Spontaneous Summer Road Trips

Noah and I love going on summer road trips. We like to sometimes just get in the car and drive. It was something I also enjoyed doing before I was a mom. We also go on planned road trips. We like to take short road trips where we just drive until we find something cool and check it out. Some of them are day trips to state parks or close amusement parks. Other times we stay over in a hotel depending on where we are and what we want to do. I have some great memories of just driving or unexpected road trips where my friends and I just picked up and went to Florida. This was before I had Noah and it was such a fun trip. We were able to go to Daytona and to Fort Lauderdale. Sometimes travel can help clear your mind and heal your soul.

 It’s so easy to figure out where you are with maps on your smartphone. You don’t really have to worry about getting lost, although sometimes that can be part of the fun. You can book a hotel on your smartphone and don’t have to stop at multiple hotels in search of a vacancy and end up in the Bates Motel. I recommend reading the reviews or staying in a chain that you know is nice. However, sometimes there will be a hotel room that will not be what you are used to.  If you are able to offer a service you could even travel and help those in need. You don’t have to be a doctor or a nurse you could just help with clean up or even bring supplies to disaster victims.  You can definitely make a difference and teach your kids how to help others.

Traveling doesn’t have to be something you spend weeks planning for, you can decide to go somewhere and leave the next day or even the same day.

For more ideas for Summer Road Trips check out this article.

Random Acts of Kindness for Strangers

I love to give back to others. I have had people give back to me in the past through random acts of kindness. They don’t have to be big things, you don’t have to spend tons of money or even any money at all. It could be as simple as letting someone else go in front of you in line. If you are feeling up to it, maybe paying for their groceries too.  There are so many ways you can give back to others. You could buy the person behind you coffee or even their meal. You could help someone with food or donate to a food bank. It’s really important to me to teach Noah about giving back to others.  My Grandma Rose was a big giver and I have followed in her footsteps. You can really do random acts of kindness anywhere. 

You don’t even have to plan them out. One day I was out with a friend and his mom and an older man in a motorized cart was in line and I let him go in front of me and when the cashier was helping him with his groceries I quietly told her I would like to pay for this gentleman’s groceries. I think she thought I was a little crazy and the man didn’t know what to think. It felt good to help him out, even if he didn’t even need it. I also try to help those who seem to be in need through a little bit of money if they are on the side of the road. I am truly blessed with all I have, I can afford to help just a little bit when my heart feels that it is right.  If more people took the time to stop and help others the world would be such a better place.

Check out this article about giving back while on the road.

Traveling with Family and Dogs too.

Although I don't have dogs I am no stranger to traveling with dogs. My aunt and uncle have always have had dogs. They live in California and they always have their dogs with them. They are their kids so they never stay home alone. My aunt and uncle always drive when they come visit too. They usually make a big trip and stop off and visit everyone they can. One year they went from California to Texas to Florida to South Carolina to Tennessee then finally to Indiana were the bulk of where family lives. They travel to Indiana at least once a year.

My aunt and uncle are definitely experts when it comes to traveling with their dogs. My aunt makes sure she has all the food they need, treats, medicines, toys and whatever else they need for travel. While they are traveling they park in shaded areas when they need to stop. They park in dog friendly places where everyone can get out and stretch their legs. My aunt and uncle stay in dog friendly hotels so everyone is comfortable. We recently went to visit them and it was really late when our flight landed and we were so tired that I wanted to crawl up on the dogs' bed and go to sleep. We also went on a little trip to San Francisco and stayed in a dog friendly hotel. The hotel was really nice. During the drive, the dogs just laid in the back and slept. They would occasionally stand up and come see what we were doing.  It's a lot of fun traveling with your pets. You can create a lot of neat memories together. 

Check out this post for more ideas on how to travel with your dog.