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Discovering the vacation: tips for scheduling

Anna--The Adventurer 1 Comment

Scheduling: it’s something we all do in life–dentists appointments, that meeting with the boss, pedicures with the girls, potlucks picnics for church- but what about scheduling a vacation? As Americans, we aren’t as “good” about taking time for a vacation or a true weekend getaway. Why not? The Washington posts suggests some reasons, Washington Post :

That’s not to say employers don’t offer vacation. According to the report, employers are granting paid vacation to 90 percent of full-time workers this year and 40 percent of part-time workers. But what might be shocking: Even when Americans get paid time off, they don’t use it all. And when they do use their days — it may not come as a surprise to learn — many of them fail to leave work fully behind.

Vacation might not even be an option for many in the United States, whether they can’t afford to lose wages or have to prioritize other spending ahead of leisure. The top barrier to taking a vacation is cost, says David Huether, senior vice president of research for the U.S. Travel Association. After that, he said difficulty getting away from work and dealing with the hassles of air travel stand between Americans and vacation.

What does America have against vacation? – The Washington Post

Vacation, down time, leisure trip, getting away from it all—however it’s said, everyone needs down time and something different. So how do we discover the world we live in without spending a fortune (as this is a travel adventure blog on how to go, see do on a frugal budget and about sites and venues that are affordable.)

Trips and vacations don’t need to cost and arm and leg to make it happen but with a little bit of planning and scheduling, it’s totally possible to have a vacation. This is adventurer is a working person, in total need of having a regular paycheck to pay bills and rent, not coming from a place of high independent wealth, it’s possible to still go and do, even on a yearly gross income of less than $25k.

Scheduling and planning on the key but flexibility is also important. If a package deal, say to Disney, is more of your cup of tea to lessen the hassle of planning things down to the detail, your vacation has just gotten a lot easier but more costly. How so? Package deals are generally more hassle free and everything is done for you, which can be cool and helpful but you pay for this hassle free, all inclusive package. If this is the venue and method you choose, wonderful!! The process of going on vacation, though, remains the same if you are creating a vacation of your own that isn’t a package deal, it’s about discovering what it will take to make the vacation happen: planning and scheduling.

Sit down and mark where you would like to go and do.

When is the best time to take time off of work?

Do you want to go to our venue during peak time or when a special event is occurring?

These are the key starting points. Why? Well, it will determine how much time you have to prepare and save for the trip, because, honestly, most of us just can’t take off on a whim, financially or professionally. We all also have preferences as well—be honest with yourself and those involved/going on the vacation as well. Your best friend is getting married, you really want to stay in the same hotel as the venue, even if it’s a bit pricey—you want to avoid big tourists sites—distillery tours are your priority—mojitos on the beach—hiking a specific trail—whatever it is that you desire and wish for, it’s possible with planning and scheduling–put your priorities and wishes first and “fudge” the non so important areas.

As an example, let’s decide that attending your best friends wedding is the priority and wish and you want to stay in the special venue hotel, but also make a vacation out of it (being somewhere else that isn’t your home area.) and that the wedding is 8 months away. Let’s say my friend, Gloria, in Denver, Colorado, is getting married in November of this year, as practice.

Planning out the money: You know you have 8 months to plan and make arrangements, perfect! With the internet, planning out flights or driving mileage, figuring out the cost of transportation is simple–and if flying, buying tickets in advance will save you a bundle. (If international flights are available by then, using http://www.skyscanner.com is a huge savings feature!)

Upon a cursory look, I can get a round trip flight from Greenville, S.C. to Denver, Colorado, for less than $200 roundtrip, per ticket, with a free checked bag (cha-ching!) Simply by using the internet, with less than 30 minutes in time, plugging in a few dates and details, you can find affordable airfare and hotel stays. (Hostelworld.com is a great site)

All the math below is based on a 7 day trip.

Airfare: $200 Hotel: $350 Food: $140 Fun Money $200 Treat for neighbor $20 Extras: $90= Total: $1000

That’s pretty affordable, in my book. While, it doesn’t include normal living expenses, those are figured to be already covered because adulthood is already being covered on a monthly basis. Treat for the neighbor equates to bringing home something as a thank you for whomever drove you up to the airport and picked you up–something sweet to say that you appreciate their help. By planning ahead, it will also give you plenty of opportunity to put in the request time off (and chances of a higher approval rating for planning advance) at work with your boss or HR department.

By choosing a hotel in the vicinity of the wedding venue, walking there will be a breeze (saving money by not needing a cab or ride share), also it will allow you to explore the areas and things by foot, which is always fun. Researching the area will also provide some low cost or free venues in the area that you can enjoy on your vacation as well.

Taking a week’s vacation for a friends wedding would require the traveler/adventurer would require saving $32 a week, which is very affordable (with the mindset that trimming a take out meal here, a special coffee there, having a movie night at home, it’s pretty easy to do!) and when the airfare portion is saved up, you can purchase your airfare in advance and rake in the savings! Many set up a special travel savings account with direct savings or put the money on a “prepaid” card so they can easily pay with the special travel card–or whatever method that you decide to use so that your travel funds get put all together.

Planning ahead and having a plan for your adventure and vacation will also give you something exciting and joyous to look forward to as well! Happy Travels!!

Easy Homemade Pasta Primavera

Anna--The Adventurer 2 Comments

Sometimes an easy but tasty meal is needed and in a flash!! but who wants to blow their budget on an expensive meal? The following recipe costs a total of about $4-$4.50 I shopped at the local Dollar Tree/Dollar General for the items (when I was already out and about) and the recipe serves 3-4 adult size servings.

Ingredients:

1-1 lb box of whole grain penne pasta ($1.00 at Ingles Supermarket)

1 bag of frozen stir fry mix ($1 at Dollar Tree)

1 jar of Ragu Alfredo sauce ($1.25 at Dollar General)

1 can of Chicken breast ($1.25 Dollar General)

Cook the whole box of pasta according to the directions on the package.

While the pasta is cooking, open the bag of frozen stir fry and dump into a medium sized sauce pan with a little water added to the bottom, open the can of chicken (drain it first) and add to the stir fry vegetables (you won’t actually be frying the vegetables, just lightly steaming them with the chicken.)

When the pasta is about finished cooking, add the jar of the alfredo sauce to the chicken and chicken mix, simmer until hot. When the pasta is finished cooking, drain the water off.

Layer pasta on the bottom of the plate and top with the sauce/chicken/vegetable dish and voilà, you have pasta primavera with chicken.

Easy Homemade Mediterranean-semi scratch meal, serves 4

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Ingredients:

1 pound yellow fish tuna (I used frozen)

1 1lb bag of stir fry vegetables (Frozen)

4 tablespoons of extra virgin olive oil

1/4 tsp Lemon Pepper salt

1 package of butternut squash ravioli (i used fresh, organic)

4 tablespoons of fresh shredded parmesan cheese

Turn on oven to 400 degrees (F).

In a glass pie pan or baking dish, put in 2 tablespoons olive oil to cover and coat the dish. Put in the pieces of yellow fin tuna, sprinkle the lemon pepper salt over the fish. Dump the bag of stir fry on top of the fish, squeeze a bit of lemon juice on top of it all. Cover with aluminum foil and bake for 70-80 minutes, until thoroughly cooked but not over done.

When the tuna vegetable combo is about 90% done, make the butternut ravioli according to the package directions.

When everything is completely cooked through and hot, layer up the food, starting from the plate then put:

ravioli-vegetables-tuna piece-drizzle of salt and olive oil-topped with parmesan cheese. Adding a squeeze of fresh orange to the side is a delicious but optional treat. Serve hot. Serves 4

Old Pickens Presbyterian Church

Anna--The Adventurer 2 Comments

A cematery crawl in Pickens County, near the Oconee Power Plant, quite a stunner!

While the second part of the cemetery has been moved, due to several factors that I didn’t quite understand, the historical site is only open during day late hours, which is why my photos are so well lit this time!

A brief history can be read in one of the pictures, showing how the courthouse used to also be established on the site but is no longer there but the church remains. Unfortunately, the church isn’t open for viewing, which is often one of my more favorite parts of the adventure.

While I often adventure solo, there are times when others go with me as well, which only makes the adventure that more fun, and as Tim Burton says, there’s something positive about such beauty.

Wrapping Up the Year

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2020 for all of us has been quite an interesting year; a year no one expected on so many levels. The pandemic had cancelled trips and vacations, altered the way we mix and mingle, go to work and the way we even grocery shop. Alas, it has been an amazing year, full of wonderful twists and turns, interactions, new friends made and so much more! Lie is one big beautiful adventure, as seen in just a few of my photos.

In 2020, I have enjoyed numerous cemetery crawls, a handful of dates, I made new friends, saw family, my nephew was born this year, and so many other blessing occurred.

I hope your 2021 is as glorious and blessed as years passed and filled with many more adventures and excitement.

Breakfast Bowl–Using up leftovers

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Every now and gain we have leftovers and the question of “What’s for dinner”, sometimes both can be satisfied by coming just a few leftover ingredients.

While I am a huge fan of having breakfast for dinner, this meal can be truly served at any time of the day and be a success.

The ingredients of this breakfast bowl are easy: leftover baked potatoes, chunked and lightly fried, add leftover green beans and onion, salt and pepper and about a half dozen cracked eggs (after adding a bit of corn oil to the bottom of the pot first). Stir and simmer until it’s all the way cooked through, served with a drizzle of ketchup on top. Super yummy and it it’s inexpensive.

Herbed Peasant Bread, Freshly Versatile

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A very simple and easy recipe with common ingredients-pretty inexpensive as well.

Ingredients:

6 cups flour-

1 packet of dry yeast

1 1/2 tsp salt

2/3 cup white sugar

1/4 cup corn oil (or olive oil)

2 cups extra warm water

1 1/2 tablespoons dry Italian season

Proof the yeast in the warm water, adding the sugar. Mix all other ingredients in a large metal or glass bowl. and the sugar/yeast/water mix slowly to the bowl of mixed ingredients until thoroughly mixed, form into one large bowl and put back in the bowl. Cover bowl with a warm damn towel.

After the dough ball has risen, punch down and split into two loaves (either into bread loaf pans or shape into boules.)

Let the dough rise once again (about 20 minutes). Pop the bread into a preheated, 350 degree oven-Bake for about 45-60 minutes, depending on your oven.

This is awesome bread to just eat on it’s own with fresh, real butter, as a sandwich maker, or with soup. Works also great as a base for homemade turkey stuffing.

Don’t lose your marbles wondering…Did you forget Kevin? Make a list: Tips for successfully pulling it off.

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Scene where the mom realizes she forgot Kevin in Home Alone

I am pretty everyone knows the infamous movie Home Alone, the holidays are chaotic, add an adventure and/or adventures to the pot, and all chaos can ensue, as well all know.

While I have never personally forgotten a person on a trip, I have, in the past forgotten to pack something or gotten stuck because of ill-planning or lack of thinking ahead. Yes, I learned the hard way and I hope to help prevent you from making the same mistakes I have made.

A notebook and a pen/pencil are all that is needed, likely to found easily in your home or easily purchased at the local dollar store. Either sitting down and creating a prep To-Do list or adding to it on your lunch break at work or while waiting inline for your coffee order, a few minutes of note taking will save you time and stress and worry down the way.

I suggest a notebook as it keeps everything in one place and easily accessible. Plus, you can check items off as you go along and get it accomplished and leave more notes, which tips are added in the list below.

  1. Luggage/Suitcase Packing list, for each member of your family. What will you need to put in your suitcase (number of outfits, accessories, shoes, etc.)? Don’t forget to add undergarments and pajamas. Yes, I have to sleep in my birthday suit because I forgot pajamas.
  2. Medications and toiletries -usually the last minute items added to a suitcase. List exactly what you will need, shampoo, toothpaste/brush, pain medication (such as aspirin or others), anything prescribed (in the correct amounts and quantities.) If you will run out of medication while on vacation, get refills before you leave or contact your physician /pharmacy to have them filled and able to be retrieved from a local pharmacy where you are traveling too if a pre-refill isn’t possible. A little first aid kit is always handy too or a box of Band-Aids, because who hasn’t gotten a blister on their heal? ouch!
  3. If travelling by vehicle, a check list of what will go in the car, any car maintenance that will be needed (i.e. an oil change, tune up, spare tire fixed, jumper cables.) Scheduled dates for this can also be added to your notebook and calendar.
  4. If traveling by airfare, train or bus, make sure you right now departure times and arrivals and means of transportation or shuttle from A to B. It’s not any fun arriving jet lagged, tired and hungry only to realize the last shuttle has run, taxi’s services don’t run 24/7 and it’s pouring rain and your are 15 miles from your hotel (yep, been there too). Winging it can be fun but there is a time and place for that as well. Also, will you leave your vehicle at the airport or station? If yes, your notebook will be a great place to mark down where you parked. If you have someone you off and/or picking you up, the Uber service number or having best friend Betty’s phone number and scheduled services will be beneficial to write down as well. Nothing like a dead cell phone to make you wish you had memorized someone’s phone number.
  5. A list of any reservations, appointments and venue locations, including check in and check out times or any other special instructions, Include reservation numbers and so forth. Paper clipping confirmation pages into your notebook will be beneficial. It’s embarrsing to show up at St. Mary’s hotel B Ave when you are reserved at St. Merry’s hotel on Bee Ave 7 miles away in a different town. Also noting in your book any important phone numbers or contacts in case of emergency.
  6. Business as usual: What regular things will be need to be taken care of while you are away? Will you need to set up auto pay for bills? Who will take care of your pet if you can’t take them with you? Water your plants? Do you need to put a hold on your mail or can your sister pick it up for you? Do you need to transfer your money from your adventure savings into your checking account?
  7. Gifts and Souvenirs-who will you need to brings treats home to? Do you have a neighbor to thank for checking your houseplants? A favorite Aunt whom loves magnets? Do you have your grandparents address so you can send them a postcard?
  8. Leaving the house Prep: Nobody wants to come home to a mystery science experiment growing in the fridge or having their wash machine smell like an old gym bag full of sweaty sports clothes because you forgot to run the last load and everything molded and soured. Mark down whatever last chores needed to be finished up or done before leaving so you come home to a clean and comfortable home.
  9. Coming home prep: This one is a bit of an extension of leaving the house prep. If you are going to be gone for more than a few days, groceries will likely be used up before you leave, especially fresh produce and the like. You can schedule a grocery trip on the way home or have a prepped in advance and therefore save some money in the process. A few frozen meals will be easy to pop in the oven, like casseroles and such or even one of those home-bake frozen pizzas could bake and would be useful time as you unload your luggage and start getting back to normal.
  10. Check things off as you get them done. By putting your notebook in your purse/backpack/carryon/travel tote, you will have it handy. It will also provide a way of making sure you got everything you need to take home with you. I failed to check my list once going from Inverness, Scotland and upon arriving and showering in London, after a long bus ride, I didn’t have any panties. Why? I accidently donated them with a couple of articles of clothing that I had chosen to be rid of but without my packing list, I didn’t notice!

An Adventure for the ears, the memories of melodies

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It’s often said, I forget who said it originally to give credit, that a “melody often sounds like a memory” and it is true, at least from my experience. Music has a way of capturing a moment, expressing and sharing so many feelings and times in the history of the listener, even if they haven’t heard the song in ages–an adventure to the past, to a specific time frame or experience.

Ed Sheeran’s “Perfect”, for example, takes me to Clava Cairn (near with newly met friends, I hadn’t heard the song before that day but as I walked around barefoot in the grass, Jorge from Chili, laughed, and played the song as the four of us danced around the sites, laughing, and the song fit and stuck. And each and every time I hear the song, guess what? I recall the fun we all shared that day and we all fell in love with our times together that day, the 4 new friends having fun in a site that was thousands of years in making, dancing in the dark, barefoot on the grass.

A few videos have been attached, for listening and viewing pleasure, hoping that a melody helps you to make adventure memories as well.

A morning stroll along my own Street, coffee in hand

Anna--The Adventurer 3 Comments

Adventures can be enjoyed any where, even a stroll down my own street this lovely morning. Here in Upstate, South Carolina, the changing of the autumn leaves are still taking place and it is quite splendid. A little stroll provided quite a stunning view while enjoying the cool morning air and golden sunshine that glowed over the Seneca River tributary.

Living in a quite neighborhood complex has its perks, as you can well see, not a whole lot of traffic but a great place to enjoy a little adventure this morning, admiring all the pretty colors and hues and smiling at neighbors walking their dogs, all while sipping a toasted chestnut praline latte (Starbucks was on the drive home this morning!)

A fine and lovely autumn morning at an adventure best!