How to Plan an Unforgettable Trip

 Planning a trip can be exciting, filled with anticipation and the promise of new adventures. However, it can also feel overwhelming if you don't know where to start. In this comprehensive guide, I will take you through the key steps to plan a trip that meets your interests, fits your budget, and ensures a memorable experience. Whether you're planning a solo backpacking adventure, a family vacation, or a romantic getaway, these tips will help you create an itinerary that leaves you with lifelong memories.

1. Define Your Destination and Purpose: The first step in planning any trip is to determine where you want to go and why. Are you looking for relaxation on a beach, exploration of historical sites, or a bustling city experience? Consider your interests, the climate, and the time available for your trip. Research potential destinations and make a shortlist of places that align with your preferences.

2. Set a Budget: Determine your budget for the trip, including transportation, accommodation, meals, activities, and miscellaneous expenses. Be realistic and consider any additional costs such as visas, travel insurance, and souvenirs. This will help you narrow down your choices and make informed decisions about your itinerary.

3. Research and Plan: Once you have a destination and budget in mind, it's time to dive into detailed research. Look for information on the best time to visit, local customs and traditions, popular attractions, transportation options, and accommodation. Consider using travel websites, guidebooks, blogs, and forums for reliable and up-to-date information. Create a rough itinerary that includes the must-see attractions, but also allows for flexibility.

4. Book Transportation: Based on your research, choose the most convenient and cost-effective mode of transportation. Compare prices, check for deals, and book your flights, train tickets, or rental cars in advance to secure the best rates. If you plan to use public transportation at your destination, familiarize yourself with schedules and routes.

5. Find Accommodation: Research and book accommodations that suit your needs and budget. Consider factors such as location, amenities, and reviews from previous guests. Popular options include hotels, hostels, vacation rentals, and bed and breakfasts. Make sure to book well in advance, especially during peak travel seasons.

6. Create a Day-to-Day Itinerary: Based on your interests and the attractions you wish to visit, create a day-to-day itinerary. Allow for some flexibility to accommodate unexpected opportunities or changes in plans. Prioritize your must-see sights and allocate sufficient time for each activity. Consider including a mix of popular attractions and off-the-beaten-path experiences to get a well-rounded experience of your destination.

7. Pack Smart: Make a packing list based on the climate and activities at your destination. Check for any specific clothing requirements or cultural sensitivities. Remember to pack essentials such as travel documents, medication, electronics, and adaptors. Travel light when possible and consider using packing cubes or compression bags to maximize space.

8. Consider Safety and Health: Research the safety situation at your destination and check for any travel advisories. Take necessary precautions, such as purchasing travel insurance, registering with your embassy, and ensuring you have access to emergency contact numbers. If required, visit a healthcare professional to get any necessary vaccinations or medications well in advance of your trip.

9. Inform Others and Stay Connected: Share your travel plans with family or friends, providing them with a copy of your itinerary and contact details. Stay connected while on your trip by ensuring you have international roaming or purchasing a local SIM card. Keep electronic copies of important documents like passports, visas, and reservations in case of loss or theft.

10. Embrace the Journey: Finally, remember that the purpose of your trip!

Trip Report: Gettysburg, PA

My wife recently started a new job that has an on-call schedule. In celebration of her last weekend of without a tether, we threw some locations in a hat and pulled out Gettysburg, PA. Only 90 minutes from our home, we definitely thought it would be a perfect day trip.

For those who may not be aware, the town of Gettysburg played a major role in the American Civil War, which lasted from 1861 to 1865. From July 1st to July 3rd 1863, Gettysburg saw a battle that would become legendary.

The drive was rather easy. This was on a Saturday morning, so the traffic was light. Interstate traffic soon gave way to rural. Carroll County, MD was the start of our country driving. When we spotted our first Amish person, we knew we were starting to slow down.

Another 45 minutes later, we arrived at the visitors center. A quick trip to the information and ticket counters landed us tickets to the museum, a movie viewing and the cyclorama, which is a massive 360-degree painting of the battle.

The movie was very interesting and narrated by Morgan Freeman. I appreciated the museum too, but we didn’t have much time to check it out. The cyclorama was the main draw. 

Complete with its own narration and a light show, it is a small way to put you in the mind of what a soldier on the field may have heard. When my wife and I were talking to a park ranger, he said that a soldier from Gettysburg wrote in a letter that the sound of the battle was as powerful if not more so than the sound of Niagara Falls. That is why I say a small piece of the soldier’s experience.

We decided to grab lunch before we started the tour. I’d gotten a suggestion from an employee at the visitor’s center. That suggestion? Gettysburger! I’m not sure if this local burger joint came before the reference on the TV show Scandal or not, but it has my vote no matter what. I settled on the Gettysburger. Two 8-oz Pattie’s, and a triple decker burger bun. The flavor was not too bad, with such a large amount of meat, you’re bound to lose some of it. To quote Anthony Bourdain,  “every man has their own personal ‘Waterloo.’ This was my Waterloo.” 

Honorable mention to the jalapeño poppers with a grape jelly dipping sauce. 

A second honorable mention goes to Mr. G’s Ice Cream in downtown.

After lunch, we were on our way for the self-guided auto tour. If you are not into figuring out the specifics of Gettysburg by yourself, you can take a guided bus tour of the battleground. If you prefer some exclusivity but still want the guided tour experience, you can pay for a guide to take you around the battlefield in your own car. This was a fascinating concept.

The thing to remember about the auto tour is that you don’t have go it entirely alone. The National Park Service (NPS) has a nifty app that you can download for free. Once you find the Gettysburg National Military park site, you can get a nice prerecorded tour to take you through  the stops.

Honestly, there is far too much for me to cover in one post. Of note are McPherson Ridge, the North Carolina and Virginia Memorials, the Pennsylvania and Minnesota Memorials, the High Water Mark, and the National Cemetery. None of my words can do the experience any justice. If you have not been and you are able, I encourage you to go for a weekend visit. Thanks to Gettysburg for a wonderful visit. I have gotten some great research inspiration out of this trip.

More about the town and battle of Gettysburg can be found below:

https://www.battlefields.org/learn/civil-war/battles/gettysburg

https://www.britannica.com/event/Battle-of-Gettysburg

https://www.gettysburgpa.gov/history/slideshows/battle-history

Update #1: Arctic Cowboys: Kayak the Northwest Passage

And, they're off! Yesterday, July 20th, the Arctic Cowboys team kicked off their expedition.

The team of West Hansen, Jeff Wueste, Eileen Visser, Mark Agnew, Barbara Edington, and Tom McGuire are working to kayak all 2,000+ miles of the Northwest Passage. 

They paddled 34.5 miles yesterday and 48 miles today - good progress so far.

You can follow along with the expedition and read more about it at the links below:

 https://www.thearcticcowboys.com/blog/

https://www.thearcticcowboys.com/route-map/

https://www.gofundme.com/f/northwest-passage-the-arctic-cowboys

Unveiling Washington D.C.'s Top Five Monuments to Visit This Summer

 

As the capital of the United States, Washington D.C. is a city steeped in rich history, politics, and culture. One of the most captivating aspects of the city is its iconic monuments, which pay homage to significant events and influential figures that have shaped the nation. With what is left of the summer, make the most of your visit to the nation's capital by exploring the top five must-visit monuments that are sure to leave a lasting impression.

1. The Washington Monument: Standing tall and proud at the heart of the National Mall, the Washington Monument is an iconic symbol of the United States. Ascend the monument's 555 feet to enjoy breathtaking panoramic views of the city. Marvel at the marble obelisk and learn about the fascinating history behind its construction, which was completed in 1884.

2. Lincoln Memorial: Situated on the western end of the National Mall, the Lincoln Memorial is a monumental tribute to one of America's most revered presidents, Abraham Lincoln. Approach the grand statue of Lincoln and take a moment to appreciate the profound words etched into the walls, including the famous Gettysburg Address. The memorial's serene Reflecting Pool and views of the National Mall add to its timeless beauty.

3. Jefferson Memorial: Nestled on the banks of the Tidal Basin, the Jefferson Memorial honors Thomas Jefferson, the principal author of the Declaration of Independence and the third U.S. president. Immerse yourself in the neoclassical architecture, inspired by the Pantheon in Rome, and discover the inspiring quotes from Jefferson's writings that adorn the memorial's interior. The picturesque Tidal Basin, especially during the cherry blossom season, adds a touch of natural beauty.

4. Vietnam Veterans Memorial: The Vietnam Veterans Memorial, often referred to as "The Wall," is a somber and moving tribute to the men and women who served and sacrificed during the Vietnam War. The polished black granite walls bear the names of over 58,000 individuals who lost their lives or remain missing. Experience the profound impact of this memorial as you reflect upon the sacrifice and bravery of those who fought for their country.

5. Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial: Located near the Tidal Basin, the Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial commemorates the life and legacy of the influential civil rights leader. The towering statue of Dr. King emerges from a stone, symbolizing the stone of hope that emerged from the mountain of despair. The memorial's inspiring quotes and contemplative atmosphere invite visitors to reflect upon the ongoing pursuit of equality and justice.

Washington D.C. is a treasure trove of historical and cultural landmarks, and the city's monuments offer a glimpse into the nation's past and its enduring values. This summer, be sure to visit the Washington Monument, Lincoln Memorial, Jefferson Memorial, Vietnam Veterans Memorial, and Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial. Immerse yourself in the stories, symbolism, and beauty of these iconic monuments, as they serve as reminders of the nation's journey and inspire us to strive for a better future.

Arctic Cowboys: Kayak the Northwest Passage

 Some days, I dream of getting so far away from people that I do something crazy...something like kayaking the Northwest Passage. Luckily, I don't have to dream about it anymore...now I get to live vicariously through the Arctic Cowboys! 

The team of West Hansen, Jeff Wueste, Eileen Visser, Mark Agnew, Barbara Edington, and Tom McGuire are planning to kayak all 2,000+ miles of the Northwest Passage. 

This is their second attempt. They made it roughly 260 miles on an expedition in 2022, but chose to terminate. After some additional planning, they have come back together to take another bite at the apple. The team left on June 24th to get up north for the final stages of setup before taking off. 

As an added layer of cool, this expedition has been chosen to carry an Explorers Club flag.

Congrats to the Arctic Cowboys team, and best wishes as they begin this amazing journey!

Further reading about this expedition can be found at the links below:

https://www.thearcticcowboys.com/route-map/

https://www.gofundme.com/f/northwest-passage-the-arctic-cowboys 

Update #2: OceanGate Expeditions Submersible

 A tragic update to the disappearance of the OceanGate Expeditions Titan submersible situation: All five are presumed dead.

U.S. Coast Guard officials estimated that the sub's emergency air supply would run out sometime around 7:10 this morning, meaning that the passengers would have met their end if not found by then. An NBC news report states that on Sunday, a sound that was compatible with an implosion took place near the site, however the details were unclear. Today, U.S. Coast Guard officials announced that they found a debris field near the bow of the Titanic that contained parts of the Titan sub. 

There is no reason to believe that anyone survived. Officials from the U.S. and Canada are still trying to piece together what exactly happened down there, so there will be more information coming in the days ahead.As updates are made available, I will post here. If you have any tips on this, or any expedition or travel stories that you would like me to cover, please use the contact box in the upper right hand corner of my homepage. If you are on your mobile device, you must go to the desktop view to find it.

Many people have had opinions about the events of the last few days, and the persons involved in this. No matter what you believe, it is undeniable that these men died in the name of exploration. Not only that, it is a terrible way to die. While I have only been drawn to the world of exploration for a few years, I can tell you that explorers don't usually die peaceful deaths in their beds as old people. The stories of our explorations are usually written in blood. They knew the risks, just like anyone else who is in the field. It could be any of us at any given time. Life is precious, and we must do the best we can with the time we have.

- Stockton Rush, 61 years old

- Hamish Harding, 58 years old

- Paul-Henri Nargeolet, 77 years old

- Shahzada Dawood, 48 years old

- Suleman Dawood, 19 years old

Rest in peace, gentlemen.

Links:

https://www.nbcnews.com/news/world/live-blog/missing-titanic-submersible-live-updates-rcna90538

https://www.cnn.com/americas/live-news/titanic-missing-sub-oceangate-06-22-23

Update: OceanGate Expeditions Submersible

 

Lots of new developments in this situation.

First, the people onboard:

- Stockton Rush (Founder and CEO of OceanGate Expeditions)

- Hamish Harding (British explorer and businessman)

- Paul-Henri Nargeolet (French explorer)

- Shahzada Dawood (British-Pakistani Businessman)

- Suleman Dawood (Mr. Dawood’s 19 year-old son)

Next, here’s what we know so far:

On Sunday, June 18th, the new Titan submersible launched in the waters near the RMS Titanic wreckage sites, which are around 435 miles off the coast of Newfoundland. The five persons onboard were on an OceanGate Expeditions Cruise ship, the Polar Prince. The expedition reportedly costs $250,000 per person. The wreckage is more than 13,000 feet below the water’s surface. 

About an hour and 45 minutes into the trip, the sub lost contact with the Polar Prince. This set off procedures to find and make contact with the sub. Both the American and Canadian Coast Guards are now involved in this search. Canadian aircraft in the area picked up “banging sounds,” which are thought to be coming from the sub and gives hope that they can be found alive.

As updates are made available, I will post here. If you have any tips on this, or any expedition or travel stories that you would like me to cover, please use the contact box in the upper right hand corner of my homepage. If you are on your mobile device, you must go to the desktop view to find it.

Links:

https://www.nytimes.com/2023/06/19/us/missing-submarine-titanic-who-is-on.html

https://www.bbc.com/news/world-us-canada-65953872.amp

https://www.cbsnews.com/amp/news/titanic-submarine-shipwreck-expedition-missing-search-what-we-know/