I have 11 days of vacation time left for this year and I don't know what to do with them

[Tobin S.]

That probably sounds kind of pathetic. I don't really get out a whole lot beyond work. Being single and having no children might have something to do with that. But I'm going to have to take the time here pretty soon or lose it. So, I need suggestions. My best idea so far is just hanging around the house and reading. I've also thought about taking every Friday off for the rest of the year, but I don't know if they'll let me do that. I can't leave the country, but I can go anywhere in it. I hate to fly, though. I'm from Dayton, Ohio.

[madeline_con]

1. Are you wanted outside the U.S? n/t

[Tobin S.]

2. No. I don't have a passport. :)

[madeline_con]

6. You could visit several places without one. n/t

[kath]

8. It only takes a few weeks to get a passport...

[CaliforniaPeggy]

3. My dear Tobin...

Hm...11 days.

And soon the weather will not be great for driving...

How about traveling by train? Is there any tourist spot you've always wanted to see?

There are a fair number of cool places to visit in the states near you.

Niagara Falls is lovely, always. NYC is cool...DC would be nice now too. Or you could head south and visit some Civil War sites...

These are just off the top of my head. I have been to all these places, and they are fun to visit!

Good luck choosing where you'll go!

:hi:

[Tobin S.]

5. Thanks Peggy. I think it would be cool to see Washington D.C.

I've been around it on the bypass, but I've never actually been there to see all of the historic sites.

[CaliforniaPeggy]

7. DC would be nice ...

It's awfully hot and muggy in the summer, but spring and fall are really nice. And the drive is not bad; about 6 hours or so from you.

You wouldn't have to rush either.

There is a LOT to see!

[Haole Girl]

15. Tobin, I second D.C.

Keep in mind the Smithsonian has more artifacts than any museum in the world.... wear VERY comfortable walking shoes! Enjoy & let us know how it goes. :hi:

[TZ]

18. Yes please come see DC!

I can give you a personal tour! BTW I'm in Columbus this morning and leaving for home soon. Sorry I couldn't work things out for a meetup..:hi:

[madinmaryland]

4. I have 14 days left up to this point. No money to use it,

and the wife and daughter are in school through the end of the year.

Gotta burn the vacation somehow. They have me on furlough time, so I don't know what the fuck to do.

[PassingFair]

19. Home improvement projects.

http://bp1.blogger.com/_tVSrZHfPPb4/RvFa5mvEVCI/AAAAAAAAApU/9WGD5gxDVPs/s400/green+bathroom.jpg


http://images.google.com/imgres?imgurl=&imgrefurl=http://playgreen.typepad.com/blog/2008/10/a-clean-bathroom-can-be-a-green-bathroom.html&usg=__KhIfMkF0Pd2sJ3wUGCfpe8Beyig=&h=400&w=300&sz=19&hl=en&start=18&sig2=roN-7NqWoGqRhoDlBKy5IQ&um=1&tbnid=p6CZ3ewy3KwP4M:&tbnh=124&tbnw=93&prev=/images%3Fq%3Dbathroom%26hl%3Den%26client%3Dfirefox-a%26rls%3Dorg.mozilla:en-US:official%26sa%3DN%26um%3D1&ei=kuHRSq_WCIbIMOeOsZUD

[handmade34]

9. I am almost done in Chicago

and will be going to Delaware, OH to work. I could leave my partner to do our work and you and I could do a road trip to Mammoth Caves in Kentucky.

[WorseBeforeBetter]

10. What about a couple of long weekends...

to places you've always been interested in? My top three would be Minneapolis/St. Paul, Portland, OR, and Seattle. Any places you're curious about? Don't stay home and read -- you can read as you're traveling. :-)

[old mark]

11. TS, whatever you decide, take every hour you can.

You deserve the time, and I found time is the most valuable thing we have.
Maybe you might find some outside interests and then you will never have any "extra" days.

Enjoy.

mark

[vadawg]

12. i like the fact that my vacation hours roll over each year and when i reach a limit they convert

to sick time, i only work 14 days a month as it is so the time accrues quickly, i hated when i had the use it or lose it thing, youwould keep hours until the end of the year to make sure you had them, and then the busy season would be a bear to take days off in. Good luck with spending them...

[spinbaby]

13. That's easy

Throw a few changes of clothes into a bag, have your car looked over to make sure it's sound, and hit the road. Then go wherever the mood strikes you on any particular day. Just be sure to leave enough time to drive back.

[Tobin S.]

14. I like that idea, and I've actually done it before, although it was a long time ago

I've got the rest of the weekend to ponder this, but I think you've got the best idea so far.

[Bossy Monkey]

16. I'd recommend hiking

Not that there's anything wrong with reading, but as you're a truck driver, you probably could stand to stretch your legs a bit. These guys might help: http://www.tristatehikingclub.com/boards/thread/7520135/?thread=7520135

Either that, or do Cincinnati as a tourist. Used to be a terrific Ethiopian/Eritrean restaurant by UC. I dug all the German stuff in Newport, too.

[Haole Girl]

17. I wanted to say that, but I didn't want to sound... um...

bossy.

:rofl:

[Tobin S.]

20. heh heh

I'm actually in pretty good shape for a trucker. 5'10" 185 pounds and I unload a semi trailer by hand five nights a week. Just call me Mr. Goodbody.

[Haole Girl]

22. I know you are

Do what you want. It's your holiday! :hi:

[Gormy Cuss]

21. Take it in one or two chunks rather than a day at a time.

It's much more restorative that way and almost all of us need that break from work every once in awhile even if we love our jobs.

DC's been suggested for a driving trip and given the time of year that's a good direction for driving. Plan stops along the way where there's something of interest.

Spend another few days or week of vacation tackling some home improvements, even something as simple as painting. That's something that will pay off right away.

[GOPisEvil]

23. I'm in a similar boat.

I have 8 days left (and would have more if I didn't move recently). I can roll over 5 days into the next year, which is what I plan to do. I will use those days to take a longish trip - probably back home to visit family and friends.

So, that still leaves 3 days. Dunno what I'm going to do with them. I'll think of something, I guess.