Planning a Trip – Getting Started

I was recently asked by a friend how I plan these trips. Things like knowing where to go and what to do in the area. Also questions like where to find out information about a place and ultimately how to put it all together. This post is an overview of the thought process I use to plan trips. Each step will have a link (blue text) to more detailed information and ideas as quickly as I am able to write them.

The most important step in planning a trip and, from my perspective, the biggest hurdle is making the Decision to Travel. Once that decision has been made, the rest of the planning process is simply matching up the desires, resources, and opportunities to come up with a plan…then work the details.

Teton Barn

Mormon Row Barn, Grand Teton NP

Here are 7 steps that make adventures a reality:

  1. Dream. Magazines particular to any given activity are a great source of ideas of cool places to go that may not be well known. Social media has a wealth of ideas if you “Like” or subscribe to their posts and newsletters. Personally, I subscribe to Outdoor Photographer, Backpacker and National Geographic magazines. One of the things I enjoy doing is just looking at maps of regions or places that interest me. Modern technology is a great for getting ideas together and thinking about options. I may also get on Google Earth and take a closer look the area.
  2. Time and Money. Very simply, how much time and money can I afford to invest on this trip? Longer, more complex, or expensive trips usually take more advanced planning. Short trips can be more spontaneous. One of the adventures on my bucket list is to make a trip to New England in the fall. Since I live near San Antonio, Texas, this will be a trip that takes some planning to coordinate time off and plan all the travel details.
  3. Pick a Location. This is really a matter of answering questions like what we feel like doing or seeing taking into consideration the resources available. I always consider how the weather and other environmental conditions may affect the plan. If I am interested in getting out to photograph the Milky Way, I am looking for a place that is remote to avoid light pollution and a clear moonless night.
  4. How to Travel. This decision can be very simple for short trips but can get complicated on long trips or adventures that require specialized equipment. Driving or flying is a consideration on longer trips. Recreational vehicles are often part of the equation and what types are best suited for the plan. If I plan to get off the beaten path, this may require access to 4WD. In certain times of the year, the potential for adverse weather may need to be considered.
  5. Where to Sleep. Having a comfortable place to sleep at night is probably one of the most critical part of the planning process. Not being able to sleep or getting to a location where nothing is available can take a great dream and turn it into one of those situations that isn’t funny at the time but makes great stories down the road. When I plan a trip I always assess the sleeping options and ensure I have a reasonable plan.
  6. What to Eat. I think it is ingrained into us to feel like we need to leave the house with boxes and coolers loaded with enough food to cover the trip and all possible survival contingencies that may possibly occur. The more I have traveled, I have found that pre-packing a lot of food means throwing a lot of food away.  I have spent more on ice trying to keep the food in the cooler cold than the food is actually worth only to throw away the waterlogged block of uneaten cheese. Over time, I have become far more inclined to take a minimalist approach to packing food and enjoy the experiences the local cuisine offers.
  7. Things to Do. There are a multitude of resources available to help in this planning process. Internet searches like “things to do in…” or “places to hike in…” or “best place to take pictures of…” have generated great ideas. Activity-specific magazines are a great source of ideas as well. If I am new to an activity, I have found using local guide services really enhanced the experience not only in learning about the activity and providing a higher level of safety, but also learning about the area history, culture and natural environment.  It doesn’t have to be complicated to be fun!

Gayla Ruby Beach

The good news is every part of the United States has its own beauty, charm and unique culture so the options are literally endless. It really becomes far less about where you go and much more about making the best of what you find when you get there.

Happy Planning!!

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