Planning your Own
Outing
Jody Lynn Stell
#1 When and Where
“Best Time of Year”
mosquitoes/bugs
temperatures
wildflowers / autumn leaves
Water – want it or not?
River and creek crossings
Availability to refill
#1 When and Where (cont’d)
Where and When (cont’d)
#2 Permits/Reservations/Fees
How far in advance
Internet Research
BLM
National Parks
State Parks
First/last night campground needed?
#3 Travel Logistics
How get to trailhead?
Remember things you can’t fly
with and will need to buy
Extra day built in for adjust to
altitude or recover from jet lag
If you have a car, where can you
leave it for multiple nights?
#3 Travel Logistics (cont’d)
Resupply opportunities?
Where is water?
#4 Almost Ready!
o Pack early and often
o Test your gear
o Leave information with a friend/family
#5 Reflect
How do you feel? Mentally and physically
Journal and/or make a photo album
Share so your experience helps others plan
Just remember…
Researchers from the Netherlands set out to measure the effect that vacations have an overall happiness and how long it lasts. They studied happiness levels among 1,530 Dutch adults, 974 of whom took a vacation during the 32-week study period.
The study, published in the Journal of Applied Research in Quality of Life, showed that the largest boost in happiness comes from the simple act of planning a vacation. In the study, the effect of vacation anticipation boosted happiness for EIGHT weeks
- New York Times, February 2010
And finally…
Make your vacation a true adventure. As
shown by the research, an active vacation
involving new challenges will be the most
beneficial.
- Psychology Today, June 2010
Thank you! Get out and enjoy