Travel Local-Take Day Trips

Ways to save money while traveling!

Local travel can mean a day trip, or a trip down the street. Play hometown tourist. Day trips are lighter on the wallet and can be just as memorable as longer vacations! And when you just need to get away, you can go into your own city, or a few hours away for a one day getaway. Much less stress is involved in planning the trip. Find you have a day without much to do? Get in the car and go, no planning required.

Less than two hours from my home, hidden gem.

Promote happiness

Travel has been shown to promote happiness as a way of getting your mind off stressful situations. Just a day or two can set your mind at ease and refresh your spirit. Low on funds? No problem! Every city or town has places you can go free. Take a walk along a riverbank, or better yet, drive along a river road and find a small, almost forgotten town to explore! America is full of little known gems just waiting for you! It may take a bit of planning if you are going to expand your area and go a bit further out. Sometimes the fun is in just going without a roadmap.

Ste. Geneve, MO less than two hrs south of St.Louis. Lots to see and do without lots of money!

Recent finds

Entrance to Hidden River Cave

I recently drove through Cave City and Horse Cave KY. I made a point to go off the highway on my way back home to explore further and was delighted by my adventure! First, right off the highway was a new Dutch donut shop and cafe. I can’t pass up a good donut! Further down the road was Hidden River Cave, surrounded by a cute little town. If it weren’t so cold, I would have ventured in! Lots of mom and pop shops and a few restaurants along the ‘main strip’. There was also a self guided walking tour with signs, and it didn’t cost anything! This part of KY is only about an hour and a half from where I currently live, well worth going when the weather is warmer and I have a willing companion, only MzHyde did her best letting me take photos.

Unusual angle. Don’t be afraid to be artsy.

A few exits down the highway, I came across Dinosaur World and the tourist attractions surrounding it. Most were closed, even though it was a Saturday morning. I happily took photos for the instagram account and made note to make it back to this part of the country as well.

Travel Photo Tips

When traveling, don’t be afraid to experiment with photos. Get in closer or use a different angle. If you have people in your photo, place the person or people about 5-6 feet away from the camera and the location in the background, see photo #1.

travel, photography, Mini
Photo #1
Photo #2

Who are these people in photo #2? I don’t know, can’t see them. They look like ants next to the giant sign. Too often people will get right up to the sign or attraction and the person taking the photo is extremely far away, thinking that is what is needed in order to get it all in the frame. Again the example of photo #2. Get low to the ground for an interesting view or zoom in close to fill the frame.

My other favorite model. Photographer on the same level as subject.

Interesting or unusual compositions can turn a photo of a well known place, often photographed, into a new and exciting picture! Now with newer technology you can play with the in phone apps to make changes and adjust color or exposure if necessary. Drop a comment below about a day trip you have taken or are looking forward to soon!

0Shares

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *