That collective sigh you hear is from teachers, summer has arrived. For many, summer travel season has begun. I spent the last six Monday’s through Friday’s on the road so I decided to take a Staycation last week.

Here are a few travel tips and some activities that might help to take your stress level down a notch. Possibly even allow you to skip a session or two with your therapist.

Summer Travel Tips

• If you rarely stray from your home turf you might want to alert your bank and credit card company that you’ll be traveling. A few purchases in areas that you don’t frequent can get your card shut off in no time at all. Yes, their algorithms are that good.
• Set your email with an out of office reply. No, it won’t keep your inbox from overflowing, but it will set the expectation that you won’t be replying and haven’t gone into hiding. I set mine up similar to what’s below.
  Sorry, I will be out of the office until June 5th with limited access to e-mail and voicemail. If you need immediate attention please contact ###### or ######.
  If possible see if you can alter the subject line with “Out of office” in case no one opens your email at least the subject line can convey your message. Here’s how to set it up with G-Mail and Outlook. If you want to have some fun with it, here’s some inspiration.

• Uber – Still a great way for getting around in a strange city or if you’ve been over-served (Over-served is code for you don’t know when to say when). Uber has recently enabled Trip Tracker which allows you to let someone follow your Uber trip. Perfect for letting them know of your impending arrival or for having a loved one keep an eye on you when you’re traveling alone.
  Here’s how it works:
  • Set up your Family Profile.
  • When one of your members takes a ride with Uber under the Family Profile, you’ll be automatically notified with their trip details.
  • You can follow the trip’s progress live on the map within your own Uber app.
  • The cost of the ride is automatically billed to you and you will both receive a copy of the receipt.

Take note, TSA still has their liquids rule in effect. A recent find is GoTubb and GoTobb. These guys will help with transporting your liquids and creams that come in larger containers that won’t pass through TSA.

Packing Cubes – This is one of those things that I figured I could live without. Now after six months I don’t know how I survived without them. Feed your OCD-ness for less than $25.00.

Headphone Splitter – If you’ve ever wanted to share your music with a loved one and not the whole world a headphone splitter makes it remarkably easy.

Geocaching – Geocaching is a real-world, outdoor treasure hunting game using GPS-enabled devices. Participants navigate to a specific set of GPS coordinates and then attempt to find the geocache (container) hidden at that location. Fun for all ages and a great inexpensive way to kill an afternoon. They even offer an app for your phone, Apple or Droid.

West Orange Trail – I love cycling, and I need to take my bike with me more than I do. During last weeks “Staycation” I came across the West Orange Trail. Twenty-two miles of bike trails that can take you from Oakland to Apopka. Bring your own bike or rent one from Wheel Works located in Winter Garden.

Kelly Park – Another “Staycation” discovery. Free-flowing, 70-degree natural spring offering swimming plus hiking, volleyball & a playground. Bring your own tube or rent one from one of the vendors just outside the park. Kelly Park is a hidden gem, and less congested than Wekiwa Springs.

Here’s some advice, do as I say, not as I do.

When traveling with sunscreen pack it in a zip-lock bag. There’s always a chance that something will press against the nozzle and cause the can to empty onto two brand new dress shirts….. just saying.

The plus side is that my suitcase can now stay in the sun for seven hours.

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