reports a week out...we don't get too excited about it because the weatherman has been wrong before.

However, starting on Tuesday January 19th, 2016 we all started to pay more attention. As #Jonas was making his way closer to us, their weather forecasts were becoming more accurate and as each day passed, those predicted snow totals went up. Sigh. A big old 2016 blizzard was heading our way.

On Wednesday evening we headed out to the grocery store to stock up on the essentials that we would need for about a week. We also headed to Lowe's to get a new snow shovel, rock salt and a few other snow removal tools. Our final trip was to the gas station to get gas for the snow blower and a propane tank for our gas grill. After all, if they power went out, we wanted to be able to cook food on our grill.

Friday afternoon around 3:00 PM we started to see the snow flurries here in the Harrisburg and Hershey area. As the evening went along, the snow picked up. It was breezy overnight but not what I would call windy. Overall, it was a peaceful night and by the time we got up in the morning, we had about 6-7" of snow.

As Saturday, January 23rd, 2016 rolled along, the heavy snow bands moved in. At times we were getting 2-3" of snow an hour. As the snow increased, the winds did too. Holy guacamole, at times it was really windy out there with a few wind gusts of over 25 mph. Thankfully though, we didn't have over 35 mph sustained blizzard winds for hours, like those in Philly, Baltimore and DC.

Along with the winds...came the snow drifts! I would say that it was shortly after lunchtime on Saturday that those winds really started to kick in! At one point in the day, we couldn't open our front or back doors due to all of the snow drifts and we couldn't see our car or mailboxes outside either. The snowdrifts had completely buried them!

By the time it was all said and done...on Sunday morning we measured a whopping 31" of snow in our backyard. One of our big snow drift areas in our yard measured 39" of snow. Oh my gosh...a dog or small child could go out there and get lost. YUCK!

I'm thankful that Jonas and the 2016Blizzard are done and hopefully we don't see anymore winter storms like this one for a long time! I've included a few original blizzard photos for you to enjoy in this blog post. Goodbye Jonas!

Trolley Stop Ice Cream Parlor at Cape May Courthouse

The Trolley Stop Ice Cream Parlor is located right off route 9 in Cape May Courthouse New Jersey. If you are using a GPS, the exact address you need to enter is 809 S. Route 9, Cape May Court House, New Jersey 08210.

This ice cream parlor offers hand-dipped ice cream cones, sundaes and banana splits. It's your classic ice cream parlor with an ice cream flavor for everyone.

If you are heading down to the Jersey Shore you will find them right along route 9...right after you pass through the heart of Cape May Court House and before you hit the highway leading into Stone Harbor.

You can choose to eat your ice cold confection indoors, outdoors at one of the picnic tables or grab a seat in their outdoor Trolley which the kids seem to enjoy.

Every time we visit we are served quickly, our ice cream is fresh and we appreciate their affordable prices. They are much cheaper than grabbing hand-dipped ice cream on the boardwalk and the atmosphere is much quieter and laid-back.

You can connect with them on Facebook to find out their hours of operation or to ask them any questions that you may have. Enjoy!

Casual Elegance and Family Hospitality at Hofsas House in Carmel-by-the-Sea

Entrance to Hofsas House

Last month, my husband and I traveled to Carmel Valley and Carmel-by-the-Sea for a little get away. With the busy holiday season approaching, we were looking forward to spending a little time unwinding. We were fortunate enough to be guests at the Hofsas House overlooking the quaint seaside village of Carmel-by-the Sea, which is located in Monterey County, California. What makes this place so quaint? There are no street addresses and everyone goes to the post office each day to get their mail. There are no large shopping centers and no big box chains. There are also no large chain coffee shops. The people that live there don’t seem to mind and neither did we. Before I tell you more about Carmel-by-the-Sea, let me tell you a little more about Hofsas House.

Bavarian themed mural at the Hofsas House entrance painted by Maxine Albro

Hofsas House has been welcoming visitors to its European inspired boutique-style hotel for over 60 years and with its charm, comfortable rooms, and personal service (we received a tasty chardonnay and a cheese plate upon our arrival), I can see why this place remains one of the little gems in this beautiful seaside town. In addition, the hotel is also dog friendly, so you can bring your pooch along if you want him or her to explore Carmel with you. The hotel features many special touches including the Bavarian-themed welcome mural that is truly one of a kind. Hofsas House is family run and the owner, Carrie, is an incredible resource for helping you plan your days while you are in town.

The rooms at Hofsas House are larger than most hotels and ours even had a fireplace, which we fired up each night since it can get pretty chilly in the evenings. The hotel has 38 rooms, many of them offering ocean views, which is definitely a plus. We enjoyed sipping wine and nibbling on cheese while we took in the gorgeous scenery on the patio. Not only is this hotel perfect for unwinding and relaxing, but it is in the ideal location for enjoying Carmel-by-the Sea to the fullest.

Gorgeous Scenery

There is so much to do within walking distance including wine tasting, wonderful restaurants and adorable shops where you can find unique and special finds. We packed so much into the two days we were there, but we could have easily spent another day or two exploring. The hotel is just minutes away from Monterey (I hear that the aquarium is a must see) as well as Pebble Beach, Big Sur and Pacific Grove. While the hotel was perfect for the two of us, it is also a great destination for family reunions, business meetings or even small wedding receptions. The hotel includes meeting space, which is located poolside, with a fireplace, full kitchen and can accommodate 30 to 40 people.

Since our trip was kid-free and work-free, we took every opportunity to make the trip one big, fun and adventurous date. We happily exchanged meeting rooms and conference calls for long walks, shopping, exploring, eating and drinking. We were pretty busy while we were in town and here are some of the things we did during our lovely stay:

On the Wine Walk visiting the Sheid Tasting Room 

The Carmel Wine Walk by-the-Sea – this was definitely one of my favorite parts of our trip. My husband and I love wine and we especially appreciate learning about new wines. You can purchase a wine “passport” at the Chamber of Commerce (or through the Hofsas House), which gives you the opportunity to leisurely stroll through town on a self-paced wine tasting tour. With this passport, you can choose nine wine tasting rooms (out of 14) within the 1 x 1 square mile of Carmel-by-the-Sea. We visited a handful of tasting rooms and would have visited more if we had more time! We absolutely loved several of them including Scheid, Alexander Smith and Wrath. We tasted some delicious wines, many of which were Pinot Noirs, and made some new friends along the way as well. We even discovered one of the best places to buy cheese ever—The Cheese Shop, which is next door to Wrath (very convenient). They offered us sample after sample when we walked through the door. The staff was so friendly, the cheese was insanely good and they even have a monthly cheese club that we’re thinking of joining in on.

Beautiful scenery on the 17-Mile Drive 

Picnic and 17-Mile Drive – we picked up a picnic at the 5th Avenue Deli, which is an incredible little deli that offers breakfast, lunch and dinner offerings such as quiches, breakfast burritos, sandwiches, salads, sweets (I had carrot cake) and even tamales (which we loved). We packed up our little feast and took it with us on the breathtaking, picturesque 17-Mile Drive. 17-Mile Drive is widely recognized as one of the most scenic drives in the world. This famous route winds through Pacific Grove to Pebble Beach, from the sparkling Pacific coastline to the majestic Del Monte Forest. We took several stops along the way to take some photos and enjoy our food while looking at crashing waves and blue skies. You can also see the emerald fairways of The Links at Spanish Bay, Spyglass Hill and the world-renowned Pebble Beach Golf Links. We stopped at Pebble Beach, got some souvenirs and a Sprite (as I was getting a little carsick—winding roads are a challenge for me).

Enjoying a glass of wine on the patio

Dinner at The Beach House—this was a great evening for us. We were invited to enjoy dinner at The Beach House, which is located in Pacific Grove, right on the water. This romantic restaurant has amazing panoramic views, casual California cuisine and a heated outdoor patio. We had a drink at the bar first, and then enjoyed a lovely dinner on the patio. I happily sipped my champagne looking out the water and thinking how I never wanted to leave Carmel! Our meal started with seared Yellowfin Tuna appetizer that we shared, followed by the Filet Mignon Stroganoff for me and the Linguine with Clams and Roasted Garlic Olive Oil for my husband. We finished our meal with the Key Lime Pie dessert, which was the absolute perfect way to end this excellent and truly memorable meal.

The Beach House Key Lime Pie 

There are certainly many, many options to stay entertained and busy in Carmel, but those are just some of the highlights of our little getaway. Everything started off on the right foot with our lovely welcome at Hofsas House and ended with continental breakfast (included with your stay) in the hotel lobby prior to taking off for our drive back to reality.

Hofsas House
Located between 3rd and 4th Avenue on San Carlos Street in Carmel-by-the-Sea
1-800-221-2548

Disclosure: Kristine S. received a complimentary stay at Hofsas House along with free meal passes and wine tastings for this travel feature and review. No monetary compensation was received. All opinions, thoughts and words are 100% Kristine's own, unbiased opinions on the services that she received. Your opinions may differ.

Austin Adventures Celebrates 2016 National Parks Centennial with Free Travel for 4th Graders

To mark the centennial anniversary of the National Park Service, Austin Adventures will offer a program of 4th Graders Travel FREE in 2016. The program supports the “Every Kid in a Park” initiative created by the National Park Foundation in partnership with the National Park Service and the White House whereby fourth-grade students across the country have free access to National Parks throughout the 2015-2016 school year. As advocates of this program, award-winning National Parks trip specialist Austin Adventures is waiving trip fees for all fourth graders traveling on any of their National Park adventures in 2016, which represents a significant savings for a family.

Austin Adventures, based in Billings, Montana, has been a standout for more than 40 years for its commitment to showcasing the beauty and experiences of America’s National Parks, which celebrate a milestone in 2016. Austin’s one-of-a-kind, all-inclusive trips ensure that guests see and do the “best of” every National Park, including access to historic in-park lodges. This commitment is reinforced by Austin Adventure’s affiliation with Xanterra Parks & Resorts, the largest national and state park concessioner in the United States and a national leader in travel to the National Parks.

“At Austin Adventures, National Parks are what we do best,” Founder and President Dan Austin said. “Our homegrown guides have been leading small groups through America’s most pristine and protected lands for decades. Combine our legacy with that of Xanterra Parks & Resorts – which first hosted guests at the Grand Canyon in 1901 – and you can rest assured that when it comes to behind-the-scenes access and insider’s knowledge, our National Parks’ experience is simply unbeatable.”

Yellowstone National Park

Nearly a dozen all-inclusive National Park trips – including hiking in Bryce/Zion, rock climbing in Yosemite and rafting in Glacier’s Flathead River – are on Austin Adventures’ 2016 schedule. All adult rates are per person, double occupancy, for these trips and include lodging, meals, transfers and authentic, personal service from your guides:

* Grand Canyon National Park: 6 days/5 nights from $2,798; children from $2,238
* Kenai Fiords National Park: 6 days/5 nights from $3,498; children from $2,798
* Bryce Canyon & Zion National Parks: 6 days/5 nights from $2,498; children from $1,998
* Yellowstone National Park: 6 days/5 nights from $2,498; children from $1,998
* Grand Teton National Park: 6 days/5 nights from $2,998; children from $2,398
* Yosemite National Park: 6 days/5 nights from $3,298; children from $2,638
* Glacier National Park: 6 days/5 nights from $2,898
* Arches & Canyonlands National Parks: 6 days/5 nights from $2,698; children from $2,158
* South Dakota – Black Hills (Mount Rushmore and Crazy Horse Monuments / Wind Cave NP): 6 days/5 nights from $2,498; children from $1,998
* California – Death Valley National Park: 5 days/4 nights from $2,598
* Oregon – Crater Lake National Park: 6 days/5 nights from $2,798

For more information about Austin Adventures programs in National Parks, please visit www.austinadventures.com/national-park-vacations.

About Austin Adventures: Based in Billings, MT, Austin Adventures (formerly Austin-Lehman Adventures) has spent more than 40 years building an international reputation as a provider of scheduled small group tours and customized trips to all seven continents. In 2014, Kasey Austin, Vice President of Operations, was named the World’s Top Family Guide by Outside Magazine.

Book Review: Pittsburgh - A Renaissance City

Pittsburgh is located in southwest Pennsylvania and has a lot to offer to travelers. You can take in the art scene, fabulous cuisine & fine dining, amusement parks, zoos, sporting events, concerts and a whole lot more! There is something for everyone in Pittsburgh!

Recently I had the opportunity to review a fabulous travel book which I'm excited to tell you about today.

Title: Pittsburgh: A Renaissance City
Author: Michael P. Gadomski
Publisher: Schiffer Publishing, Ltd.
ISBN: 9780764349232

Book Synopsis: Discover Pittsburgh today through 163 stunning photographs showcasing its sports venues, museums, businesses, universities, and cultural landmarks, all of which prompted The Economist magazine to name Pittsburgh “the most livable city in the United States.” Once regarded as part of the industrial rust belt whose glory belonged to another century, Pittsburgh today is renowned for its economic emphasis on education, research, health care, professional services, and advanced technology industries. The area is also a thriving cultural mecca. See popular landmarks, such as Heinz Hall Plaza, Allegheny County Courthouse, and Carnegie Mellon University, and visit Point State Park, Fort Pitt Museum, the original Primanti Bros. restaurant, and much more. Complete with detailed captions, this book celebrates Pittsburgh’s heritage, beauty, and diversity and is a must-have for tourists, history buffs, architects, and anyone who wants to see why it is a city for the twenty-first century.

Book Review: I love to review travel books, especially books that focus on my home state of Pennsylvania. When people typically think of Pittsburgh, they think of the professional sport's teams that play here...like the Steelers, Pirates and Penguins. However, the city has so much more offer than great professional sporting venues.

Pittsburgh - A Renaissance City by author Michael P. Gadomski highlights all of the special things about the city using beautiful photographs! It's a hardcover book containing 172 pages with oodles upon oodles of gorgeous photography. Along with the photos you'll find fun educational facts like: There are 446 bridges in the city of Pittsburgh, that's three more bridges than the city of Venice in Italy. This officially makes Pittsburgh the city with the most bridges in the entire world. Wow! Who knew? Now you do!

If you love looking at old buildings and monuments...this book is a treasure trove for you! You can check out the photos of Saint Mary of Mercy Roman Catholic Church, the Romanesque designed Allegheny County Courthouse, the iconic Fulton Building in the cultural district and so much more! Each photo is beautifully done and gives you a little bit of information about the subject matter and it's location within the city. From cover to cover, this book is jam-packed with gorgeous photography and information.

If you're planning a trip to Pittsburgh and really want to take in all of the sites and sounds that the big city has to offer, this book is a must-have! It will show you places that are well-known and places that are less visited. From the art scene to museums & zoos....along with everything in-between, this book will take you there!

Visit www.schifferbooks.com to learn more about this particular book and to explore other books that the publisher has to offer.

Disclosure: Shelly received a complimentary copy of this book to feature on her travel blog. No monetary compensation was received. Regardless of receiving a complimentary product, Shelly's thoughts, words and opinions are 100% her own.

American Cruise Lines Mississippi Riverboat Cruises

American Cruise Lines announced back in August 2015 the successful launching of its newest paddlewheeler "America" three weeks ahead of schedule. "America" is being built for the Mississippi River at Chesapeake Shipbuilding in Salisbury, Maryland. The launching, which took place this morning, was picture perfect. Immediately after being launched seamlessly, tugboats skillfully nudged the new riverboat into Chesapeake Shipbuilding’s East Outfitting Basin where the upper decks and outfitting will be completed.

The launching comes just a few weeks after the joining of the two hull sections. With the installation of the upper decks, the new riverboat will come together quickly, and upon completion will be the third new riverboat built for the Mississippi River by American Cruise Lines. Construction of the new "Queen of the Mississippi" is also underway and is slated for delivery in 2017.

The newest paddlewheeler "America", will have a capacity of 185 passengers and will introduce features never before seen on a riverboat. American built, American flagged and American crewed, this new vessel symbolizes the true all-American experience provided by American Cruise Lines. It is scheduled to begin navigating the Mississippi River and its tributaries next spring.

About American Cruise Lines: American Cruise Lines is the largest U.S. cruise company and operates the newest fleet of riverboats and small cruise ships on more than 35 itineraries around the country including the Pacific Northwest, Alaska, New England, the Southeast and the entire Mississippi River system. The line is known for working closely with guests and travel agents before, during, and after a cruise to create a highly personalized experience. Long established and deeply experienced in cruise travel, American Cruise Lines has been honored with multiple awards, including Porthole Reader’s Choice Awards in 2014, World Travel Awards “World’s Leading River Cruise Company” in 2014, “Gold Award Winner” for Travel Weekly’s 2014 Magellan Awards and a 2014 finalist for Condé Nast Traveler's Reader’s Choice Awards. To learn more about American Cruise Lines visit their website online or call 800-814-6880.

Dinner and a Show at the Cape May Stage

When we travel we like to check out the local art scene. For us...that means visiting local playhouses, concert venues, art museums and all sorts of other "art" related things. It's one way we like to learn about new culture and enrich our artistic sides.

Recently while on vacation to Cape May in New Jersey we learned about the Cape May Stage which was constructed back in 1853 and was originally a Presbyterian Church. When you look at it from the outside, you can definitely see that it was once a christian place of worship. It fits right in with all of the beautiful Victorian architecture that is found all throughout this seaside town.

There are two stages...the Main Stage and the Second Stage. Shows and events play at the Cape May Stage throughout most months of the year. You will find original shows Broadway Series hosted here. Tickets range in price according to the show and your age with a discount given to seniors and military members.

You can buy tickets online (highly recommended, especially during the busy tourist season) or if the show isn't sold out, you can purchase tickets at the door. If you really want a great experience you should check out their "Dinner and a Show" specials that are listed on their site. Several of the local gourmet restaurants in Cape May participate and you will need to set up reservations & buy tickets in advance for these special events.

You can learn more about the historic Cape May Stage and all of the events and shows that are hosted there by visiting their web site online. Even if you don't plan on seeing a show, make sure you stop by to check out all of the beautiful external architecture that this building has to offer.

History and Beauty Make Holman Ranch the Ideal Celebration Location

On a recent trip to Carmel, we were lucky enough to spend a night at a private ranch that offers cozy rooms, gorgeous scenery and breathtaking vineyards and olive groves. Holman Ranch, which is located at the Northern end of Carmel Valley, California, is an extraordinary and charming property that will transport your mind and body to an enchanting and tranquil place.

As we pulled up to Holman Ranch, several deer greeted us along the serene drive to our room. We spent a wonderfully relaxing evening at this property and whether you are searching for the picture-perfect location for a wedding, corporate event or even a family reunion, this quaint, tranquil and historic location offers some of the most unique and beautiful backdrops in the area.

Property Information:

Holman Ranch
web: http://holmanranch.com/
(831) 659-2640
60 Holman Ranch Road
Carmel Valley, California 93924

Holman Ranch has quite a long history, but most recently was purchased in 2006 by Thomas and Jarman Lowder who fell for the property’s charms. With 400 acres, a working vineyard and olive grove, Holman Ranch is the perfect location for multi-day retreats and single-day events. There is so much this property has to offer, it’s difficult to sum it up.

Our visit began with a tour of the Holman Ranch grounds starting with the vineyard and wine cave. The Holman Ranch vineyard stretches over 21 acres and boasts 100 percent estate grown wine that is organic and sustainably grown. We were able to taste the wine right out of the barrels in the caves and it was an enjoyable and educational experience. The warmth of the inland valley combined with the cooling marine layer is the ideal climate for the production of this winery’s Pinot Noir and Chardonnay, which were both delicious.

As far as the grounds go, the focal point (and most stunning spot on the property) is the recently restored 1928 Carmel stone hacienda. From this spot, you can view 360-degree views of the Santa Lucia Mountains, which truly are magical and quite breathtaking. I thought back to my wedding day and imagined how special this setting would be for a bride and groom and their guests. It’s an impressive wedding location, especially with the various rooms and patios that surround the hacienda from the gorgeous lawn to the Stone Terrace, which is the ideal spot for a pre-reception cocktail hour. One of our favorite places on our tour of the Hacienda was the Game Room, which was originally a stable and was then converted into a theater. It now offers a pool table, dartboard, plasma TV, fireplace and bar, which provide an enjoyable retreat for the groom and his groomsmen before the event. The hacienda and its variety of spaces can accommodate up to 200 guests.

Holman Ranch also offers a lush Ceremony Veranda, a small chapel for smaller weddings (50 seated guests), a bride’s room and a carriage house. While all of these event spaces lend themselves well to weddings, Holman Ranch is also an unforgettable location for corporate events with its fully furnished and modern Conference Room and the Great Room, which is a comfortable location for cocktails or intimate dining.

The last item I want to be sure and mention are the accommodations. The newly remodeled guest rooms (there are 10 of them) reminded me of cozy western cabins, but with all of the modern amenities you would expect in a hotel. One of my very favorite things about the room was the water. Yes, the water! Holman Ranch has its own water system on the property and the water tastes so pure and refreshing. We were given two Holman Ranch stainless canteens in our rooms and we definitely enjoyed using them and drinking the water on the ranch. I’ll raise my canteen to that for sure!

Our entire experience from the water to the wine, to the accommodations (best night sleep EVER) to the quaint town with restaurants like Will’s Fargo Steakhouse and Bar and the Jarman Tasting room (also owned by the family that owns Holman Ranch), made this a memorable trip that was totally worth the long drive from Orange County. Holman Ranch and Carmel are spectacular and quite simply, beautiful beyond measure.

Disclosure: Kristine Snyder was given a complimentary stay at Holman Ranch for this travel feature and review. No monetary compensation was received. Kristine's thoughts and opinions are 100% her own and were not influenced in any way.

Portable Personal Safe for Traveling from Master Lock

If you do any type of traveling, securing your irreplaceable belongings is a must. Gone are the days when you could leave your passports, cash money, travel documents, mobile phones, iPods, credit cards, photo ID's, keys and jewelry lying around in your luggage. Using a hotel safe is not always a great option either since you don't know how many people have access to the code.

We do a great deal of traveling and have experienced theft a few times while vacationing. Two of these instances happened in our hotel room and the other one happened at the airport when a thief stole the valuables out of our luggage but left the clothing & personal items behind. Ugh!

Master Lock is a company that makes a variety of products that can help protect your important documents, keys, money, passports and other valuables. These products can be used in your home, place of business or while you are out traveling.

The company sent me a complimentary Portable Personal Safe to review for all of you and to feature here on our travel blog. This portable safe is perfect for those who go out camping, traveling, hiking, for use at the office, gym or even at your home. Its small, light-weight and very compact in its size. It measures almost 9 1/5" wide by 2.2" high.

You can use this safe to secure your cellphone, keys, travel documents, iPod, credit cards, debit cards, jewelry, etc. It has rigid hard sides so you don't have to worry about your items inside becoming crushed. It is great for protecting and securing all kinds of important small things.

You lock up your valuables inside it with the set-your-own-combination lock. There is a removable cable that is wrapped tightly around the personal safe and you use that cable to lock down your personal safe to a fixed object within the room.

It's durable and has water-resistant construction. There is an ear bud/charging cable access port for your electronics. I love that inside the personal safe is a shock absorbing foam so that if you accidentally drop it, your items inside will still be protected. I can toss it into my overnight bag, my luggage, tote or even use it in a gym locker! It is extremely well-made!

You can learn more about this particular product and many others by visiting the Master Lock website online or by connecting with them on Facebook or Twitter. We give this product a big 2-thumbs up!

Disclosure: We received a complimentary sample of this product to review and feature on our blog. No monetary compensation was received. Our thoughts, opinions and words are 100% our own and were not influenced by the sponsor.