USA Today.com recently did a report agreeing with Albert Einstein’s theory that some day people will be able to enjoy new ways to go places.

Of course, there are many questions. For example, if we can go back in time, will we be able to change the past so it will affect the future? Then, if we could travel to the future, would we’d still be alive and at the same age as we are today? Additionally, if we can return to early Vegas visits, could we attend a 1970s live Elvis concert, including dinner and drinks, for $25?

It all led us to ponder what choices we’d make if we were given the opportunity to take a one-time journey into the past or future. Here are some ideas for the ultimate bucket list, and we welcome senior readers to come up with their own:

Visit ancient Athens to discuss philosophy with Socrates...
On the scaffolding with Michelangelo as he paints the ceiling of Rome’s Sistine Chapel...
Sit in with the guys in Philly as they consider Tom Jefferson’s Declaration of Independence...
Go ashore at San Salvador with Chris Columbus and his crew as they discover the New World...
In the audience at Gettysburg when Abe Lincoln gives his short address...
On the steps of the Lincoln Memorial when Martin Luther King gives his memorable speech...
And just one more my wife insists I include: into the future to see the first woman President of the United States sworn in on January 20,  2017!!!

For those of us who served in World War II, a recent incident with a DUKW brings back memories. A boatload of people had to jump into the Thames River after an engine of one of the vintage vehicles caught fire. Fortunately, there was no danger and, although wet, no one was hurt.

Several tourist transportation companies in England and elsewhere offer recreational DUKW rides in the military amphibian vehicles. The attraction is that the excursion takes customers on highways, city streets and into rivers on the same tour. Despite the recent problem in London, the DUKW safety record is at least as good as any bus or river craft.

DUKW was introduced in 1942 as a GMC utility vehicle with front-wheel drive and two powered rear axles. Some historians have insisted the letters formed an acronym, but are incorrect. However, because of the letters, the land/water troop carrier has been fondly called a duck for the past 71 years.

During WWII and the Korean War, thousands of DUKWs were used in invasions and river crossings by American GIs and Marines, as well as British, Canadian, Australian and Russian troops.

For more information, go to www.londonducktours.co.uk

Over the years we’re in and out of Los Angeles International Airport more than any other in the world. We don’t visit LAX because we love it, but it’s just 25 minutes (except during rush hour) from home and necessary for almost all of our air travel plans.

In recent years LAX had been looking a bit shabby, but things are changing for the better. On a flight schedule several weeks ago, we noted the lighting is brighter, the waiting rooms larger and perked up with new seating facilities. The static old signs have been replaced by video-enhanced displays that make everything more inviting. The dingy little shops are being replaced by larger, contemporary retail areas.

There’s now the impressive-looking Great Hall, the Antonio Villaraigosa Pavilion, honoring the recent mayor of Los Angeles. Inside are upscale dining and retail enclaves, as well as indoor and outdoor VIP lounges.

LAX is also improving and enlarging boarding gates and aircraft entry bridges. Many domestic and foreign aircraft arriving at the airport today are larger models that offer more extensive, two-level seating. The new facilities will allow quicker passenger departing and arriving opportunities.

We frequent flyers appreciate the ongoing improvements at LAX, and look forward to enjoying them on future travels.

SW Airlines now enforces a no-show policy. Passengers are still permitted to make ticket changes at no charge. However, SW must be notified at least 10 minutes before a scheduled flight.

Previously, passengers could opt to miss their flights and later apply the credit for future ones. SW hopes the new rule will discourage inconsiderate passengers who book several flights, and then take the most convenient one. This too often creates empty seats and revenue loss to the airlines.