As we brave the end of winter and look forward to warmer, sunnier days, our thoughts turn towards summer vacation. Since the kids are out of school, the summer is the ideal time for a family vacation, but where? Coming up with a consensus between friends is hard enough, but add the age gap between parent and child, or even grandparent and grandchild, and the task of deciding where to go and what activities to plan might appear impossible; however, if you are willing to be flexible and keep an open mind, with planning, you and your family can enjoy an amazing vacation.
One of the first things you’ll want to take into consideration is the health of the individual travelers. Are there allergies or dietary concern that need to be addressed, or physical limitations accommodated for? Will you need to arrange for a wheelchair at the airport or opt for a longer layover between connecting flights to ensure that everyone is able to make it to the terminal on time? Will any of your guests require a crib or a handicap accessible room at the hotel? Understanding the needs of the members within your group will allow you to prepare ahead.
The next things to consider are the personal interests of the individuals. While the primary reason for family trips is to enjoy the time together, the age gap presented by multigenerational travel can complicate things; your mom may be looking forward to visiting the aquarium, while the kids have their hearts set on a theme park, and all you can think about is a trip to the beach. The trick is allowing everyone time to enjoy the activities that they want most to do without sacrificing family time. This can be best accomplished by planning group activities that are not age restrictive such as having dinner at a theme restaurant (be sure to make reservations in advance to avoid long wait and frayed nerves), or visiting an important landmark. The important thing to remember is that it is just as important to plan enough free time for people to explore on their own as the time you spend together..
Those little motels all seem to have similar names such as Tall Pines, or Mountain View. They are usually family owned businesses. The rooms are cheap and the buildings are old. When I was kid those little places were the norm. Most had a small pool. Maybe even a laundry room.
I remember one place where the water ran a reddish color. There was a sign saying it was okay to drink, but if we wanted, there was filtered water at the office. Something about the water and the pine trees discolored the water. Let’s just say we all skipped the shower the following morning.
I’ve still used these little motels in recent years. Some are better than others. A few times, I’ve checked the sheets. But most of them also allow pets. Plus if all you need is a bed, they are perfect for an inexpensive night.
My husband and I would often ask for the trucker rate. Those rooms are no frills. We were lucky if they had a coffee pot. But they were dirt cheap. It was usually a king or queen size bed, a TV, and pretty much nothing more. Their continental breakfast might have been a doughnut or a bagel. That’s okay, we only needed a place to sleep.
A few years ago, my area had a severe threat of a hurricane hitting here. My house is not in a flood zone or anything so I debated about getting out. The big problem is a very large pecan tree that belongs to a neighbor. I dread the day that thing falls. I finally decided that I’d stay at my local Hilton Garden Inn. That way, if I could get around, I could get home and check on the house. Normally the Hilton doesn’t allow pets, and I have two. Since the governor of Virginia had declared a state of emergency, my pets were welcome.
I had a coffeepot in my room and all the fixings along with a small refrigerator. I had beautiful view of the river, which meant if it rose, I could watch it. I parked my car in the highest area that I could, crossed my fingers, and planned to enjoyed my stay.
Originally the hurricane was to hit on a Friday so I checked in on Thursday, but then they said Saturday. It extended my stay. But I had a lovely time even though the hurricane missed us.
There were several people their with dogs and all of the dogs got along just fine. The minute the elevator door would open, Max the French Bulldog would call to my Sugarplum. She’d run over to him. They’d do some sniffing and immediately settle down . The big Golden Retriever was an old boy who really didn’t care about a few other dogs sharing his space. He was very sweet. He’d look at Sugarplum like she was too small to even consider. Max attempted to be more social but the old boy didn’t pay too much attention to the other four-legged guests. There were a few others with small dogs and a medium-sized dog. But those owners pretty much kept their dogs confined to their rooms.
My cat occupied the bathroom. Disposable littler boxes are fantastic. If you have a cat, you need to keep a few on hand for emergencies! They are almost impossible to find prior to a hurricane.
She stayed by me the entire time.
Did I mention that the food was delicious? Yummy! Breakfast was unreal! They had a fruit bar, a cereal bar, and a hot line. In the evening, the hotel’s bar was quiet. The bartenders were friendly, the people who gathered mostly watched the weather reports. There were quite a few men who worked for power companies who had been sent to help if the power lines went down. I was surprised to discover that many of these men were college educated. Several men had started straight out of high school but obtained their education along the way.
I was comfortable the entire time. I made a few new friends and discovered the hotel’s restaurant was a true hidden gem. Not to mention that view from the dining room was amazing even in the rain. Plus that big covered patio meant I could walk outside and not get wet.
When it was over, I packed up my things. I contacted room service, and they gave me trash bags. I slipped the litter box into one and left it tied closed. I also left a nice tip. I promise I’m not messy, but they didn’t have access to my room because of the animals. Who wants to think about a litter box? I almost hated to leave the friendly atmosphere of the Hilton Garden Inn and return to my home. I guess I’m a social person and I enjoy being with people. I just prefer things to be quiet. My stay was perfect. I left feeling refreshed and thankful that the hurricane missed us. Then I headed back to my house. The pecan tree still stood with all its branches. Maybe it wasn’t exactly a stay-cation, but it sure felt like it!
Little motel or nice accommodations? I guess it depends on what you want. A little motel is fine with me. Most of the time I only want a place to lay my head. But my time at the Hilton, made my visit worth every penny.
The things you will see. Getting away from everyday life is a good thing. We see the same ol’ same ol’ most of our lives even if we managed to move to a different state or within the state. Some folks never leave the place where they were born. Getting away not only allows you to see new things, it’s a chance to experience new foods and a wide variety of things that you wouldn’t if you were home.
A friend’s son and daughter-in-law took a trip because someone said they could use their get-away cabin. They really didn’t know what to expect, but took a few extra days to do some other things since they would be in the area, including visiting a cousin that he hadn’t seen since they were children. First they flew to the city and did all the tourist stuff, then they went to see the cousin, and the last few days, they rented a vehicle and went to the cabin. This was no little cabin in the woods. Apparently, it was beautiful. It sat by the river and they hired a man in the small town to teach them to fly fish. The son had surf fished and fished from a boat but never in a stream The daughter-in-law had never been fishing. Fly-fishing is different. She swears she never had so much fun in her life. Almost everything they caught was prepped and shipped home on ice. It was a once in a lifetime opportunity and they took it.
Their taking off for a vacation was no easy feat. He owns his own business and that meant shutting down his company for two weeks. Then there was the cost of the trip. Where they live is warm year round so they needed special clothes for the cooler climate. Air fare, hotels, it all added up very quickly.
But was it worth it? Yes. They both had so much fun that they decided they’d do something similar again. Just being able to completely relax helped them physically and mentally. It put a little zing in their private life, and they reconnected on several levels. Even when they returned home, the feelings of renewal lingered. He went back to work with more energy.
Some folks have elaborate bucket lists of places they want to go or things they want to see. My personal list almost doesn’t exist. I’m happy just getting away and seeing new things – whatever those things happen to be. I like history so museums appeal to me. I love nature so seeing new places and visiting states and national parks also appeal. But I also love doing things that aren’t ordinary, such as visiting a local art walk or some other sort of town fair. There’s a chili cook-off at the local lodge? I know what I’m having for dinner!
This post will be short and sweet. I’m planing my first trip across the country, and the brave woman I am, I’m going to take the dogs with me when I hit the highway. I’m considering an RV, but growing up, my idea of camping was hanging out with my sister in a tent in the backyard until the sun went down. To further push me out of my comfort zone, this will be my first big adventure without my sister. The other choices are to drive and sleep in hotels, or to sit back and let someone else do the driving- planes, trains, and Uber? Well I have plenty of time to decide what to see and how to get there. Let me know what you think?
Packing a suitcase is like a jigsaw puzzle. There are dozens of videos on packing suitcases. There are those who claim that rolling everything is best and others say to fold. I’m in the middle. I like to roll some things and fold others.
The magic of packing a suitcase is to make certain just about everything is mix and match. On this trip upcoming trip to Texas, I don’t need to worry about dressing up so my wardrobe will strictly be slacks. Also since it’s early spring in Texas, the weather shouldn’t be too cold or too warm. I’ll wear my lightweight wool coat and that will save me from packing it. I’ll also bring my down vest that folds into its pocket and barely takes any space and is…um…light as a feather. I can wear the vest under the jacket if we really do get cold one night. A couple pairs of jeans and some comfortable tops, one top is warm and fuzzy and the others are mostly three-quart sleeves. They seem to be the perfect weight when inside in air conditioning and not too hot if it’s warm out. Fortunately, my better blouses stay almost wrinkle free. If they do wrinkle, an hour or two on a hanger and the wrinkles will fall out. I hate wrinkles and wrinkled clothing, so learning to fold clothes to prevent wrinkles is important.
Cotton tee shirts to me are the worst. They will wrinkle if you look at them crooked! So the trick there is to lay them flat, front side down, and fold the arms to the back of the shirt. Then start at the bottom of the shirt and roll the shirt to the neck and keep smoothing as you go. Slacks and jeans get rolled, too. I fold them so the back left leg is against the back right leg. Again. smooth them out and this time start at the bottom and roll to the waist. If you pack something that does wrinkle, a dress, or a suit jacket, etc. put them into a dry cleaning bag and then roll or fold. If you don’t have a dry cleaning bag, use tissue paper. I prefer to fold dresses, and jackets. I lay them so that there are the fewest folds. And I put them on the top of everything else with the neck of the item at the very top when the bag is upright. Drop undies and bras into Ziploc bags. I prefer to just fold undies. I save things like PJ’s and I stuff them into corners and places where I have a little room to fill. Who cares if they wrinkle? Remember most wrinkles in our casual clothes will come out if the clothes are slightly dampened. Wet your hands and slap the wrinkles. Then allow the shirt to hang until dry.
The other thing is to put shoes into plastic bags so you don’t put your shoes against your clothes. Then put your heaviest things to the bottom of your bag. If your bag is on rollers that means the edge of your bag with wheels is where your heaviest things go. That’s usually your jeans. And put the items that are most apt to wrinkle at the very top so nothing is lying on them.
I try to pack my toiletries so that they are padded by clothing on all sides. I also try to keep my makeup to a minimum and put it into a Ziploc. There’s nothing worse than discovering that your favorite cake of eye shadow has broken. By padding with between clothes it’s less apt to suffer jolts that might break it.
I put shampoo and conditioner into smaller containers and put them into Ziploc bags. Things like nail clippers, tweezers, etc usually do better in a heaver bag. Consider using a child’s pencil bag. It’s usually sturdy enough to keep everything contained so that nothing pokes through the vinyl. Bring a pillowcase or at least an extra bag to hold your dirty laundry.
Don’t take anything you don’t need. And always keep it simple including your jewelry. A pair of black slacks and a nice blouse will usually tide most women through those unexpected times when they need to dress for dinner or something. Add a pair of black onyx earrings with rhinestones, and my plain outfit looks dressy.
Use the tie downs that come in most suitcases as it keeps things from shifting. Keep your carry-on to a minimum. Only stuff what you really need in there. Just think of it as an overgrown purse. Laptop, Kindle, phone, phone charger, USB cord, important documents, medications – the stuff that would be a real problem if you don’t have them, and carry anything that you might need to keep from going stir crazy during a flight. Apparently what you can carry on has been subject to change so check with TSA before you pack.
The dollar store is your friend. It has small travel-size bottles that you can fill with your favorite shampoo. A little tube of toothpaste is perfect for traveling and even toothbrush covers can be found at the dollar store. Don’t pack your fancy electric toothbrush. Take a mini travel-size deodorant stick. Use sample sized containers of moisturizers, and hand creams, and whatever other small thing you might need. Pack it! Don’t take it in your carry-on. Remember small for carry-on! Keep it lightweight.
Every piece of luggage needs to be identified with a nametag. Your name doesn’t have to boldly show but every piece of luggage should have your name on it. Magic Markers are our friends. As a child I carried a suitcase that was very red and made of heavy-duty plastic with metal trim. The Christmas I got it my mom suggested that I draw on it to make it mine. Two weeks later and I still hadn’t decided on what to draw. Mom suggested a favorite cartoon. I picked Snoopy and his doghouse. In one corner, he was doing the happy dance, and in the other, he was on top of the doghouse. Even in the 1960’s, it was internationally recognized. Everyone loved Snoopy. Everyone loved my bag. Someplace underneath and on the inside my suitcase also contained my name and address. The same still holds true. Identify! Make sure your suitcase is identified including your carry-on luggage.
I haven’t flown since 9-11, and I know everything has changed. I’ve heard all the horror stories. And I know we can no longer take certain things in certain sizes. Really? The size of my shampoo bottle matters? Well, of course, I don’t want to take a litter bottle of shampoo because it weights too much. I’m only going to Texas. If I run out, I’ll buy some.
Then certain things must go into a quart-sized zip locked bag. HUH? I can only take one zip bag? But I have… Do I take… I want certain things in my carry-on bag. Does the purse count as a carry-on? Darn. I’m going to be studying that TSA list . https://www.tsa.gov/travel/travel-tips/travel-checklist
I have layovers, and I want my computer with me. I want my phone and my Kindle. Am I going to survive this? Yes. I’ve traveled extensively. I’ve just never traveled post 9-11. I have to take my shoes off? Gross. I don’t want my feet on a dirty floor. I’m whining. I’m nervous. Flying I really don’t mind – it’s getting to that point.
Why do they call it a layover? Wouldn’t it be a lyover or lieover? If you lie, you are resting, if you lay, you are placing. Okay, they are placing me in the airport for a certain length of time.
I’ll be in Atlanta for a few hours. I’ve heard that place is huge. I’ve never been to Atlanta’s airport but I’ve heard it’s one of the biggest airports in the USA. That’s daunting. I remember a few times as a teen racing to get to a different area in the airport to catch the next flight. The panic of not knowing where I had to be and a few times not speaking the language. I doubt I’ll have a problem this time, but I want to make certain I’ve covered all my bases. With luck, Delta will be all in the same place.
When I used to travel as a child and teen, I always kept an undersized deck of cards and a small magnetic chess set in my purse. There were no electronics back then. But if I got caught someplace, I’d pull out my chess set, put it in front of me, and wait. It usually only took a few minutes and someone would look at the set and me. I’d smile, and a few hand signs later, I was playing chess with a complete stranger. That’s probably the most internationally known game. I’d be playing with an eighty-year-old or a teen. It didn’t matter. I wasn’t a great player, but I could play. I’d play in an airport, a train station, or in a little cafe. It was fun and often would draw a crowd. What I discovered about my little chess set was that no matter where I was the game was known and broke language barriers, age barriers, and created friends. All people love a chance to have a few minutes of fun no matter if they lived in New Delhi, Paris, London, Los Angeles, Hong Kong, or some unheard of little town.
Traveling on a budget is almost a given these days. Knowing how and where to save money will allow you the extra funds for the occasional splurge. There are several tips you can use to help you save money. The first is in selecting when to travel. When possible, I try to travel off peak season, since the resorts are less booked and the booking agents are more motivated to fill the empty rooms. You can usually get more for less. Ask if there are any promotions available like free meals, discount tickets to area activities and events, or even getting a free night if certain conditions are met. Also selecting to fly on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, or Saturdays will usually garner you the cheapest airline tickets, and don’t be afraid to ask for an upgrade. When space is available, airlines will often offer to upgrade you to first or business class for a nominal fee. Another quick tip is to go shopping before you settle in. No, not that kind of shopping. I recommend hitting the local grocery store or Walmart. If you can’t find one, ask the cleaning staff because they are more likely to guide you to the bargains than the hotel’s concierge. This may sound like you’re being cheap, and not in a good way, but when the hunger kicks in, you’ll be grateful for an alternative to pricey room service or the room’s minibar which I believe the hotel puts in the room in hopes that you get so tired that you fail to notice the mind blowing prices. I think we’ve all been there. Who hasn’t been tempted by the $5 can of soda or the $12 bag of peanuts? Can I get an AMEN? Don’t forget to look for savings outside your hotel. Many resorts and amusement parks offer discounts. Don’t be afraid to ask, and do your homework beforehand. Remember, Google is your friend. Amusement parks often sell refillable cups which allow you to get all your drinks for free or for some nominal fee. After two refills, you’ve already made your money back. Another place to look for discounts is in the city’s resort guide which can be found at rest stops and on the check-in desk and in the room of most hotels. These guides often have coupons for restaurants, and activities.
While it is important to know how save, it’s just as important to know when not to pinch pennies. Don’t forget why you chose this destination. You’ve invested time and money to be there so give yourself permission to enjoy it. Buy the mouse ears; eat funnel cake. Take an Uber instead of walking back to the hotel at night when you’re not sure exactly where you’re going, remember, safety is worth its weight in gold, and you can’t go back and make a better decision.
A great example of this is a trip I took with my mother. We were tired and decided to spend the night at a hotel. Well, to say that I am extremely particular when it comes to selecting a hotel would be a true understatement. I don’t just check out the amenities and star ratings, I delve a little further. I read the reviews to see how the hotel stacks up in the areas that I care about. Then I look at the shops, restaurants, and activities that are nearby. The trip with my mother was not such a case. We hadn’t planned to spend the night, so I had not done my due diligence. There was some big university event, and most of the hotels were booked, so we were forced to settle on a budget hotel whose name I can’t remember. The room was horrific. It was dark and dingy and the door was difficult to lock. We quickly decided that the money we’d spent wasn’t worth compromising our safety; we’d rather keep driving until we found somewhere we trusted.
What does that look like for me? I took a seminar a few years ago, and the facilitator asked us who we were. I immediately thought about what I did for a living, but then she corrected us, and explained that we were more than what we did. That definitely complicated things. Who was I? What was I passionate about? Who did God create me to be?
“I am an artist.”
That one statement changed my life. That was my truth, and the only way to truly live my best life was to align my life with that truth. This brings me to that “life alteration” I spoke of in my original post. Whether designing a piece of jewelry or creating a story, I am most passionate about flexing my creative muscles. Becoming a fulltime writer has been my dream, and now I’m ready to make it my goal. This year is the beginning of my journey to become a digital nomad.
A digital nomad is someone who earns their living online. Surprisingly, there are several jobs that support this lifestyle. I have chosen to combine my love for traveling with my love for writing. I hope you will take this journey with me as I become a fulltime writer and commit to living my best life. Each week I will share information about some of the amazing places I’ve been, the lessons I’ve learned, and the highs and lows of my journey to becoming a digital nomad.
To all my readers and fellow authors in Texas, along with everyone else, please tell me what I should NOT miss in Texas, I’ll be in San Antonio March 3-9, and then I’m going to the Texas hill country. I sort of know where the hill country is but I know nothing about it. I’ll be in Texas until March 17. I’d love to meet everyone while I’m there.
Is there a bookstore or a special restaurant in the hill country? I’m excited about going. I haven’t been off the east coast for years and the thought of traveling is almost overwhelming. But I’m ready for this new adventure!
My youngest brother loved Texas. He thought it was the best state. I know he lived there on and off for years, yet the last place he lived was South Dakota. He had a cowboy’s heart, and loved a ten gallon hat. He especially loved the Texas sky. That big dome. He also loved spring in Texas when the cacti bloomed and along with everything else.
When I think back on my brother, I smile. He didn’t exactly follow normal conventions, which meant he was often at odds with my family. But to me, as a child, he was the adventurous one. He was also funny. My brother had an odd appearance. He had yellow eyes. I promise they were yellow. Mom called them golden brown but to me and everyone else, they were about as golden yellow as eyes got. People would approach him and say silly things such as, “Did you know that you had yellow eyes?
(This was before contacts could give someone any sort of color.)
He’d turned to me and often said one of a few things such as, “Are my eyes yellow?”
“Yes.”
“Know I should have stopped by the men’s room.”
Did I mention he was handsome? He was a chick magnet and those golden-yellow eyes were part of his magnetism. At six foot four with blond hair and yellow eyes, he stood out in a crowd. Toss in his ten-gallon hat on top of that and cowboy boots, he was definitely someone you couldn’t miss.
Maybe it’s because I’m going to the state he loved so much, I want o see it though his eyes, except he’s no longer here. If he was…he’d show me around. So since he can’t, I’m hoping my readers and friends will suggest places for me.
Welcome to travel tips Friday. Each Friday I will post a new travel tip that I hope will enrich your travel experience.
Are you a planner? Do you have your entire day mapped out before your feet even touch the floor each morning; or are you the spontaneous type who has no idea what they will do five seconds from now, much less with the rest of the day? I’m sure no one would be surprised to know that your personality type effects how you not only approach your daily routines, but how you approach vacationing.
A planner would say that having a plan helps you to maximize your time. You don’t have to worry about arriving to the restaurant an hour before it opens or fifteen minutes after it closes, and who cares that the concert just sold out since you purchased your tickets two month ago. While planners boast that they are never left out in the cold, the more spontaneous among you would argue that planning every second leaves no room for the unexpected, so while you’re hurrying to keep your reservations at a restaurant overlooking the beach, they’re enjoying a clambake on the beach with the couple they met in line the night before.
When it comes to vacationing, the answer is neither “a” nor “b”, but rather a blending of the two. You should definitely plan those activities you just can’t miss. You would really hate missing that exhibit just because you waited to go on Sunday to beat the crowds, only to discover that the exhibit is closed on Sundays and your flight is scheduled to leave Monday at 8 AM. I definitely recommend that you plan those must do events, but still leave enough flexibility to allow for any wonderful opportunities that might arise.
When I’m on vacation, I like to plan something for each day, so I don’t waste half the day trying to decide what to do, but I try to remain flexible, so if I decide to sleep in or if I get a better offer, I can easily readjust my schedule to accommodate my new plans. Vacations should be about maximizing your enjoyment, rather than working to do as much as you can. Isn’t that why you needed a vacation in the first place?
A Nomad's Journey 
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