One of the things that I love the most about living in the Washington, D.C. Metropolitan Region is that you can hop in the car and travel in just about any direction and y
ou will run into a variety of interesting things to do: Everything from beaches to mountains to historic battlefields and the obvious tourist attractions like the Smithsonian Institution and points of interest in our government. A half-dozen years ago I considered moving away from Washington in an effort to find more balance in my life, less traffic, and a release valve from the pressure-cooker lifestyle. My compromise was to buy a home in the Virginia countryside, 50-minutes from the city. It has worked really well for me, but I do miss spending more recreational time in D.C. and some of the surrounding areas that I love, so I'm planning a remedy: Mini-vacations ranging from a few hours to a few days!
I intend to 'Plan A Road Trip To Regional Attractions', ideally at least once each month, as part of my I Resolve To . . . Challenge: 365 Resolutions For Health & Happiness. Why not join me? The objective is very simple: Do at least one thing each and every day to promote health and happiness for 'YOU'. Banish the 'Someday, Someday, Someday Syndrome'. Instead, make every day New Year's Day. Make every day count. The list of possibilities is infinite and can be tailored to your own dreams, resolutions and daily goals. If you need some help - a little nudge, a bit of inspiration, tips, advice, and news about the best ways to make resolutions a reality - please use IResolveTo.Com, and my Gather I Resolve To . . . Group as two of your resources. Resolve365 in 2009.
Based on what I've been reading and hearing in the news, the downturn in the economy is prompting folks to stay home and forego travel and vacations. Personal 'relax' time away from work and home is vitally important to good health (my doctor has reminded me of this fact often). I find that even a day or two in a new environment offers rest, relaxation and a much needed fresh perspective on life. Sometimes puttering around a home is equally refreshing, as is taking a nice long three-to-five-mile walk through Fredericksburg and the historic battlefields (my favorite way to take a break any day of the week). Rather than give up on vacations, why not get creative and plan a series of short road trips to places that you can visit in one day or over a long weekend. There are plenty of no-cost, low-cost things to do, and I've been reading that a lot of hotels and tourist attractions are slashing prices. A little bit of brainstorming and homework can go a long way: Here's my preliminary list of mini-vacation ideas for 2009:
- Spend a afternoon hiking on the Washington Mall and visit some of my favorite Smithsonian Institution Museum exhibits (the museums are free to the public).
- Hike from the White House to the National Zoo on upper Connecticut Avenue. I love to walk and I adore the Zoo! When I live in the city, it was one of my favorite places to hike. Walking from the White House to the Zoo is three miles, each way, according to Mapquest, a great way to train for my Breast Cancer 3-Day Walk in October!
- Visit Belvedere Plantation, near Fredericksburg, to pick strawberries in early May and pumpkins in the Fall.
- Visit Westmoreland National Park in Virginia, which has rental cabins, historic sites, Potomac River beachfront, and a variety of activities ranging from hiking and fishing to boating.
- Spend a long weekend in the Outer Banks. I watched Nights In Rodanthe with Richard Gere and Diane Lane this weekend (wonderful movie!) and it reaffirmed my desire to roam the beaches in North Carolina. Who knows, maybe I'll visit Rodanthe - it looked fabulous in the movie!
- Spend time volunteering at a nearby horse rescue farm. That idea is a holdover from my list of 2008 'gratitude resolutions', and I've identified a farm that looks like it does a wonderful job of rescuing and adopting-out horses and foals - Eagle Hill Farm in Culpeper.
Remember: I Resolve To . . . Achieve My New Year Resolutions, One Resolution, One Day At A Time For One Year. It's your choice. Do it today. Turn your resolution into reality in five simple, common sense steps: Dare To Dream, Decide, Define, Develop A Plan, and Do It Daily. Make your resolution a permanent Lifetime Resolution, something that's with you for good! Above all, Be A Resolutionista, someone who makes resolutions, keeps resolutions, and enjoys the journey! Let's Go For It!
Kim Simpson, a former journalist, provides communications, fundraising services and strategic planning, for Members of Congress, non-profit organizations, corporations, and associations in the Washington, DC Metropolitan Area. A self-employed entrepreneur, with more than 30 years of experience, she launched IResolveTo.Com in 2005 in an effort to help others to achieve their New Year Resolutions, Dreams and Goals. Her motto is: I Resolve To . . . Achieve My New Year Resolutions, One Resolution, One Day At A Time For One Year.TM Let's 'Go For It'.
Get your daily dose of inspiration at: http://www.iresolveto.com - As added incentive, why not make and keep your New Year Resolution by wearing it? Drop by: http://www.cafepress.com/iresolveto
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