What should I do with my summer off?
This topic might be a little premature, but next summer--2009--will be mine for the taking, as it is in between my two years of teaching. I plan to set aside a little money to take a nice trip for myself, and I am starting to throw around ideas.
I have only ever been to the east coast, so I would really love to make a trip to the west coast. I have family in New Mexico and close friends in Washington, not to mention a whole slew of vegwebbers in the mid to western states that I would just love to visit! And then there are all the national parks that I could see. And so many other things. So that's one idea. Hopping from friend to friend throughout the western US.
Anyway, I really want to experience new things and make the most of my extended time off. What do you all think? What kind of trips have you been on? Backpacking through the US? Backpacking through Europe? I want to hear it all.
I'm going to count Alaska out, unfortunately. I think it would be too expensive and I would not have anyone to stay with there.
A summer trip sounds like so much fun! Can I hide in your luggage? :D
I live in California and there are lots of beautiful places to visit here. You don't necessarily have to do "touristy" things. but there are plenty of things to see/do that are off the beaten path. I love it here in Northern California.
A summer trip sounds like so much fun! Can I hide in your luggage? :D
I live in California and there are lots of beautiful places to visit here. You don't necessarily have to do "touristy" things. but there are plenty of things to see/do that are off the beaten path. I love it here in Northern California.
I REALLY want to visit northern California. I always have. Another part of this trip is that I want to get a nice sense of what the western US is like. Because sometimes I think (based on what I hear from others) that I would really like to end up living there some day.
It would be nice to have a travel buddy, but not many people have the summer off. Maybe I will make a good friend next year at my school. Or maybe I can snag one of my undergrad friends (laurabs, I'm looking at you!) ;D
I would totally do this. Seriously.
That would be EPIC. So much fun! Seriously, if you could manage to come, that would be amazing. Keep it in the back of your mind, really! ^-^
I recently went to Japan. LOVED it.
I think travelling in general would be awesome. I've always wanted to go to Europe and Australia, and I want to visit every state in America and see the sights.
That would be EPIC. So much fun! Seriously, if you could manage to come, that would be amazing. Keep it in the back of your mind, really! ^-^
I will, I will, I will...
I will DO IT!
Maybe after you come visit us...we could go with you somewhere...and then come back. ???
That would be EPIC. So much fun! Seriously, if you could manage to come, that would be amazing. Keep it in the back of your mind, really! ^-^
I will, I will, I will...
I will DO IT!
Squeeeeee!
I'm gonna pee my pants here.
OK, we will definitely have to talk more about this later, babe. When it gets, ya know, closer than a year away. :^
I have a friend who is actually flying out to Vegas soon and then will do a whole travel around the national parks thing. I'm not so interested in the Vegas part, but I will definitely have to see how it goes for her, how much it costs, where she's staying, how she's traveling, etc.
Maybe after you come visit us...we could go with you somewhere...and then come back. ???
Yeah!
A summer trip sounds like so much fun! Can I hide in your luggage? :D
I live in California and there are lots of beautiful places to visit here. You don't necessarily have to do "touristy" things. but there are plenty of things to see/do that are off the beaten path. I love it here in Northern California.
Wait a second...I live in Northern California too!! I didn't think there was anyone else up here. I'm in Eureka, where are you??
And KMK, you are always more than welcome to come stay with us!! I'd have no problem cooking you vegan food, and this little town is very veg*n friendly. Ha, I can just imagine, giving you a tour of my co-op.
Squeeeeee!
I'm gonna pee my pants here.
OK, we will definitely have to talk more about this later, babe. When it gets, ya know, closer than a year away. :^
I have a friend who is actually flying out to Vegas soon and then will do a whole travel around the national parks thing. I'm not so interested in the Vegas part, but I will definitely have to see how it goes for her, how much it costs, where she's staying, how she's traveling, etc.
I'm not peeing my pants anytime soon, but I'm definitely doing a little dance! :D And I concur about the Vegas thing - I'd much, much rather see parks and real people than gamble and visit a fake Sphinx and fake Eiffel Tower.
KMK, my ex-bf and I did a cross country national park tour a couple years ago. It can be VERY affordable. I had just finished grad school and we was pretty po. It depends on what you're in for. Order a National Parks Pass (nps.gov) They were $50 when I got one a couple years ago and get you into any park for a year. If you want go on the really cheap, I would suggest finding a state with a few parks in driving distance. Fly there and rent a car. Most parks have "primitive" campgrounds (which are actually quite posh if you're used to backpacking). They don't have showers, but most have pit toilets and are usually between $8-15 a night. Anyway, if you like to be clean, those campgrounds cost more. If you are an experienced backpacker, you can go that route, and camp is of course, free.
Anyway, we did our trip in 2004. We drove 10,000 miles, were gone for about 45 days and stayed in a hotel for ONE night! We did crash with a few family members along the way. Anyway, together (including gas and food) we spent less than $1000. It was one of the awesomest experiences of my life. (too bad we broke up a year later)
Anyway, we did our trip in 2004. We drove 10,000 miles, were gone for about 45 days and stayed in a hotel for ONE night! We did crash with a few family members along the way. Anyway, together (including gas and food) we spent less than $1000. It was one of the awesomest experiences of my life. (too bad we broke up a year later)
That sounds fabulous! But it 2008, just driving 10,000 miles would cost like $1000! I was going to do the math to figure it out...but decided not to..
I'm not saying anything negative about your trip; it sounds perfect.
KMK, my ex-bf and I did a cross country national park tour a couple years ago. It can be VERY affordable. I had just finished grad school and we was pretty po. It depends on what you're in for. Order a National Parks Pass (nps.gov) They were $50 when I got one a couple years ago and get you into any park for a year. If you want go on the really cheap, I would suggest finding a state with a few parks in driving distance. Fly there and rent a car. Most parks have "primitive" campgrounds (which are actually quite posh if you're used to backpacking). They don't have showers, but most have pit toilets and are usually between $8-15 a night. Anyway, if you like to be clean, those campgrounds cost more. If you are an experienced backpacker, you can go that route, and camp is of course, free.
Anyway, we did our trip in 2004. We drove 10,000 miles, were gone for about 45 days and stayed in a hotel for ONE night! We did crash with a few family members along the way. Anyway, together (including gas and food) we spent less than $1000. It was one of the awesomest experiences of my life. (too bad we broke up a year later)
Thanks so much! This is exactly the type of story I wanted to hear. It's really along the lines of what I'd like to do. But the gas costs, like AC said..... :-\
Oh, but KMK....MSN says that now is the BEST time to buy a car, and gas prices are still way too cheap....
It really makes me mad that people are thinking about where to get the cheapest gas, and WHICH cars to buy....instead of trying to cut down/stop buying gas..and using their cars so much. I was just telling Patrick that I can't wait for the day when it won't COST us money to sell our car (lease). Yes, it might be annoying for a while to bike/walk/bus everywhere.....but I get so tired of all the crap that goes along with a car (and I don't even drive!). >:(
And because I can't resist a math problem....
10,000 miles * $4/gal = $1333
30 miles/gal
Ouch. And that's with decent mileage.
Yeah, speaking of cars, I just got a new one (lease). It is necessary for my job. Like, absolutely necessary (I've looked into it, trust me). Unfortunately. But if I were to travel, I would probably rent one so as to avoid logging excess miles on my own. But yeah. Cars. Boo.
And because I can't resist a math problem....
10,000 miles * $4/gal = $1333
30 miles/gal
Ouch. And that's with decent mileage.
I thought it would be more difficult than this..(I was going to do 20 miles/gal-avg car, and 3.70/gal). I guess it's easy for me to resist math problems..
I'm a math tutor, it's what I do...
We'll do yours too:
10000/20 * 3.70 = $1850
Ick.
But yeah. Cars. Boo.
Boo indeed. We need someone with money to come with us and pay for the whole thing. I know I'm Natalie Portman and you're Alicia Silverstone, but I mean, how much money do successful celebrities really make?
Anyway, we did our trip in 2004. We drove 10,000 miles, were gone for about 45 days and stayed in a hotel for ONE night! We did crash with a few family members along the way. Anyway, together (including gas and food) we spent less than $1000. It was one of the awesomest experiences of my life. (too bad we broke up a year later)
That sounds fabulous! But it 2008, just driving 10,000 miles would cost like $1000! I was going to do the math to figure it out...but decided not to..
I'm not saying anything negative about your trip; it sounds perfect.
Damnit! I actually meant to put a disclaimer that yes, gas is WAY more expensive now. But keep in mind, that 10,000 miles included SC----->CA...we did a loop up from SC to WI across to WA...down to CA across AZ, TX and back to SC. So. It wouldn't be nearly as many miles if you flew into say...Las Vegas airport and then drove to the multitude of parks in nearby CA. You could easily fly into Wyoming or Montana (don't know about airports...that's all you AC) and drive to Glacier, Yellowstone, and Grand Tetons...Cascades aren't too far from MT either...we drove that in a day.
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