Go figure...
Life gets in the way I suppose.
That trip to California was a complete success. What blew the budget (slightly) was a side trip to Catalina, which my brother planned, (who does not watch the budget), but was fun nonetheless. We did so much during that vacation and I had things planned for every day to keep two teenage girls entertained. While not all plans work exactly as expected, this is exactly what should be expected, and the "art" of it all is to stay flexible.
We substituted a couple of planned activities for just lazy days on the beach. I couldn't get the girls out of the waves and they enjoyed it so much. This actually saved money (which I then spent in Catalina) and I was even savvy enough to google and find where I could find free parking at the beach (after paying too much the first trip there). So we ended up with a few days soaking up the sun and body surfing. Overall, the beach is a inexpensive place to have fun and when you're living in the Midwest, is quite a treat.
On the trip we got to meet Mike Rowe while he was filming his new show, Somebody's gotta do it, and he was extremely nice. Sat down with us and share a few drinks of wine (right from my sister's glass) and interviewed us for the show (this was at the Pageant of the Masters). We signed releases, but didn't make the cut :( though we can be seen in the background in the show when it aired. My daughter also met, and sat next to on the plane, one of her youtube star crushes (Brent Rivera) and he and his brother were very nice and we visited with them for quite a while. Then we met the voice actor that does many of the shows like American Dad. He made a short video for the girls before getting on our plane.
We acted like movie stars, taking a private limo around Hollywood and seeing the sights, visited the marine rescue facility, ate lunch at the oldest restaurant in Los Angeles on Olivera street and toured the oldest home, shopped in the fashion district in LA, parasailing in Catalina, snorkeling and biking in Catalina, went to several different beaches including Balboa, Newport and Laguna, went to the pageant of the masters and art festival, and honestly all these months later I know I am forgetting some things.
Our budget was somewhere in the range of $1000 for two weeks. I don't have exact figures still, but that number is close and much of that was spent in Catalina where we ate out a lot and did some more expensive activities.
Now, I know that figure would be impossible had I not had free place to stay (except in Catalina - don't get me started the on high prices there) but I've managed to take trip to Washington DC staying in budget similar (10 day trip) but it did take planning.
So, what am I planning this year? Not sure. We thought about Hawaii with other family, but have ruled it out due to schedule conflicts. Plus, my daughter has two church camp weeks (not light on the budget) and has a summer job - and we are doing four college tours throughout the summer (and a couple more early fall) so vacation seems like a hard thing to fit in. I'm sad about this. I will figure out something, if just for a long four day weekend, or something,- I think. If we can fit in the time, we will also go to eastern Kentucky, which my daughter has never seen, to the place where her grandmother grew up. That is an inexpensive trip, and there is lots to see, but we just have to find the time.
Meanwhile, let me tell you about the painting of my deck....it is a lot of work and I am doing a little (very little) at a time so it will take me a month (I am sure) to get the whole thing done - but I am doing for under 100.00 and it looks fabulous. It doesn't take any particular skill set, just time and dedication and I think I will increase the value of my house as the deck looks perfect and ready to live on. (Not that I am selling).
I think I will spend the rest of the morning doing so light vacation planning, and then on to painting that deck for the afternoon.
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