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