New SOUTHWEST ROAD TRIP updates coming up!

We have a Google Map:



View Southwest Trip 2012 in a larger map




MORE UPDATES COMING UP!

The Extremely Low-Budget Road Trip (the plan)

It's been a while.
This is the perfect occasion for me to tell you about my long-awaited travel plan.
I started planning this with a friend a good 8 or so months and though the circumstances and the people have changed, it seem like I'll be undertaking a great adventure after all.
-DESTINATION: The Grand Canyon.
Never been, but my soul feels like it knows it already.
-TRAVELERS: Ina and I so far. But we'd like it to be a third person.
-DATES: Sometime in the Summer.
-TRANSPORTATION: Car
-FOOD: Grocery-bought, college-student budget/backpacking style.
-ACCOMMODATIONS: Couch Surfing, baby! and maybe camping if we feel ready. Maybe we'll stop by our friend's house in Santa Fe.
-FINAL GOAL: To enjoy either the sights from the top of the Canyons or from the bottom or both. Time will tell which route we'll take.

Yes, ladies and gents.
Looks like its a GO.
And it's only a few weeks away.
We need to get on it ASAP.
I've never been on such a long road trip, so I hope my friend and I don't end up wanting to throw each-other over the cliffs. But we are both aware of this possibility and thankfully we've been friends for such a long time that we know our weak areas.
I personally plan to have a very low budget.
Gas would probably be the largest expense:
Here's a map of my calculated route:

Bike Touring: A non-expensive and healthy way to see the world

 

http://www.flickr.com/photos/theta444/3171889826/sizes/m/in/photostream/

Bike culture is strong.
Many cities have adapted their streets, drivers and public transportation to accomodate more bike-riders who care for the environment, finances not to mention their health.


With the increase in gas prices is no wonder that many have welcomed this more economical and healthier choice.
There are many who have created an even more interesting use for their bike: bike touring.


I first learned about bike touring through a friend.
We would talk about our dream travel adventures and how cool it would be to make different cross-country trips.
She mentioned this new trend, explaining how there's a new wave of people traveling by bicycle.


She showed me a couple of websites completely dedicated to bike touring: how to pack, what kinds of bikes to use, different routes to take and of course, user pictures to share.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/echadwick/362201602/sizes/m/in/photostream/

Not only do some of these adventurers travel all throughout the US, but also venture into other countries. Creating new routes and sharing them with other community members. There's also sections on what types of camping tents are the best and some have even devised their own by using their bikes as part of the structure.

Of course, other suggestions are: layering, bringing some rain and water resistant attire (windbreakers, etc) and camping gear to cook with.

Bike touring seems like so much fun, I would love to try it one day with a group of people. But starting with the basics is the best decision: get a bike, get in shape and plan a sort-of long-term goal to reach before taking this new step into adventure.

Make a map  on google  of the routes you would like to take or check out this map app.

Enjoy traveling as much as I do? Learn how to become a travel nurse or research other similar careers that allow you to see the world!

Top Ten Reasons Why I love Couch Surfing

I can tell you, from personal experience, that Couch Surfing is one of the best and coolest ideas ever.
Couch Surfing is a Social Networking website dedicated to travelers and inspired on the idea of "crashing of someone's couch".
Being a seasoned member myself since 2008, I have met people from Australia, Poland, Germany, England, Canada, Mexico and all around the US. 


CS is favorite travel website for the following reasons:
1) You can stay at a host's "couch" (can be any type of comfortable surface, really) virtually for free.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/salihan/3499357292/sizes/m/in/photostream/

I say virtually because some hosts might want some kind of contribution, but so far I haven't met anyone who demands it.
2) Friends can give you feedback
3) Hosts and "surfers" can give you feedback.
4)You can specify what the sleeping, staying, eating arrangements are before hand.
5)You can brag about your trips around the world.
6) You can meet people from around the world, even if you can't host them. Via parties, having coffe or giving a tour of the city.
7) You can choose a destination and browse through the large directory of thousands of CSrs (now, 3 million around the world!) and choose the host you might have a good connection with.
8)You can find groups inside CS with similar interests as you to hang out with.
9) You can get traveling on a budget tips all throughout the CS community, including ride sharing and more.
10) It's FREE to join!


These are some of the top reasons that make CS so spacial, there are some other cool ways to be part of this fast-growing community.
Entrepreneur Magazine has a whole page article on the newly renovated CS this month (Dec. 2011), I highly recommended read.


Is traveling your passion?
The University of Phoenix offers an Associate Degree in Arts with a concentration in Hospitality, Travel and Tourism. 


www.couchsurfing.com