6 One Day Summer Adventures To Take In Your Hometown

This shop has been compensated by Collective Bias, Inc. and its advertiser. All opinions are mine alone. #CraftYourCool #CollectiveBias

Sometimes it can be hard to find your Summer.

For those of us who don't attend school, or work at a seasonal job, Summertime is still very much work time. While the weather has changed and the promise of fun lurks around every corner it's not always obvious how to claim those golden Summer moments. In the past we've taken entire weeks off for vacation and travel- this year we're 'adulting' more in an attempt to meet the financial and physical demands of home ownership. There's yard work to do, coupons to be cut, repairs and upgrades to be planned, and no shortage of work to do to finance them.

But all work and no Summer makes anyone a dull person. We, as humans, need Summer moments to fuel those 300+ days of the year where we cant be spreading our toes in warm sand and sipping Frappuccino®'s pool side.

Let's face it we don't all have a giant Pegasus (yup, we got that at Walmart) pool island (it's so big they don't even call it a floatie) to waste away the Summer afternoons on. Heck, most of us don't even have a pool. We certainly don't- that photo was snapped at my father's house. Haha!

But I have great news for all of you Summer-weary people out there. #1 You can bring a bit of Summer fun and flavor ANYWHERE thanks to Starbucks® Frappuccino® bottled beverages sold at Walmart AND even earn bonus stars for the Starbucks® Rewards Program when you buy 3 or more bottles in store now through July 10th, 2017! #2 Jay and I are planning 'mini adventures' all Summer long, from overnight trips up the coast to afternoons spent exploring our home town. We're going to share a few of our favorite adventures here with you today.

First things first- those stars.

Walmart is one of our Summer headquarters, we're there at least once a week (if not, and usually, more) to stock up on all of our must-haves for the season. Since we like to take our Starbucks® with us the Frappuccino® bottled beverages are a convenient way to indulge on the go. Those icy, tall, glass bottles and that happy-moment 'POP' sound the second the cap twists off for the first time are the hallmark of great Summer memories waiting to be made. Best of all there's a huge variety of flavors lining the aisle at our local Walmart so we can both choose our favorite flavors- like the NEW Starbucks® Bottled Dulce De Leche Frappuccino® coffee drink.

This NEW Starbucks® Frappuccino® flavor comes in larger than standard 13.7oz bottles so it's not sold in 4 packs like the classic Mocha and Vanilla flavors. We're fine with that because we like to have extra Frappuccino® flavor when we're out wreaking havoc creating memories. And now, through July 10th, 2017 Starbucks® gold star rewards members can take advantage of an exclusive Walmart offer to receive 35 bonus stars when they upload a receipt showing a purchase of 3 or more Starbucks® bottled products. You'll definitely want to take advantage of that offer so be sure to learn more here.

Stopping into Walmart is more than a routine or necessity- it's plain fun. We love exploring the aisles for the latest flavors of our favorite drinks and snacks, as well as the newest fashions and gadgets. We can't go past the toy aisles without Jay touching everything- and I cant pass by the housewares without looking for new decorative plates or fawning over the rainbow of bath towels. We always find exactly what we're looking for, and we always leave with more than we went in to find. Heck, shopping at Walmart should be considered a Summer adventure!

But let's get down to business. How about those Summer adventures? 

Today we've rounded up 6 of our favorite things to do around our home town, that pretty much anybody can enjoy- The exception being those living in highly rural small towns. As a general rule of thumb, if you have a Walmart within driving distance you can likely do all of the following. And, worst case scenario, anybody who is reading this blog right now can enjoy #4.

So, let's get to it, shall we?

#1- Discover hidden treasures.

I don't think I've ever visited a city that didn't have some form of farmer's market or swap meet. In fact it's one of the things we check community calendars for when planning a trip to a new (to us) city. Whether you plot a route through old downtown to plunder thrift stores or enjoy the afternoon at an open air flea market you're sure to find an endless array of curiosities, not to mention delicious eats.

Our local fairgrounds has a swap meet every Wednesday that is free to attend and takes hours to walk through. We find the most amazing things, with the most amazing stories behind them. We also meet the most fascinating people. A local swap meet is different every time you attend and a great way to discover a little local history, whether you're treasure hunting or not.

If you don't have a swap meet/flea market in your area then you probably have a farmer's market. Farmer's markets usually feature more than fresh produce and flowers. Many community farmers markets feature local food trucks and bakeries, or even handmade artisan crafts and gifts.

Lastly, if the above two options are nil in your hometown why not hunt down local thrift and antique stores and plan an afternoon route. Just one 'booth' style antique store could have hundreds of vendors with each space packed full of amazing and rare finds. Best of all, these types of stores usually allow you to shop and browse without any pressure from sales reps!

#2- Geocaching

This one I'm fairly confident ANYONE can do in their hometown. Even if there aren't many geocaches in existence near you it's fun to spend an afternoon creating, hiding, and registering a cache of your own.

What is geocaching? Well it's a real life treasure hunt which relies on geographical coordinates and written clues to locate small treasures known as caches. You can geocache as casual or intense as you choose- simply printing out a few points of interest before you leave the house, or using a full blown companion application with real time community updates.

There are several guidelines as to what can be a cache and where people can hide them, so you don't have to worry about getting into anything illegal (like trespassing or vandalism). While geocaching is often considered a hobby it's something anybody can do with no prior experience and minimal to no preparation. So, while you might not pick it up as an interest it's definitely something worth exploring for an afternoon.

#3- A dog's day out.

Okay, so for this one you have to have a dog- or maybe a leash trained cat (we don't judge).

But if you DO have a dog then there's a plethora of adventures to be found in any home town. In fact you'll find several phone applications designed just for networking with fellow dog parents- one even lets you map your regular walking route, share snapshots of daily walks, and meet nearby dogs and their owners.

Truly, though, to have a dog's day out you need to commit to spending the entire day doing dog friendly things. This will vary on your location and how dog friendly your community is but could include participating in a charity run/walk, visiting a restaurant with a dog friendly menu/patio, chasing ducks down by the local park's pond, taking the long way home with the windows down all the way, hunting down a new dog park, chasing squirrels, visiting a pet store to shop with your dog, and so much more.

Our only rule for a dog's day out? Make sure you bring plenty of water- sadly they don't make Starbucks® Frappuccino® bottled beverages for dogs quite yet.

#4- Virtual museum tour.

This one doesn't even require you to leave your house- but, perhaps, we can suggest you enjoy it at least out in the beautiful weather on a patio with an ice cold Starbucks® Frappuccino® at your side?

Many people talk of wanting to expand their intellectual capacity over the Summer but few have the time, or budget, for worldly travels. Even more disappointing is the fact that so few people know you can visit some of the most amazing, prestigious, museum and art galleries online, absolutely free. Hundreds of historical and educational facilities across the globe have interactive online tours that anyone with an internet connection can access 24/7. And some of them are impressively interactive with 360 degree camera rotation and 'click on' exhibits. You'll find guided tours, video content, and more at your fingertips without ever having to leave the house or pay a dime.

You're welcome.

Check out some of these great online tours here:

The Louvre

Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum

National Gallery of Art 

Smithsonian Museum of Natural History

The Metropolitan Museum of Art

SOLOMON R. GUGGENHEIM MUSEUM

#5- Get creative.

While I'm sure you can pick up some art supplies on your next trip to Walmart and plan an entire craft-fest in your living room I do really want to encourage you to get OUT for some mini-adventures. The truth is you hometown is likely covered in hidden beauty in the shape of art installations, murals, and even graffiti. Why not plan an afternoon exploring the cultural value of your hometown and share some of those finds on Instagram or Facebook for your friends and family to see?

If you're feeling really brave you might be surprised to discover some local events, and even locations, which offer a little creative inspiration year-round. I'm not talking about community college classes- though those are always great for extra-curricular skill building. I'm talking about attending a 'paint night event,' local home and garden store DIY class, or ceramic studio.

Did you know many local ceramic galleries and studios, as well as major craft stores, often offer instructional classes as low as $15. These events and classes typically include all of the materials needed to create a work of art, as well as as much (or little) instruction/teaching you desire.

Jay and I spent 4 hours painting our own ceramics at a local gallery last week and I was surprised to walk out hearing Jay chime 'That was actually really fun!' Look for locations/events during the week days if you want some down time, or shoot for weekend evenings to really explore night life and meet some new people.

#6- Take shelter.

Lastly, and this is hands down my absolute favorite one-day Summer adventure, visit or volunteer at/with a local shelter or rescue organization.

I cannot stress enough how enjoyable and fulfilling it is to spend the afternoon at our local shelter- and it's absolutely free.

I don't want to hear about how you can't take the site/thought of the animals without homes and how you'd never be able to leave without taking an animal home. Believe me, I've been there- but there's something that simply washes over you when you realize you are making (if even just) one animal's day better for even a few minutes spent visiting with them.

So, let's break it down- what your local shelter offers will vary. Our local county shelter has 3 areas where animals are not caged and allowed to interact with visitors with no supervision of fuss. As long as you sanitize your hands on the way in and observe safe door practices you're allowed to walk into these areas and interact with the animals inside as long as you please. Where we live the areas feature a Senior Cat room, Well Behaved Puppy room, and Rabbit room. If your local shelter doesn't have the room for spaces like this they will often be more than happy to allow you in to 'recreate' kennel bound dogs for a few hours with no fancy commitment or certification.

If you really love this sort of adventure you can also volunteer your time (a commitment as small as 15 hours a month is usually required) to help out at a shelter as volunteer staff- OR connect with a local foster or rescue organization to socialize pets on a schedule that works better for you.

No matter where you live there are organizations like this and animals that can benefit from attention and love regardless of whether you have the means or intent to adopt. Animals in places like this benefit not only from the immediate perks of receiving attention and love for a little bit during the day but also from the character building of being around new people which will ultimately help them find their forever homes.

So, there you have it- 6 amazing Summer adventures to enjoy in pretty much any home town.

I hope I've inspired you to take charge of your Summer and find your own adventure. Whether you're jet-setting across the globe this Summer, or planning a Staycation in your own home town, Summer moments matter. Make time to enjoy them, regardless of your budget or schedule. Stock up on all your Summer adventure needs at Walmart (even make shopping an adventure) and grab your favorite Starbucks® Frappuccino® bottled beverages now before the 35 bonus star limited time offer ends. Now tell me what's one adventure, big or small, you plan on having this Summer.

Life Hacks To Make Your Car Feel More Like Home While On A Road Trip

This shop has been compensated by Collective Bias, Inc. and its advertiser. All opinions are mine alone. #RoadTripOil #CollectiveBias

Today I'd like to revisit a recurring theme this, and every, Summer break- road trips.

It's no secret that we have been, and will be continuing, exploring the state of California in our series of mini Road Trip Vacations. Typically our Summers wrap with a 2 week long trek up the Pacific Coast to visit Momma in Oregon, but we're having to miss out on that this year due to the entire state being shut down for the upcoming lunar eclipse. Yea, it's kind of bananas.

But I digress, we actually have a road trip up to the darling dutch town, Solvang, CA, coming up next week. It's a place I've been visiting since childhood and this will actually be my first time staying as a full blown tourist, hotel room and all. But, before we hit the road in that Southern California traffic there are a few housekeeping things I needed to attend to this week.

We have a small car.

Sure, it's just the 2 of us plus the 2 small dogs, but a convertible can start to feel cramped really quick when you consider minimal trunk space, luggage, and anything one tends to buy/accumulate while traveling. As a result I've become hyper-aware of how to make our car feel a little more like home, to avoid stir crazy moments reminiscent of a National Lampoon's scene. The very first, and most important, tip I have is to ensure that your car is running at it's most optimal prior to pulling out of the driveway on your journey.

#1: Get in working order, without wasting time.

For us this has always meant a special stop at our local Walmart's Automotive Care Center- the friendly associates work on a first come, first served, basis to get your car in and out (and on the road) as fast as possible. Best of all, no matter how much time my car's necessary services take I can enjoy the convenience of shopping and preparing for my road trip while I wait. Some services I especially like to check off my list include tire pressure check/alignment, fluid top off, and oil change.

In fact Walmart currently has a special on their Pennzoil® High Mileage Vehicle® motor oil change, which helps clean out the sludge lesser oils leave behind, while helping to reduce leaks and oil consumption in worn or higher mileage engines. It’s a motor oil specifically designed for new or late model vehicles with over 75,000 miles, with the mission of keeping engines running clean and going strong. You can visit your local Walmart Auto Care Center (ACC) now to take advantage of the special rollback pricing from $39.88 to $35.88- that's a $4 dollar savings!

When you stop in to the ACC be sure to let your customer service representative know that you're preparing for a road trip- they'll be happy to suggest any check-ups or maintenance services your car may need before heading out!

#2: Start squeaky clean.

Whether you're the cleanest creature on the planet and plan on doing all of your living outside your car on your road trip you're still going to accumulate unexpected messes. We always plan on tossing out our trash at every rest stop, and only eating at sit down restaurants but by the return trip we're munching on snacks while driving and somehow have trash from inside our hotel room that's migrated into the car with us.

Hitting the road with a dirty car will only contribute to that grungy feeling when you've been sitting in the same seat for 6+ hours and you're starting to wonder if that funky smell is coming from yesterdays breakfast wrappers or you. If you start clean you are more likely to keep and maintain a clean car while on the road. More importantly, take everything out of your car that isn't needed for the road trip itself. Keep your road maps and emergency roadside gear in the car, of course, but pull out those extra scrunchies, the fries you've been saving for 2 months under the seat, and that old concert ticket from 2007. Why? Because living out of a car is rough and hunting for pieces of your life in between migrating from one campsite or hotel to the next can be frustrating enough without rediscovering the past 10 years of your life in the progress.

#3: Keep it smelling fresh.

My next tip is an actual life hack.

We've used plenty of things to help fight odors while on the road but this is my absolute favorite for warm weather travel. I have hundreds, yes hundreds, of wax cubes at home I'll never possibly get through. Toss 1-2 cubes in a stubby mason jar with some holes punched in the lid and toss it in a free cup holder or under the passenger seat. As your car heats up in parking lots on your trip your favorite fragrance will fill your car!

Find the fragrance a little too strong? Use previously melted wax chunks which tend to have less 'throw' to the fragrance after having been melted prior.

#4: Put a little personality into it.


I'll admit, as expensive as motor vehicles are I still cringe at the thought of putting a sticker on the back of my bumper. It's not the end of the world, really, but to me I simply can't come around to the idea.

Regardless, I fully support adding one or more personal elements to your car. Personalizing your car with a simple decal, funny sun window sun shade, or antenna topper will not only help you carry a bit of you and your personality on the road but could save some headaches as well. The last thing you want to be doing in a strange town or new state is trying to remember where you parked your vehicle. One of the easiest things to scan in an overcrowded parking lot is antenna toppers, with windshield shade screens being next.

If you really want to get into the spirit of expressing yourself through your car you can even make custom antenna toppers out of foam practice golf balls, which happen to be permanent marker friendly and the perfect size. They even come in a variety of fun bright colors!

#5: Prepare to get dirty.

Traveling in Southern California in the Summer we never expect to encounter inclement weather on the road. However it seems like every single road trip we wind up with stained, wet, or just plain funky clothing and no where practical to put them.

Keep several reusable shopping bags in your car specifically for wet clothing (sudden downpour, wet ride at the amusement park, quick tide at the beach, pool clothes, etc) and emergency dirty laundry. Trust me you'll thank me later when your dog gets carsick on you and you're 25 miles from the next road stop!

PRO TIP: Keep disposable shower caps in your car to work as makeshift shoe covers for dirty shoes!

#6: Stay organized- especially when eating inside the car.

Hands down the biggest threat to my rolling sanctuary, while on the road, is food. When Jay and I swap off driving we may go over 20 hours without really stopping for more than 5-10 minutes  at a time. And when we add children, such as nieces and nephews, into the mix that's plenty of time spent munching on snacks and gulping down fast food trying to keep everyone full and satisfied.

If you have passenger or back seat eaters then you NEED to have some sort of structured system for eating. The above craft organizer bins are the perfect size for just about any meal and will accommodate most size beverages. I especially appreciate the tall walls, which help prevent tipping of drinks and french fries. If you really want to have eating in the car under control then toss a few small cookie sheets into the back seat before you hit the road- they make great meal and doodle trays for kids!

#7: Keep back seat passengers engaged.

While we usually put this tip to good use with the dogs (a good chew toy does wonders to a dog mom's mentality on hour 10 of road trip driving) it's just as much a great idea to keep small minds and hands busy while on a road trip.We find that minds actively engaged in a task tend to wear out, and allow time to pass, much faster than those aimlessly staring out the window.

For just a couple of bucks, and an hour's worth of time, you can actually turn an old liter sized plastic water bottle into a one-of-a-kind 'I-Spy' style backseat car game. Toss uncooked rice with a few drops of food coloring then allow the rice to air dry on some baking sheets out in the open for 24-48 hours. Next layer the colored rice and 15-20 small trinkets from colored beads and charms to pennies and more.

Make a list of all the things 'hidden' inside and hand it to a child in the back seat when you head out on the road. A free magnifier application on your smartphone or tablet can double as a real time magnifier if you want to earn 'cool' points for including technology.

#8: Find your soundtrack.

Every great adventure in life should be marked by amazing sights, unforgettable memories, fascinating new smells, and addictive beats.

In my book it's not a road trip if I'm not screaming along to the stereo with the windows (or the top) down, messing up all the words and turning every song into my personal life's story. If you're traveling with someone a 'Killer Roadtrip Playlist' can be a fun way to get to know the person you're traveling with, and a surefire way to make new memories. If you're traveling solo a great playlist is a lifesaver when the radio station inevitably cuts out on mile 98.

What should you put on your Killer Roadtrip Soundtrack?

It may seems second nature to fill your playlist with all your favorite songs but I'd advise against that. Songs you know by heart are already a little overplayed in your mind and you won't find the tunes very inspiring the 8th time you hear that song on your drive. Instead include a few favorites you haven't heard in years, include some classic tongue in cheek 'road trip' themed songs for campy humor injections, and take a moment to explore some music by artists you enjoy on the radio but have never taken the time to really explore before.

#9: Bring the outdoors in.

It may seem illogical to want to bring the outdoors into your car when you're about to spend hours a day driving through the outdoors IN your car. And, as someone who owns a convertible it might seem even more illogical- but this simple and fun D.I.Y. Car Vent Clip Vase is the perfect way to brighten up the inside of your car in both sight and smell while road-tripping. First you'll need to gather:

12-14 Gauge Colored Copper wire

Wire Style Clothespin Clips

Single Floral Bud Vials

Scissors

Needle Nosed Pliers

(Optional Hot Glue Gun To Cover Any Wire End Edges)

Start by cutting approximately 10" of wire.

Gently bend one end of the wire parallel to the top of the vial and wind the wire around the vial 3 times tightly. The wire will spring back with a little space between the vial and wire wrapping, this is fine.

Next bend the lengthy end of the wire down 1/4 inch inward from where the original bent wire end rests.

Using needle nosed pliers bend the original (wrapped) wire ending inward across the remaining wire rod length as to create a hook that holds the straight wire line in place.

Feed your remaining straight wire end through the side of the clothespin slip and bend it out and around the bottom middle of the vial.

Clip the wire end, leaving 1/4" of length and use the needle nosed pliers to bend the wire end inward against the clothespin frame.

Cap any sharp wire edges you are concerned about with a dot of hot glue to create a smooth round edge.

Repeat with a second vial, along the first, to create a 2 flower vase setup.

when the clip on vase is complete you should be able to remove the vials from their tracks with a little effort (to fill and clean) and replace them securely as you wish.

If you want a more organic look and feel to your clip on vases you can also use wrapped 'floral stem' guide wire for your wire wrapping technique. These come in muted green colors that resemble flower stems and will offer a more rustic look for your car. I've included another set of images showing the wrapping process above, as the green wire is a little easier to read on camera.

Depending on the type of flowers you wish to put in your mini vent clip vases, and the weather where you are traveling, you an expect to get 2-3 days of fresh life out of a single bud. I've had some tolerant flowers, such as daises, lost a week with a water change in the middle. Here, in hot weather the flowers tend to suck up the water fact and do require a refill every few days.

A vent clip vase like this would be especially fun to include and feature flowers found on road trip travels, while on the road!

#10: Don't sweat the small stuff- A.K.A: Have fun!

If you've prepared for your road trip using our tips above you're on the right path to a simply smashing road trip. Of course bumps are bound to come up, much like on any road in life, but the important thing is that you always take a deep breath before giving in to worry or panic. One of the most beautiful things about road trips are the options for varied paths and open itineraries. It's never just about getting from point A to point B. Remember that and you're sure to have a blast!

If you're looking to start your road trip off right be sure to check out the Walmart Automotive Care Center and their special Summer Pennzoil rollback deal. Find a Walmart ACC near you with the easy to use store finder here. Now, tell me where you are heading out to this Summer!