It all started with a dream – to see snow. Born and raised a South Floridian, I had never experienced the snow days and snowmen that my northerner friends prophesized. So instead of driving a few miles to PCB or Daytona for Spring Break, my friends and I piled the car high with suitcases full of puffy winter jackets and headed north.
As the insanity of the trip is dying down and I'm curled up in my Twin XL bed, I see what we did wrong and what we did right. The following is a list of five steps that will ensure that you and your friends have the most unforgettable and completely wild Spring Break imaginable.
1. Don't pack light – Contrary to popular belief, the best way to pack for a road trip is to throw everything you think you'll need into a suitcase. That sweater you thought you wouldn't need is going to be your best friend in the mountains of North Carolina, and that bathing suit is going to come in handy when you get invited to a spontaneous hot tub party in the mountains.
2. Stop everywhere – Whether you need to go to the bathroom or not, take frequent breaks from the open road. You won't regret stopping to take a picture next to a funny sign or weird landmark. That roadside carnival might not look very safe, but it sure looks fun.
3. Stay with friends or book cheap hotels – The less money you dish out on amenities, the better. You'll spend about 10 percent of your vacation in the place you're sleeping. Don't waste money that could be better spent on snow tubing.
4. Take risks – You'll regret every adventure you don't embark on. It might be twelve miles to the top of the mountain, but the view from the top is worth it. The dog on the side of the road might have fleas, but what kind of philanthropists would you be if you didn't stop to invite him along for the ride?
5. Don't plan anything - If you're looking to get the most out of your spring break, have no expectations and make no plans. We booked our hotels the night before we left and packed an hour before our departure time. Somehow, interesting adventures just seemed to find us. Que sera sera, my friends.
Spring Break is meant to be a time to relax and unwind… and maybe blow a couple hundred of your hard-earned college dollars. The best way to get the most out of your vacation is to enjoy it – no matter what 'it' turns out to be. It may not have been a week at PCB, but I can honestly say that it was the most fun I've ever had on vacation.
