DIY Vacation Countdown Calendar Using Microsoft Excel

Every year since 2010, I have created a vacation countdown calendar for my family. Whether our crew will be visiting the Carolina coast, going to Disney, or spending a week up north in a cabin on a lake, we always have a countdown to vacation.   The format is akin to an advent calendar in which each of our kids takes their turn pulling a tab of the day to reveal a picture on each day of the calendar. For pictures, I typically insert jpegs of our family, area landmarks, and scenic attractions from previous trips. If there is not enough picture files in your photo inventory, one can always check out flickr or other photo sharing sites for photos assuming you borrow the content from those jpeg authors/owners that permit you to do so. Being a spreadsheet person, I use none other than Microsoft Excel to produce my countdown calendar and I can show you how. Typically I create a thirty day or one month countdown to the big departure day. That time frame allows six rows or weeks that easily fit on one eight and a half by eleven inch sheet of copy paper.

Creating the Calendar Grid in Excel

1.       Days of the Week.  First you will create a new spreadsheet for your calendar. Next you will highlight columns B though H and set column width to be 22.50.  Set the column width for column A to be 8.

2.       Calendar Header – Grab cells b1:h1 and merge as one cell. This will become one cell that you can type your header such as 2015 Vacation Countdown Calendar, etc. Also, set the row height for row one at 30.

3.       Days of the Week Header -   Set the row height for row 2 to be 16.5.

4.       Weeks- Be sure to set row height of rows 4,6,8,10,12 and 14 to be 85.

5.       Date Header – Be sure to set row height of rows 5,7,9,11, and 12 to 16.5

6.       Border Lines – Highlight cells b3 and drag done to H14 and click border all sides icon. This will ensure every cell in this field will have black lines/borders on all sides.

7.       Calendar Title –   In cell B1, type your calendar name (E.g. 2015 Vacation Countdown) in font size 14 with the font size of your choice. I used Bradley Hand. Also bold the font. Justify the font to center position so the title of your calendar is right in the middle.

8.       Days of the Week Title – Start in B2 through H2, start typing the days of the week. I go with Bradley Hand font style and a size 11 font. Be sure to center the type in each cell and also bold the font.

9.       Calendar Dates – These calendar instructions allow for six weeks covering the countdown of 30 days. Since departure dates don’t always start at the beginning of the week or very end of the week, this six week format allows you to place your dates accordingly. I usually find my departure date and count back. In my example I am leaving on July 5^th and counted back 30 days. Just follow along with a real calendar in front of you to establish your dates. You will type in your dates for rows 3, 5, 7,9,11 and 13. Go to “Format Cells” and pick date option. For font I used Bradley Hand size 11 font and bold. Also justify the date to the right size of cell. Also use color fill function, but try to avoid dark colors that will hide your font.

10.   Enter Remaining Days – Start with your departure date and label “Vacation”. Count back towards your thirty days. I used Bradley Hand and size 11 font.

11.   Adding pictures into the vacation countdown dates. To insert a picture into a date cell, simply click on cell of choice, then click insert picture and select picture file, click insert again. You may need to shrink down the picture to fit inside the cell. At this point it is optional if you wish to cover these dates like an advent calendar. Kids can pull the labels off each day as you get closer to vacation.

There you have it. As mentioned earlier, please feel free to adjust fonts and colors accordingly to your tastes. Also consider adding pictures to the border of your calendar. Feel free to leave comments if you have questions on your calendar set up.

Vacation Rental Tips When Using VRBO.COM

Choosing vacation accommodations does not necessarily need to result in lodging at a chain hotel or resort. Many times, vacationers will consider renting a condo, cottage or villa from a private owner. One of the more popular sites for finding such vacation rentals is through VRBO.com or homeaway.com. This website has listings of vacation accommodations for just about anywhere around the globe. The concept of this website is brilliant as it provides a site for private owners to list their properties and describe their rental to the open market of renters visiting the website. Each rental listing typically includes pictures, description, availability calendar, list of amenities nearby, map and pricing. It is an ideal marketplace to navigate a desired location and pick that one spot that looks ideal for your next vacation. I have been using this website for nearly thirteen years and learned a few helpful tricks and tips that are worthy of mention.  

Before falling in love with the glamorous picture of that Maui villa or mountainside cabin in Aspen, the prospective renter needs to consider carefully these points below before deciding to book a stay through this site.

1.       Read all prior renter reviews carefully. Most vacation listings have a history of comments by previous renters. Pay attention to these comments. A few comments on the board about lack of cleanliness or noise complaints can be a red flag to move on to the next listing. I try to keep an open mind on some of the testimonials as even the most generous and meticulously clean landlords will occasionally have a one or two negative reviews on their listing due to occupants that had unrealistic expectations.

2.       Avoid rental cost surprises.  Most listings show the different rates charged to renters for the duration of their stay. Typically the rates will fluctuate by high and low seasons. Read all the fine print on listing and on rental agreement. Most owners will charge the weekly fee, then also add in a security deposit/damage deposit and perhaps also charge a state tax. If the vrbo listing by owner is vague on actual price, then e-mail the owner to request a complete cost breakdown for the duration of stay. It is always a good idea to get the total cost breakdown in writing before making that PayPal or credit card deposit. A negotiated amount over the phone can get lost in translation, so keep it in writing.

3.       Make use of the map features when searching a property. If the listing has a map link, you will certainly want to click on it to know where the accommodations will be in proximity to other places of interest (water, amusement park, restaurants, etc.). That great deal you were quoted for a week’s vacation may be low because it is in a poor location.

4.       Scrutinize rental pictures closely. If the unit description explains that the rental has two bedrooms, then make sure the pictures of each bedroom are shown on the listing.  Also be wary of listings that show only interior pictures of unit and no outside pictures. If falling in love with unit is only based on inside the property, consider e-mailing the owner to get an exterior picture.  

5.       Consider the “extras” included in the rental. Several property listings may include items in the weekly rental price that a vacationer may have to purchase extra for. For example, renting a villa or condo on the Outer Banks that includes bicycles or beach cart for the week may save money when considering the extra cost one would have to pay renting these items ala cart from a local store. Similar amenities may include access to pools, tennis courts, or golf courses. These can be excellent perks to your next vacation.

6.       Considering a pet friendly rental.   I actually stumbled upon VRBO several years ago through a search engine when perusing South Carolina coastal properties that were “pet friendly” as we like to take our mild mannered golden retriever along for the week. The website has a filter that will list only those properties in which the owners allow renters to bring their dog for the week. Typically there is an extra pet deposit required for such rentals. This is also important feature for those people highly allergic to pets that need to avoid such properties.

Bottom line for newcomers to VRBO is to read the listings carefully. Do not hesitate to ask ownership regarding any concerns prior to booking the trip. If there are no reviews on a listing, then do some detective work and request more pictures from owner. Also Google the address to see if there is something revealed that might send up a reason not to rent.  

Preview of The Resort Courses of Seabrook Island

While I have played numerous courses in the area (Kiawah’s Turtle Point, Osprey, Cougar, and Oak Point), I have yearned to get on at least one of the two courses at Seabrook, known as Crooked Oaks and Ocean Winds. Both of these courses are considered the resort courses on Seabrook Island. These courses require staying on the island via the Seabrook Island Resort, or you better at least know someone on Seabrook to play on as a guest. I have not played these courses but have walked a few fairways a few years back when I was on to Seabrook during an island tour (touring a few homes with a realtor).

Crooked Oaks

Crooked Oaks which I consider more the inland course is a 6,754 yard course offering up a slope rating of 139. The course was designed by Robert Trent Jones, Sr. One of the unique features to this course, aside from it majestic oaks is the bent grass greens. Speaking of those oaks, shot selection will require precision due to the nature of these tight fairways and smaller sized greens. Prices for play at Seabrook Island Resort’s Crooked Oaks range from $93 to $170. The costs can be lower depending upon amenity cards that may be included with rental. Tee time discounts of 50% also should be considered if teeing off after three p.m.

Ocean Winds Golf Course

 This course designed by Robert Byrd Sr. is over 6,765 yards with a slop rating of 139. The par 72 course features 9 holes that meander through marsh and forest. The back nine works its way back to the Ocean with picturesque fairways. This course is teeming with wildlife be it egrets or alligators. The course plays much more narrow on the inland front nine, with the back nine playing more open, however the wind becomes a nuisance off the tee box.

For more information on playing golf on Seabrook, please visit www.discoverseabrook.com

How to Protect Your Family at Rest Area Stops: Safety Tips

Every summer our family spends hours traveling up and down the U.S. interstate highways. 

 Though not as quick as flying, the road trip experience can be lots of fun and a good way to bond with family and friends.  Our trip usually involves a few stops along the way at interstate rest areas. These rest areas serve a great purpose as they are much quicker to get off and get back onto the highway in comparison to exiting off at gas stations or restaurants. Our family even stops off at a scenic rest area every year to have a picnic lunch before moving on to our destination. 

Though they are convenient, rest areas stops should be exercised with great caution as these locations can also serve those engaged in criminal activity.

Here are a few common sense tips to remember when deciding to pull off at a rest area.

Stick to Well Lit Areas

If nature calls and you need to stop off at rest area in late evening or early morning, consider using a rest area that is well illuminated. If the rest area is poorly lit with no cars or even one car or truck, I will proceed on to the next rest area or use a gas station or fast food establishment.

Avoid surrounding areas of Rest Areas  

If your stop off at the rest area is for the purpose of stretching or using the toilets, then stick to that purpose. Avoid having anyone in your group run off into nearby woods or any places that would allow strangers to hide. Also avoid parking next to large vehicles such as recreational vehicles or trucks that would permit a stranger in one of those vehicles to snatch and grab one of your passengers.

Buddy System when using Rest Area Restrooms

If the rest area has a family restroom offered, then it is advisable that it used otherwise use the buddy system. Parents should take children with them. Even if a child does not need to use the facility, he or she should accompany parent. No one should be left alone in the parked car.

Avoid Desolate Rest Areas

If the stop off reveals a very empty parking lot, then consider moving on.  Just because there are no vehicles spotted at the rest area does not necessarily ensure safety. Actually the threat can be just as great if not greater because predators will like his or her odds of getting away with a crime as chances for witnesses or police are minimal at a vacant rest stop.

Family Fishing Along the Kiawah River

One of our vacation highlights while we were down at Kiawah during the second week of June was the fishing. The ocean and inter-coastal waterways are teeming with a variety of fish whether it is flounder, reds, trout, shark and so much more. These areas are also plentiful for netting blue crabs and shrimp. For those anxious to shellfish, just remember to bring some cast nets or traps and be familiar with the SC fishing regulations. I am definitely going to give crabbing a try during my next visit.

Our focus during the vacation week was on fish. We managed to do all of our fishing from the pier at Rhetts Bluff on Kiawah Island. The Rhetts bluff area features two piers (only one for fishing), boats launch/landing, and even a gazebo to picnic or seek refuge from the rain.  There is even a portion on both piers that have covered sections. This little roof came in handy when we went fishing on our second day down in Kiawah and experienced a quickly approaching downpour.

With light fishing gear, tackle box, and my two sons and father in law along, we were able to cast some lines from the end of the pier using cut up squid and mullet. The squid is the ideal bait for inter-coastal fishing, as it is rubbery and the dense tissue stays on the hook pretty good in spite of the numerous bites. The fishing pier has a great stainless steel bait station to cut the bait and has a hose to rinse off.

What started out as slow bites for the first hour quickly turned to catching a bunch of croakers. (You’ll know a croaker when you catch one by the noise they make).  We then managed to catch even a few smaller sharks and a ray.  My father in law had a serious fish on his line until the line snapped. That was a painful reminder that we should have been using heavier line, especially when casting heavier baits towards the middle and deeper parts of the river. For those that want to get a little flavor of salt water fishing without going through the exercise of chartering a boat, I highly recommend doing some fishing along this Atlantic inter-coastal spot. It is also a great way to introduce fishing to the younger anglers.