I'm Not a Frog, but I'm Thankful & Green

In such a beautiful world, we have so much to be thankful for and opportunities to recognize others.  This article recognizes the employees at rental management companies and hopes to inspire green action. 

We wanted to choose upscale cabin rental management company, so our guests would have the best service nearby.  Cabin management employees manage Lightning Bug Lodge and Indigo Moon Lodge on a daily basis.  Besides reservations, they have a full-time office and maintenance staff, so you can get help any day of the week.

When giving a gift, I also think about how I can help the environment or society.  Our gift this season was re-usable water bottles.  Perfect for hikes and keeping plastic botttles out of the landfill. 

Did you know that only 27% of plastic bottles get recycled in the US (according to Earth911.com)?  And the number of bottles we use keeps climbing.  In 1976, the average American drank 1.6 gallons of bottled water.  By 2006, it increased to 28.3 gallons!  You can make a difference, choose a re-usable water bottle.  For other recycling facts, visit Earth911.com.http://earth911.com/recycling/plastic/plastic-bottle-recycling-facts/

One small step for being green

You may wonder what we mean by being an environmentally friendly cabin.  We are making changes for the good, thinking about the next generation.  It's from the products we choose to the behaviors we reward to the non-profit environmental programs we support.  Every little step can have a big impact.

Did you know if every American replaced just one traditional incandescent lightbulb with a compact flourescent lightbulb we would prevent greenhouse gas emissions equivalent to 800,000 cars?!?!  According to the US Department of Energy, lighting in the US accounts for 22% of electrical consumption. 

Out with the old

In with the new

So we replaced the incandescent bulbs with CFL bulbs, knowing they consume 3.9 times less energy than the incandescent bulbs.  One small step today.  And when LED lights launch, I'm sure we'll make another move for green.  What actions do you think hotels and cabins should make to help save the environment?

Introducing the Green Exchange: LBL Library

We want you to have a delightful stay at our cabin and we would like to be as environmentally friendly as possible.

From going on many vacations, I understand one of the joys you may look forward to is time to actually read a book.  However, even on vacation other activities may make it difficult to finish the book.  No worries at Lightning Bug Lodge because you can take the book home with you.  Just exchange it for one of your used books.

It will be fun to see how the collection evolves with travelers from around the country.  I've provided 50 books to begin the library.  Since this is a family friendly cabin, I've included both adult and childrens books.  Perhaps you find a new bedtime story as you gather near the fireplace.  At the end of the year, I'll show you the new list.  Here's the 50 books available in September 2010:

1) Nathans Fishing Trip
2) We're Going on a Nature Hunt

3) Alexander & the Wind Up Mouse

4) Wind in the Willows
5) Mysteries & Marvels of Nature
6) Day of the Dragon King
7) Busy Bear Goes to the Beach
8) Websters College Dictionary
9) Chasing Kangaroos
10) It Takes a Village
11) Three Cups of Tea
12) Chicken Soup for the Nature Lovers Soul
13) The Secret Language of Girlfriends
14) Miss American Pie
15) The Art of Possibility
16) Still Making Waves
17) At Large & At Small
18) The Darkest Evening of the Year by Dean Koontz
19) Away
20) The Wanderer
21) Finding Father Christmas
22) Barefoot
23) The Hornets Nest
24) Simple Abundance
25) Burning Bright
26) Creepy Crawly Creatures
27) Lady and the Tramp
28) Off to Sea
29) W is for Wind
30) The Michigan Count Book
31) Sunny Numbers
32) The Ancient World
33) Olivia Joules & the Overactive Imagination
34) Little House on the Prairie
35) Bravo Amelia Bedelia
36) A Bargain for Frances
37) Jingle Bells
38) Hour of the Olympics
39) Someone Like You
40) Common Phrases & Where They Come From
41) Angel Dogs with a Mission
42) Fetching Dylan
43) Lapham Rising
44) Pets in America
45) Abundance for Beginners
46) The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People
47) Poems and Rhymes
48) Teamwork in Tonka Town
49) Big Birds Guessing Game
50) Shapes Around Town

What book would you contribute to the library?   What kind of books would you like to see in the library?