By Paula Farris

1. A Beach Towel   The bigger the better!
2. Sunscreen/Sunblock/Lip Balm   Laying in the sun for hours with unprotected skin and lips will quickly put a damper on your continuing vacation plans. Use a waterproof sunblock with as high an SPF (sun protection factor) as you can find. Make sure it is a broad spectrum product to protect you from all of the sun’s harmful rays. Don’t forget to reapply every few hours and after getting out of the water.
3. An Umbrella/Hats   As much as you may want to work on your tan the constant heat of the sun on your head can make you just plain hot! Protect yourself with something to cover your head.
4. A Cooler/Water   A small cooler with ice and water bottles in it can bring relief in the heat of the day. Sugary soft drinks can dehydrate you--better to stick with wonderful, refreshing water. A soft sided cooler will be lighter to carry.
5. A Picnic or Snacks  Don’t let a growling tummy force you to give up your prime ocean side real estate. Come prepared with something to eat.
6. A Good Book   You may not want to stay in the water the whole time. A good book or magazine can entertain you (unless you’d rather just watch the people!)
7. A Bag with Room for all your Stuff   Make sure it has a hiding place if you are carrying cash or your car keys. Thieves hang out at the beach too.
8. A Small Plastic Bag for “Treasures”   If you find a perfect sand dollar you may not want to throw it back. Interesting rocks and shells make great souvenirs but make sure that there are no ocean creatures using them for a home before you decide to make them to yours.
9. A Mesh Bag for Wet Towels & Clothes   The mesh will allow you shake out more sand so that you don’t end up with a private beach in the trunk of your car.
10. A Beach Chair   Sitting without support can be hard on the back and laying down for hours can get uncomfortable. A beach chair can be folded up for easy transport and comes with a carrying strap.

Bonus:

  11.  Your Room Key  Leave it at the front desk of your hotel for when you

         return.  Carrying it to the beach makes you vulnerable to having would be

         thieves find it and use it to enter your room in your absence.

For many more Stress Free Family Travel Tips check out our website!

Smooth Sailing,

Paula Farris

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An interesting turn events "made" my traveling decision for me.  It turns out that my new niece is going to have a new cousin in February!  Yes, at the age of 39 I am pregnant--again!  :-)  Driving for long hours, attempting to sleep on the floor and sleep deprivation was not something I needed to subject myself to at this time.  There will be other trip opportunities, but right now I will be sticking a little closer to home. 

I do have a trip planned to the Pinetop/Lakeside communities in Northern Arizona in October.  This will be one of the most stress free trips I have ever taken because I will be traveling with a bunch of ladies for a three day retreat!  I can hardly wait!

If you ever have the chance to travel in Northern Arizona go for it!  It is absolutely gorgeous country.  I remember taking Sunday afternoon road trips to Alpine, Springerville & Hannagan's Meadow as a child.  It was such a refreshing change from the desert town where I grew up I thought it had to be some of the most beautiful scenery on earth. 

One of the keys to Stress Free Family Travel is to go someplace that is totally different from what you are used to.  If you are city dwellers, travel to the country.  If you live in the middle of nowhere go where you will be surrounded by people.  Look for adventure and point out to your children things they would not normally see and experience. 

For ideas on how to Enjoy the Journey as Much as the Destination check out my ebook at http://www.StressFreeFamilyTravel.com

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As much as I enjoy traveling and exploring new places, especially when I get to go with just my daughter and myself, it isn't always easy to take advantage of travel opportunities.  I was offered an all-expense paid trip to Colorado Springs in July for me and my daughter, but so far the cons are outweighing the pros on whether or not I should go.  Here is my list:

PROS

• It is much cooler in Colorado Springs in July than it is in Phoenix.
• I would get to see two of my sisters AND my brand new niece who was born May 23!
• It won't cost me anything.
• I would have an entire week of unstructured time to explore and to do research for my website.

CONS

• I would have to be a chaperone for some teens traveling to a youth camp.
• I may have to sleep on the floor on the nights during our travel time.
• I would have to attempt to sleep (Did I mention it would  be on the floor?) with giggling teenage girls.
• The departure date falls the day after my state's homeschool convention so I will already be worn out.
• I won't be home to keep up on my obligations here.
• I will put an added burden on my husband who will have to do my part of our home business as well as his own.
• I will have little time to recover after the trip because I have a major project already planned for the month of August.
• I will have to do A LOT of driving which really tires me out.
• My sisters will be working during the day so I won't get to spend much time with them.
• I will either have to rent a car or drive around in a 15 passenger van all week--not fun!

Well, traveling isn't always stress free, but I hope that this blog and my website will help to make YOUR travels easier! 

If there is a travel situation that you could use some help with I'd love to hear about it!

Paula

http://www.StressFreeFamilyTravel.com

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