Mini-vacations: once, twice, three times a blessing!

I love trips!
Any trips … long, short, business, pleasure.
If the car's leaving, I want to be in it!

We had a conference at the state capital
not long ago.
I knew it was coming …
and I kept thinking about
how much fun it was going to be
to get away from the office for a day.
I thought about stopping
for breakfast on the way down …
and where we wanted to eat dinner
on the way back.
Anticipation …

After the conference, we spent an hour or so
touring the capitol building
and the nearby historic district.
I read all the historic plaques!
We stopped for a drink at a sidewalk café.
We forgot the camera,
so I took pictures with our camera/phone.
Ridiculous but effective!
Experience …

When we got back, I downloaded the pics
and relived the day.
Warm late-spring sunshine,
an icy-cold diet Coke at an outdoor cafe.
The historic church where the government
met for a time in the 1800's.
The majesty of the capitol building,
and pride in being a citizen of our state.
Dinner in a quiet restaurant together.
Remembrance …

The best thing about mini vacations
– or longer ones! –
is they add once, twice,
three times the enjoyment in your life.
Anticipation … Experience … Remembrance.
With mini vacations, you get all three - more often!
Happy travels!

Mini-vacations: easy, economical and everywhere!

Have you made plans yet
for your annual vacation?
Are you thinking about
the fun and relaxation,
Or are you bumming
about the airfare or fuel expense?
The cost of a hotel for a week or more?

Here's a suggestion …
plan shorter trips
more often,
closer to home.

Mini-vacations are a great way to add
more playtime to your life without a lot of expense.

Explore your own hometown like a tourist.
Then explore the next town!
Pick a destination that's only a few hours away
for a quick three-day getaway.

Then let us know how much fun you had!
We'd love to hear your vacation stories.
Happy travels!

Happy Mother's Day from Us!

Good morning! At least it is here…
Just wanted to say HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY
to all the moms out there.

This year is special because my daughter
was born on Mothers Day, May 11th, 1980.
She shared that birthday with her great aunt,
who was born in 1908.

Aunt Gladys was a career woman
before it was the norm.
She drove a tiny foreign car that she called
'a teacup with rubber bands for wheels'.
She loved her travels -mini vacations close to home.
I don't think she ever flew anywhere.
But if she could go by car ... she went!
Happy Birthday, Aunt Gladys … and Jen.

If you're looking for a last minute Mother's Day gift
for your favorite lady, here's an idea.
Give her a mini vacation at a bed-and-breakfast.
Check out http://www.iloveinns.com/
for special romance or spa weekend packages.
They also have a B&B directory with a coupon
for a free night's stay. Just print off the page
and put it in her [beautiful] card. Quick and easy!
Happy Mom's Day from us.

Watch for our NEW TouringWithUs Travelzine.
We've been working on a new format with lots
more information for all our readers. If you haven't
signed up yet, just go to http://www.touringwithus.com/
and put your first name and email address in the box.
It's that easy!

We are also ready to release a wonderful new
multi-media mini-vacation guide,
Magical Mini-Vacations!
It will also be available on our website.
The book is filled with ideas and information
for planning your own special weekend trips.
Heck –take some time off in the middle of the week as well!

And to Garrett's Mom (you know who you are), thank you.
An email you sent some time ago included your list of places
to visit … someday. It's been an inspiration to us
in writing the book … and we included your list
to inspire our readers. We called it 'Laura's List'.
Happy Mother's Day and good travels!

A Mini-vacation in Chocolate Town!

We're off on another mini-vacation!
This one's in Hershey PA. Ed has
a conference. I came along for the ride.
(I told you I'd go anywhere, anytime!)

Hershey is always fun.
Even though the amusement park isn't open,
there is still plenty to do.

My favorite spot is Hershey Gardens.
It's too early for the roses to be in bloom,
but strolling the grounds is enjoyable any time.
Hershey Gardens sits atop a hill overlooking the town.
It's 23 acres with more than a dozen themed areas,
including a new Children's Garden and Butterfly House.

No one should visit Hershey PA
without seeing the original Hershey Hotel.
The lobby, circular dining room and grounds
remind visitors of the mansions in Newport –
an era of refined comfort and elegance,
recaptured for the guests of the Hotel.
I particularly like the Spanish-style lobby
with its ornate tilework. Even if you're not staying there …
go see it! Have a drink in the lounge;
stroll through the formal gardens at the rear of the hotel.

Next stop – Chocolate World, a simulated tour
through a chocolate factory –
complete with a free sample at the end of the ride.

Hershey is the town where street lights
look like Hershey kisses,
and everything smells like chocolate,
especially when it rains!

For more information, visit
www.touringwithus.com/articles.

We'll visit with you again soon.
Happy travels!

Mini-vacations don't have to be travel …

That sounds kinda weird, but let me explain.

Mini simply means 'small'.
And Webster defines 'vacation' as a respite,
a time away from something …
an intermission.
The concept of travel –
of being away from home and work –
is the third meaning … not the first.

So … anytime you take a break from something,
you're creating a mini vacation
for your mind and body.

Of course, vacations away from home
are wonderful!
If I could, I'd be gone every weekend.
But in the meantime,
I've decided to add more 'mini vacations' to each day.

A cup of tea out on the deck before work …
A ten-minute walk at lunch …
A quick game of 'Spider'
before I start the next project.
A Saturday afternoon hike.

The older I get,
the more I realize that life is short.
And it's meant to be enjoyed.
So, I'm headed outside with that cup of tea.
Why not join me?

Don't forget our book give-away.
There's a new book out called
"The Secret To True Happiness".
It's by Joyce Meyer, and she tells us
how to create more joy in our lives … every day.
I'd like to give away a few copies to some of you.

Use the comment box below to tell us how
you've found more joy in your own life.
We'll celebrate your joy with you

Mini-vacations – Rethink your life

Most folks are about as happy
As they make up their minds to be.
Abraham Lincoln

I've got a suggestion for you:
re-think how you plan your life.

Stop making BIG plans that don't work out
the way you want them to.
Stop thinking in terms of days,
and weeks and months;
As in "next month, I'm going to …"
or "Today, I need to …"
Stop putting pressure on yourself
all the time to do more, to be more.

I read recently that we work best
in short, focused spurts.
So instead of saying to yourself,
"I need to do ___ today",
tell yourself
"I need to do ___ in the next 30 minutes".

Make smaller plans in shorter increments.
Then congratulate yourself when it's done!
Enjoy the feeling of contentment.

Break big projects down into smaller pieces.
Work for an hour, then do something else.
Go back to it after you've given your mind
a 'mini-vacation'.
You'll be fresher, more productive.

How do you eat an elephant?
One bite at a time!

No matter what's going on in your life,
think smaller.
You can handle ANYTHING …
an hour or 20 minutes
or even a minute at a time.

Now, I've got a surprise for you.
There's a new book out called
"The Secret to True Happiness".
It's by Joyce Meyer, and
she tells us how to create more
joy in our lives … every day.
I'd like to give away a few copies to some of you.

Use the comment box below to tell us how
you've made more time for joy in your own life.
We'll celebrate your joy with you
and award a winner on a future blog.

Mini-vacations … Exploring local history

Experience...travel –
these are an education
in themselves.
~ Euripides

We had an assignment to write an article
about local bed & breakfasts.
It sounded kind of fun since
most B&B's have historic roots.
Another mini vacation for us!

We live near Chautauqua NY, world famous
as a destination for learning and outdoor enjoyment.
This part of New York was settled in the early 1800's.

The oldest building in the county, Landmark Acres,
dates from 1802, and is now an upscale antiques mart.

The William Seward Inn was once the home
of the former governor and Secretary of State
who pursued the purchase of Alaska -
Seward's Folly.

There are Victorian mansions, historic hotels
and a B&B that stables guests' horses.
Trailer in and ride the local trails.

Walk the grounds of Chautauqua Institute,
the beginning of adult public education in the US.
The Institute started as an adult church camp in 1871.
It's the original … and one of only three
permanent chautauqua's in the country.

If you'd like to read the whole story,
visit the 'Articles' section of our website.
And don't forget to come touring with us next time!