Forget the Plane: Family Fun Summer Travel

Travel & Destination Corner

By Dr. Pamela Gurley

With the pandemic restrictions lifting more and more, there has been a surge in the desire to travel. But wait, are you concerned about the well-being of you and your family (especially since wearing a mask has become optional in some cities)? I don’t blame you. Health and well-being should always be of the highest importance (pandemic or no pandemic).

 With airline prices going up while masks are coming down, 2021 is an excellent time to save on summer fun and summer travel. Where to go and what to do can be as easy as 1, 2, 3, and I do mean that literally. 

 Here is a fun-filled way to maximize summertime with the family without the hassle or high costs of flights:

1. Get two mason jars (or three any baskets, small vases, est.) and 1x1 size paper (scratch paper will work just as well). 

2. In one jar, put the number of miles you are willing to drive in increments of 5’s (starting at 25) on 1x1 size paper and fold in half.

3. In the second jar, put activities you and your family can do (i.e., hiking, skiing, white water rafting, camping, museums, ziplining, ATVing, horseback riding, etc.) on a 1x1 size paper and fold it in half.

 Whenever you want to have a summer outing, weekend getaway, or vacation, pull one folded paper from each jar. You will pull the miles and the activity to do.

I know you are wondering how you will know what to do, right? Easy!! Simply Google to locate activities picked from jar one within the number of miles picked from jar two.