The Amazing Journey

Life is an amazing journey however sometimes we are blessed with experiences that just make life more amazing.  My most recent journey took me away from this blog for a while (thanks for asking Cinderella!) 

I recently traveled across the US and Canada.  I almost (really...I was close here) decided to do a frugal trip.  It certainly started out that way.  With cooler packed full of fruit, nuts and other healthy stuff my spouse loves we headed northwest. 

First stop, St. Louis, MO.  I would love to show you pictures of the wonderful carriage ride or even the incredible view from our hotel overlooking the Arch and river, but alas, I do not know how to get the pictures off my iPhone and onto this stubborn non-Mac computer.  We paid for the hotel using points accumulated from my business travel but paid an extra $39 to upgrade to a suite corner room with awesome views.  Hyatt Regency.

Day two:  After walking in the park and visiting the museum below the Arch to learn about the Louis and Clark expedition we hit the road.  The next stop was Stone Hill Vineyards in Hermann, MO which had a wonderful history including almost total destruction during prohibition.  After the tour and light tasting we had a picnic on the grounds while listening to a "coffee house like" guitarist who played for tips.  The weather was perfect as was the picnic.  Order placed for home delivery of our favorite selection, we hit the road to Sioux Falls, ID.  Another hotel paid for with points, Courtyard Marriott.

Day three:  The morning was gorgeous so we headed to Falls Park and read the signs describing the history of the falls.  Exercised we hit the road. Next stop Mt. Rushmore.  Just a slight detour off our intended path but it was worth it.  We toured the grounds and sculptor center and then had a light lunch.  Again, I have great pictures on my iPhone... Off to Great Falls.  Another hotel paid for with points:  Fairfield Inn Marriott.

Day Four:  Let me say that by this time we had eaten only what was in our cooler and the one lunch we purchased and shared at Mt. Rushmore $11.   (Chicken and steamed veggies, yum.)  This would begin the best part of the journey. 

And you will have to wait until tomorrow for the rest.  This is where it gets good so come back tomorrow please!

Tip for today:  Hotel points rock and pack a cooler.  We would have missed that totally cool picnic at Stone Hill Vineyards without it and it is pretty handy to reach back and grab a snack. We didn't need to stop unless we wanted to and we both detest fast food.

Cinderella

I think this is cheating but I love the idea and I am stealing it from Cinderella.  Where is your favorite place? That place you would love to return to or that place you have always wanted to go.  I would love to go to Italy.  One day I want to take hubby on a Mediterranean cruise so he can see the land of his ancestry.  Alaska is also on my wish list.  Our company almost bought a location there and I was secretly hoping they would so I would have to go.  Sigh, it didn't work out.  I will have to get there some other way.

As far as places I have been, I think I love the Pacific Northwest.  What a beautiful place!  Orcas Islands and Seattle, Columbia River Gorge, Mt. Baker.  Gorgeous.  The Caribbean islands are also beautiful.  I love the Virgin Islands and anywhere you can see the bottom in 50 feet of water.  Wow.  I love swimming next to the cruise ship.  I feel so small when we do that. 

Tip for today:  Plan that trip.  Even if it is 10 years in the planning and saving, take that dream trip.

So, what shall it be?

AAA

I must say that one good investment I make annually is my AAA membership.  I have a dollar amount in mind when I make business travel arrangements because I like to be a good steward for my organization.  This is a self imposed limit because my company only tells those on the senior management team to be resourceful.  They don't set dollar limits.  I am sure if we abused that, there would be limits set, but we don't. 

I will say that AAA has allowed me to stay in places that would have been out of my limit otherwise.  For example,  one hotel usually has rates of $189 but I can sometimes stay there for $129 with my AAA card.  Much nicer than the typical chain. 

Well, in planning my trip across country, some friends of our recommended a particular resort.  I discovered that AAA will save us $100/night at this gem!  That's a lot of money.  Still a little out of my price range but since every other night on the trip will be using points, I think I can justify one night at this gorgeous, once in a lifetime resort.  Take a look:  WOW!  I haven't committed because it is a hefty cancellation fee so I want to wait until we are closer, we are sure to be there, and I can part with our hard earned money.  Seriously, $100 a night off?  Silly but I almost want to do it just to save the money.  OK, I know better than that. 

So, guess what my tip is today: AAA  Plus, you can't beat the peace of mind that comes with the roadside assistance. 

Banff or Yellowstone?

I have been unable to resist planning all of the details of my trip.  I thought I would be able to go "with the flow" but I can't do it.  So far I have modified my route several times.  We were trying to venture through Yellowstone and the Grand Tetons but I also want to see Banff.  We can't do it all so we will have to choose, Yellowstone or Banff?  What would you choose?  About 100 miles more for Banff but might be worth it. 

I have booked our first night hotel using points I earned from business travel.  I do try to stay at one chain but not at the expense of a good nights sleep.  As it stands I am gold or platinum with 3 different chains.  I have plenty of points for other nights but I am resisting the urge to go ahead and book. 

Banff or Yellowstone?

Journey or Destination?

When you look back on family vacations do you remember the destination or the journey?  Did that shape the way you view your vacation planning now? 

I am very much a journey person.  I love the "moments" and, as much as I like a good destination, if the company is great, we can be anywhere or nowhere.  Having said that, I do like to have a destination in mind.  On our upcoming road trip we have destinations all along the way but I don't care if we miss one or all of them.  I have routed and re-routed the trip so we have the most time in the cool spots but everything is flexible.  We decided not to book hotels in advance so we can go as we please.  I will bring my trusty 3G iPad (thanks Mom) to find a room when we are ready. 

That brings up another point.  I think iPads, navigators, iPhones and all other technology has transformed our travel.  Can today's kids even read a map?  I remember hearing in school (before calculators were generally available) that one day kids would not be able to add because they always use calculators.  Well that sure is true if you ever watch a cashier make change.  Seems like map reading is going the same direction (pun intended). 

Tip for today:  Enjoy the ride. 

"Life is not a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in a pretty and well preserved body, but rather to skid in broadside, thoroughly used up, totally worn out, and loudly proclaiming 'WOW What a Ride!'"
--Unknown

What is your favorite destination?  Are you a journey or destination person?

To Plan or Not to Plan

For business travel I am definitely a planner.  I am guaranteed that my plans will change several times a month so I can be very flexible however I have, on more than one occasion, had to stay far from my workplace because I didn't plan enough in advance.

TIP #1:  Tuesdays are heavily traveled days.  Business travelers know to book their hotel rooms far in advance for these days.  The higher end accommodations book faster on the weekends but for business friendly hotels, the middle of the week can sometimes be difficult.

When it comes to personal travel, I am a super planner.  I want every detail worked out.   I just like to know things will work out and I won't be sleeping in my car.  For example, my spouse and I are planning a vacation, the first alone since we got married.  It will be a trip across country and we know where we want to stop.  Many of the hotels along our trip, at least the ones I have chosen, require full payment in advance if we are within 21 days of travel. 

Hmmm.  I am not sure how much driving we want to do each day.  The rooms are a bit high priced so if I go ahead and pay, we can't be flexible.  On the other hand, the rooms are hard to get in certain areas and we risk staying in the Days Inn if not properly planned.  Since conspiracy theorists have failed to convince me the earth is flat, I can rest assured that one bad hotel will not be the "end of the world."  It would be close though.

This leads me to a topic for my next post: Journey or Destination? 

I believe I have talked myself into a more relaxed drive planning only the day ahead.  If there are rooms, we stay.  If not, we will move on.  Hopefully we will have pictures to post...if I remember the camera.

Have a fabulous day!

Making Travel an Experience

I am on my 8th year of traveling extensively for business. I love to travel for pleasure but after 8 years, business travel can get a little old. Us weary business travelers joke that, to the occasional business traveler, our lifestyles sound glamorous; gallivanting all over the country, seeing the world, meeting interesting people.

Admittedly there are moments where I am amazed at the experience. Those moments can be pretty far apart though. Dinners alone, hotel rooms that smell funny, delayed flights; all part of a typical day.

I made a resolution that I would experience more than a rental car and hotel room in the cities I visit. I have decided that I would research and visit interesting shops, restaurants, shows and other local sites and events.

Places I have loved: The Art Institute of Chicago, National Mall and Memorial Parks, Skagit Tulip Festival, Amicalola Falls, and Mark of the Potter. To think I might not have seen these places without making a decision to do so. What I would have missed! I still would love to take in the occasional play. If ever you are in Young Harris, GA, the college there frequently has free performances.

And then there are the local places that you are told you absolutely MUST see but really are not what you expect like Unclaimed Baggage. (I think once is enough for this store.)

So my tip for this post: Get out of the hotel a little and see what the area has to offer.

Bed and Breakfast: Fabulous...or...not so much.

B&B's are wonderful alternatives to the typical hotel chain.  Some of my favorite accommodations are B&B's.  I do want to add one caveat though.  They are not all fabulous. 

• On one business trip I chose a "Premier" B&B in the historic section of Nashville.  The home was gorgeous and the owner a gourmet chef...and a perv.  My co-worker commented that we were probably safer in a crack house. 

• The "Upscale" B&B I was unfortunate enough to visit in Joplin, MO was as creepy as the owners.  A renovated old schoolhouse (which admittedly sounds very different and cool) was not worth a second night and an early departure was in order. 

On the other hand there are some fabulous B&B's.  My favorites:

Choctow Lodge B&B  Near Seaside, FL this gorgeous property consists of 2 homes and a boat house on the river.  The homes have 2 bedrooms and so are very economical when compared to a hotel.  The owners are fascinating and accommodating.  In the evening they lit a bonfire and joined our group for a glass of wine.  Before breakfast we were taken on a boat trip down the river to places I would have never in my life seen.  A return trip is definitely in order here.

Lee House B&B Inn  In downtown historic Pensacola, FL this beautiful inn is worth a look.  I took a tour but unfortunately it was outside my corporate travel budget.  For personal travel, I would absolutely stay here. 

Heron House Guest Suites  In gorgeous Anacortes, WA this home on the Puget Sound provides incredible views, upscale but comfortable accommodations and the best breakfast I have ever had. 

B&B Tip #1: "Victorian" typically means a lot of lace, dried flowers, and character. It can also mean a lot of baby dolls, back lit wedding dresses on headless mannequins, and the occasional Merry-go-round horse.

B&B Tip #2: "Upscale" and "Premier" mean nothing.

B&B Tip #3: Read the reviews prior to staying. Unlike hotel chains where you see consistency, B&B's are individually owned and there is wide variation. Some are just rooms for rent, (not always a bad thing) and others have very unique characteristics.

I am sure there are other really great bed and breakfasts.  I recommend thorough research and please take the time to read the reviews.  Call ahead, owners typically don't appreciate walk ins.  Get a sense of the place from the owner prior to your visit.  If it doesn't sound great, don't go.

Tell me about your favorite B&B...or your least favorite.