2008 Woodie Awards
Never too early to plan next year's trip
By: THE ASSOCIATED PRESS
Issue date: 3/11/08 Section: Forum
I realized during spring break that I look forward to it more than I look forward to summer break. While it's nice to not have to worry about school for a few months, I seem to spend my summers working and not being able to take off a week to relax.
And let's face it, not having class for a few months is usually relaxing enough, and the weather is not too shabby in these parts. While winter and fall break are usually spent with the family, spring is the time to get away with friends and to travel, party and prepare for that last push until school lets out.
This year I traveled to Los Angeles to see some old friends and escape the last bit of severe winter weather (hopefully). While on a short hike in the mountains surrounding L.A., I thought back to all the places I have visited during spring break, and realized that spring break is more than just a week of partying and hedonism.
Don't get me wrong, I enjoy getting loaded on a beach while catching some rays, listening to the ocean and enjoying the "scenery," but I'm glad I didn't spend every spring break doing it.
While Cancun, Mexico, rates as one of my favorite spring break locations, I think it has become greatly overrated. I think we have forgotten the beauty located right here in our own country.
And although spring break has already gone by for this year, it's never too early to start thinking about locations for next year.
Spring isn't always about finding summer-like weather months in advance, it's about the rebirth of nature and the renewal of the outdoors, and even the last chance to embrace what the winter does give us.
Take northern Michigan or Colorado for example. They're still covered in snow, but they offer the chance to find a cabin in the woods, go ice fishing, snowboard or ski. While you will not find a huge crowd, it offers the chance to spend that week with your closest friends and be what seems like a world away from civilization.
If you don't want to be that far out of reach, Yellowstone National Park offers some of the most beautiful sights you will ever see in this country, whether it's covered in snow or not. It is home to some of the most comfortable lodges in the world and offers an amazing insight into North American nature.
And let's face it, not having class for a few months is usually relaxing enough, and the weather is not too shabby in these parts. While winter and fall break are usually spent with the family, spring is the time to get away with friends and to travel, party and prepare for that last push until school lets out.
This year I traveled to Los Angeles to see some old friends and escape the last bit of severe winter weather (hopefully). While on a short hike in the mountains surrounding L.A., I thought back to all the places I have visited during spring break, and realized that spring break is more than just a week of partying and hedonism.
Don't get me wrong, I enjoy getting loaded on a beach while catching some rays, listening to the ocean and enjoying the "scenery," but I'm glad I didn't spend every spring break doing it.
While Cancun, Mexico, rates as one of my favorite spring break locations, I think it has become greatly overrated. I think we have forgotten the beauty located right here in our own country.
And although spring break has already gone by for this year, it's never too early to start thinking about locations for next year.
Spring isn't always about finding summer-like weather months in advance, it's about the rebirth of nature and the renewal of the outdoors, and even the last chance to embrace what the winter does give us.
Take northern Michigan or Colorado for example. They're still covered in snow, but they offer the chance to find a cabin in the woods, go ice fishing, snowboard or ski. While you will not find a huge crowd, it offers the chance to spend that week with your closest friends and be what seems like a world away from civilization.
If you don't want to be that far out of reach, Yellowstone National Park offers some of the most beautiful sights you will ever see in this country, whether it's covered in snow or not. It is home to some of the most comfortable lodges in the world and offers an amazing insight into North American nature.
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