Wednesday, May 31, 2017

Summer Adventures

The calendar says it is June this week. June means summer. Summer means fun. I'm still working on my life list for 2017, getting healthier, working on my writing, but there was a pretty big social aspect to it as well such as getting together with friends, actually having friends over, seeing live music that my daughter is not performing in, and items like that. We also have hefty money saving goals. My challenge will be accommodating all these goals, and make sure the "summer means fun" part is alive and well. Google 100 Ways to have free fun, or cheap fun, or frugal fun and you'll find loads. Most are kid and family focused. Nothing wrong with that, but I'd like a bit of grown up fun that making frozen ice pops and having a sleepover in a a tent in my back yard is not going to give me. 

I sat down and came up with a small list of things I want to make sure are included in my summer. None are expensive, all perhaps a bit silly, but also a bit out of the norm for me to call it an adventure.

1. Skip work a day and set out to explore a regional or state park alone, with a back pack filled with water, a light lunch, my camera and a note book. I may not even tell my family I'm doing this. I have both oodles of sick time and vacation time. I will save it for a day when I really want/need a mental health day and in the end, everyone will benefit from the calmer, more sane me. 
2. Pick strawberries (not buy them at the farmers market or grocery store) and make a batch of summer jam, a strawberry pie, and reserve a few to serve with champagne. Enjoy a ladies night outdoors with said treats. 
3. Bring out my inner teenager. Sleep in late some Saturday or get a good nap in. Then, head to the one remaining area drive in and stay for all three movies. This means I'll be driving home at 4:00 in the morning, and I'll probably feel the tired consequences for days, but hey, this is a dying opportunity as pretty soon there may be no drive in movie theaters left.  
4.  A memory I had of my dad was keeping the inning by inning box score of a Minnesota Twins game while listening to the radio. He worked very long hours on multiple jobs so taking two plus hours to sit and just listen was an incredible break for him. With Father's Day in June, even if it takes all summer, I want to sit outside with the game on, box score in hand, with a cold brew (heck-might just be ice tea),  and a bag of peanuts, wearing a Twins jersey and baseball cap, and pay homage to my dad's little treat to himself. 
5. Get up before dawn at the lake, fill a thermos with coffee, and paddle a kayak out to the center and watch the sun rise, no one else invited-well, maybe pup. 

This is what I came up with, but certainly would love more than five. Chime in on your plans for thrifty and personal summer adventures.

14 comments:

  1. I like your plans, especially the homage to your Dad. Don't go hiking without telling someone where you're going.

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    1. There is that. Well, yes, I shall take safety in mind. I would say that to my kids!

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  2. My Summer adventures this year will be nothing approaching frugal.....well except a few free state park stops and free nights lodging with Kim. lol
    Outside of the mega road trip we have no other plans for trips until end of September(Family Reunion). Maybe Hubs will join me in produce picking(for preserving)in late August/early September since he'll have time on his hands then. Maybe a Fall jaunt to OC on the cheap.
    On your #1 idea I would leave a note or tell Hubs where you'll be going just in case something happens(either to you or to family while you are away-God forbid)so they can locate you if needed.
    But they all look like lovely ideas.

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    1. I am hoping to add a few more to the list. I was talking with someone and they said to add a cave visit to the mix. It's been at least five summers since the last one-and I might stick on the list.

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  3. Your ideas sound great especially your trip to see the sun rise.
    By trading at festivals instead of just going as revellers we get to see the bands, camp in the arena and come home with money instead of hungover and broke! Our planned week in Greece has cost us less than going to the Glastonbury Festival but all that money saving pales into insignificance as we've got to get the house repainted....ouch! xxx

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    1. I want to incorporate more fun into the daily/weekly normal life, something to look forward to all the time while we plan some actual trips. There are endless options. Part of why it needs to be thrifty is the huge house needs-repairs, maintenance etc.

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  4. And if mom takes time out for herself EVERYONE benefits. I have always had a hard time with that but it sure is true. Good for you. I can't wait to hear about (and see picture of?) your adventures. Now I have to think of some of my own. Anna

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    1. The camera will be my friend! I am still so horrible at taking pictures, but hope with practice, I'll get better. I had a little wander on Monday with just pup and might post about that. Daughter was with friends and hubs was beat and didn't want to come so off we went alone. It was good for me.

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  5. You have some great ideas for the summer. I plan on having a mostly low keyed June, but July starts with a lengthy trip to Portland, then on to August for Son3 and Girlfriend3's trip to the south. (Her first ever__in Alabama__in August, bless her Swedish heart! I tried to tell her August in the south is hot, humid and buggy) Lake and beach trips with them, huge family reunion then finishing the month with a road trip to Atlanta for Alabama's football kickoff
    In September I am going to the lake (just me and Shelby, the dog) for at least a week

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    1. Of course we will have cabin weekends and a few day trips, particularly on my Friday's off (I have four not counting the mini vacations for our long cabin weekend, nieces wedding, and labor day weekend. Oh my the girl will melt-must really be love! I like heat and last summer the New Orleans heat in July just about did me in. I get Dallas in June this year.

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  6. I like to explore ancient sacred sites in Britain mostly close to home if if I'm not away theses places are usually free or just a car park fee. Yesterday saw us head off to White horse hill and walk the track the horse is over 3,000 years old it's an ancient and mystical place and I love it. Difficult to take pics tho due to the angle and being too close I need to research where the best place is lol. The next trip will be to the rollright stones in Oxfordshire another ancient magical mystical place. We take lunch and usually find an old inn/pub for a drink. Great fun which feeds my witchy side and a cheap day out.

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    1. Do you have the National Trust membership? I'd get lost for days exploring those properties.

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  7. Have had it for years but not done it this year cus away too much.

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    1. I suppose like everything, the cost has gone up. With your traveling abroad, you probably wouldn't get as full use out of it to make it worthwhile. I do enjoy the bloggers who post there tours of the UK and mainland Europe. For my "baby" of a country, it sure puts history in perspective.

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