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Wherever You Live, COVID-19 Is Impacting Your Hometown - Here are A Few Ways to Help

Wherever You Live, COVID-19 Is Impacting Your Hometown – Here are A Few Ways to Help

Photo by Free To Use Sounds on Unsplash

Whether you live in Milan, Italy where international borders have shut down or you live in small town America where there are no reports of COVID-19 (the coronavirus that’s freaking people out currently), your hometown is being impacted. People are losing jobs due to the mass travel bans. Schools are shutting down in nearby towns (I live in one suburb,…

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Budget Travel Tip: Motivation to Run on the Road — Rita Juanita Mock-Pike I'm still learning about this whole blending of two sites thing. But here's my latest post on True Budget Travel - just on my other blog.

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Jerrie Mock Cookbook Recipe 2: Fish Cakes, a Bermudian Delight

Jerrie Mock Cookbook Recipe 2: Fish Cakes, a Bermudian Delight

The first stop along Jerrie’s journey around the world was Bermuda – straight through the Bermuda Triangle on her first flight over the water. She was grounded in the country for several days, waiting out terrible weather, and so she was able to experience some of the delightful dishes of Bermuda.

About to take off for Bermuda from Columbus, Ohio, March 19, 1964

One of the main staples of the…

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Jerrie Mock Cookbook Recipe 1: Pelmeni, a Russian Staple

Jerrie Mock Cookbook Recipe 1: Pelmeni, a Russian Staple

For those who don’t know, I’m currently in the process of developing a cookbook based on my grandmother’s travels around the world. Jerrie Mock, first woman to fly around the world, wanted to write the cookbook herself, but she never got to do it. So, I’m taking up the mantle and doing it now myself.

Jerrie Mock, arriving home from her flight around the world in 1964

As I develop the cookbook,…

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So, recently I returned from a domestic road trip with a long-time friend. We’re both pretty chill people who enjoy adventures and unplanned side-trips. When we set out, we had three destinations and firm times in place – a ceremony in Ohio during which I was to receive an award on my grandmother’s behalf, the Smithsonian’s Air & Space Museum where my grandmother’s airplane resides, and a news interview I was giving in Ohio on the way back to Chicago.

Leslie (left) and I might be a little…special…when we get together.

Admittedly, the trip was for me – I was receiving the award. The plane is my grandmother’s. I was giving the interview.

But Leslie and I have talked about traveling together for years and specifically, we were looking at next year for some international travel. This trip seemed like a good “test run” for learning how we travel together.

Our adventures were great, but showed us some things and reminded me, again, of the importance of choosing the right travel buddy for the specific destination.

All Travel Companions Need to Be On Board for the Destinations

Leslie and I had no issues with this particular adventure. She knew what she was signing up for – at least as much as she could – when she hopped on a plane from California to Chicago to join me. But I have traveled with folks in the past who just weren’t on board with the destinations.

It’s important that if you agree to a given destination or many, that the travel buddy you choose will not only enjoy the locations but be satisfied with where you’re going.

We both knew our “turn-around” point for the trip would be in D.C., after visiting the Smithsonian’s Air & Space Museum in Chantilly, VA, where my grandmother’s plane resides.

Make Sure Your Travel Styles Are Compatible

Closely related to destination agreement is travel style agreement. Thankfully, both Leslie and I are pretty cool with side-trips and random stops and destinations, but not everyone is.

If you’re someone who likes a strict itinerary, choose a travel companion with a similar nature or that person will get frustrated with you and visa versa. I’ve traveled with folks in the past who had the opposite travel style as myself, and it wound up being miserable for all of us.

Discuss ahead of time how you want to do the trip – especially road-trips – and make sure you’re compatible enough to all be satisfied with how things will go.

Covered bridge in Schellsburg, PA

Hanging out at the covered bridge – and taking a short, unplanned hike

The Potomac River

Snagging some photos along the Potomac on the way to Harper’s Ferry, WV

We made a lot of random stops and generally only made plans the day of, apart from the specific commitments we had along the journey. For us, this made it a much better trip. For others, that would be miserable.

Make Sure Your Budgets Align

Before choosing a travel buddy, it’s important to make sure that your budget for the trip will match in style and ability to cover costs. This trip, Leslie and I were pretty well matched. We were both capable of splitting our travel costs (hotels, food, et cetera), and had the similar goal of budget-friendly travel. That meant free things to do, low-cost meals (i.e. packing our own and shopping at Aldi along the route, for the most part), inexpensive hotels, et cetera.

In past, I have traveled both with folks incapable of covering their own costs – that’s a post for another time – and those who expected luxury accommodations while I was going for youth hostels and cheap BnBs.

The most “luxury” accommodation we had was the Red Roof Inn in downtown Columbus, thanks to a free night I had earned on previous hotel stays. Otherwise, we stayed in hotels under $65 a night, splitting the cost evenly.

Understand Health Issues and Fitness Levels Before You Invite Someone

On this trip, hiking was a last-minute choice – how could we turn down hiking part of the Appalachian Trail? – and so we went with it. But if it had been planned, Leslie definitely would not have been the choice travel companion for this trip.

I tend to walk between four and ten miles daily, run several times per week, and go hiking whenever I get the opportunity. Leslie has asthma – as do I, but mine is way more under control – and doesn’t walk more than a few miles each day.

Hiking the Appalachian Trail! Straight up for one mile…

The location where we hiked the Appalachian Trail was about one mile straight upward before hitting the level-ish trail. Leslie was definitely not ready for that, especially with her ankle issues and the multitude of sliding rocks that wanted to attack that part of her anatomy. All of this made the ability to hike, walk, et cetera, a bit limited for me since I wasn’t willing to just ditch her for the day. I did still hike ahead quite a bit and got in some extra miles, but it’s just not the same as going hiking with someone at a similar fitness level.

It’s also a good idea to know health issues ahead of time in case of emergencies or issues.

Be Willing to Travel Another Time and Place Together

Leslie made a great companion for this trip. We both thoroughly enjoyed the “Aviation Trail” we blazed visiting museums focused on aviation, the ceremony, and the news interview even. But we learned a few things that tell us that there are certain travels we simply should not do together.

That little red and white plane in the background at the top between us is my grandmother’s plane, the Spirit of Columbus, or Charlie, as she called him.

We’re both flexible, so loose, easy-going itineraries are great for us together. We’re both also budget-friendly travelers, which means great destinations with low-cost food and lodging make us a match as travel partners.

However, Leslie gets motion sickness, so she’s not a good front-seat companion, responsible for reading the GPS or dealing with phone calls, important texts from work, et cetera.

I’m a hiker and outdoors adventure seeker. Leslie is not.

I’ll be hiking and exploring the outdoors a lot and she’d prefer to explore urban locations.

I’ll be exploring cities and countries on foot – backpacking my way across Asia, Africa, Europe, and South America. Leslie prefers a suitcase on wheels.

Because of these disparities, we’ve decided, instead, to do domestic or international road trips together instead in 2021, where things like major cities and small towns are the focus, rather than outdoor activities and loads of walking. And someone else will ride in the front and take care of the reading.

We’re still good friends and plan to travel together. Nothing’s been lost between us. We’re just a bit wiser on who we should travel with and when.

After the interview with Dennis Biviano, reporter for Ohio’s Spectrum News 1. Along with my great aunt Susan Reid, Jerrie Mock’s youngest sister. At The Works Museum in Newark, Ohio.

How To Choose Your Travel Buddies So, recently I returned from a domestic road trip with a long-time friend. We're both pretty chill people who enjoy adventures and unplanned side-trips.

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9 Ways to Create Your Travel Bucket List

9 Ways to Create Your Travel Bucket List

Recently, I’ve been working on my “final countdown” list for reaching those 52 countries my Grandma wanted me to hit. She made it to 51 and dreamed I would make it more than she. And since next year I’ll be the same age she was when she made that record-taking flight around the world that started everything, I thought next year would be the perfect time to hit my 52nd destination.

But as I’ve…

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The first four years I lived in Chicago, I lived in the same apartment 2 blocks from the lake. Unfortunately, I lived away from trails. I had to go at least 0.7 miles to hit an actual running trail, and that trail was just headed south. It’s right on the lake, so it’s lovely, but since I could only go one direction, it didn’t keep my interest for long. Especially once I started running/biking that trail to work. Every darn day.

Living out in the suburbs, I find myself suddenly surrounded by many new options. I have to drive everywhere anyway (I miss walking! But this IS advantageous for this reason…), so it’s easy to just go an extra 5 to 10 minutes to hit up a new trail or entry point on a familiar trail.

One of the ways I’m helping myself fight both boredom and the desire to spend money on “new” adventures (since hubby and I are saving for some things right now) is by hitting up these new trails and trail entry points. I’ve started a tour of trails in Chicago’s northwest suburbs. I set a generic distance – or plan a training run – and snag a few photos along the way.

I’m also struggling with weight gain that’s come back after the initial weight-loss from going gluten-free. Right after going gluten-free, I lost about 45 pounds without effort. After having run/biked/walked 1200 miles from Key West Florida to the Canadian/New York border and losing only 6 pounds (including during my training time of 8 months before that!), it was amazing. However, like so many other folks have found, the weight has come back, even though that was 7 years ago.

My motivation is down, my weight is up, and my boredom is high.

So, using new trails to inspire a workout and keep me from getting too bogged down in my work-from-home job is the ideal way to get an edge on both of these things. If anyone else has similar issues, I highly recommend doing the same in your own area.

You can tweak this concept into other inexpensive “new” experiences, too, if you’re not a runner.

Find a new place to picnic each week

Find a new dog park every few days

Drive a different route to work every week (I do some things in the city still, and this method has opened up worlds of new ideas and opportunities for adventure!)

Get off the train one stop early or go one stop farther and walk the rest of the way home taking new streets

Get your bike out and commute somewhere new each week (work, church, picnic grounds, hang out with friends) – starting small if you’re not in biking shape already

Find some mystery shopping companies to join and dine out new places each week on their dime

You just might find the same beauty, inexpensive adventure, and new challenges I’m finding.

Catherine Chavalier Woods entry point at the Des Plaines River Trail

Rita’s Tour of Trails: Fighting Boredom and Retail Therapy The first four years I lived in Chicago, I lived in the same apartment 2 blocks from the lake.

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Travel Inspiration: The First Woman to Fly Around the World

Travel Inspiration: The First Woman to Fly Around the World

Raise your hand if you know who the first woman to fly around the world is.

Now, put them down if you answered anything but Jerrie Mock.

What? There are only two of you who could keep your hands up? Yes, thank you Mom and cousin Chris for showing up. I appreciate it!

All right. I might be a little snarky on this, but the reality is one of aviation’s pioneers is practically unfamiliar to the…

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How to Get to Machu Picchu for $1500

How to Get to Machu Picchu for $1500

If you’ve ever dreamed of doing Machu Picchu, but you’re on a super tight budget that doesn’t exactly allow you to hit up five-star hotels and dine in elegant restaurants, you may think it’s out of reach. I’m here to tell you that it’s not. In fact, I’m here to tell you that you can get to Machu Picchu for well under $2000 if you simply plan properly and give yourself enough time to get there.

Th…

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Product Review: Adventuridge Hiking Backpack

Product Review: Adventuridge Hiking Backpack

On occasion, great travel gear comes from unexpected sources. I was short on time, shorter on cash, and needed a smaller hiking backpack than I currently owned. On a whim, I stopped at Aldi for a snack on the way home from my next to final training jaunt, and came across the Adventuridge hiking backpack on the shelves. At only $29.99, this pack was affordable, even if it lasted only long enough…

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Stan’s Donuts and Coffee Review from a Gluten-Free Lifer

Stan’s Donuts and Coffee Review from a Gluten-Free Lifer

Who doesn’t love a good donut? Even better, a gourmet donut from a shop with a fun atmosphere and a history of serving Hollywood starlets like Steve McQueen and Elizabeth Taylor?

The main problem with donuts that I have is that they are not gluten-free. Since I’m a gluten-free lifer, I can’t eat your standard donut. And finding a gluten-free donut, let alone a decent one, is next to…

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How to Spend an Afternoon in Chicago: A Walk Through Wicker Park

How to Spend an Afternoon in Chicago: A Walk Through Wicker Park

When you visit a big city like Chicago, it’s sometimes hard to find the out-of-the-way spots and neighborhoods away from the main tourist traps of downtown. You might want to wander, but you’re not totally sure which neighborhoods are safe, or where you can find good food or shops that don’t jack up prices for the tourists.

For those of us who want to connect to the communities which we visit,…

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The Most Haunted Places of Chicago: Walking Tour Guide Style

The Most Haunted Places of Chicago: Walking Tour Guide Style

Welcome to the freakin’ cold Windy City, where the town takes a nickname for all the blustering windbags in the governor’s house, with a convenient location on the lake where we pull in that lake effect wind.

For the next several blocks, we’ll be taking a walk through some of the creepiest, weirdest, and, in my opinion, most haunted places in Chicago. So, grab that pea coat closer and huddle…

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Embrace the Layover: Using Cheap Airfare to Visit New Places

Embrace the Layover: Using Cheap Airfare to Visit New Places

Like the vast majority of travelers, I hate that rushed feeling of landing at an unfamiliar international airport and having one hour to find my way to the other side. Even more, I hate when my luggage has to make that journey and doesn’t make it in time (thank you flight to Athens via Amsterdam 2010).

So when I book flights, I instead look for fares that have long layovers. Or, better yet,…

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The Llama You'll Never Know: My Adventures on Machu Picchu

The Llama You’ll Never Know: My Adventures on Machu Picchu

Hiking Machu Picchu is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.

Capturing an award-winning photograph of a llama on said Ancient Wonder is, too. Or at least, I think it would be.

As I framed the most amazing shot I’d ever seen in my life, a bratty ten-year-old boy shoved me out of the way so that he could poke a stick at the defenseless llama that I named Kuzco in that moment.

  Not Kuzco, just some…

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True Budget Travel Near Essential: The Lavender Eye Pillow

True Budget Travel Near Essential: The Lavender Eye Pillow

I love good travel gear. I love good inexpensive travel gear even better. Best of all, I love good inexpensive travel gear that makes life better overall.

And that’s why I’m mentioning the lavender eye pillowthat I purchased for my husband for Christmas. I randomly found it tossed into the Christmas section at Target, where someone had obviously changed his mind about purchasing it and dumped it…

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A Little Side Money for Travel Gear

A Little Side Money for Travel Gear

This tip is not for everyone. Some of you will have strong issues with having your internet searches tracked and recorded – though most of us know that they already are – but if you’re interested in making a little side cash for some travel gear purchases on Amazon, this is a way to do that.

  Image by Margan Zajdowicz

  Disclaimer: Not Actual Cash

I should note, this is not cash in the sense of…