Vacationing Now that the Children are Grown
I remember the first time my husband and I planned a vacation without the children. I was geared up and ready to plan, pack, and plan some more, remembering all the work that was involved in past vacations with our children.
When the final days before leaving on our first adventure as "just the two of us" for the first time in 25 years arrived, it was so different than I expected...so quiet...not living up to the anticipation I was feeling inside. There were just a couple of suitcases to pack, planning that didn't include ways to entertain children, and...well...I realized once again that I missed my children. Funny, when you're raising your children, you look forward to the day when it's just hubby and you, when the day comes, you have a choice, dive in and have fun, or stay in the "I miss my children" zone.
It didn't take long for the joy of vacationing as a couple to hit home, in fact it started as soon as we drove out the driveway. We've done a few of them now, I'll have links to a lens or two on Squidoo about our favorite destinations.
This year, the economy, the once-again rising of gas prices, and more are affecting many...some are losing jobs, experiencing job cutbacks, or are retired and on fixed incomes. How can you have a nice vacation with an economy like this? I hope to give you some ideas...and we will be doing some of these ourselves. My hubby is on his third job change in 4 years, and lets just say the pay doesn't seem to go UP with each job anymore.
The picture is a view from our deck at sunset in early fall, sitting outside on the deck swing and enjoying our lake view is a favorite mini-vacation. Our home is very humble, but God's creation surrounding it is very beautiful.
When the final days before leaving on our first adventure as "just the two of us" for the first time in 25 years arrived, it was so different than I expected...so quiet...not living up to the anticipation I was feeling inside. There were just a couple of suitcases to pack, planning that didn't include ways to entertain children, and...well...I realized once again that I missed my children. Funny, when you're raising your children, you look forward to the day when it's just hubby and you, when the day comes, you have a choice, dive in and have fun, or stay in the "I miss my children" zone.
It didn't take long for the joy of vacationing as a couple to hit home, in fact it started as soon as we drove out the driveway. We've done a few of them now, I'll have links to a lens or two on Squidoo about our favorite destinations.
This year, the economy, the once-again rising of gas prices, and more are affecting many...some are losing jobs, experiencing job cutbacks, or are retired and on fixed incomes. How can you have a nice vacation with an economy like this? I hope to give you some ideas...and we will be doing some of these ourselves. My hubby is on his third job change in 4 years, and lets just say the pay doesn't seem to go UP with each job anymore.
The picture is a view from our deck at sunset in early fall, sitting outside on the deck swing and enjoying our lake view is a favorite mini-vacation. Our home is very humble, but God's creation surrounding it is very beautiful.
101 Vacation Ideas Without Going Anywhere
This resource is not written just for Boomers, but you will glean many an idea from it. There are 101 suggestions, and all are fun things that you can do right where you are, or not far from where you are. There are things that you can do, that you can suggest to your children to do with their children, or that you can do with your grandchildren.Please visit this link to visit a delightful page that will tell you more about this helpful resource.
Not Getting Lost Along the Way
These are some items that will help you arrive at your destination without getting lost...something I am notorious for doing...if I feel like I should turn one way, I'm probably better off going the opposite direction!
I have chosen some of the more reasonably-priced units, remember, we're trying to keep costs down. We paid under $150 for our GPS unit and it works fine...if there are any "bells and whistles" that we're missing, we don't know about them and don't miss them at all.
I have chosen some of the more reasonably-priced units, remember, we're trying to keep costs down. We paid under $150 for our GPS unit and it works fine...if there are any "bells and whistles" that we're missing, we don't know about them and don't miss them at all.
Garmin nüvi 255W 4.3-Inch Widescreen Portable GPS Navigator
We would be lost without our GPS unit, and since I'm considering doing some Geocaching this year, this will be a valuable tool.
Amazon Price: $156.00 (as of 11/30/2009) 
BT010: Deluxe Single Suction Windshield Mount for Bluetooth GPS Receivers, Radar Detectors, and E-Z Pass/Carpool toll road devices
Amazon Price: (as of 11/30/2009)
Garmin nuvi 270 3.5-Inch Portable GPS Navigator
Amazon Price: $297.55 (as of 11/30/2009)
Microsoft Streets & Trips 2010 with GPS
Amazon Price: $59.99 (as of 11/30/2009)
Money Saving Travel Secrets
If you do plan to fly, stay in hotels, and such, this resource will be very helpful in showing you how to go about finding the best deals...sometimes even free. The resource is very inexpensive, under $25 and you have access to it immediately upon purchase.It was put together by someone who studied and interviewed on the subject for 17 years, and claims to have quite a few secrets to share that those of us who are not in the travel industry. Click here for more information.
Dream or Plan Hotels, Flights, etc.
You can use this tool to do some research about some places you plan to visit, or are dreaming of visiting.
Find Your Way with Google Maps
We've made many trips to Bar Harbor, Maine, which is part of Acadia National Park. We have enjoyed camping in Blackwoods Campground with our children, and there are plenty of spot for RVs. You can enter any location you like and this map will take you there. You can look at map view or satellite view (upper right) or zoom in and out and move about using the tools on the upper left of the map. Have fun!
National Parks Quiz
I've Named the Park, You Guess the State
History of our National Parks
I know National Parks aren't the only things to see on a road trip, but if there happens to be one along the way, they shouldn't be missed. We loved this series, and learned a lot, making seeing the actual location all the more special.
Ken Burns: National Parks - America's Best Idea
Amazon Price: $79.99 (as of 11/30/2009)
Used Price: $88.99
Usually ships in 24 hours
RV Travel Resources
Whether you are interested in RVing full-time, or want to plan an extended road trip with home as your final destination, these resources will help you.Click here for a resource that you can have immediate access to written by someone who has many years of RV experience. The price is quite low, and there's lots of freebies included.
You may also want to click here to visit the RV Travel Bookstore.
If you've done some RV traveling, please tell us about it when you sign the guestbook.
RV Destinations and More
I was surprised to see what was available on eBay for the traveler. Here's what an RV search brings up.
Fetching new data from eBay now... please stand by
A few laughs from "National Lampoon's Vacation"
The Griswalds are a great, and funny, example of an unplanned vacation. This is a summer classic...a few "get the little ones out of the room" moments (at least that's how it was in our home) but so funny!
automatically generated by YouTube"
Travel in Boomer Style
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Scrapbook Your Travel Memories
Westrim All Occasion 12 Inch by 12 Inch Boxed Album Kit, 450 Pieces
Amazon Price: $19.56 (as of 11/30/2009)
Usually ships in 1 to 2 days
PROVO CRAFT CRICUT ESSENTIALS TOOL KIT for SCRAPBOOKING & PAPERCRAFTS
Amazon Price: $49.00 (as of 11/30/2009)
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Super Deluxe Scrapbooking Kit
Amazon Price: (as of 11/30/2009)
The Amazing Page: 650 Scrapbook Page Ideas, Tips and Techniques (Memory Makers)
Amazon Price: $16.49 (as of 11/30/2009)
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About Me
Lensmaster happynutritionist has been a member since May 13 2006, has rated 340 lenses, favorited 20, and has created 58 lenses from scratch. Claudia Meydrech donates their royalties to Soldiers Angels. This member's top-ranked page is "Cranberry Sauce - From Bog to Table". See all my lenses
Where are you vacationing this year?
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- Jewelsofawe Jewelsofawe Nov 25, 2009 @ 9:40 pm
- I got a 50% on your test. Not half bad! Blessed!
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- happynutritionist happynutritionist Nov 25, 2009 @ 11:28 pm
- Good job:-) I had help putting it together, have to admit I wonder how I'd do if I took it myself...maybe I'll just do that:-) Thanks for the blessing. ~claudia
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- ElizabethJeanAllen ElizabethJeanAllen Nov 24, 2009 @ 2:54 pm
- I travel to Minnesota every summer but its not really a vacation. My husband takes time off in October (in honor of Halloween) but as a teacher I can't go anywhere then. We NEED to plan something TOGETHER.
Thanks for sharing
Lizzy
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- happynutritionist happynutritionist Nov 24, 2009 @ 9:20 pm
- My husband's job has made it extra-challenging to vacation this year, we are actually vacationing after Christmas so we can make the most of the few days he has left, tacking them on to the holidays. Hope you find time to plan a vacation together soon.
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Thanks for stopping by. Here's a little bit about me: I'm a Christian, a Wife, and a Nature + Animal Loving Baby Boomer. I'm a Gardener, Herbalist, M... (more) 
