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Trip Planning 101

Some Basics To Think About When Planning Your Next Trip Or Vacation.

Andrew R. McKinley

Jul 16, 2018

National Storytellers Society

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So, it's that time of year you've been saving up all that paid-time-off for. Schools out, and the kids are antsy. It is time! The moment you have been waiting for. Plan a trip, get out of the office or the house and explore! But, planning a trip isn't the easiest of things for some people, especially depending on all you have going on in your life. If you're that person, welcome! If you're a drop everything and just randomly pick a direction and see what happens along the way. I hate you.

But for the rest of us, it's time to start gathering your inspiration! So, what do you need to know about planning a trip? First off let's get back to the basics: Who, What, When, Where, Why, and How. Yea, takes you back to your school days a bit doesn't?

The Who:

The Who

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Are you thinking about going on this trip alone or inviting people to join in on this adventure. Family? Friends? Do you have small children, or, rambunctious pals? These are important things to think about as you begin the planning process for your trip. If you have small kids you might think twice about super long car rides or difficult trips like long backpacking excursions. A group of friends could be fun, but the memories you can make with your family might be more special.

The What:

What

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What do you plan to do or what sort of goals are you wanting to accomplish while on this trip or vacation. Make sure they are clear but at the same time, don't stress to much over it, go with the flow a bit and see where the trip might take you. You might wind up having some great experiences off the beaten path.

The When:

Time

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Time, time, time… We all desire to have it. Well now that you've requested that paid-time-off or vacation leave, it's all yours. Take into consideration the time of year. The seasons and weather can effect road conditions for traveling, or effect whether you camp, backpack, go to the beach, etc. Additionally, it will play a card on whether or not a location is packed with tourists or mainly locals. It can also have an effect on event prices or ticket prices if you travel via plane, train or bus. This is probably one of the first steps you want to take in your overall considerations. It also plays a major role in what you pack. Winter or colder areas you might want to pack for wearing layers, while summer or hot locations loose fitting clothing and sunscreen.

The Where:

Where

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Alright, decision time. Where are you wanting to go? Of course 'Where and What" are super important steps in your trip planning. So, take some time. You already have the time or days requested off, most likely weeks in advance, now's the time to really get down and dirty and figure out where you want to go, and then what you plan to do while there.

The Why:

why

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Obviously, everyone has his or her own reason behind taking a trip. Sometimes it is just nice to escape the constant technology or rhythm of everyday life and spread your wings. Do something different, try something new. But, whatever your reasoning maybe have fun, and enjoy yourself.

The How:

How

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Don't forget to budget. This probably should be first and foremost, but if you're like me, I prefer to figure out where I want to go and what I want to do before I do anything else. What are you going to use to get to your vacation location? Drive yourself, take a Greyhound bus, fly on a plane but then keep in mind you have to use public transport or rent a car wherever you land; or maybe try something totally different and take your time by train to your trip location, or perhaps a combination. But, all and all, in the end, make the trip your own. Have fun with it and have fun with the planning, don't let it stress you out. After all, it's your time.

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Trip Planning 101

Some Basics To Think About When Planning Your Next Trip Or Vacation.

The Who:

The What:

The When:

The Where:

The Why:

The How:

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Cool Off with These 8 Beers!

Coors Light Summer Brew:

Leinenkugel Summer Shandy

Leinenkugel Sunset Wheat

Sam Adams Summer Ale

Hell or High Watermelon

Blue Moon Summer Honey

LandShark Lager

Corona

75 degrees and sunny, plus, no humidity. I mean do I really need to say more?

Perfect Weather

You'll get an effortless tan

You can exercise with a view

You don't have to worry about bug bites

In n Out all day, every day

We have outdoor concerts

We live where people vacation

Because let's be honest, we all use lyrics.

1. “Don’t get too close, it’s dark inside. It's where my demons hide.”

2. “Tonight, we are young.”

3. “Cuz I may be bad, but I’m perfectly good at it.”

4. “Tell me how they got that pretty little face on that pretty little frame.”

5. “I can’t wait to fall in love with you, you can’t wait to fall in love with me.”

6. “Sweatpants, hair tied, chillin with no makeup on.”

7. “Why you so obsessed with me?”

8. “We ain’t ever getting older.”

9. “I didn’t know that I was starving until I tasted you.”

10. “Didn’t they tell you I’m a savage?"

11. “I’m gonna make you miss me.”

12. "Cheers to the freakin weekend.”

13. “Love’s a game. Wanna play?”

14. “You don’t know about me, but I bet you want to.”

15. “Let’s set each other’s lonely nights, Be each other’s paradise.”

16. “Trippin’ on skies, sippin’ waterfalls."

17. “Wish we could turn back time, to the good old days.”

18. “But you will remember me for centuries.”

19. “Something about you makes me feel like a dangerous woman."

20. “Don’t act like it’s a bad thing to fall in love with me.”

21. “Darling, I’m a nightmare dressed like a daydream.”

22. “Find me where the wild things are.”

23. “I’m high on lovin’ you.”

24. “If you’re gonna be somebody’s heartbreak, somebody’s mistake, if you’re gonna be somebody’s first time, somebody’s last time, be mine.”

25. “Don’t be afraid to take the road less traveled on.”

Everything Bruce says in his classic rock songs.

1. "Talk about a dream Try to make it real You wake up in the night With a fear so real Spend your life waiting For a moment that just don't come Well don't waste your time waiting." (Badlands)

2. "It's a town full of losers/ I'm pulling out of here to win" (Thunder Road)

3. "You've got to learn to live with what you can't rise above" (Tunnel of Love)

4. "I got something in my heart/ I been waitin' to give/ I got a life I wanna start/ One I been waitin' to live" (Leah)

5. “God have mercy on the man/ Who doubts what he’s sure of” (Brilliant Disguise)

7. “Is a dream a lie when it don’t come true, or is it something worse?” (The River)

Why you should spend your next summer in New England.

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1. "Talk about a dream
Try to make it real
You wake up in the night
With a fear so real
Spend your life waiting
For a moment that just don't come
Well don't waste your time waiting." (Badlands)