This week's senior travel deals include rail pass discounts in the UK, a special package at Nemacolin Woodlands Resort in southwestern Pennsylvania, holiday lodging deals in Jackson Hole and some great offers for solo travelers from Grand Circle Travel and Overseas Adventure Travel. Head over to the Senior Travel Forum to see the senior travel deals and discounts for the week of November 7, 2009.

With Thanksgiving around the corner, nearly everyone I know is talking about holiday plans. This year, many people are planning to travel by car and stay with relatives in order to save money. You may find yourself driving from one place to another with your grandchildren in tow.

Traveling with grandchildren is both amusing and challenging. Spending a few hours in the car with grandchildren offers a chance to tell stories, find out about school activities and teach favorite songs. As the trip drags on, however, boredom can lead to whining, and that's no fun for anyone.

If you're planning a road trip with your grandchildren, take a moment to read our list of things to bring along - and things to leave at home. Trust me, nothing ruins a road trip more quickly than the discovery of melted chocolate - or worse - in the back seat of Grandpa's car. Our road trip packing list will help you make the most of your trip with your grandchildren.

Photo © Jamie Harris

Residents of the Mid-Atlantic states will be familiar with this sight. At this time of year, deer are everywhere. I took this photo at Antietam National Battlefield a few weeks ago.

See more About.com Wordless Wednesday photos.

Take a photo tour of Antietam National Battlefield.

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Photo © Nancy Parode

I came home from my last trip to an unpleasant surprise. During a weekend rainstorm, wind had damaged my ridge vent, creating a roof leak. I was thankful the rain stopped before water began to drip onto the carpet, but I'm still dealing with repairs and insurance claims.

I was only away for a weekend, so I didn't have anyone check my house during my trip. After this incident, I'll definitely consider hiring someone to keep an eye on things every time I'm away. Having a house sitter on-site can prevent small problems from turning into bigger ones.

Should you hire a house sitter for your next trip? There are many types of house sitting arrangements, from casual agreements with a neighbor to formal contracts with bonded house sitters. Some house sitters will take care of pets, giving you an alternative to boarding your dog or cat.

If you're not sure that you need a house sitter or wonder what services a house sitter provides, take a look at our helpful information on house sitting arrangements.

Photo © Mike Munchel