Allegheny Forest trail to close early for work

Allegheny Forest trailto close early for work
MARIENVILLE, Pa. -- The Marienville Trail Bike Trail in the Allegheny National Forest will be closed beginning Tuesday for the remainder of the summer season.
All other trails will be open until the last Sunday in September.
"We need to close the bike portion of the trail to allow our maintenance contractor ample time to complete trail work before the rainy fall weather arrives," District Ranger Leon Blashock said.
Work planned for the trail, which is in eastern Forest County, includes grading to remove ruts and potholes and repairing the drainage system.
For information about this or other trails in the Forest system, call (814) 927-6628.
Heathrow will testspace-age scanner
Navigating passport control at London's Heathrow Airport can be done in the blink of an eye, or so say developers of a space-age scanner to be tested this fall.
The system, by EyeTicket Corp. of McLean, Va., consists of a digital camera that scans the eyes of arriving passengers and matches them with passport or other numbers. The process takes fewer than two seconds, officials say, and enables users to bypass lines at passport counters.
EyeTicket, in a partnership with British Airways and Virgin Atlantic, is hoping to get as many as 2,000 frequent fliers from North America to enroll in the six-month trial beginning in October. Enrollment involves having your eyes photographed and paired with identifying numbers, said a spokeswoman.
A similar EyeTicket system has screened US Airways employees at North Carolina's Charlotte-Douglas International Airport since May 2000, she said, but Heathrow marks its first application to passengers.
4 cruise lines divertships from Glacier Bay
Four cruise lines have cut back visits to Alaska's Glacier Bay to conform with an Aug. 3 federal court ruling reducing ship entries into the bay. The ruling was on a suit brought by conservationists.
Most of the lines are diverting ships to other scenic stretches of coastline including Tracy Arm, Icy Bay or Hubbard Glacier. Upcoming sailings that are affected include Aug. 26 by Holland America, and Aug. 26 and Aug. 27 by Princess Cruises.
World Explorer Cruises diverted a ship departing last week. Ships departing after Aug. 31 are not affected.
The court ruling also cut next year's June-through-August visits to Glacier Bay from 139 to 107. Legislation to reverse that provision was passed by the U.S. Senate in July; its fate awaits action in House-Senate conference committees this fall.
Belize Web site
Belize Tourism Board has launched a Web site for those traveling to the Central American country.
The site, www.travelbelize.org, includes a brief history, maps, a list of events and the latest news from Belize. It also includes up-to-the-minute weather conditions for the country.
Tips for the road
Planning a road trip? A publication from Booklet Bonanza gives readers 39 tips on traveling by car or recreational vehicle.
The booklet can fit into a pocket or purse for easy reference. Cost is $4.95, postage paid.
Request Car and RV Travel Tips from Booklet Bonanza at P.O. Box 3437, Ventura, CA 93006.
Staying fit on trips
To avoid jet lag while traveling, set your watch to the time of your destination as soon as you board the plane.
"How to Stay Healthy & amp; Fit on the Road" offers this and other tips for travelers on such topics as how to eat right, get adequate sleep and reduce stress.
Written by Joanne V. Lichten Ph.D., R.D., the book is available in paperback for $9.95 at bookstores, at www.drjo.com, or by calling (888) 431-5326.