I think I’m becoming a green traveling snob … or is that a snobby green traveler?  What I really mean is that when I hit the road to sing Gainesville’s tourism praises (watch out Beyonce) one of the very first things I do when I arrive at my hotel is start searching for those ugly, squiggly light bulbs in every light fixture and recycle bins in the lobby.  And if I don’t find green compliance, I think, hmmm, what little brown planet do these hoteliers live on?!

Just last week, I stayed at a nice little hotel that was, well, trying to be green.  I know they were trying because when I started my now almost obligatory “sustainable” snooping, I found one compact fluorescent light bulb screwed right next to a conventional “I’ve got an idea” looking one in my bedside lamp.  So some points to management for at least trying.

My in-depth, “Deputy Dog-Got Green?” investigation continued the next day.  I read my little “Save the planet/Save a Towel” door hanger thingee that was so nicely displayed on the big fluffy towels – and did exactly as instructed and hung my little damp towels on the rack so it wouldn’t be laundered in five million gallons of 1,000-degree water.  Alas when I returned to my tidied room at the end of the day, I'd been “gifted” with all new towels!  Fluffy, white, and sanitized.  No points to the management there. 

I guess that’s the point, hotels going green…and for that matter, private citizens and my fellow Americans (sorry, I think channeling Nixon at this point is not exactly appropriate, always, always funny, by not appropriate) thinking about and actually acting in a green or at least greener, is no game. Get off the bench, reduce, recycle and reuse.

A little editorial green note to hoteliers:  if you looking to go green, sign-up today for the Florida Green Lodging Conference – it’s a first-of-it’s-kind…and it’s cool – www.floridagreenlodgingconference.com