5 Adventures to be Had in Your State

Note: This is a guest post by Kara Taylor. She is a freelance writer who loves to clear her head with adventurous outdoor activities.
For more information on being a guest author, or having me write a guest post for your blog, click here.

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Finding the time and money to take a family vacation or have a bit of an adventure seems more and more of a challenge in today’s difficult economic times. However, having a bit of fun outdoors doesn’t have to be impossible. In fact, there are many outdoor adventures and activities to be had without even leaving the state or country. 

Regardless of your budget, you are bound to find inexpensive options that the whole family will enjoy. 

A brief, outdoor getaway is simple, affordable and can be the perfect way for you and your loved ones to relax without breaking the bank.

Here is a list of our favorite five outdoor activities you can do without leaving your state:

1. Hiking

Hiking is a great way to spend some time outdoors. Most states have designated hiking trails for individuals and can be found easily through your search engine. You may also want to consider your state’s tourism guide. The equipment required for your hike will depend on how long your hike will be as well as the climate and surroundings. As a rule of thumb, you will want to carry plenty of water, a map and food. Boots or extremely durable, comfortable shoes are also recommended. Other items that you may require include a flashlight, additional clothes, sunscreen and a first aid kit. A GPS navigation device is also a good idea if you are planning on hiking off-trail. 

2. Camping

If you’re really adventurous, you may want to consider camping as part of your hike. You may also consider car camping—which is done by camping near your car so that more supplies may be stored. Again, you can find camping websites for each state. Supplies can be found at your local hardware store or specialty outdoors and sports stores. You may also find bargains at local thrift shops. It’s important to take along a tent for shelter, first aid materials, sleeping bags, food and water. You may also want to consider items to make a camp fire (if this is legal in your state). A change of clothes, personal care items, trash bags and utensils are also important. Many state parks offer free or low-cost camp ground accommodations. 

3. Fishing

Fishing is great for people of all ages. It is a great way to relax and enjoy the outdoors. Fishing equipment can be purchased at general retailers such as Wal-Mart or Target. You could also visit specialty stores. You will need fishing poles, bait and other accessories which can be purchased relatively cheaply. Make certain to check your local gaming and fishing laws to ensure that you do not need a license in order to fish. Young children should always be supervised when fishing!

4. ATVs

All-terrain vehicles (ATVs) are also known as three or four wheelers, or quads. These vehicles are designed for off-road fun. An ATV is similar to a motorcycle but gives more stability to the driver. ATV sale and rental for your family can be a great way to race and spend time outdoors. ATVs can be bought in all sizes. Remember that young children should be supervised and always wear protective gear. For an experienced, mature rider, ATV racing is an extremely fun and exciting way to relax with friends. For more information on buying your own all-terrain vehicle, check out ATV sale

5. Water sports

How about jet skiing, boating, tubing and surfing? Water sports are a fantastic way to relax and spend some time and fun in the sun. Often, you can rent or buy the equipment for such water activities at an inexpensive rate. Many local renters will offer hourly rates and daily rates on boats and jet skis. Only experienced drivers should handle this equipment. Make sure that proper safety precautions are taken, including but not limited to life jackets. Check your state’s tourism site for water recreation areas near you.

Remember, relaxation doesn’t have to cost a ton of money. These are just five ideas for taking an inexpensive adventure within your state. Are you looking for an adventure?

Double-Check Your Dates

Picture by Joe Lanman

Just a short message of advice for you today, one that I was reminded of on my trip lately.

We arrived in our hotel, only for the receptionist to tell me that I had booked the wrong date. This being China, I checked the confirmation e-mail I had received, and sure, she was right. I had booked a room for 10 days later.

I still have no idea what happened, but it did teach me a lesson (for the zillionth time) that I'd like to remind you of as well.

We wasted 3 hours calling around and waiting for people to check out at our hostel, before we finally got a room. That's three hours of sightseeing that we missed. And all because I forget to check the dates when I received the confirmation. 

So take your time in checking dates. When traveling, or making plans, keep a calendar with you and make sure that you check both the DAY and the DATE. That way you can also spot if someone else made an error in thinking the 20th was a Saturday instead of a Sunday, for example.

This is literally the work of seconds, and yet is forgotten more often than not. It may not be necessary in most cases, but the one time you're off, it can cost you a lot of time!

Are you someone who usually checks twice? Have you ever booked a hotel for the wrong date? Or worse, a plane ticket?

5 Reasons To Check the Weather Forecast

Storm over by Monday night

We've got a typhoon heading our way! By the time it reaches us, it won't be a more than a big storm, but still big enough to require some preparation (close windows, put screens up, etc). And how did I find out about it? We invited our boss out to dinner, and he said he'd have to wait and see what the typhoon did. I had to ask whether I heard him correctly. But sure thing, when I checked the weather report, it had the words 'typhoon' in bright red letters underneath.

Weather reports are one of those things we take for granted. Perhaps, we have forgotten how great they really are. 
It only takes you a couple of minutes to check a website that has the weather forecast. There's plenty of good ones available now. And what are the advantages? To name a few:

1. Save money. You don't have to buy another umbrella cause you made sure to bring your own when you saw the chance of rain. 
2. Be comfortable. You packed an extra sweater for that chilly weather on your holiday destination.
3. Plan ahead. You stocked up on groceries, so you don't have to run out in the snow.
4. Adapt. You postponed the BBQ, or got a tent, so your meat doesn't get soaked.
5. Warn others. Your neighbors, family and friends are eternally grateful to you for providing them with this excellent information! (Thanks boss!)

Are you a weather-forecast-checker or an I'll-take-it-as-it-comes kinda person? Have you ever wished you had checked the weather report, but didn't? Do you feel worse for knowing bad weather is heading your way?

I love to hear your comments (anyone still there?) and you can rate the posts below as well! Let me know which ones are your favorites.

MWH Travel Tips: 11 - Quarreling Companions

Me and my sister - China, 2010

I have traveled with lots of different people throughout the years. Of course, I started out traveling with my parent and siblings, but I've also traveled with close friends and complete strangers.

Who you travel with doesn't really matter, conflict and irritation are lurking around the corner, no matter what. How come we're so prone to get snappy with travel companions? Even if they're are closest friends and family? I think it has to do with the fact that when traveling, you're forced to compromise on so much more than in your daily life.

Take couples, for example, who may think that living together requires a lot of compromise (it does). When you're traveling, you pretty much have to agree on everything except for what food you order. And in China, even that is something you share!

So how can you avoid conflict and make the journey a positive one throughout? Of course, keeping in mind that the trip is only temporary, may be enough to keep you at ease. But if it isn't, here are 5 more tips on traveling with others:

1. Adjust your expectations. If you're traveling with someone you know, you can guess at what this person will enjoy doing/eating, and what they will most likely try to avoid. Knowing what to expect will help you be more accepting of demands that may require you to compromise.
   
2. Don't let it fester. While traveling for six weeks with a friend, we both found ourselves getting snappier and snappier, and the irritation and discontent between the two of us built up quickly.
   Then, while on a subway ride, we started talking about it. We expressed what we were feeling and could each understand what we could do better to avoid future problems. The conversation after we cleared the air was so pleasant that we actually missed our stop.
   
3. Get enough sleep. Irritation often stems from being too tired. Traveling is a tiresome experience, make no mistake! I don't care if you're hiking 7 hours a day, or lying on the beach from sunrise to sunset, new impressions take a toll on your brain and you'll feel more tired than during your normal routine work days.
   When someone is getting a little cranky, make sure they have enough sleep at night (and do the same for yourself). There's no point partying all night if you'll be fighting the next day.
   
4. Do something thoughtful. Be considerate of your fellow travelers. Look out for needs you know how to fulfill. Think they could use a cup of coffee? Suggest going to a café. Keep in mind that the quality of YOUR trip depends on the quality of the group. Which depends on the energy and emotions of every individual in that group.
   
5. Take time out. When things get too up close and personal, don't feel afraid to take some time off. Sit in your hotel room for a bit, or take a walk by yourself. Just make sure to let your companions know where you're going and when you'll be back. Even the most gregarious among us may need these breaks from time to time, to organize their thoughts and relax their mind.

How do you experience traveling with others? Have you ever gotten into a fight with a fellow traveler? Any other advice you could give would be welcome!

MWH Travel Tips: 10 - Your Suitcase is Your Home

Picture by Frits Ahlefeldt-Laurvig

Your backpack or suitcase, or whatever you use to carry your stuff around, is your home for the time being. It carries all your belongings, and you should treat it with the same care and respect you would treat your home. Why does it matter? It makes your travel experience much nicer!

We've all rummaged through our suitcases at one point or another, looking for something we know is there ... somewhere. And when you can't immediately find it, you get worried. "Did I leave it somewhere? Did I forget to pack it? Did it get stolen?"

Apart from feeling anxiety, doing all this searching also takes up time that could be spent better, especially on a trip!

When you're packing your bag, try to not only think of how to stuff as much as possible in as little space as possible, but also of how you stuff it. Keep clothes of a similar nature together. Find a logical and safe spot for electronics (chargers, laptop) and books. 
And when you need to repack the next time you move? Do it the same way. That way you're sure everything will fit in as well. 


Take care of the things in your bag. Just because you're traveling, you don't need to scrunch up your clothes and stuff them in a corner. You can still fold them and place them neatly in the suitcase. Even for backpacks this is possible (I do it all the time).

This makes packing and repacking your bag each time, a breeze. You develop a system that reduces the time you spend packing to a couple of minutes each time. Totally worth the lack of anxiety over forgetting stuff!

Structure is something we tend to lose along the way, but it can be just the thing you need to keep it all together when traveling. It provides safety and stability in an otherwise unpredictable and uncontrollable environment.

Do you have a system for packing? Does it last throughout the trip? Or does your suitcase look like a messy attic instead of a neat closet by the time you get home?

MWH Travel Tips: 9 - Write a Postcard

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In my youth, vacations were inextricably connected to postcards. We sent them and we got them. It was considered a common courtesy to send postcards to immediate family and close friends, and it was a joy to receive pictures from all over the world showing you where your family and friends had been that summer.

Nowadays, it seems that the postcard is slowly becoming extinct. There could be several reasons for this: It's expensive, it takes time, it wastes paper. All of these are good reasons not to send a postcard.
But do you know what's a great reason to make the effort anyways? They're AWESOME!

I've bought postcards of places only to remember them and show them to other people. I've even used them as classroom gifts! They're very popular and they last much longer than printed photo's because of how sturdy they are.

Sending a postcard doesn't necessarily have to take a lot of time or cost a lot of money. Before you leave on a trip, get a piece of paper and write down the names and addresses of people you would like to send a card to (or bring your address book). When you find cards somewhere, just buy a bunch together (usually cheaper).
At a quiet moment, write down a name and address on every card. When you've done that, you  can write messages on them whenever you have time. See a postal office? Buy some stamps, put them on the cards, and drop them off.

It's easy and your friends/family will love it.

Alternatively, if you don't want to spend any money, you're too late to send a card or the country you're in doesn't have postcards (hello China!), you could find a picture of the place you're traveling in, and send an email. Generic messages work, but try to change them a little and send individual emails. Blogs are better than group emails.

So what are your feelings toward greeting cards? Do you love them? Hate them? Do you ever send/receive any? I really wonder if this is a fading phenomenon. What do you think?

MWH Travel Tips: 7 - Split Your Cash

Picture by Christian Newton

Traveling can be a risky endeavor when you need to carry large amounts of cash, and you often do. When traveling to remote locations that don't have any big banks, you need to carry your capital on you to be safe. So how do you prevent pick pockets from stealing?

There's lots of small things you can do, like keep your money on your body, or hold on tight to your purse. But the best thing you can do is make sure you're okay EVEN if they do get you.

I suggest splitting your money into smaller portions, and keeping it in different spots. Keep a bit in your bag, a bit in your pockets, divide it over the different members of your traveling party.

How much should be in one spot? It depends, on how much you think is okay to lose at once, and how much money you have to keep on you. 
The safest spot to keep money is probably on your body. I put some cash in almost every pocket I have (if I have any). It'll take a lot for me not to notice someone going through ALL my pockets. 
I've found hotel rooms to be quite safe as well, and things like in between your clothes in your backpack. Put it in an inconspicuous spot.

Have you ever lost money to a pickpocket before? How did it happen? I've been fortunate so far. I have however lost large amounts of money because it fell out of my pocket while I was trying on clothes at a shop. Let that be another warning!

Worth Every Minute: Travel Edition

Every Wednesday, you can read the awesomeness of another author on the web through the Worth Every Minute series on MWH. As we are traveling around China while this gets posted, the article of today is also travel related.


Living in China is great, but it won't make you rich. Living in China, luckily, is very cheap, but traveling in China isn't. That means that we have to make do with little money. Also, we love to save wherever we can.


The article for today offers 50 tips on how to do just that: save money when traveling.


Enjoy!

50 Budget Travel Tips and Save Money on Vacations from Moneying.com

Any more advice on how to save money while traveling? I'm always interested to find out new and nifty ways of saving a buck or two.

MWH Travel Tips: 6 - Delete Your Pictures

Picture by Nimble Photography

It's a disease of the new age: holiday snaps that pile up on your computer endlessly. And let's admit it, do you ever get to going through all of them and selecting the best ones to put in a nice album? Well, we don't. Usually, it takes us months, sometimes years, to start organizing all those pictures.

One of the ways we've found to limit the amount of pictures to sort out, is by going through our camera at various times during the trip. This can be on the train or bus, waiting in the airport, or while our food is being served.

I suggest you go through your pictures as often as you can. We often get caught up in thinking that every picture we take is an invaluable memory, but remember those trips you took where two rolls of film was all you had? Now, does it seem like you have less memories from that trip because you took less pictures? Of course not! Your memory may be less vivid because of how long ago the trip was, but the pictures play no role in that.

Deleting your pictures as you go along will also help you save space on your flash card, although nowadays that's not such a big issue anymore. It will make a difference when it comes to videos though.

The major advantage is the experience of going through your pictures when you go home, however. Now, you only have to look through the good pictures, and choose which ones of those to keep. Or, just keep them all!

Going through your pictures while on the trip, is a great way to enjoy the pleasures of that day again. You get to relive the experience and discuss it with your travel companion(s) or the people you meet. Traveling becomes a more intense and rewarding experience.

MWH Travel Tips: 5 - Ask the Locals

When you're traveling, you want to relax and have a good time. Maybe you would like to enjoy a nice dinner out, visit a great pub, see a show of some kind.

Guide books can help you find these little hot spots, but they may not be as up to date as another great source of information that is ALWAYS available: the people around you.

No matter where you are, if you are staying in a hotel/hostel in a medium sized city, chances are someone there will speak a little bit of English. If they don't, it always helps to have some phrases you may need ready. Write them down on a piece of paper in both your language and the language of the destination. Otherwise, hands and feet can be incredibly useful when used in a versatile manner!

Ask the staff of the hotel where they would go for: a cheap meal, a celebration dinner, a fun night out, some relaxing time or a good beer. Make sure your source understands that you're not looking for the tourist hot spots per se, you just want to find whatever place they would frequent. 

Apart from finding what you want, it can also be a great way to get to know the culture of the place a little better.
Ask your contact to write down a favorite dish of theirs, for example (first make sure it's not an animal part that will make you gag), or ask them to recommend a local beer. 

When you're staying in a place, keep in mind that your hotel/hostel personnel can have more than one function for you. Not only are they there to provide you with whatever you may require hotel/hostel wise, they are also just people that work and maybe live close by where you happen to be staying all year round and have the most recently updated information. You can't beat, Lonely Planet!

Triple Inspiration: Travel Edition

Every Sunday I give you three quotes that may inspire you for the week to come. You could write them down, or read them from time to time. Or you can just forget about them all together. I'm giving you a choice, it's yours to make.
The whole series of Triple Inspiration in a Single Minute can be found here.

Get Productive!

“Twenty years from now you will be more disappointed by the things you didn’t do than by the ones you did do. So throw off the bowlines, sail away from the safe harbor. Catch the trade winds in your sails. Explore. Dream. Discover.”
(Mark Twain)

Get Happy!

 “All travel has its advantages. If the passenger visits better countries, he may learn to improve his own. And if fortune carries him to worse, he may learn to enjoy it.”
(Samuel Johnson)

Get Inspired!

“One’s destination is never a place, but a new way of seeing things.”
(Henry Miller)

MWH Travel Tips: 4 - Wash Along the Way

Picture by Phillip Collier

This is a tip I got from my mother on our last trip together. We traveled through China as well, and hiked for part of the trip. Because we were moving around so much and had to walk carrying our bags quite often, it was key that we packed lightly.

One of the ways my mom could limit the amount of clothes she brought with her, was by showering in them.

When you take your evening (or afternoon) shower, take the clothes you're wearing, the ones that are dirty, in the shower with you. While you wash, also rub some body soap or shampoo (great for stains coming from greasy skin and sweat) into the clothes. Make sure you rinse them out with very hot water and roll them up in a towel after you finish wringing them out. 


You can leave your clothes to dry in the hotel room/tent/hostel. Wherever you are, I'm sure there's a spot available somewhere. 
Once dry, you can either wear them again, or store them away until you get home. They'll stay cleaner and you can avoid nasty smells. 

I don't suggest doing this instead of a regular washing cycle on your machine, but it's sufficient for traveling when you need to pack lightly.

As an added tip: Rubbing your knuckles together is a great way to imitate an old fashion wash board for those difficult stains!

MWH Travel Tips: 3 - Impression Diary

Keeping a travel journal can be quite a bit of work. Writing down a full overview of the day each night is not something I associate with taking a break. Writing is my work, although I love it (and couldn't NOT do it), I don't like to feel obligated. So I keep a small notebook with me, to jot down impressions whenever I feel like it.

My travel notebook.

I suggest you buy a notebook that you like, or find one that you already have but stopped using (if you're like me, there are about 20 of these around in your house somewhere).
Keep it in your daily backpack, with a pen/pencil close by or attached to it. 
Whenever you see something remarkable, or get a sudden moment of inspiration, write down a little note to remind yourself of it. What do you see? Why is it so remarkable? How does it make you feel? It only takes a couple of minutes to jot down the essentials.

You can use these notes to write journal posts later, making it easier to know what to write about, or to add to your photo-album later as anecdotes and explanatory comments. 
You may find that the optional nature of these notes makes you far more likely to write them down. And if you don't, there's no need to feel guilty, since they were optional to begin with!

Do you keep a travel journal? Do you blog while you're on the road? Why or why not?
I find that having a computer with me just leaves me out of touch with being out of touch.

MWH Travel Tips: 2 - Packing Checklist

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Today, my hubby, my sister and me left on our two-week trip here in China. We didn't forget anything! How? Because of a great packing checklist.

When packing my bags for a trip or traveling, I usually make a checklist. Not a very long one, just something for me to go over to make sure I have all the necessities. It does help you not to forget some things, although you may just forget putting them on the checklist, and then it doesn't really do you any good.

So while I'm making the checklist, I try to mentally go through a day on the holiday, from the moment I wake up, to the moment I go to sleep. I imagine what I'm wearing, carrying and doing at those times. It helps me keep in mind what I need at each moment, and write that on the list. 

 Another great aid is the downloaded or on-line checklist. This is a good example. You can print them off and just add what you need. 

Stuff I would have forgotten but didn't because of doing this: cutlery set (useful in China), chargers for phones/Kindle, sunscreen, summer hat, band-aids, etc. We do quite a bit of hiking when possible, so there are a few things we need on trips that we normally don't use.

What's a must-have for you on trips? Anything you forget to pack on a regular basis? Feel free to warn others in the comments!

MWH Travel Tips: 1 - Home Checklist

We'll be traveling to many wonderful places, returning on the 27th. I packed all the necessities yesterday, and unfortunately, the computer wasn't one of them. That means that for the next two weeks, you'll be reading updates that are pre-scheduled. This does mean that I won't be able to respond to comments. But don't let that stop you! I'd love to read tons and tons when I get back, and reply to them!

Because I won't be the only one traveling this summer, I'm sure, I've prepared some travel related Minutes Worth Hours for yo. Regular Wednesday and Sunday series will still run.

Today, I start with number one: the home checklist.

Going on a trip means our apartment will be unattended for two weeks. (I feel safe saying this here, since most thieves won't fly all the way to China for some clothes and chipped plates, I'm sure).
Since we like to save as much energy as possible during that time, and keep our apartment in the best condition possible in this humid weather, we usually prepare a checklist to go through before we lock the door.

• Think of all the appliances that are usually on in your house (or plugged in) that you don't really need. Can you disconnect any of the them?
  
• Is there something that you could store away to keep it safer? Our computers are an example of this. During these humid months, I like to store them on top of some rice-filled cloth that can absorb any moisture in the vicinity.
  
• Which plants/animals require care? Have you made arrangements for this? Don't forget to water plants before you leave.
  
• Leave a spare key with a trusted friend. Just in case you lose your baggage, or run into a pick-pocket, you have a back-up plan.
  
• Disconnect the gas. Turn off the boiler(s). Turn off your power strips. This is all quite self-evident.
  
• We try to make sure all the doors in the apartment are open, so that air can circulate and prevent mold. This is especially important for bathrooms and kitchens! But it also goes for the fridge/freezer if you've decided to empty it and unplug it. It will prevent mold from growing inside.

As you can see, there's plenty to think about before you leave your home. To make sure you don't pass out on these money-savers or time-savers, make a checklist that you can always go back to before you leave your home for an extended period of time. You'll thank yourself later!