February's Monthly Musings: Warm Weather Travel

 This is the time in winter when I really start dreaming of getting away from it all; though we have been so lucky to have had such a mild winter so far this year!  The only problem with getting away to warm weather destinations now is that it makes me not want to return at all.  Those February vacations to Florida made the rest of winter seem to drag soooo sloowwwly by as I just kept dreaming of the nice warm, sunny weather.  But, I am ALWAYS up for a little travel talk so I was very excited to see that our Monthly Musings with Patty and Holly were all about winter travel tips and warm weather destinations! 

Sadly, ever since Alec started public school our vacation opportunities have been severely limited; they get one week at Christmas and then an April vacation and that's pretty much it for time off except for a random day here and there... but since Alec plays track and track season starts before that April vacation is not an option for travel either so we're learning to make do with summer vacations for this short high school stint.  


1. Favorite warm weather destinations-- For me that's almost always Florida... and often Disney at that.  My husband does not like to travel outside the continental United States and while I'd love a tropical island getaway, Florida works just fine with it's palm trees, sea breezes, and warm weather.  Best of all it's just a short 3 hour plane ride away!





2. Packing cubes: yes or no? Yep! They are a huge game changer for me; not only can I fit more in my suitcase but I can easily separate by category, or by clean/dirty for the ride home.  I LOVE them!


3. Favorite carry on? Since we most often fly Southwest to Florida & a checked bag is included I just use an old LL Bean backpack for my carry-on.  If we're flying another airline and everything has to be  carried on I use my LL bean wheeled carry-on shown in the above photo with my packing cubes. 

4. Essential Items in your Suitcase? Hm... clothing, flip flops (usually at least 2!), camera, Kindle/books, sun hat.

5. Excursions? Yes or no? Share your Favorites? We are not lay on the beach/ lay by the pool kind of people so we mostly use whatever house we're renting or hotel we're staying in as a home base and take day trips from there.  Obviously if we're at Disney or Universal our time is spent in the parks.  But we have enjoyed other Florida trips where we've checked out some natural springs, aquariums, zoos, art museums, charter fishing trips, etc.  Each person gets to pick at least one activity each trip so there's something for everyone and now that the boys are older anyone who doesn't want to participate can just stay back and hang out at the house/ hotel/ pool/ etc. 


6. Most random item you always pack? Crystal light iced tea packet mixes for my bottled water.  Usually one box will last me an entire trip since I do drink mostly water but like to add in some flavor every now and then. 


7. Do you use a travel agent? Sometimes!  It depends on the trip and what's involved; if we just need a flight or a place to stay I'll plan it myself but if it's something more like a cruise or a Disney trip I usually turn it over to our travel agent, Maryanne.  One year our travel agent even sent us a gift "basket" surprise during our trip.  



8. Favorite Sunscreen? I know most of you are going to yell at me but I try really hard not to wear sunscreen.. but let me just say that I try to limit my time in the sun and hang in the shade when I can. When I am going to be in the sun for any length of time I do have to be careful because I do burn pretty easily and yet I have sensitive skin so I use Neutrogena on my face and Bare Republic on my body. 




9. Favorite flip flops or sandals? Eeek! This is like asking me to pick my favorite child.  I LOVE flip flops and have an entire bin filled with them.  I'm one of those people that can wear flip flops for the entire week walking around Disney parks and have zero complaints so I often pack a few pairs in my luggage as well as wear a 3rd pair.  

The black Sketchers are so comfy and cushiony, I love the sparkle detail on the blue ones and they're nice and comfy too (plus they pack so nice and flat!), my step mother in law buys me a pair of these Clark's each year for my birthday so I have them in a whole rainbow of colors. 



10. Favorite swimsuit? I like options and currently have 3 favorites-- my favorite one piece, my favorite tankini, my favorite 2 piece (though the color and pattern I have is no longer available). 




Linking up with: Thinking Out Loud, 





Comments

  1. Tamar SBFebruary 23, 2023 at 5:30 AM

    It feels like we never had a real winter so I guess we might as well move onto summer!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Joanne February 23, 2023 at 4:16 PM

      I know! I keep waiting for "real" winter to hit. And yet I'd be fine with heading right into some warm spring weather.

      Delete
  2. Maria RineerFebruary 23, 2023 at 5:36 AM

    Fun post! We love Florida as well especially the past few years. That's neat about your travel agent. I wrote in my post, I used a travel agent once and wished she'd turned into someone whom we used more. Impressive about being able to wear flip flops for hours a day while walking. That makes my feet hurt just thinking about it!! I have to have structured shoes for prolonged walking but wish I could get away with flip flops ;).

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Joanne February 23, 2023 at 4:19 PM

      My feet are much more comfy when they aren't hot and sweaty and in closed toe shoes so even when we go hiking I almost always keep a pair of flip flops in the car to change into the minute we're done hiking.

      Delete
  3. Holly Breton @ Pink LadyFebruary 23, 2023 at 7:47 AM

    So glad you said that about sunscreen- I was afraid to write that but same girl...same...ha!! ;)

    ReplyDelete
  4. Good Better Best FoodFebruary 23, 2023 at 8:03 AM

    Oh, I forgot about those Crystal Light mixes. I am going to add then to my next grocery order. Girl, I am going to encourage you to use sunscreen! There are some really Good mineral ones out there. Hugs!

    Patty
    Goodbetterbestfood.blogspot.com

    ReplyDelete
  5. Memphis BridgesFebruary 23, 2023 at 8:11 AM

    I agree about the excursions and good to let everyone pick something. I love my packing cubes too! I do a much better job of sunscreen on my face because I am usually not out in the sun just sitting for very long to get burned anywhere else.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Joanne February 23, 2023 at 4:20 PM

      I will burn even with sunscreen and lots of it... so staying in the shade as much as possible is just best for me. LOL.

      Delete
  6. Dara @ Not In JerseyFebruary 23, 2023 at 8:26 AM

    I want to go back to Disney. I prefer to wear flip flops at the parks because my feet get too hot otherwise!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Joanne February 23, 2023 at 4:21 PM

      Yes! That's exactly it... my feet need to breathe.

      Delete
  7. NatashaFebruary 23, 2023 at 10:19 AM

    Oh, I love that tankini. I really need a new swimsuit, clearly as I'm really loving all the ones other people are posting! And I can't believe how little opportunity you have to travel during the school year. You have a very good attitude about it.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Joanne February 23, 2023 at 4:22 PM

      Yeah, that was definitely a HUGE adjustment when Alec started school. We were so used to traveling whenever we wanted but I figure it is only for 4 years. I'm just thankful we didn't have to limit ourselves when the kids were younger.

      Delete
  8. Kim CarberryFebruary 23, 2023 at 10:56 AM

    I am so over this cold weather and could do with getting away from it all to somewhere warm.
    Florida sounds perfect and your bin of flip flops did make me chuckle, that is a lot. hehehe

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Joanne February 23, 2023 at 4:23 PM

      I know! But my mother in law buys me 2 pairs each year for my birthday and the collection just sort of keeps growing.

      Delete
  9. EllibelleFebruary 23, 2023 at 12:02 PM

    Packing cubes are so practical! We have a separate complete set for each family member.
    I too am one who can't just spend time on the beach although I do like to end a day by the beach but have to have things planned in the daytime.
    Would you believe I cannot wear/walk in flip flops LOL. I don't think I ever owned pair (I tried)!! But I do love slides and sandals.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Joanne February 23, 2023 at 4:25 PM

      No one else in my house uses them and they all think I'm nuts for loving them as much as I do! My favorite times to be on the beach are just around/before breakfast and late afternoon/early evening. I love to walk when it's a little less busy and not so hot.

      Delete
  10. Tanya February 23, 2023 at 2:02 PM

    What a great tankini - I'm definitely going to check that out!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Joanne February 23, 2023 at 4:25 PM

      Thanks! I was drawn in by those bright colors.

      Delete
  11. Joanne February 23, 2023 at 4:23 PM

    I keep hinting to my husband that we need to move somewhere that I can get more use out of them. LOL

    ReplyDelete
  12. Jennifer WhiteFebruary 25, 2023 at 8:26 AM

    I love packing cubes too...and flip flops. I've tried to narrow down through the years, but I have many that I love.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Joanne February 26, 2023 at 10:00 AM

      Me too; I love so many different kinds and colors and styles.

      Delete
  13. Lindsay's Sweet WorldFebruary 27, 2023 at 12:27 PM

    We're just 3 hours from Florida, so we go there frequently. It is definitely a nice place to go in the US and still be able to get your tropical fix!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Joanne February 27, 2023 at 2:09 PM

      Oh I wish we were that close.. it is a 3 hour plane ride but it would be much easier to just jump in the car and go.

      Delete

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Favorite TV Shows Growing Up in the 80's and early 90's

Image
Do you remember the TGIF lineups on Friday nights? I can remember planning sleepovers and time with friends around TV Show lineups of our favorite shows... or else trying to set the VCR to record our favorite shows if we weren't going to be home. And through the years I had SO MANY favorites! Growing pains aired in 1985 which put me around age 8 and it stayed on the air until I was 15 or so; I'm pretty sure most people in my age group watched mostly for Kirk Cameron and all his antics.  I still have a soft spot for family sit-coms!  The Facts of Life aired when I was just 2  and stayed on the air until I was 11 so I'm sure the episodes I remember so fondly were either some of the later ones and then reruns shown later on when I was old enough to watch from the beginning. I think everyone would have loved an Edna Garret in their lives.   Benson another sitcom that began airing when I was just 2 and was done by the time I was 9 (another one I must have watched mai...
Read more

Things That Make Me Laugh

Image
I loved the challenge of this week's list for our 26 lists link up.  I don't know about you but I really need to laugh more lately.  It's such a great stress reliever. 1.  Books-- I love a good funny book that makes me laugh out loud.  I haven't read one in a while but if you have any recommendations I'm all ears.  The last book I can remember making me laugh was the Un-Honeymooners. 2  The boys being silly. 3.  Watching shows like America's Funniest Videos or Family Feud. 4. My husband.  Most people don't realize it but he's actually pretty funny and often makes me laugh. 5.  Whenever my sisters/ family get together and we get to reminiscing (particularly if my Aunt Elaine is around) we end up laughing so hard at all the old family stories that we are all in tears by the end of the night.  It's fabulous. 6. Movies like Mom's Night Out, Christmas Vacation, and Grown Ups make me laugh out loud. 7.  When my ...
Read more

Making Gift Card and Money Holders Using Scrapbooking and Cardmaking Supples

Image
I don't tend to keep a lot of crafting supplies on hand so when I saw this month's de-stash challenge I wasn't sure what I was going to make.  I finally realized that with so many of my Christmas gifts being cash and gift cards this year that I needed to make up some fun paper crafting/ creative ways to gift them.   I still want my nieces and nephews to have something to open so I pulled out my papers and stamps and made up some cute little money/gift card holders. They were much easier to make than I thought.  The first one I worked on was to hold some oversized Nintendo gift cards.  I made a standard sized card and folded down one corner of the card front.  Then I ran my double sided tape along the bottom an 1/2 way up the side creating a cute little pocket.  Finally I added some cute embellishments and ribbons.   Voila! A simple and easy gift card holder for those larger sized gift cards.  The bulk of the tweens and teens on my list j...
Read more

Dollar Store Candy Cane Wreath

Image
Today I am linking up with some fellow bloggers for a Dollar Store craft challenge.  I don't often participate in these challenges since I try to stay away from our local Dollar Stores; I find they can be quite dangerous for me!  I knew this was the perfect time to find some inexpensive holiday decorations though and I just LOVE how my wreath turned out!  I hope you stop by and see what the other hosts are sharing. Meet this month's co-hosts! Across the Blvd | Purple Hues & Me This Autoimmune Life | Our Unschooling Journey Domestic Deadline | Sew Crafty Crochet Stone Cottage Adventures | Sum of Their Stories | Two Chicks & a Mom I bought the candy cane wreath base and a few rolls of mesh (not knowing how many I'd need I bought waaay to many; I only ended up using one white roll and one red roll. Using some chenille stems I already had on hand I attached the mesh to the wreath base trying to alternate the whit...
Read more

Making a Sugar Cookie "Gingerbread" House

Image
 Alec really wanted to try making his own gingerbread house this year without using a premade kit.  We talked about how we never really eat the house since they don't taste very good.  Years ago we gave up on the frosting that comes in the kit and began making our own so we thought perhaps we should try making our our house too. Only problem is that no one in the house likes gingerbread.  We talked about trying to make the house using a sugar cookie recipe.  Alec was so excited at that idea since he just LOVES sugar cookies.   He found a recipe online for a simple sugar cookie recipe and mixed up the dough.  He rolled it out an cut it to the size of our cookie sheets-- we had read that it's easiest to cut the house pieces out after the dough has been baked and is still warm and soft because then you don't have to worry about any of the pieces losing their shape while baking. I had picked out a simple cookie cutter set on Amazon and as soon as the ...
Read more