Getting away from winter

Hi neighbors. We are into 2016! Do you still have to think before you write the date? How many checks have you had to toss so far? Don't worry, by August it will all feel normal.

Although we have yet to have a snow in 2016, I'm pretty certain that will change in February. Until then I am happy to look out my window and see a heavy frost each morning; a little ice on the windshield that needs scrapping and cautionary frost on the back porch steps.

While we endure this winter of cold weather, high winds, snow, ice and sleet let's dream about warmer climates and greener surroundings.

If it is a particularly dreary day I have a way to beat the winter blues that you might want to use as well. I put my fireplace DVD on (without Christmas music now), make a fresh pot of coffee or another cup of hot tea, and find all my brochures about places I want to vacation in during the warmer days coming up on the calendar.

When I find a spot I'm really interested in, I drag out the road map, or do a Google directions search if I plan to drive. If I'm really curious, I pick the address of a local business there and do a Google Street View search.

With the Google Street View search I find myself standing outside the building of the address I entered. From there I can walk several blocks in any direction and see all the buildings along the way. This gives me a good feel for the intended vacation spot.

Of course, some places don't have the Google Street View available, but it is remarkable how many do.

Then there are the local hotels available. Many hotels and motels, bed and breakfast companies and campgrounds have room tours online; bus and taxi services available and even local events to visit.

The Internet is truly a wonderful device to plan any excursion or event. Tickets can be purchased online for every type of event around the country: from outdoor activities, sports, movie theaters, local live performances, acting and dancing lessons and Broadway shows.

Shopping online isn't limited to any field anymore. It's a fun way to fill a gloomy winter afternoon and once you have decided where you want to go and when you can finish reserving your hotel room, car rental, airplane tickets and even dinner reservations for special occasions.

The other option is to get away from winter altogether by taking a winter vacation to some place warmer. Be certain you do a weather search for wherever you plan to go. If it's a coastal area, make sure you don't plan to go during hurricane season.

If you plan to travel outside of the U.S.A., find the government website that lists the "do not go here" countries.

You might want to invest in a program on your cell phone that can help you translate native languages into English. Better yet, plan ahead and find local tour guides that are reliable and reputable. You could spend several days wandering around a different country or major city and still miss all the good tourist sites.

If you are going to very large metropolis, even here in the U.S.A., be sure to have a game plan, a local map, bus, ferry, train and taxi service phone numbers and schedules. I've heard the subway system is safe and reliable in New York City these days, but you still have to know where to get on and off, which trains take you where and their schedules.

A vacation to anywhere these days requires a certain amount of diligent research to make the most of your trip and get the most site-seeing in while there.

Of course, the old-fashioned road trip is still a good way to see the country! Have lots of change for toll roads, a good GPS tracker and trip planner, a reliable spare tire, a credit card, a towing service and phone numbers for all your relatives and friends along the road.

Until the next time friends, remember, even if we are experiencing winter, we can still get away online at least!