One of the prime benefits of being back on the stunning coastline of Oregon is the abundance of fresh seafood. Over the last couple of winters in Baja we’ve been spoiled with fresh fish but of the warm-weather variety. Back here in often blustery Oregon we are once again indulging in such delicacies as fresh crab and oysters along with several types of clams, tuna, and Pacific salmon.
Everyones travel plans are in full swing by the time the cooler weather approaches. The only difference is that people tend to book a different style of vacation. Rather than backpacking or camping people tend to hunt down the perfect all-inclusive vacation where they can soak up the sun and relax. All-inclusive is one of the most popular choices, and with all your food, drinks, accommodation, and even your entertainment and activities often included in the price it makes them the perfect stress-free vacation.
The United States is a beautiful country with so much to offer. If you’re going to take a trip around America, of course, then you will probably want to narrow down your options. There are plenty of states that you could see, but each one is massive. So, how do you choose which places to explore? Well, if you’re looking for a unique and exhilarating experience of America, then these are the best cities to visit in the States.
Moving home can be a huge upheaval for anyone however, moving out of state can add to the mental and physical workload associated with a house move. That shouldn’t put you off considering a house move out of state, but it would be wise to do your homework and know exactly what you need to do before the time comes.
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Niagara Falls is one of those incredible sights that everybody should see at least once in their lives. We’re all familiar with it and you’ve probably seen it on TV plenty of times, but that doesn’t do it justice at all. When you see it up close, it’s a totally different experience and it’s definitely worth taking the trip. If you’ve never been, you should plan a trip of your own. But if you want to get the best experience, you need to make sure that you plan it properly. Here are a few tips to help you plan your first trip to Niagara Falls.
Travel is exciting and fulfilling- there’s nothing quite like going to a completely different place in the world and experiencing entirely new surroundings. From breathtaking scenery to interesting new foods, meeting people who are completely different to you and learning more about yourself- it’s always a good use of time and money. The only trouble is, the actual travel part can be pretty tedious. Getting from A to B, whether it’s by plane, rail, coach or car can take a lot of time and be tiring and boring. To help combat this, it can be useful to have things you know you can do that will keep you occupied and allow the time to pass more quickly. Here are some ideas!
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Catch up on some work
It might not be the most fun way to spend your time, however, it can be a great way to tie up any loose ends before your vacation or even earn a bit of extra money. If you’re sitting on a train or plane, for example, you could easily get on with a bit of report writing even without access to the internet. If you have an internet connection on the transport you’re on, you could catch up on emails or do other jobs here and there. Better than sitting around twiddling your thumbs!
Create content
If you’re a content creator then this could actually be a great time to make something new- being in different surroundings can be really inspiring. You could work on your novel or write a poem, you could write an entry for your blog or vlog parts of your journey. If you have music software on your laptop you could create some new tracks, as long as you’ve got your headphones in you won’t bother anyone. If you’re a content creator and travel often then this really is the time that you can utilize. Invest in a good quality laptop, Macs are powerful although you might need to relearn some of the basics as they can be a bit different. Look at how to screen capture on Mac and how to left-click on Mac as examples.
Consume content
Finally, a few hours sat in your seat is the perfect time to consume content. You could read a book, watch a movie or catch up on a series you’ve been meaning to watch. You could play games, listen to music- whatever it is you like to do. In most cases, you can do all of this right from your smartphone. Be sure to download content to your device in case your internet connection isn’t always the best.
Traveling from A to B can be boring, but keep yourself occupied and the tedious part will pass quickly. You’ll be at your destination having fun before you know it!
Dawn was just breaking in the sky as I stirred awake. Aspen and Jim continued to snore softly as I contemplated the beginning of a new day. This morning musing brought the realization that for the first time in over one year I felt totally and completely relaxed and at peace.
We all get excited for Fall and Winter – the lure of the infamous pumpkin spice latte and the thought of curling up in front of a roaring log fire all sounds very romantic, but in reality, we are often faced with soggy grey days that feel anything but, and long nights that seem to go on forever. There is little wonder that many of us end up with the ‘winter blues’, and can’t wait for Spring to appear so we can get back to doing the things we love. If you feel a bit ‘meh’ when the nights draw in and the temperatures plummet, here are some things you can do to keep your spirits up.
Plan your dream vacation
Ok, so in an ideal world, you would be actually on your dream vacation, but that doesn’t often happen. Instead, while away the days planning your dream holiday. Mooch on Pinterest or even make a wanderlust scrapbook, filled with pictures of things you want to see and do. You never know – next Winter you may have the chance to experience it for real!
Attend a concert or a show
Music and theatre can do wonders for the soul. They can make you laugh, cry, and feel all the emotions in between. Shows can be expensive, but if you plan ahead and check out what is on Broadway Shows NYC, you may find some great deals to help put a smile on your face and a spring in your step.
Sign up for a class
Use the dark, cold days wisely and allow your mind to bloom. There are plenty of classes for all sorts of interests and skill levels. Whether it is to improve your existing cooking skills or learn a whole new language for that dream vacation that you have planned, make sure you sign up for something. You may also make some new friends with similar interests, which can be great for getting you through Winter.
Check out local museums and galleries
It has probably been a long time since you last visited your local museum or art gallery, and the chances are, a lot has changed! Go online to see if there are any new exhibitions or collections that catch your eye and go and see them. If nothing else, most museums and galleries have superb cafes and restaurants to grab a bit to eat at.
Visit a new restaurant
Talking of places to eat, a dark winters evening is the perfect chance to get dressed up the nines and visit that restaurant you have always wanted to go to. Make a proper weekend of it – maybe go and see a show first, and head to a swanky hotel for the night! It is amazing what good food and being waited on for a night can do for your spirits.
What are your favorite things to do to beat the winter blues?
Camp life continues to roll along and we are shocked to realize it is already nearly mid-September. Along with hundreds of guests, we have been fortunate enough to have plenty of our own visitors in the form of family and dear friends. It’s no secret that in large part our decision to return to Oregon to work was the opportunity to be able to spend more time with our tribe and believe me, our hearts are full!
As we sit on the Colorado River in southern California it is time, once again, to reflect on another winter on the Baja. This year brought an entirely new adventure because of our first caravan trip with Baja Amigos.
